🚩Risky Bond With Best Friend’s Brother

01

    SOLAYNE

Tonight was the best night of my life. The night my biggest dream was stepping out in heels and coming straight to me.

I giggled to myself as I added more gloss to my lips. In the round tiny powder-mirror, I adjusted my hair, pressed my lips together in a kiss of approval, and I was good to go.

I rejoined the party, threaded through the crowd with a barrage of 'hello,' 'excuse me,' 'sorry,' here and there. It wasn't a surprise that the anniversary party was this Packed with people. The Domayne family were quite famous.

I found who I was looking for—my younger brother—and snatched his drink as I joined his table.

"What the hell, Solayne? There are servers moving around. Do you have to take everything from me?" He flung his arms wide

I simply chuckled as I emptied his glass.

He gave me a beady, big-brother look despite being younger. "Now, what's with the excitement?"

"Well," I cleared my throat, tried to tamp down the squeal. "Vance is going to ask me out tonight."

God, the words tasted like champagne. I’d waited my whole life for this. Okay, at least since sophomore year, which is close enough to eternity.

Leo scanned me head to toe, his expression spelling out P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C in capital letters. "Did he tell you that himself? Like, 'Hey, get ready to be asked out'?"

"No, idiot." I rolled my eyes then smiled when I remembered how it happened. "I saw the infinity necklace."

"What Infinity necklace?"

"The one he knows I like. I mean, I told him some time ago. And as you know, infinity means forever. I believe he's going to gift it to me tonight."

I was coming from his room where I found the necklace. I'd gone to check on him and found the opened box lying on his bed. The goosebumps I felt at that moment... I'd do anything to feel them again.

Leo sighed, tucking a hand into his pocket as he shook his head. "Sometimes I pity myself for having you as a sister. There are people with smarter sisters, you know. Why did it have to be me?"

I leveled him with a laser-straight glare as I plucked a glass of red wine from a passing tray. I was already loading a lecture when he kept going.

"You and Vance have been best friends since childhood. You're Twenty-two now, he's twenty-three. And not once has he ever asked you out. I told you before and I'll tell you again for free; Vance doesn't regard you as a girlfriend. I'm one hundred percent sure he doesn't even see you as a crush. You're just his best friend. Stop being so desperate."

His words found the soft part under my ribs and pressed, mostly because too much of it flirted with the truth.

"He... loves me," I said, twisting the wine stem. "I'm sure he's only shy and scared of rejection."

"Seriously? Vance Domayne scared of your rejection? And here I was thinking you'd only get smarter." He raised his glass to his lips. I hit him on the shoulder, prompting some of the liquid to spill on him.

Good.

"You better watch your tone, brat. I'm still older than you, okay? Besides, you're just twenty. You shouldn't have too much say on relationships."

"So, you feel I'm a minor?"

"Of course you're a minor, you rat. You think wearing a suit makes you sixty? Look, it's my fault for telling you about my relationship when you should be reading a book or something. Forgive me."

He shook his head again in that way that screamed "pathetic" and I just wanted to hit him in the jaw.

I turned away, scanning the glittered room so I wouldn’t have to keep inhaling his smug. But there was no denying that his words sat uncomfortably in my chest.

'You're just his bestfriend.'

No. I was more than that. 'We' were more than that.

Vance loved me. I knew it in the way he treated me. He was usually the first to call me every morning to be sure I made it through the night—I always called him crazy for that. We send each other gifts at random, share secrets, spend the holidays together. We do things even lovers don't! There was no way on earth he didn't feel what I felt for him. There was no way Vance didn't like me!

The necklace was for me; I knew it deep in my bones. It was his parents' anniversary party, and he was going to ask me out to make it memorable.

"Oh, my God! Are you serious? Marshall's here!?" A lady gasped behind me.

My glass stopped halfway to my lips, my pulse tripping over itself. That name still had the power to freeze my blood.

No.

"Yes, girl. He just got back for the anniversary. You know he’s not exactly on talking terms with his dad. Pretty sure his mom’s the only reason he showed up."

"Damn, girl. Then, where is he? How have I not seen him? I need to get laid with the legendary Marshall. Need to see what the bedroom rumours are all about."

"Those are no rumors, darling. They truly do happen and you have to be mentally prepared to face it. They say there's no going back once you walk in."

"Well, shit. I'd really like to see for myself. I've wanted a man like him my whole life. Girl, I can't wait to have him."

My glass stayed seated in my hand. There was no doubt the liquid would get stuck in my throat if I attempted to drink.

Marshall Domayne. Here in Raventon. In this very house. How had Vance failed to mention that?

It's been nine years already. Yet, it still fucking hurt like it happened yesterday. I honestly thought I wouldn't feel a thing again if I met him. Who knew it'd only take the mention of his name to reopen old wounds?

Marshall was the child you'd refer to as the black sheep of the family. He left home when he was nineteen after a major disagreement with his father. He gave the old man the middle finger, told him he didn't need his money.

Karma wasn't a bitch this time. Marshall did succeed and currently ran businesses that people gossiped were more successful than his father's.

The last time I saw him was in high school, and I'd been hoping I never would again.

"Hey, Pinkie."

I spun around so fast my hair nearly slapped me in the face.

And there he was; the one face that could reboot my entire day. One look into those blue eyes and the noise around me melted like butter on hot pavement.

"Brute!" I laughed, thumbing him in the ribs just to hide how my heart was doing acrobatics behind my ribs.

Vance always looked unfairly good in a suit, but tonight he looked better

'Maybe it's because he's about to ask you out.'

"Wow. You look gorgeous. Do you have a date here or something?" He glanced around the hall.

I laughed as I thumbed his ribs again.

"You don't look bad yourself. I was actually wondering when you'd make an appearance."

I didn't want to tell him I'd been to his room. Didn't want him guessing I'd seen the necklace.

"Yeah, I was busy with something." He hesitated, scratching his neck before his eyes met mine again. "By the way, um... can I speak with you for a moment? Outside, I mean."

He said those words and my heart stopped, then immediately overcompensated by pounding loud enough to qualify as background music. I wondered if he could hear it.

"S—Sure." I cleared my throat.

Holding my hand, he led me out of the hall. I glanced at Leo who was in a conversation with a guest, but thank God he caught my glance that said: Yup, I was right!

Outside, the air was softer, cooler. The stars sprawled across the sky like they’d shown up just for this moment. But honestly, none of them could hold a candle to how it felt having Vance’s hand wrapped around mine.

He led me to a quiet corner where the light dimmed enough to make everything feel private and intimate. Not that I needed light; his eyes had always been their own kind of glow.

Vance Domayne had always been my best friend, my longest ache, my almost everything. He was one of the finest boys in school then with his wavy hair and pink lips. Girls used to trip over themselves for him, but somehow, I’d been the one who got to stay by his side. The only one who didn’t just crush but belonged.

There was no way he didn't feel it too.

"I just need to ask you something, Pinkie."

That was a nickname only he called me. It stemmed from my love for pink when we were younger. Pink wasn't my favourite color anymore, but the way the name rolled off his tongue still made me melt.

"What is it?" I tried as much as I could to sound casual even though my pulse was doing parkour.

"You know, I've had this in mind for long now. I just didn't know how to do it."

His hand dipped into his pocket and came out with a small red velvet box; the very one I'd seen in his room!

Oh my God. This is happening.

Vance Domayne was about to do this. And I might actually pass out before he finished.

"As my best friend, you already know you're special to me."

He opened the box, revealing the sparkling piece sitting pretty.

I took a nervous swallow, praying to the heavens I didn't have tears in my eyes already.

"This is why I wanted to ask you first—what do you think about this?"

I stared down at the necklace. What did I think about it? Well, it was the prettiest thing I'd ever seen.

"It's beautiful."

02

He let out a sigh of relief, a boyish grin warming his face. "Do you think she'll like it?"

My brows pulled together. "Who?"

"Nessa." He paused, completely unaware that my pulse had just flatlined. "I plan on asking her out."

Just like that, a flame caught inside me, burning everything I’d built in silence.

Ever seen a tall building collapse? That was exactly what my heart did. It crumpled like dust, hurting too much. If heartbreak made noise, the world would’ve surely heard me shatter.

"Nessa?" My voice barely worked. "I... don't understand. The same Nessa I know?"

He chuckled like this was just a normal conversation. "Don't be silly, Solayne. Of course it's her."

But there was nothing funny about this. "When did you two... become that close? I thought you were just friends."

"Well, yeah. I've always had a crush on her. And today, I thought it'd be nice to finally man up about how I feel."

My lips parted, but no words came out. Vance, we've been best friends for twelve years. How did you never crush on me like I did?

"Nessa's great, right?" he added. "I mean, she's beautiful, successful, smart. I think she'd make a great partner."

Something in my chest cracked watching him say those words about someone else with that look in his eyes. There was so much passion and adoration in his gaze; he looked like he truly loved her. It dawned on me then that he'd never shown this side to me.

"Yeah," My gaze fell to the ground, forcing a smile I didn’t feel. "Sh—She'll sure make a great partner."

My eyes found the necklace again. "So, it's for her?"

"Yeah. She mentioned one time that it's her favorite."

Well, I did too. But clearly, you don't remember.

He beamed as he snapped the box shut and slid it back into his pocket. "Thanks, Pinkie. I'll let you know how it goes. Come on, we should head back to the party."

"Um..." I itched my nape. "Actually, I think I'd just do something out here."

"Oh. What's that?"

"Nothing major. A few calls I need to make. I'll catch up with you, Vance. You should go be with your girl."

His smile reached his eyes. "Yeah, that's a good idea. See you, love."

And just like that, he walked away, taking the night, the necklace, and a piece of my heart with him.

Finally alone in the corner, I let the stupid tears flow. Yeah, I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt.

God, losing him to another woman just made me realize how much I'd loved him. All these years, how did he never like me? Had I not been enough?

Before I knew it, I was halfway through my second bottle at the poolside bar. Inside had suddenly become boring. The last thing I wanted was having to see Nessa walk around with that necklace.

But fate, being its usual comedian self, sent her right to me.

"Hey, Solayne. I've been looking for you," her voice grated like tiles on glass.

"I told you she'll be here," Brielle—my ever-gracious stepsister—added, crossing her arms beside her.

The alcohol had started blurring the edges, but not enough to save me from this. And yes, Nessa was wearing the necklace already.

"You've been looking for me. Is there something you need?" I turned on my stool to face her.

"Nah. Just wanted to show this to you." She held up the necklace, then practically screeched, "Vance asked me out!"

Good God, she might as well have grabbed a mic and announced it over the speakers.

The few people around looked our way, muttered something before turning away.

"Wow, congrats," I said flatly, lifting my bottle with all the enthusiasm of a student getting homework.

"Yeah, thanks." She leaned closer, her perfume trying too hard. "Just wanted to check how you were holding up. I mean, I know you’ve always liked Vance. Must be so hard watching him choose someone else."

I choked on my drink. What the hell?

The girls laughed at my reaction.

"Oh, come on, Solayne." Brielle grinned with that mean sparkle in her eyes. "It’s not exactly a secret you’ve been drooling over him since middle school. You made it too obvious, dummy."

"Oh, you poor thing. To be honest, I really thought you'd be the one he asks out. Guess you're not so pretty in his eyes."

Brielle rolled her eyes. "Pretty? Who told you she was pretty to start with?"

I gripped my bottle a little too hard. For a second, I imagined smashing it, just to hear something break other than me. But I swallowed it down, forcing another sip instead.

Don’t let them get to you, Solayne. You’re bigger than this. You have to be.

I focused on my drink and let them talk themselves into silence. Their voices eventually fizzled out, like cheap fireworks that couldn’t last.

I swiveled my stool toward them, raising a brow. "Oh, you done? Why don't you go back to the party now? I mean, you just got into a relationship. Shouldn't you be paying more attention to your man?"

Nessa laughed. "Congrats by the way. I heard that in ninety days, you'll be voted CEO of your father's company. Although, that is if you don't get involved in any kind of scandal."

I lifted the bottle to my lips, keeping my eyes on the amber swirl instead of her face.

"Brielle, do you think she can avoid scandals?"

"Hmm." Brielle pretended to think, tapping a finger to her chin. "I don't know. As annoying as it is though, she's never been in one. But I wonder, will she keep her halo clean for these ninety days?"

"I hope not. If she fails, ownership will be moved to you. To be honest, I think you'll do better at the company."

I paid no heed to them. I just kept drinking until their perfume faded down the walkway, carrying their laughter with it.

'You'll do better at the company.'

Over my dead body. One of the reasons I worked so hard was to make sure father never chose my stepsister over me. After what she and her mistress of a mother put my mother and I through, I'd need to be insane to ever let them take what was ours.

I was on a ninety-day trial. Ninety days to stay scandal-free before the board handed me full control of the company. And I was going to make sure they did.

But the thought of Brielle even imagining she could replace me lit a fuse under my skin. Frustration clawed up my throat and I drank more than I was supposed to. Before I knew it, I was dead drunk.

The world started to tilt in soft, silly angles. My body felt too heavy for my bones. Even my bladder started to protest.

Fuck, I needed to pee.

For a second, I thought briefly about calling Leo to help me to the bathroom, but that little brat was only going to mock me about Vance and Nessa. I couldn't take that.

So, I stumbled off the stool, grabbed my purse, and started my little drunken pilgrimage toward the pool house.

I couldn’t walk into the main house looking like this. The pool house was better. Plus I knew every corner of it. Vance and I had spent countless days there. So yeah, I could find my way around even with the room spinning.

The pool house was practically a two-story home by itself—glass walls, pale stone, luxury.

Thank God it was open.

It should be empty. Guests were not allowed here.

The living room was dark when I pushed the door open. I hiccupped softly, then reached for the light switch.

Okay, Solayne. Bathroom. There was one in the first room on the left.

I half-stumbled, half-marched forward, steadying myself with one hand against the wall. Man, I deserved a medal for fighting all these battles in heels. I laughed at the whole thing.

Somehow, I made it to the first room without face-planting. Maybe after this, I’d just call Leo to drive me home.

I turned the knob and walked in, my eyes half-closed from exhaustion.

Then a furious voice sliced through the haze.

"What the fuck!? Are you insane?" someone yelled. A woman.

My eyes snapped open; my body jerked.

Oh, my God.

A stranger was on the bed unclothed, her hands and legs spread and cuffed to the bed stand. She laid there like some sacrifice, her pussy bare, wet, and staring at me in the face.

She had cum on her thighs, her chest, and even her face.

My pulse fluttered so fast it felt reckless. My lungs stopped collecting air.

What in God's name...

"Get out of here! Fuck!" She pulled at the cuffs.

She wanted to close her legs; I could see it in her struggle. But the cuffs kept them spread. Her hands too. She was completely helpless and vulnerable.

It was the first time I was ever seeing a thing like this, and I didn't know how it made me feel.

"Looking for something?"

That didn't come from her.

Huh? There was someone else in the room?

My sight had already turned into a blur.

I squeezed my eyes shut, opened them with the hope that they'd be better. I looked to the side where the voice had come from, and everything in me went still.

Marshall Domayne. In the flesh.

03

Unlike the lady, he had some pants on. Black. With a black long sleeve that had all its buttons open and his chest on full display.

His hands moved smoothly as they fixed his belt, appearing too unbothered for someone that had a cuffed naked lady writhing in bed.

The whole image spun in my head like a film reel I couldn’t shut off. He'd been making out with her, in the 'Marshall-way', like people called it.

Before now, it was only a rumour; the stories about Marshall being a crazy dom in the bedroom. I never thought I'd witness it. Hell, it wasn't even the hundredth craziest thing I thought would happen to me in my lifetime.

"Bitch, get the fuck out and close the door!" The lady in bed still yelled.

I managed a look at her. She was fuming, but there was nothing she could do. 'Nothing.'

I looked at Marshall who was fixing his buttons now. The look in his eyes confirmed everything I'd thought about him; he was a sadist, through and through.

My legs finally remembered their purpose. I grabbed the wall for balance and stumbled out of the room, every step fueled by disbelief and a rising wave of nausea.

I took off my heels, dumped them on the floor before proceeding to one of the bathrooms upstairs.

The image played in my mind on a loop. Cuffs. Hands and legs spread. The dom. Shit, I never should've come to the pool house.

Each time I thought of it, a shudder ran through my bones. One I hated.

I finished from the bathroom and made my way downstairs. It was time to go home. I'd had enough for one night.

My plans encountered a bump when I found the devil in black leaning against the wall beside the 'forbidden room,' his hands casually tucked into his pockets like sin personified. He didn't finish his buttons, leaving enough to reveal his 'ugly' chest. That is, if we were calling cute tattooed chest ugly now.

Being away from the room gave my mind enough clarity to 'really' think of who he was. Marshall Domayne. The one I swore I'd never forgive.

He stared right into my eyes with those ocean blue eyes that made everyone admire the asshole in high school all the time. I might hate him, but his eyes were magical. One look at him and you'd want to do anything he asked.

I straightened my spine, hardened my gaze as much as I could, forcing my own eyes to meet his. If this was a staring contest, I’d die before blinking first.

He didn’t even try. He just stood there, calm, collected and entirely in control. And it made me furious, because while I looked like I was fighting a war, he looked like he’d already won.

I picked up my shoes and walked past him.

"You're twenty-two. One would think you'd have learned how to knock by now."

I froze mid-step. His words hit like a cold draft, crawling down my spine.

I gathered my emotions, encouraged myself that I could handle him, then turned around with a straight face.

"Maybe if you weren't having dirty sex in the pool house while your parents were celebrating their anniversary out there, I wouldn't have seen that."

Good job, Solayne. I didn't stutter or slur.

It was my first time seeing him in so long. The last thing I wanted was to act drunk and give him the opportunity to fully roast me alive.

"Dirty sex?" He raised a perfectly curved brow. "What about it is dirty? The fact that it isn't your usual vanilla?"

I shook my head, feigning irritation. "You're disgusting. Fix your attitude, Marshall."

I turned around to continue walking.

"Why do you hate me so much?" He asked and I stopped again. "I could count the number of times I've ever spoken to you. We never dated. I’ve never touched you. So, what about me ruffles your feathers?"

I kept my back to him, but I could see it coming. I knew that line was dropping...

"Don't tell me it still has to do with—"

"Don't you dare, Marshall!" I whipped around, pointing an angry finger at him. His words felt like salt licking an old wound.

He chuckled. He was too calm. Too unbothered. And that pissed the hell out of me.

"It's okay to feel that way, Solayne. I mean, you're not even the hundredth lady who's caught feelings for me."

My lips parted; my face folded in shock.

"Caught feelings for you?" I scoffed. "Marshall, you've never meant a single thing to me." I walked closer to him. "I don’t even get what the hype is about. To me, you’re as average as any other guy on the street. You could be the last man on earth, and I still wouldn’t shake your damn hand."

"Are you sure?" He cocked his head, cold amusement ghosting his eyes.# "Because that wasn't what happened nine years ago."

Raw rage passed through me. God, the son of a bitch.

"Fuck you, Marshall." I stepped even closer. "That day was a mistake. The biggest mistake of my life, to be precise. You know the circumstances around it. So stop acting like it was something."

My chest heaved with each word, my pulse roaring in my ears. I didn’t even know anger could make a person this breathless.

The asshole. Here I was, panting with anger while he stood there like some vogue model,# still leaning against the wall, his hands still tucked into his pockets.

His eyes moved to my lips, lingering for three seconds before they came back up to my eyes.

"Careful, Solayne. You get any closer, and I might start to think you’re still interested."

That was when I realized; I'd moved too close to him.

I stepped back at once, my ankle twisting a little. That hurt but I didn't let him see it.

"Goodbye, Marshall. Go back to whatever hole you crawled out from. NC was definitely better without you in it," I told him and finally left, hoping I'd managed to hurt him as much as he did.

But who was I kidding? Marshall Domayne was called the 'Monster' for a reason. He didn't feel things that made normal people weak.

I returned to my table out there and drank some more. I'd made up my mind not to have anymore, but all thanks to the son of a bitch in there.

I truly hope he was simply here for a job and leaves as soon as possible. God, why was tonight which I thought would be the best night of my life turning out to be the very worst?

......

I woke up in bed.

Which was confusing because I didn't remember getting home. The last thing I recalled was resting my head on the bar counter, whispering sweet nothings to a bottle of whiskey.

Fuck, I really passed out there. So, either I’d teleported, or Leo had dragged my sorry self home.

My head felt heavy as I pressed a palm to my forehead. Ugh, I needed a cold shower and a gallon of milk.

I was about to swing my legs off the bed when a soft glow caught my attention—the light of my phone buzzing silently on the nightstand. I had a call, but it wasn't ringing out. How was my phone on silent?

Before I could reach it, the call ended. What I saw next raised my worry to level two.

I had dozens of missed calls and hundreds of messages. From too many people. My parents being among was what raised my alarms.

What in God’s blurry hangover was going on? Was the world ending and I had no idea?

I glanced at my window. There was sunlight. Out there looked normal. So, what was happening?

04

The phone started ringing again. This time it was Leo.

I picked up.

"L—"

"What the hell, Solayne? Did you sell your phone to buy more dreams or something?"

"Leo, you can be a brat another day. What is going on? Everyone's calling."

"Of course everyone's calling 'cause you're the latest celebrity in town."

My head throbbed the more trying to wrap around it.

"What happened with you and Marshall?" He threw at me, and it felt like I'd been asked what happened with me and the sun. What could possibly happen?

"What're you talking about?"

He sighed. Another call came in from my dad on waiting. Jesus, what the hell is going on?

"This is beyond awkward to say to my own sister, but I'm talking about you two kissing with him running his hands up your thighs and all."

My heart dropped straight to the pit of hell.

I looked at the window again, then pinched myself. This wasn't a dream.

"Leo, what video?" A small tremor ran through my voice.

"It's making waves online. Check it yourself. I already shared it with you."

I didn’t even say goodbye. I hung up and lunged for my phone, my fingers trembling so badly I could barely tap the screen. I opened my inbox and caught a glance at the numerous messages waiting for me.

Dad: you better have a good explanation for this, Solayne. Otherwise, I hope you have someone else to call parents.

Mum: What is going on??? Take my freaking calls!

There were so many others from friends and acquaintances.

I clicked on the link with shaky fingers, my heart starting to race heavily as though it'd not carry me through the rest of the day.

It loaded, and the nightmare unveiled before my eyes.

There I was, pressed against a wall, Marshall Domayne’s mouth on mine, my leg hooked around his waist, his hand sliding up my thigh.

The kiss was intimate; too intimate, like we had done some bedroom business right after that.

And the caption beneath it made my blood run cold:

Marshall's New Slut.

Right then, I got a glimpse of what a heart attack might feel like because the poor organ threatened to fail.

Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.

When had this happened? I racked my brain; there was nothing but a blank screen where my memories should’ve been.

It wasn't even in the pool house. This looked like a corner around the bar. God, I could swear I didn't remember kissing that devil! Who the hell even recorded and released the video?

My phone started ringing again—Mum.

My hands shook so violently that the phone slipped from my fingers and hit the bed with a dull thud.

And then, like a flash, something came back: Someone tapping me. Me laughing. Walking near the bar.

It all blurred, fuzzy edges and chaos. How did I stupidly get so drunk? Did I really kiss that asshole?

Wait...

I slipped a hand under the duvet and down to my pants. It wasn't wet. No soreness either. There was no way we could've... No. I'd be charged for murder if that happened.

My phone ringing again reminded me of the mess I was in. This was worse than a scandal. Dad was going to kick me out, then mum would kill me.

I quickly dialed Leo.

"I hope you weren't proud of yourself watching that?" He spoke before me.

"Leo, did you bring me home?"

"Well, yes. After an anonymous number texted me, telling me you were passed out in your car."

Had that been Marshall?. Shit, why couldn't I remember a damn thing?

"I—I don't remember doing anything in that video," I admitted, but of course he scoffed. Who was going to believe me?

Mum was calling again. I hung up on Leoz deciding to face the lioness.

"Mum—"

"Have you lost your mind, Solayne?" She snapped. "Your father and I were just about to come to your place. What is wrong with you?"

"I'm—I'm sorry, mum. I'm just waking up. I—"

"You have a lot of explaining to do. Your father wants you at the house right now."

Jesus.

"And you better have a good explanation for that video, Solayne. He’s already talking about stripping the company from you! Oh, dear, if you make me lose to that witch, you will never stop paying for it. Get your ass here. Now!"

The line went dead.