I was up before dawn, when the house was quiet and dark. Carrying my overnight bag, I walked gingerly past the closed door of the room where Clint and Millicent slept. In my other hand, I held a hastily scribbled note which read: Still feeling out of sorts after my headache, so I'm going home early. It was a lame excuse, but I had no other. At least, not one I could put in writing.

After leaving the note on the kitchen table, I turned on the porch light in order to have some illumination while making my way to my car. Every sound—the front door closing behind me, the rattle of the knob as I double-checked to ensure it was locked—ratcheted up my tension.

Around me, the neighboring houses were as dark as the one I'd just left. I hurried to my car but took my time easing the driver's side door open. I'd just tossed my bag onto the passenger seat and was about to climb inside when my brother rushed out onto the porch.

"Sylvia!" he hissed. "Where are you going?"

I stared at him helplessly. He wore only a pair of sweats, and his feet were bare. I'd been so careful, so quiet, yet I'd still roused him from sleep.

"Home," I now told him. The word sounded too loud, like the snap of a branch. Like a bond breaking.

Clint bounded down the porch steps and then broke into a run. It was as if he believed I would throw myself into the car and speed away before he had a chance to stop me. 

"Please stay," he begged, gently grasping my arms. Even in the semi-darkness, I could tell he was devastated.

"I can't." My voice was thick with unshed tears. "I can't do this another day."

My brother drew me to him. The early morning air was cold, and I felt him shivering. "You said you forgave me, Sylvia."

For a moment, I allowed myself to be held. I let Clint kiss my hair and rub my back as he whispered another apology. Breathing in his scent, now so achingly familiar, I had second thoughts about leaving.

Before my resolve could evaporate entirely, I stepped back, slipping from his embrace. "I have forgiven you," I said, "and I'm not angry. But you..." Swallowing hard, I struggled for the right words. "You have to decide what you want. Not only when you're here." I pointed toward our house. "But also when you're out there." Waving my hand in the opposite direction, I indicated the rest of the world, and everything that existed outside the haven we'd made together. In a whisper that couldn't possibly be heard by anyone other than him, I added, "You can't expect me to simply go back to being your sister when we drive away from this place."

Clint reached for me again. When he cupped my face in his hands, I stood docilely before him. "I'm so sorry I hurt you," he murmured. "If I could do this weekend over, I swear I would. I can't lose you!"

Trying to soothe him, I covered his hands with my own. "You're not going to lose me. You just have to decide what role I'm going to play in your life." I moved beyond his grasp and toward the open door of my car. "Call me when you've made up your mind."

"I love you, Sylvia." His tone was firm and unwavering. "And I made my decision last night."

I couldn't meet his eyes. Instead, I focused on the keys I held. Only now did I realize I'd been gripping them so tightly that the metal had bitten into my skin. "See if you feel the same in a day, a week. Or a month." My smile was sorrowful in the strengthening dawn light. "I'm willing to wait years for your answer, because there's no one else for me."

My brother stood watching me as I drove away. I waved goodbye, thankful for the shadows that hid my violent trembling. It was fear that made me shake, even when I was miles away from that house, and heat was spilling from the dashboard vents. Maybe it was a horrible mistake to leave him. Maybe I would regret it for the rest of my days. 

A calmer part of my being, already resigned to losing what Clint and I had shared in that house, reminded me I had no other choice. Though I never doubted my brother's love, I knew he needed to return to his normal life, and the world he'd built for himself. It was there that he would be able to decide if he could love me as more than a sister.

*****

I went through the next few weeks in a daze, my spirits dashed. At work, I was distant, barely able to hold a conversation with my regular customers. During this time, I spoke to Clint only once. He called that first night to make sure I'd gotten home okay, and I quickly got off the line after letting him know I'd arrived safely. 

I knew Bo was worried about me. Though I told him I was still grieving over losing Gran, he clearly suspected that wasn't the whole story. I spent my free time in front of the television, paying no attention to what I saw on the screen. When Bo invited me to join him and his friends for a night out, I quietly declined.

It wasn't that I was waiting by the phone, the way I had before. No, I wouldn't allow myself to hope that I'd hear from Clint. I figured he was keeping busy with work, and with seeing Millicent. 

Keeping busy in an effort to forget about what we'd done.

It was on a Tuesday evening, thirty days since I'd last spoken to my brother, that I heard a knock at my apartment door. I'd just finished washing the dishes, and Bo was in his bedroom, getting ready before heading out to meet a friend for drinks. 

I figured our visitor was someone for Bo, as he had a wide social circle. Wiping my hands on a dishtowel, I headed toward the door. 

When I opened it, I saw Clint standing before me. My eyes widened, and my skyrocketing pulse made me a little lightheaded. My brother was still wearing a suit; had he driven all this way directly from the office?

Before I had a chance to say hello, he reached for me. "I did what you said and waited a month, Sylvia. An endless, unnecessary month away from you, because my mind's been made up." He seemed to move in one fluid, graceful motion, stepping into the apartment while drawing me close. "I hope that's long enough, because there's no way in hell I'm going to wait years to tell you—"

He abruptly fell silent, his gaze drifting over my shoulder. In my astonishment, I turned to see Bo standing at the entrance to the small living room. His brow was furrowed in concern. 

"Everything okay?" my roommate asked, looking from me to Clint.

Finally, I rediscovered my voice. "Everything's fine!" Though Clint had released me, I was still clutching the dishtowel. "Bo, this is my brother, Clint. Clint, meet my roommate, Bo."

Bo's face brightened as he moved to offer his hand to Clint. "Hey, man, it's great to meet you!" 

Clint was polite in greeting Bo, but his tone remained cool. Of course, Bo couldn't possibly realize that my brother saw him as a rival for my affection. As the two men exchanged pleasantries and made small talk, I struggled not to reveal the whirlwind of emotions spinning through me. I was dying to hear the rest of what Clint had to say, but I knew it was crucial to act normal in Bo's presence. 

It seemed hours passed before Bo excused himself, saying he was late to meet a friend. The moment he left the apartment, Clint grabbed me. 

His kiss was hot and hungry, and I dropped the dishtowel as I slipped my arms around his neck. Weak-kneed, I let my brother claim my mouth with his tongue; my moan encouraged him to cup my breast and give it a tender squeeze.

He broke the kiss, leaving me wet between my thighs and gasping for breath. "I love you, Sylvia." Cradling my face in his hands, he repeated, "I love you. Do you understand me?"

I felt ridiculous blinking back tears. When one spilled down my cheek, Clint gently brushed it away. "I know you love me as a sister—" I started.

"Not only as a sister," he insisted, "but also as the woman I wish I could propose to right now." His voice broke from the weight of his longing. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, yet I tell myself that's a selfish desire. After all, I can never marry you; I can't give you children."

"None of that matters!" I cried. "You're all that matters, and you're all I want. I know we'll have to keep this part of our love a secret, but I'm willing to do that if it means we can be together."

He stroked my cheek, which was still damp with tears. "You're all I can think about, Sis, and I was so fucking scared I'd lost you for good. I was an idiot, bringing Millicent to the house, but I felt you deserved better than what I can give you. I tried to pull away because I was frightened of what my need for you meant." His gaze softened as he regarded me. "After you left that morning, I told Millicent she and I aren't right for each other; we want different things. Though she was hurt, she said she appreciated me not stringing her along." Giving me an affectionate smile, he added, "She also said you're a lovely young woman, but of course, I already knew that. And I know you and I have spent too much time apart as it is. I won't waste another minute worrying if this is right or wrong."

"It's right." Taking his hand, I placed it over my breast. "I promise it is." He drew in a sharp breath when I moved his hand lower, pressing it between my thighs. "And it's so right when you touch me like this."

Those words unleashed my brother's lust, forbidden as he feared it was. He was all over me, kissing and stroking, weaving his fingers through my hair and making me tremble. 

Finally, I led him to my room, and we were quick to discard our clothes. The sight of his erection made me throb with my own need. 

Clint glanced at my closed door and asked, "What about your roommate?" 

"Bo will be gone for hours," I assured him.  

A wicked smile played at his lips. "So we'll have plenty of privacy while I make love to my gorgeous sister?"

I released a tremulous sigh, overcome by arousal. The fact that my brother and I could speak of our desire without hiding, without shame, made me almost unbearably excited. 

"All the privacy we need," I promised while reaching between us to stroke his cock. "And plenty of time for me to be a horny little slut for my sexy brother."

The kiss he now gave me drew a whimper from my throat. We ended up in bed, with the covers tossed out of the way. The night outside was mild, and my bedroom was warm enough to bring a flush to my face. Of course, my desperate yearning to be fucked contributed to my blush as well.

Clint and I lay on our sides, and I pressed my back against his chest. He slipped an arm beneath me so he could fondle my breast while suckling my neck. Inhaling deeply, I reveled in his scent. When he worked his fingers between my thighs, I shamelessly begged for his touch.

"So wet for me already," he murmured. "That sweet little pussy is just aching for my cock, isn't it?"

"Yes!" I cried, and he rewarded me by massaging my clitoris. I turned my head toward him, offering my mouth. Our kiss was deep and sensual, just as I knew our lovemaking would be.

I came beneath Clint's fingers almost without warning. He gasped and then groaned while witnessing the contractions tightening my muscles. 

"My God, I can't get over how beautiful you are." He caressed my swollen bud, coaxing forth a series of aftershocks. "I love seeing you come."

I beamed up at him, still shaking. "Give me what I need," I said, "and you'll see me come again very soon."

Clint flashed a playful grin. "Is this what you need?" He reached between us, and I felt his tip sliding along my folds. It stopped at my entrance, applying only the slightest pressure. When I eagerly nodded, he said, "Tell me, Sylvia. I want to hear you say it."

Staring up at him, I saw the challenge his eyes held. "I want my brother's hard cock inside me! I'm dying to feel every inch—"

I didn't have a chance to finish, for he slid into my pussy, stealing my voice with that initial thrust. A tremor coursed through me, prompting my muscles to clench around his erection.

"Fuck, you feel so good!" Clint groaned. He held my leg aloft, keeping me spread for him, and I cried out as his hips began moving with a fluid rhythm. 

It was sheer, undiluted bliss, the way my brother's cock filled my cunt. I felt as if he had tapped into the source of all my pleasure, drawing it from my very core. 

Again, he lowered his mouth to mine. "Tell me who you belong to," he murmured against my lips.

"I'm yours," I said between heavy breaths. "All yours." 

Clint made a guttural sound, taking me faster. "That's right. You're mine, Sis. And I'm yours."

During our lovemaking, his moans mingled with mine. I felt his fingers at my nipple; he fondled that peak, his touch almost delicate even while his cock continued pumping away.  

"Don't stop!" I wailed. "I'm almost there!" 

The smell of our sweat amplified the scent of sex. Both of us were burning up, our lust like a fever. At my brother's urging, I came around his cock. My body quaked while I tried not to scream from the intensity of my orgasm. 

Clint moved faster, driving himself into me with a speed that made my breath hitch in my chest. He seemed to lose all control, growling out a warning. "I'm close!"

Lifting a hand, I reached behind me so I could cling to him. "Don't pull out!" I begged. Our faces were just inches apart. "Come inside me!"

He released a helpless groan, his expression wrought with agonizing indecision. I knew he wanted it as much as I did. My eyes widened when I felt him pulse fiercely within my cunt.

It was as though my body conspired with my mind to undo him, for I succumbed to another orgasm. I expected him to withdraw at the last second, yet he stayed inside my pussy. His cry sounded raw and vulnerable while his hips struggled to maintain their rhythm. 

And then he erupted inside me. I felt each powerful spurt, along with the throbbing of his cock. When my muscles constricted in response, he let out a whimper. 

"Yes, yes, give me your cum!" I shamelessly pleaded. 

My brother's surrender was the most erotic thing I'd ever witnessed. Even after he was spent, he visibly trembled, and his cock remained mostly hard within me. 

We slowly came down from the heady heights of bliss, caressing each other and sharing tender kisses. When Clint finally pulled out, it was with obvious reluctance. I turned to nestle against him, my heartbeat calmer beneath my breast. Never had I felt so satisfied, so relaxed and content. I wanted to stay like this forever.

As we lay in each other's arms, I felt my brother's seed ooze out of me. Planting a kiss on his chest, I said, "I hope you're not worried. I'm very careful about taking the pill."

He smiled down at me while stroking my hair. "I'm not worried, sweetheart. I was just thinking."

"About what?" I couldn't resist swirling my tongue over his skin. I tasted a trace of salt.

"I want us to keep the house," he said firmly.

I lifted my head. "Really?" It was impossible to conceal my excitement. "But how? Neither of us can live there."

"Why not? Wouldn't you like to have a house of your own? Or would you rather stay here with Bo?"

Though Clint tried to appear nonchalant, I sensed he wanted reassurance about my feelings for my roommate. Caressing his cheek, I said, "Bo has been a wonderful friend to me, and I hope that never changes. But if I were to move out, another of his friends would quickly take my place. He'd be fine."

"So what's the problem?" Clint pressed. "You and I can live together, and in our free time, we'll fix the place up."

His suggestion rendered me momentarily speechless. Finally, I managed to sputter, "Clint, you can't! You've built up a clientele, and a name for yourself where you live now."

"Baby, it's a ten-minute drive from our house to the nearest town," he reminded me with a smile. "I can sell insurance there."

"But you'd have to start all over!"

He shrugged, as if the matter was already settled in his mind. "I'm more than happy to start over if it means I can be with you. And you wouldn't have to keep waitressing; you could find a job you enjoy, even if it's part-time. Just think, no more worrying about rent."

My heart was beating so hard that my pulse reverberated throughout my entire body. Clint's proposal described my dream life perfectly. It was a life I'd never imagined possible, but he made it sound just within our reach.

"People might talk," I said quietly. "They'll probably find it strange that we're living together."

"Let them talk. As far as they'll know, we're...