The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 108 - one hundred and eight

Chapter One Hundred and Eight

Malachi’s POV

Dinner time came and Cecilia couldn’t walk on her injured ankle. I found myself carrying her down the stairs, her arms wrapped around my neck for balance. She was light, but the closeness felt awkward, like I was playing a role in a bad play. Her perfume was too sweet, clinging to me in a way that made me think of obligations, not desire.

"I’m so sorry about this," she said. "I feel ridiculous." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"It’s fine. Just hold on."

The family was already gathering in the dining room when we arrived. I set Cecilia down in her chair carefully. Made sure her ankle was elevated on a cushion one of the staff provided. She gave me a grateful look, but it did nothing for me. This was all pretend, a cover to make sure she got her inheritance. After that, all of this would be over.

Everyone watched. Some with curiosity. Some with approval. Layla, my mom, smiled like this confirmed everything she wanted to believe about us. She had always pushed for me to settle down, and this fake setup fed right into her hopes.

I took the seat next to Cecilia. Across the table, I could see Alicia sitting next to Travis. She was looking at her plate. Not at me. Not at anyone. But I felt her there, like a shadow in the corner of my eye. Memories hit me hard, the kind that twisted my gut. Her skin under my fingers, hot and yielding. The way she’d arch into my touch, whispering things that made the world fade. Dark, forbidden nights where we crossed lines we shouldn’t have. I shifted in my seat, forcing my gaze away, but the heat lingered.

I wanted to grab her and kiss her in front of all of them. Make them know she belonged solely to me.

Dinner was served. Plates piled with steak and potatoes, the smell filling the room. Conversation flowed around the table. Pa Wood talked about the estate, the old barns and fields that stretched out forever. About activities planned for the two weeks. About making this trip memorable. His voice boomed, pulling laughs from the group, but I barely heard it. My mind was on Alicia, on the way her hair fell over her shoulder, hiding the spot where I’d once left a mark that took days to fade.

She made sure to avoid eye contact with me. I hated that.

"Tomorrow we’ll go hunting," he announced. "There’s excellent game in the area. We’ll split into teams of two. Make it interesting."

"Hunting?" Sasha looked unenthusiastic. "That sounds boring."

"It’s tradition. And it builds character." Pa Wood’s tone left no room for argument.

I nodded along, but inside, I pictured the woods. Dark trees closing in, the crack of branches underfoot. If I got paired with Alicia, what then? Alone out there, no eyes on us. The thought sent a rush through me, dirty and urgent. Her against a tree, breaths coming fast, my hands pinning her as we gave in to what we both craved. But Travis was right there, chatting with her, his arm brushing hers. Jealousy bit deep, sharp as a knife.

Something screamed in my head.

Kill him!

Cecilia leaned over, her voice low. "You hunt much?"

"Sometimes," I said, keeping it short. She was trying, but it felt forced. This fake thing was a shield, nothing more. My real hunger was across the table, untouchable for now.

The meal went on, silverware clinking, stories swapping back and forth. Alicia laughed at something Travis said, the sound like a punch. Did she feel my stare? Did it make her skin prickle, remembering how I’d make her beg? I gripped my fork tighter, forcing down the food that tasted like ash.

After dinner, people dispersed. Some to the sitting room for coffee and talk by the fire. Some to their rooms, yawning and stretching. I helped Cecilia back upstairs. Scooped her up again, her weight familiar but empty. No spark, no pull. Just duty.

Got her settled on the bed with ice on her ankle. She propped herself up on pillows, sighing. "Thanks for this. I hate being a burden."

"You’re not. Rest up."

"I’ll be back in a bit," I said. "Just going to check on some things."

"Take your time. I’ll be fine."

I left the room and found Pa Wood in his study. He was pouring himself a drink when I entered, the bottle glugging into the glass.

"Malachi. Come in. Close the door."

I did. Took the seat across from his desk. The room smelled like tea and books, heavy in the air.

"How’s Cecilia’s ankle?" he asked.

"Fine. Just needs rest."

"Good. She seems like a lovely girl. Robert raised her well." He took a sip of his drink. "But I don’t buy it."

"Buy what?"

"Your relationship. It’s not real."

I kept my expression neutral. "Why would you think that?"

"Because I know you. I’ve watched you your entire life. And you don’t look at her the way a man in love looks at a woman."

"People express affection differently."

"True. But you don’t express it at all. You’re attentive. Careful. But there’s no passion. No real connection." He set down his glass. "So what’s the real reason she’s here?"

"She needed help. I’m helping her. That’s all you need to know."

Pa Wood studied me for a long moment. "Fine. Keep your secrets. But don’t insult my intelligence by pretending this is love."

"Noted."

"Good. Now get out. And Malachi? Whatever game you’re playing, make sure it doesn’t blow up in all our faces."

I left his study and headed back toward the stairs. His words stuck like burrs, but they paled next to the ache for Alicia. That’s when I ran into Sophie. She was carrying a book, probably heading to her room. Alicia’s little sister, still a kid in my eyes, all wide-eyed innocence.

"Hey," she said, smiling. "Are you coming to the hunt tomorrow?"

"Probably. You?"

"No way. I don’t like killing things. I’ll stay here and read." She held up her book. "Much better use of my time."

"Smart choice."

"Malachi?" She looked at me seriously. "Are you happy?"

The question caught me off guard. "Why do you ask?"

"Because you don’t look happy. You look like you’re pretending." She shrugged. "Just an observation."

"I’m fine, Sophie."

"If you say so." She started walking past me, then stopped. "You know, being fine isn’t the same as being happy. Just thought you should know."

She continued to her room, leaving me standing in the hallway with her words echoing in my head.

Kids. They saw too much. Understood things adults tried to hide. Sophie was like a little sister to me, always had been. Her concern hit different, but it didn’t change the mess inside.

I went back to my room. Found Cecilia already asleep. The lamp cast a soft glow, shadows playing on the walls. I watched her for a second, breathing even, no pull there. She was safe, uncomplicated. But I didn’t want safe.

Went to my makeshift bed on the couch and lay down. Stared at the ceiling. Thought about Pa Wood’s words. Sophie’s observation. The way Alicia wouldn’t look at me. It burned, that avoidance. Made me want to corner her, press close until she admitted the fire still raged between us.

Memories flooded in, dark and vivid. The first time, hidden in the hotel, her hands clawing at my back as I took her hard against the hay. Whispers of "more" and "don’t stop," her body trembling under mine. The risk, the thrill of getting caught, only made it hotter. Nights after, stealing moments, exploring every inch with teeth and tongue. She’d bite her lip to stifle moans, eyes locked on mine, daring me deeper.

But then it ended. Or did it? This trip, with her here, Travis or not, stirred it all up. The fake with Cecilia was a barrier, but cracks were showing. What if we slipped away tomorrow in the hunt? Found a spot in the trees, clothes torn off in haste, bodies slamming together in raw need. I’d make her scream my name, mark her as mine again.

Alicia belonged to me. She’s mine alone.

Mine to mark.

The couch creaked as I shifted, arousal building from the thoughts. I closed my eyes, but sleep dodged me. Instead, fantasies played out, dirty and unrelenting. Alicia on her knees, looking up with that wicked gleam. Me behind her, gripping hips, thrusting deep until she shattered. The darkness in it, the forbidden edge, pulled me under.

This was going to be a long two weeks. Tensions simmering, desires clawing to break free. One wrong move, and it all ignites. Part of me hoped it would, craved the burn. The other part knew the ashes would bury us all. But with Alicia so close, resistance felt like a losing game.