Chapter 36: Chapter 36
Kyra’s POV
I awoke with a start, my body drenched in sweat, my heart pounding so violently I feared it might burst from my chest. Sylvia stirred restlessly within me. My cheeks were burning and my sex throbbed. I had a dream—and it wasn’t just a simple one.
The remnants of the dream still clung to me. First, it had been Nathan, his fresh, minty scent wrapping around me in passion. Then, the vision shifted abruptly, turning into Kieran—his ice-blue eyes burning into mine with an intensity that jolted me awake.
I didn’t know why I dreamed like that. The heat between my thighs was undeniable, my body still thrumming with unmet desire. Maybe it was because they’d taken over my thoughts all this time, and my pregnancy hormones were kicking in again. There was no other explanation for why I’d dream of both my ex-mate and my stepbrother in such... compromising positions.
Sitting on the bed, I lightly slapped my cheeks and groaned under my heavy breathing. "Damn, Kyra! That was nothing! It doesn’t mean anything. You shouldn’t think about your ex-mate and you definitely shouldn’t get attracted to your stepbrother."
But even as I tried to convince myself, I couldn’t ignore the way my pulse jumped at the memory of Kieran’s hands in the dream—large, warm, and infinitely skilled. Sylvia whined softly in my mind, her confusion mirroring my own. "Dangerous thoughts," she warned, though I detected something else beneath her caution. Interest? Curiosity?
Shaking my head, I got off the bed to get some water. I needed to calm down. This silly dream was driving me nuts.
I went downstairs and straight to the kitchen. I grabbed a glass and immediately drank some water. I felt like I needed fresh air, so I hugged myself as I walked toward the lanai. However, I paused when I saw someone near the pool. It was Kieran. He was puffing a cigarette while sitting on the sun lounger. Beside him was a bottle of liquor. He was half-naked, his sculpted torso glistening with residual water, and his hair was messy and wet. I figured he’d just finished swimming.
My lips parted as I swallowed hard. I should have turned away, but something kept me rooted to the spot, watching the moonlight play over his defined muscles. His jaw was perfectly angled from where I stood, and his damp hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. He was looking at the moon and, for some reason, I sensed sadness in his eyes.
As if he felt my stare, he looked my way. His golden eyes—so much like his wolf Ronan’s—locked onto me with predatory precision.
I was startled and immediately turned my back, walking without direction. I was almost at the staircase when someone grabbed my wrist, and I instantly knew who it was. His scent—a mix of alcohol, cigarettes, and his cedar-and-musk aroma—filled my nose. An intoxicating, dangerous combination.
I looked him in the eyes and was almost burned by his intense gaze. He leaned closer to me, and I had no choice but to press myself against the stair railing. His slightly red lips distracted me, and knowing I was still sensitive from my dream, I felt like I’d lose my sanity.
He was so close, blocking any escape with his arms.
I tried to avoid his gaze, but he did everything to force our eyes to meet.
"Running again, little wolf?" His voice was rough, the alcohol making it even deeper than usual. The nickname sent an unexpected shiver down my spine.
He pinned me against the stair railing, his bare chest nearly brushing mine. "Too close," Sylvia warned, but I felt her studying him with a mixture of wariness and fascination.
"What are you doing, Kieran?" I was just thankful I managed to get the question out without stammering.
His jaw clenched, his eyes growing darker. "I’m just wondering... Why didn’t you ask about the woman you saw in the living area? Aren’t you curious about her?"
For some reason, I felt irritated. I didn’t know if he was playing with me or what. Why would I care about his she-wolf?
"It doesn’t bother me, Kieran. I don’t have any reason to ask about her identity. It’s not like I’m interested in your personal life. I’m not some nosy step-sister who pries into her stepbrother’s private life."
He tilted his head, the corner of his lips lifting. "Hmm? Then am I some perverted stepbrother who likes to pry into his stepsister’s private life?"
I frowned. "What’s your point?"
He moved closer, making my body tense. Oh shit! I didn’t sleep with any underwear. He would feel my body if he moved much closer.
"My point is, stepsister, you keep making me so mad, even though you know you can affect me in so many ways. I’m so mad that I’ve memorized everything about you. Even the flip of your hair... it drives me crazy."
His possessiveness brought my irritation back. He had always tried to control my life, using my father’s favor to do whatever pleased him. To that she-wolf, he might be the billionaire Alpha from Raven Shadow Pack with the best body and bedroom skills. To me, he’d always be the control freak and short-tempered devil I never wanted in my life.
"That’s your problem, Kieran. You’re a control freak. You take advantage of our situation to manipulate and control my life, which I hate so much. You only want the best for yourself—you’re selfish, and yes, you’re a pervert who likes to meddle in my life!"
He clenched his jaw and stared straight into my eyes. For a moment, I worried for my life if he got angry tonight. He could easily hurt me if he wanted.
I gasped as his eyes raked over my body, making me shiver for reasons I couldn’t understand. I immediately hugged myself to shield myself from his intense stare but was stunned when he smiled devilishly, his eyes flickering with mischief.
I got goosebumps as he leaned in and sniffed my neck. I held completely still, worried he might notice how my breasts pressed against his chest if I moved.
"You know I’m not afraid of anything, right? Should I do something perverted since you already labeled me as one?"
"Kieran... Shut up!" I tried to sound dominant, but it came out as more of a moan, and I cursed myself inwardly.
He moved suddenly. Before I could react, he lowered his head to my neck, his nose brushing the sensitive spot where Nathan’s mating mark had never been. A bolt of electricity shot straight to my core, and I audibly caught my breath.
He chuckled darkly before speaking again. "Don’t worry, baby. I’ll be gentle... for now."
What? What is this man saying? He’s really insane! I was about to push him away when he suddenly grabbed my neck.
Sylvia’s snarl of alarm was my only warning before Kieran’s lips crashed onto mine.
The kiss was nothing like I’d imagined. Kieran’s mouth was hot and demanding, yet there was an underlying tenderness that shattered my defenses. His hand fisted in my hair, tilting my head to angle the kiss, while his other arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
And the worst part?
I kissed him back.
For one heartbeat, then two, I melted into the contact, my hands finding purchase on his bare shoulders. Sylvia howled in protest, but my human half was too far gone to care. The taste of whiskey on his tongue, the press of his hard body against mine, the way Ronan’s possessive growl vibrated from Kieran’s chest into mine—it was all too much, yet not nearly enough.
Kieran didn’t release me, but he did pull back enough to meet my eyes. What I saw there stole my breath—raw hunger, yes, but something else too. Something dangerously close to...
