Steps of Desire

sleep t

. Ryan's hand hesitated at my waist, his breath brushing my cheek, the look in his eyes like he w

llways as it belonged to someone richer than us. Every step I took echoed. The Caldwell mansion

my eyes. The smell of coffee hit me first. Then th

growled loud enough to betray me. I stepped into the kitchen. Liam spot

You look like you fou

d. "Than

idn't notice me. The folded sleeves, the slightly messy hair, the fa

nd my hand trembled a

?" Liam aske

ke without looking up. "She bar

ed at him. "Are y

es. "Someone has to, you

not yo

ooled me,"

like a child witnessing drama for the first time.

his hands in surrender. My phone buz

e, open up. I brou

"My friend is here,

dramatically.

followed me as I walked out, the weight

e. Braids bouncing, oversized tote bag smacking her h

"You look stressed, is he stressing you? Bec

ed. "I'

ed harde

hie immediately sized up the room,

m Liam. I ruin vi

"Sophie, I en

eather forecast he didn't trust. Sophie leaned

her foo

seriously, he

does that, don't take it per

them but hi

uffin from her bag, "tell me ab

ing to tell." Ryan's gaze flick

an eyebrow.

Why do you look like so

and pointed at me. "You

nto a cabinet. "Nob

e said, narrowing her eye

ushing his chair back

urday?" L

door without looking at me. Sophie watched him leave then tu

ed my muffin.

idence of a drunk psychologist. "I've known

g against the counter. "

she'd hurt herself. "Girl, half the best

he sounded. Later that afternoon, Mom insisted we all sit in

ell perched in her armchair like she was judging a competition we n

a smile

arms. "It's been.

both to behave like adul

carefully. "Th

," she m

y. "We're all getting along wonderful

ances matter. I don't want any confusion or tension between the two of yo

e loaded and unspoken. Unexpectedly, Ry

lowed a few seconds later, ignoring the questions being thrown at me. I found him

?" I aske

and tired eye. "Your mom and

a laugh

enough that it did something to my breathing. "Ella..." he b

ed against my

ting himself. Then he said it agai

it." I froze and the world felt

ing the air between us. His breath roughed my ear and I felt my pants getti

could happen or any line could be crossed, Mr

I need you bo

tood there, my heart in my throat, wondering how the hell we were supposed to wal

ot harder. And deep down? I wasn't