THE BIKER ALPHA WHO BECAME MY SECOND CHANCE MATE

Chapter 29 I don't know why I'm acting like a slut ; just last night I was crying my eyes out , now a few hours later I'm craving my sexy hot big brother . When he hands me my sandwich , our fingers brush , and I feel that electric shock again . It's so intense I actually jerk my hand back , nearly dropping the food . Tristan notices immediately , his brow furrowing with concern , but he doesn't say anything . Just gives me that same gentle , worried look that makes me feel even more pathetic . It's just because I haven't had a release , I tell myself firmly . It's been months since ...

well , since anything . My body is just hypersensitive right now . It has nothing to do with him specifically . But even as I think it , I know it's a lie . " Want to watch something ? " he suggests after lunch , already reaching for the remote . I should say no . Should make an excuse and go hide in my room until I can get my reactions under control , or maybe put bob in action . But I find myself nodding instead . " Sure . You pick . " He settles on some action movie I've never heard of , and we arrange ourselves on opposite ends of the couch .

But somehow , as the movie progresses , the space between us seems to shrink . When a particularly loud explosion makes me jump , his hand lands on my shoulder , steady and warm . " Hey , it's okay , " he murmurs , his thumb rubbing small circles against my collarbone . " It's just a movie . " The innocent touch sends fire racing through my veins , and I can't stop the small gasp that escapes me . I pull away quickly , tucking myself into the corner of the couch . Tristan's hand falls away , and when I risk a glance at him , he's studying me with that same concerned expression .

" Athena , " he says quietly . " You keep pulling away from me . " My cheeks burn . " I'm not ...... " " You are . " His voice is patient but firm . " Every time I touch you , you flinch like you expect me to hurt you . " If only it were that simple . 18:34 Fri , Jan 2 d Chapter 29 " I don't ..... " I start , but he's already moving closer , ignoring my obvious discomfort . ' Listen to me , " he says , his voice taking on that authoritative tone that makes my stomach flutter . " I need you to understand something . I will never hurt you . Never . You're safe with me , always .

" He reaches out slowly , giving me time to pull away , and cups my cheek in his palm . The touch is gentle , brotherly , meant to be comforting . 46 Instead , it makes me want to cry out his name . It make me completely wet for him . " You need to learn to accept my touch , " he continues , his thumb stroking along my cheekbone . " I know you've been through hell , and I know it's going to take time to trust again . But I'm not going anywhere , and I'm not going to hurt you . " How do I do that ? When I'm trying to see him as just an elder brother . He's being so kind .

So patient and understanding . Everything a good man should be when dealing with someone who's been through what I have . But all I can think about is how much I want him to kiss me . How much I want him to touch me the way he did in my dream . How desperately I want him to see me as something other than damaged goods who needs to be handled with care . " I know , " I whisper , because it's the only response I can manage that won't completely humiliate me . " Good . " He gives me a soft smile and lets his hand fall away .

" Now , can we finish this terrible movie , or should we find something else ? " I force myself to smile back . " This is fine . " But it's not fine . Nothing about this is fine . He might not hurt me physically , but he's destroying me in ways he doesn't even realize . Making me feel things I shouldn't feel , want things I can't have . 2 Making me fall even deeper in love with someone who will never see me as anything more than his broken little sister .

As the movie continues , I curl deeper into my corner of the couch and try to convince myself that this ache in my chest is just leftover trauma . Just my damaged psyche confusing care with something else . But when I catch him watching me with those dark , unreadable eyes , I know I'm lying to myself . Some wounds , I'm learning , never really heal . They just teach you to live with the pain . Sara Lili Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland's breathtaking cold.