Craving My Brother's Best Friend (Bailey and Kaleb) novel Chapter 17

**The Night We Borrowed Fire from a Broken Star by Selvin Arlo Crest**

**Chapter 11**

**Kaleb’s POV**

I had been pacing back and forth for what felt like ages, my fingers raking through my hair repetitively, each tug a futile attempt to pull my thoughts into some semblance of order.

Her image consumed my mind—her body, her lips, those captivating eyes that seemed to hold entire galaxies within them.

Last night in the storage room, she had kissed me, and then, just like that, she had dashed away, leaving my brain on an endless loop of that moment.

That kiss had ignited something deep within me. I had convinced myself we would remain just friends, trying to gaslight my own feelings into submission.

She had spoken with such conviction that I had almost believed it, trusting that even if I lost control, she would have the strength to keep us in check.

But then her lips had been pressed against mine, and all those carefully constructed beliefs crumbled into dust. I had never craved anyone the way I craved Bailey Hart.

I groaned softly, dragging my hand down my face in frustration. Why did it have to be her?

Why did the desire burn so fiercely within me?

It felt like torture to be under the same roof, to walk past her, all while pretending that thoughts of her didn’t invade my mind every single second.

Pretending that I didn’t want to reach out, to kiss her, to claim her as mine.

The sound of footsteps pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. David entered the kitchen, a glass of milk in hand. He downed it in a matter of seconds, then wiped his mouth, completely oblivious to the chaos swirling in my mind.

“Has Bailey eaten?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant, but my voice came out rougher than intended.

“Yeah,” David replied casually. “I took her breakfast and her meds up this morning.” He placed the empty glass in the sink and ambled off, humming a tune.

“You should eat,” he called back before disappearing.

I longed to see her, but talking about the feelings she stirred in me felt too dangerous. I couldn’t label what we had; I couldn’t risk ruining our relationship, so I kept my distance.

She felt like my little sister, but who thinks of their little sister in that way?

Damn it.

Before I could talk myself out of it, my feet carried me upstairs.

I told myself I was merely checking on her, ensuring she was sleeping soundly and that her fever had subsided. That was all.

But when I pushed open her door, the sight that greeted me froze me in my tracks.

Bailey lay on her bed, the blanket tangled around her legs. Her skin was pale, and beads of sweat glistened on her forehead.

She stirred slightly, her face contorting in discomfort.

She looked so fragile. I wanted to sit by her side and do something—anything.

Then I heard it.

“Kaleb…”

Her voice was low, breathy, and soft.

She moaned my name again, turning her head slightly against the pillow.

I stood there, frozen, my heart pounding against my ribs as if it were trying to escape.

Was she… dreaming about me?

That couldn’t be right. Bailey would never…

“Bailey,” I whispered, stepping closer to her bed.

Her eyes flew open instantly. She gasped, clutching the blanket to her chest as if I had caught her doing something wrong.

She looked embarrassed, a deep shade of red creeping across her cheeks.

“What are you doing here, Kaleb?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I swallowed hard, trying to regain my composure. “You were… moaning my name,” I admitted quietly.

Her face turned a deeper crimson. “No, I wasn’t,” she shot back defensively. “You’re delusional.”

I almost laughed at how quickly she denied it, her eyes darting around the room, avoiding my gaze.

She was a terrible liar, and damn it, she was adorable when flustered.

“Delusional, huh?” I murmured, taking a step closer.

“Yes!” she snapped, clutching the blanket tighter around her.

“I wasn’t doing that. Who said I was dreaming about you?”

“I never said anything about a dream.” She cringed, closing her eyes now, and I couldn’t help but smile.

I should have let it go. I should have walked out right then, but I didn’t.

Before I knew it, I found myself lowering onto the edge of her bed. The mattress dipped under my weight, and her breath hitched.

She tugged at the waistband, her fingers brushing dangerously close.

“Bailey…” I grabbed her wrist, my grip firm. My voice was rough, almost pained. “Don’t.”

She pulled back just enough to look up at me. “I want to,” she whispered, her voice needy, desperate.

My stomach twisted. God, I wanted her too. More than anything. But I shook my head. “No.”

Her eyes darkened, and she whimpered softly, the sound nearly breaking me in half. “Please, Kaleb…”

I cursed under my breath, closing my eyes. She didn’t know what she was doing to me.

I was already hard, straining against my joggers, and she could feel it.

I couldn’t do this—not when she was sick, not when I couldn’t give her anything.

I laid back on the bed, trying to calm myself, but Bailey didn’t stop; she took my calmness as an invitation.

She leaned down, pressing kisses against my stomach. Her lips were soft, lingering, traveling lower and lower until she reached the edge of my joggers.

My jaw tightened, my fists clenching in the sheets.

She pulled it down and took me in her hands. Her lips hovered close, her breath hot.

Her eyes flicked up to mine, wide with shock and hunger.

Seeing her react that way only made me harder, more desperate.

She took me in her mouth, and I groaned, pulling her hair closer.

“Bailey?” David’s voice called out. “Are you still asleep? I need to talk to you.”

My heart leapt into my throat.

Shit.

I scrambled off the bed.

“I… uh… I’m awake,” Bailey stammered, pulling the blanket up quickly.

I darted across the room, my chest heaving, and slipped into the bathroom, shutting the door as quietly as I could.

My back hit the wall, and I pressed my hands over my face, cursing under my breath.

What the hell had I just done?