FORBIDDEN DESIRES

RYAN

I was on a rampage, and the second I stepped into the basement, my two friends scrambled to make themselves scarce. Kyle suddenly found something fascinating on his phone, while Jack kept his eyes glued to his computer screen as if his life depended on it. I could almost feel the tension crackling in the air, and I didn’t blame them. For the past two days, I’d been snapping at anyone who dared speak to me.

I kept telling myself it was just stress or exhaustion, but deep down, I knew exactly what – or rather, who – was behind it. Since prom night, I hadn’t been able to think about anything else, especially if that anything else is not the girl with now short brown hair and lips that tasted like sin itself.

That damn kiss. It had haunted me every second since I’d finally given in to the need that had been gnawing at me, driving me insane. And taking her mouth in a kiss was probably my worst idea – and my best. If Violet had once been a shadow in my thoughts, that kiss had etched her there, permanently, with no escape. She was all I thought about before I went to sleep, the first thought in my head when I woke up, and the one thing I couldn’t shake, no matter what I did.

I’d tried. I'd gone through the motions – working out until my muscles screamed, throwing myself into a brutal sparring session with Jack, drowning myself in my painting – and nothing worked. She was still there. Haunting me. It was maddening, and yet, I couldn’t bring myself to regret a single second of it.

That was what terrified me the most. She was my stepsister – hell, she was the last person I should’ve kissed. And yet, there was no nausea, no disgust. None of the sickness that clawed up my throat at the thought of kiss itself. Every other time, I’d felt like my body was rebelling, rejecting intimacy. It made kissing a mistake I never wanted to make.

But with Violet… it had been different. The second our lips met, I’d felt something I couldn’t explain – a hunger, a spark, like she was the only one who could satisfy this ache. Instead of the usual sick feeling, I’d wanted more, like something had finally clicked into place. That terrified me more than any consequences.

And the worst part? I wanted more.

But instead of dealing with it like any sane person would, she’d chosen to act like it hadn’t happened at all. She’d avoided me completely since that night. I hadn’t chased after her that night because I figured we both needed a little space to think things through, but apparently, she’d decided that “space” meant pretending I didn’t exist. She left prom without a word, and the next morning, she practically bolted from the breakfast table. No eye contact, no small talk. Yesterday, she’d even taken herself to school, a clear attempt to dodge the morning drive with me.

Every brush-off, every sidestep just made the frustration build until it felt like a storm gathering inside me. I’d never been this unhinged over a girl before, and here I was, completely torn up over the one girl who I should be keeping at arm’s length.

I wasn’t sure how long I could keep it together before I snapped.

Jack’s voice jolted me out of my thoughts. “Hey, Ryan…check this out”

I shot him a look, barely masking my irritation. His eyes widened, and he threw up his hands in surrender, mumbling, “Alright, alright. I figured”

I pushed past him, needing air, needing to clear my head before I snapped at one of them. The basement suddenly felt stifling, walls closing in. I took the stairs two at a time, heading out into the main hallway.The moment I got there, I stopped in my tracks.

Standing across from me were Evelyn and Max Caldwell, deep in conversation. I could feel my fists clench instinctively. It wasn’t just the sight of them together—it was seeing Max, his smug expression enough to make my blood boil. I hadn’t been to the basketball court much lately, but even if I had, the last person I’d want to run into was him. Whatever Evelyn was talking to him about, I knew she wasn’t moving on. Evelyn wasn’t the type to settle, and she sure as hell wasn’t one to back down from something—or someone—she wanted.

Max noticed me first, a slow, mocking grin spreading across his face as he straightened, turning toward me. “Well, well, if it isn’t Ryan,” he drawled, his voice dripping with fake warmth. He crossed his arms, looking me up and down like I was some stray he’d found in his path. “Didn’t expect to see you here. You’ve been avoiding the court for a while now.”

I took a step forward, narrowing my eyes. “Avoiding it, or just not interested in wasting my time with you?”

Max chuckled, shrugging. “Funny, because last I checked, you were the one running from competition.” He leaned closer, his voice low enough for only me to hear. “Guess even a golden boy has limits.”

I could feel the tension snap between us, my fists clenched so tight I could feel my knuckles going white. “Careful, Max,” I warned, my tone deadly calm. “You don’t want to push me right now.”

Evelyn glanced between us, her mouth set in a tight line. But she stayed silent, watching, as if calculating the fallout.

Max didn’t back down, his smirk widening. “Oh, I’d hate to be in your shoes right now,” he sneered. “Having to fight off rumors and deal with a little family drama, all because you can’t keep your priorities straight.” He took a step back, chuckling as he patted my shoulder, his touch lingering a second too long. “But I’ll let you and Evelyn sort that out. I’m sure she has… other ways of keeping you busy.”

Before I could react, he turned and walked away, the smirk still plastered on his face. I was left standing there, the urge to punch something—or someone—so strong it nearly consumed me.

As soon as Max was out of earshot, Evelyn turned to me, crossing her arm. “What was that about?” she asked, her tone half-amused, half-annoyed.

I didn’t bother masking my frustration. “You tell me. What are you doing with him, Evelyn? Because the last time I checked,you hated him as much as I do”

She rolled her eyes, waving her hand dismissively. “Relax, Ryan. It was nothing.”

“Nothing?” I snorted.

Her gaze sharpened, her expression twisting into something colder. “I should be asking you about that kiss you stole at prom. With Violet, of all people. Your stepsister.”

Of course,she knows.

“That’s none of your business.”

“Oh, I think it is.” Evelyn stepped closer, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “She’s nothing, Ryan. And if she thinks she’s somehow worth your attention, she’s delusional.”

I felt anger flare up in my chest, a wave of something unpleasant hurtled through my veins.

“Don’t talk about her like that, Evelyn.”

Her eyes narrowed, a glint of menace in them.

“You're more interested in her that I thought” Her expression hardened,and for a splitting moment,I saw the the real her–Cold, calculating and ready to do anything to be in control “She’s a problem, Ryan. And I have no intention of letting some naive little girl mess with what’s mine.” Her smile was cold, laced with thinly veiled threat. “So maybe you should tell your precious stepsister to keep her distance… unless she wants to get hurt.”

That made me pause,my hands twitched by my side wanting to do anything to wipe that smug grin on her face but I couldn't.

“Don't you dare touch her” I said,my voice low and dangerous. “You come after her and you'll regret it”

Evelyn's eyes lit in amusement. “Ohh protective aren't we? How sweet. But don't worry,I won't touch her. I have people for that” She took step back,her eyes glinting with satisfaction. “Just remember Ryan. If you're not with me, you're against me and I don't play nice with enemies. Bye Ryan

With that,she turned on her heels and strutted away.

As she disappeared down the hall, I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. I knew Evelyn’s words were only meant as a threat but then, I needed to find Violet –now.