He lets out a heavy groan just as my climax takes over, and I match his cries with my own. It’s a short but intense orgasm, so intense my limbs tingle and go numb as my body relaxes, melting against him.

With my face against his chest, the emotion I pushed away comes flooding back, and I begin to sob again. I don’t know what I’m crying for. My brother, Rafe, for myself. For the intensity I feel toward him no matter how much I don’t want to. How scared it makes me feel to care about him this much.

“Please untie me now so I can hold you,” he begs, and I reach behind him, pulling the rope that allows it to unravel. In a rush, he wraps his arms around me, swallowing me against him, and it only makes me cry harder.

We can’t come back from this. I wanted to help him, and I thought it could just be sex, but my heart has changed. It cannot be unchanged. I don’t want to stop helping him, and I don’t ever want him to stop holding me.

“I wish I still hated you,” I sob, my tears soaking his skin.

He kisses my head, whispering words that cut all the binds holding us a part. “I never hated you.”

Chapter Twenty

Rafe

After a long, quiet shower together, I take Shelby to bed. I’m afraid she won’t sleep because she turns her body away from me in the bed, and I stroke her back to help her relax. Finally, after almost an hour, her breathing slows, and I’m able to rest my hand.

I don’t know how the fuck this all happened. We started this as a vendetta, but we opened something we can never close again. I wanted to be rid of her so I could live my miserable life in peace. Now, I can’t bear to think of my life without her. I don’t want to let her go. But if I don’t make this right with Ezra, she may never be able to look at me the same way again.

The next morning, she’s still asleep when I slide out of bed to make coffee. She finds me in the kitchen fifteen minutes later.

“I have to get to the station,” she mumbles. “I called into work.”

There are heavy bags under her eyes from the crying last night. “Let me take care of it. I’ll post his bail. They’ve let a lot of rich kids slide around here for much less. I know the right people to talk to. For now, you try to get some rest.”

“I have to go, Rafe,” she mumbles, leaning on the counter. For a long moment, I just stare at her. With those golden bronze curls framing her face, she looks far too beautiful and pure for me. But I know this girl is tough as nails and doesn’t just take shit without a fight.