"I'm not trying to do that, I just—"
"Whatever." I shook my head resolutely. "Just forget it, Kade. Let's get back to the house before the movers get here."
"Junebug." I tried to move away, but his arms caught me before I could descend the stepladder leading into the backyard. "Stop being so fucking stubborn."
I stared up at him defiantly. Something passed between us then, a strange moment that made my heart skip a beat as I stared deep into my stepbrother's gray eyes.
"June," he muttered again. His fingers somehow found their way to my cheek, gently caressing my skin. "You're so pretty when you're mad."
"W-What?"
"Sorry." His hand dropped, but I caught it in mine and brought it back to my face. He looked for confirmation in my eyes, and I nodded, a barely perceptible tilt of my head. But it was all Kade needed.
His fingers wandered over my skin again, touching my reddened cheeks before slowly, tentatively moving to my lips. As he touched them, they parted. My heart was beating so fast I thought it would rip through my rib cage, and I was nervous as hell as I faced him. We'd never been intimate like this before. Even Kade giving me his hoodie was unusual.
"What are you doing?" I whispered, half-hoping he wouldn't reply.
"Just shut up," he grunted. "For once, keep that pretty little mouth shut."
I obeyed this time, my lips glued together around the tip of his pointer finger. He explored them with his soft fingertips, coaxing me gently to open them more. His finger grazed my tongue, and I flushed.
"Why are you so scared?" he asked, his voice surprisingly soft.
I couldn't bring myself to answer. All those feelings I'd kept bottled up for years were threatening to come out. The feelings I had for Kade were on the tip of my tongue. I was reaching my breaking point. The moment when I confessed every desire, every forbidden thought I'd had about my stepbrother for years.
"Look at me, Junebug."
My eyes found Kade's. His finger slid from my lips. He didn't touch me, but his eyes felt like they were enveloping me in a warm, soft hug. With a start, I realized I was hoping he'd kiss me. What I'd do just to feel his soft lips on mine for one moment...
As if he was reading my mind, Kade leaned in. Our mouths were inches apart now, so close, yet still so far. I wanted him. I wanted to taste him, to sever our sibling connection and turn it into something else entirely. But I was too scared. Luckily for me, Kade wasn't.
He crushed his lips against mine painfully slow. His breath was fresh, cold yet somehow inviting, and instantly, my body sank against his. His arms wrapped around my neck and he pulled me in. My heart was hammering so fast I was convinced Kade would hear it and laugh at me. But he didn't. He just explored my lips with his. I thought he'd use his tongue, but he didn't. His kisses were soft, almost innocent if it weren't for the tension that hung between us.
"Kade, June, are you up here?"
We sprung apart, but it was a beat too late. Mom appeared on the stepladder, her bright smile fading as she saw what we'd been doing.
"We'll be right down, Rachel," Kade muttered, clearing his throat. I couldn't even look at her. My face felt like it was on fire, burning up from the inside.
"What were you two doing?" Mom glanced back and forth between the two of us. "Please don't tell me it was what I think it was."
"It was nothing," I whispered.
"It didn't look like nothing to me." Mom pulled herself up into the treehouse, ignoring me as she crouched between us. Her glare was trained on Kade now, and the next words she spoke came out in a hiss. "She's thirteen, Kade. Thirteen."
My stepbrother's eyes met mine over her shoulder.
"Don't look at her."
"Mom, would you calm down?" I managed. "It's nothing. It was just a harmless kiss..."
"Harmless?" She glared at me next. "He's your stepbrother, June. He's family. It's totally inappropriate."
I felt shamed then. I was burning up and cold at the same time, the embarrassment of being caught making me flush an even deeper shade of red.
"You're overreacting," I said to Mom.
"With good reason." She turned to face Kade again. "I don't want this to happen again. I mean it, Kade, or I'm going to tell your father. And we both know he wouldn't like this."
I knew she was right. Kade and Parker's Dad, Mark, wouldn't like the thought of us together. He was traditional and valued family above everything else. I felt shame then. Deep, dark shame that made me think something was wrong with me because I was so attracted to my stepbrother. But I couldn't help it. I wanted Kade. I wanted to see where our connection went, not watch the flame go out the moment it was lit.
But because Mom had caught us, it seemed as if it was all over before it even began.
"Promise me right now, Kade," Mom insisted. "You won't touch June again. She's off-limits for you. You understand me?"
"Loud and clear, Rachel," Kade muttered.
"Good." Mom crossed her arms and glared at me next. "Same goes for you, June. Don't give into this. It's wrong and inappropriate. Now come on, we have packing to do. The movers will be here in twenty, and Mark and Parker are waiting."
I nodded wordlessly. She didn't even leave a moment for me to talk things through with Kade. She followed us closely as we made our way back to the house.
And from then on, every time I was alone with Kade, I felt my mother's watchful eyes on my back, her cryptic words ringing in my ears.
"Miss Wildfox."
"Yes?" I look up from the report I'm reading, realizing I've been so caught up in my memories I've gone through several pages of it without even knowing what I'm reading. A flush creeps into my cheeks as I stare at Barbara, one of my maids who wears an excitable expression and is holding up the landline phone.
"A call for you, Miss Wildfox."
"I don't have time right now," I mutter.
"I think you do," she muses. "It's your brother."
I'm up in seconds, grabbing the phone from her hand and not even caring about how desperate I must look to her. Barbara leaves the room with a knowing smile, and my hand shakes as I hold the phone to my ear.
"Kade?"
"Parker." My expression falls instantly, but still, it's good to hear his voice after all the time that has passed.
"Parker!" I grin, sitting back down at my desk. "I haven't heard from you in so long. I'm so glad you called."
"Me too." I can practically see the mischievous grin on his face. "Look, I'm just setting up for dinner, and I wanted to ask if you'd like to drop by. You know, have something to eat."
I don't want to break his heart and tell him all my calories for the day have been accounted for. Besides, one extra meal won't kill me. I'll just work myself twice as hard in my exercise routine tomorrow.
"I would love to," I manage. "Can I come by your place in about an hour?"
"Great. Can't wait to see you."
"I can't wait either," I admit, cutting the call and struggling to fight the smile off my face as I race to my closet to find an appropriate outfit.