TANGLED BETWEEN BROTHERS

Nicole's POV

"I'll be right back, babe. Give me ten minutes and please stay in the living room." My boyfriend, Liam, said before grabbing his keys and stepping out to get something.

The door closed behind him, and suddenly... the house became too quiet. It was just the housekeeper and his elder brother, Adrian.

I sat on the edge of the couch, my legs bouncing uncontrollably. I didn't know why I felt nervous. Maybe it was because my boyfriend recently moved in with his brother or because Adrian was around. I haven't seen him in six years.

After a full minute of silence, my anxiety refused to stay still.

"Fine. I'll just... look around. Nothing serious. Just walking. Breathing." I told myself.

I wandered up the stairs, trailing my fingers along the polished wooden handrail. The hallway was lined with paintings, mostly landscapes and a few portraits. I recognized Liam in some of them, smiling with childish confidence. And then, beside him, was Adrian Ryder, Liam's older brother. The family's pride. The man I'd crushed on stupidly the first time I ever saw him years ago, long before Liam became more than a friend.

I swallowed, forcing myself to look away from the photo. You're with Liam now. Stop thinking nonsense.

My feet kept moving, and soon I noticed a door slightly opened.

I don't know what possessed me, curiosity, maybe. So I pushed open the slightly ajar door and stepped inside.

"Hello...?" I whispered but didn't get a reply.

It was a bedroom. Neat, scent of expensive cologne, dark sheets perfectly folded, a watch on the nightstand.

Then I heard the soft swish of water.

Before I could register it, the bathroom door swung open. There he was just coming out of the bathroom. Naked.

I froze on the spot, my heart slamming against my ribs.

Adrian's head turned, and his eyes locked on me. For a moment, the world shrank until it was just the two of us, and I felt my knees threaten to buckle. He looked calm and unbothered. Almost like he wasn't surprised.

"I'm so... sorry." I forced myself to turn quickly, trying to unsee what I just saw.

I blinked, trying to scramble for words that wouldn't make me sound like a total fool. "I-I was just... I mean, I wanted to take a tour." My voice faltered and trailed off.

Adrian tilted his head slightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You shouldn't be in here," he said, his voice low, almost amused.

My cheeks flamed hotter than I thought possible. I wanted to die or disappear.

I faced him again avoiding his torso, my entire face flushed so hot it felt like boiling water.

My voice trembled. "The door was open, I thought the room was empty-please just put something on!"

He exhaled, slow and unbothered. "Turn around."

"You can look now."

I turned back hesitantly.

He wrapped himself with a towel, water glistening on his skin, his hair