Forbidden love

twisted love book 1

Riley sat cross-legged in the red arm chair  surrounded by a minefield of popcorn kernels and soda stains. The TV screen flickered with the end credits of the latest blockbuster, casting a warm glow across her face. September had rolled in like a lazy cat, bringing with it a comfortable warmth that was slowly fading into the crispness of autumn. Her cousins, having claimed the sofa and armchairs, had long ago succumbed to the siren's call of the cinema's air conditioning and were now snoring in harmony with the TV's drone.

Jacob, Riley's older cousin, had been unusually attentive that evening. He'd picked the movie, a rom-com she wasn't particularly fond of but had agreed to for the sake of family bonding. Throughout the film, she'd felt his eyes on her, his gaze lingering a beat too long, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth that she couldn't quite interpret. As the night grew later, the room grew quieter, the laughter and commentary of her cousins diminishing to gentle snores.

The last soda can clattered to the floor, jolting Riley from her thoughts. She glanced over at Jacob, who was leaning back in the recliner, his eyes on her. There was something in his stare that she hadn't seen before—something that sent a shiver down her spine. He looked away quickly, clearing his throat, and she felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment.

The silence grew heavier, filling the spaces between them like a thick, unspoken question. Riley's heart began to race as she felt the weight of his hand on her thigh. She looked down, not quite believing it was happening. His touch was light, almost feathery, but it was definitely there. Her mind raced, trying to figure out what this meant, her thoughts tangled in a web of confusion and excitement.

Jacob's gaze remained glued to the TV, but she could feel his eyes flicker towards her every few seconds. She didn't know what to do, so she did nothing. Frozen in place, she waited, her pulse echoing in her ears like a drumroll before the grand finale. The air in the room seemed to thicken, the scent of popcorn and stale cola becoming almost too much to bear.

Her skin tingled where his hand lay, sending waves of sensation through her body. Riley took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm in her chest. This was wrong, she told herself. Jacob was like a brother to her. But his touch didn't feel brotherly. It was something more—something that made her stomach flip and her cheeks flush.

Finally, unable to stand the tension, she looked up at him. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of vulnerability. He was waiting for her reaction, for permission to continue. Riley swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. Without saying a word, she made the tiniest of movements—just a slight lean into his touch. His hand tightened on her thigh, and she felt a jolt of electricity run through her veins. It was then she knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

Jacob leaned closer, his breath warm against her cheek. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, the scent of his aftershave mixing with the stale popcorn air. Riley's eyes closed as she felt his hand inch higher, his thumb tracing small circles on the soft skin of her inner thigh. Her heart hammered in her chest like a wild bird trying to break free from its cage. The line between right and wrong blurred as she leaned into him, their faces so close she could feel the warmth of his breath.

The sudden snap of a popcorn kernel in the quiet room startled them both. The sound was like a gunshot in the taut silence. They jumped apart, their eyes wide with shock and guilt. Riley's cousins stirred in their sleep, but didn't wake up. Jacob's hand retreated as if it had been burned, and he cleared his throat again, his gaze darting around the room like a trapped animal seeking escape.

Riley took another deep breath, trying to compose herself. She knew she had to say something, but the words seemed to stick in her throat. Before she could form a coherent sentence, the sound of the TV switching off filled the space between them. The room was plunged into darkness, except for the glow of the streetlamp outside casting long, eerie shadows across the floor.