"It's going to storm."
I looked over at my sister standing by the kitchen window and gazing out pensively. Her arms were wrapped protectively around her middle, and her teeth tugged at her bottom lip.
"This reminds me of the night Mom left," she added in a whisper as thunder rumbled in the distance.
"Bella," I said with a sigh. We had been through this scenario in what felt like a million times.
Moving to stand behind her, I slid my arms around her and rested my chin on the top of her head. "Mom's been gone a long time, baby boo. You've still got me and Dad. And you know how much we love you."
"But Daddy's gone all the time working," she fretted.
"Well, it's good you have such a kick-ass older brother who loves the shit out of you even when you're annoying as hell."
Bella snorted and cut her eyes back at me, the smile I'd been hoping for lighting up her face.
I kissed her cloud of golden curls. "Besides, you can't be sad on your birthday. It's like a rule or something."
She giggled and finally turned away from the window. "Thank you for cooking for me, Alex. You really are the most awesome big brother ever.
I shrugged, her praise making me self-conscious. Dishing up our spaghetti, I added, "I hope you're not disappointed to spend your nineteenth birthday at home."
She shrugged, unconsciously mimicking my own gesture. "Lashay and I went out for a bougie lunch today at the Cheesecake Factory. You know going out and partying is just not my thing."
I knew. And selfishly I was glad. I was four years older than Bella and fiercely overprotective. It made me nuts to think of some jackass putting his hands on her. I mean, I knew it would happen someday, but... It's just that Bella was so fragile and delicate. And since our mother had abandoned us when my sister was eight, shy Bella had become even more anxious and uncertain.
Thunder rolled again, and Bella's head turned once more toward the window.
I shoved a plate of pasta in her hands. "Here, let's go eat in the living room. We'll watch whatever movie you want."
"Oooooh, chick flick!" She grinned impishly and turned away with a taunting booty wiggle.
I smacked her butt, causing her to squeal in delighted giggles.
Hey, she was my baby sister, but the girl had a little peach of an ass, shown to perfection in those clingy yoga pants she favored. Even a brother couldn't miss noticing that booty. If she wanted to show it off at home, who was I to complain.
Tonight, her beloved yoga pants were paired with a washed-thin snug tank in a pale shade of pink. As usual at home, she wore no bra to block my view of her petite but well-rounded tits, and those plump nipples always seemed to be hard and begging for my attention.
She turned around to see why I had paused, and I couldn't help but wonder if she knew how visible her pussy lips were in those fucking skintight pants.
I shook myself. Snap out of it, dickhead.
"I'm coming, go on," I told her with a slightly strained smile. I reached down to adjust my half hard dick as soon as she turned away again.
We ate our pasta on the couch, and once the food was gone, I made no complaint when Bella snuggled up to me.
We had always been close and more touchy-feely than other brothers and sisters probably were. I wrapped my arm tight around her. I knew she liked to feel safe and protected. The movie was dumb as fuck and not my thing, but Bella was enjoying it and that's all that mattered.
"It's cold in here," Bella muttered, wiggling closer to me. "Why do you have to keep the a/c on morgue?"
"Because that's the way I like it," I informed her, poking her in the ribs, eliciting a giggle.
I grabbed the blanket from the chair next to us. Bella scooted over into my lap, and I draped it over us.
"Ahh, better," Bella said with a sigh.
My phone chirped a text message alert, but I ignored it, my nose dipping down to inhale the apple scent of Bella's curls. I let my hand drift softly and soothingly up and down her spine, finding the soft bare skin where the tank ended and slipping under it to stroke her back.
She melted against my chest as I cuddled her. My dick was rock hard under her bottom, but she made no comment. I guess she was used to it. I tended to stay aroused when we snuggled so close.
My thumb made circles over her ribs, and I made slow strokes over her hair with my other hand.
"Love you," she whispered, rubbing her cheek against my shoulder.
"Love you, too, baby boo," I murmured back, brushing her hair away from her neck.
"More than anything?" she asked, looking up at me with those big blue eyes.
"More than any fucking thing," I answered firmly.
She beamed in pleasure and ducked her head, exposing the sleek line of her neck and shoulder where the thin strap of her tank had drifted down.
Her skin was pale and creamy, with an almost pearlescent glow. I couldn't help but brush my lips over the vulnerable spot between her neck and shoulder. She shivered in response, and my balls tightened.
I mock growled and slowly licked her neck, biting at her lightly. "Mmm, you taste good," I rumbled playfully.
Her answering giggle was definitely breathless with a hint of a moan, I noted. So, I nibbled her again.
Fuck. She was so sweet. I wanted to eat her up. Mark her like some fucking caveman as mine.
My hand was firmly under her tank and too close to palming her little tit. I worked on calming my pounding heart. I knew Bella would probably let me do whatever I wanted to her, and the power sometimes felt a little overwhelming.
I wanted her, but I couldn't have her.
What's stopping you, a little voice taunted me inside my head.
My phone chirped again, so I reached for it on the side table to distract my taboo thoughts.
I read the message and smirked. Typing back a reply with my thumb, I caught sight of Bella glaring at me.
"Is it that woman?" she demanded.
I laughed and cocked an eyebrow at her. "None of your business, nosy."
Her lower lip poked out in almost a comical fashion. "I don't like her and she's old! Too old!"
"Bella," I said warningly.
She sat up in my lap, and I had to fight the urge to drag her back down against me where she belonged.
Bella shocked the shit out of me by plucking my phone from my hand. She looked down at the display, scowling.
"Wishing I was sucking your big cock again... Mmm, baby, you made my pussy so wet shoving that cock down my throat..." Bella read aloud.
I fought a blush and tried to jerk my phone back from her. "Dammit, Bella! Give me my phone back!"
"I can't believe you!" Bella yelled at me, squirming off my lap and out of my reach. "She's like...30! You just want to fuck her dirty cunt!"
"Bella!" I shouted in disbelief. I tackled her down on the couch with my bigger body.
"Stop it," I hissed.