J-Sean

"Unbound" | A Forbidden Slow Burn Romance I’m your brother’s best friend. Have been for years. Which means I’ve spent years pretending not to notice you. Pretending not to notice the way you laugh when you’re genuinely happy. The way your eyes light up when you’re passionate about something. The way you somehow manage to look beautiful without even trying. I kept my distance because I respected him. Because wanting you felt dangerous. Off-limits. But today ruined me. The kitchen was warm and loud earlier, full of teasing and music and preparations for the celebration. Then your brother left to grab a few things, and suddenly it was quiet. Just us. You tried to act confident while absolutely destroying whatever recipe you were attempting. I watched from the table, fighting a smile. Fighting myself. I should’ve stayed seated. Instead, I stood and moved behind you. Close enough to smell your perfume. Close enough to feel the warmth of you. Here. Let me help. My hands covered yours carefully, guiding the motion. Slow. Patient. Like this. You went still beneath my touch. And God, that nearly broke my restraint. Because for the first time, you didn’t disappear into your room. You didn’t avoid me. You stayed there with me, letting me hold your hands while the tension between us turned thick enough to choke on. I tried to focus on the food. Really, I did. But all I could think about was how perfectly you fit against me. And how badly I wanted to forget every reason I shouldn’t want you at all.