Forbidden Mate- A Step-brother Romance - Chapter 14: Chapter 14

~APOLLO~
What the fuck was I thinking? I've been around Lana all these years, yet I never once knew she couldn't swim. I should have known. I should have asked before I did something so stupid.
I was such an asshole for just dropping her into the water so senselessly. The guilt was making it hard for me to think clearly.
I don't know what else to say to apologize for my careless behavior. I could tell how much my actions have affected her and it bothered me to know that I was completely at fault for what just took place.
She wraps her arms around my neck as her soft body trembles against mine. It made the guilt within me intensify. I'd done this to her. She was terrified because of me.
I pull her tighter against me, trying my best to soothe her as I run a hand up and down her back.
"I am right here," I assure her. "I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."
I felt sick to my stomach trying to reassure her that she was safe with me when I was the one who put her in danger to begin with.
I did not know how to forgive myself for such a mistake.
I could feel her soft breaths against my neck as well as her small whimpers. In that moment, the mood completely shifts to something else. . . Dark desire.
I swallow hard.
This was not good. Not good at all.
I should not have her this close and pressed up against me, especially not when both of our bodies were soaking wet.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Everything about this was dangerous. I didn't think about the consequences of my actions at all. Even though I knew that the right thing to do was to push her as far away from me as possible, I could not find the strength to do it.
My thoughts continue to wander to dark places.
I want to kiss her. I want to strip her clothes and admire her body under the bright moonlight in the middle of the ocean. I just knew that under all this cloth, Lana had the most beautiful body ever. All I had to do was pull the zipper down and let my eyes explore.
It was taking all of my self-control not to do precisely that.
I had to get out of here and quickly. I could not let myself get sucked into Lana's beauty. I could not break down the wall I've tried so fucking hard to build up.
I needed to change the direction of my thoughts if I wanted to get out of this trap.
Dozens of girls were waiting inside the house for a chance with me. I had to take one of them home tonight. It was the only way to distract myself from the woman in my arms.
I didn't want another woman. In fact, I originally didn't plan on taking any woman home with me tonight. However, circumstances were different now. I never expected Lana to show up to this party dressed like this. I never expected men to be rushing over to her and trying to link up with her either. I thought she would spend the night at home where she usually spent most of her time.
Fuck.
I shouldn't have brought her out here in the ocean with me. I didn't know what came over me. I lost control when she mentioned kissing some random man just for the sake of getting it over with. I knew all those assholes at the party; of course, I would; it was my fucking party. Those men would take her virgin lips and not even appreciate the taste of her.
I inwardly groan at the thought of tasting her sweet lips.
I just knew that she would taste fucking amazing.
Damn it.
What was wrong with me?
I thought I had more control than this, but I was wrong. It was much easier in the past when Lana didn't know that we were mates. She didn't do reckless things like she'd done tonight. And she never wore clothes like this either.
I liked being the only man to see certain parts of her body back home. Now, every man at the party was staring at her legs, among other things. It was driving me insane.
I was glad that she was finally out here in the ocean, away from their lustful gazes. However, I could not keep her here for the rest of the night. I had to make sure that she got home before I did something stupid.
I could not just leave her here now that I knew she couldn't swim. However, I needed to put some distance between us and I needed to get that done quickly.
Without a second thought, I pick her up out of the water.
I was very close to losing my control. Her scent was stronger tonight and she looked even sexier now that she was soaked from head to fucking toe.
The second I reach the sand, I place her down on the ground, careful not to touch her inappropriately.
Her dress stuck to her skin now that it was soaking wet. I try not to stare too much, but it was damn hard. I was no saint.
I force myself to turn around and look out at the ocean's roaring waves.
"Please get to the car and return home," I tell her. I was practically begging for her to leave at this point.
I don't know if it was the urgency in my voice or the fact that I was not looking at her, but eventually, she turned around and headed back for the house.
I watch her leave with regret. I wanted to kiss her. I should have kissed her in the water.
It was too late now.
Since there was finally some distance between us again, I could think clearly once more. It was better this way. I almost gave in to the temptation and kissed her, but that would not have been good.
A kiss was something that I wouldn't be able to take back.
Now I had to find a woman to help distract me from her. I didn't want to do this but I had no choice.
I stroll back into the party, searching for someone to help me forget about Lana even if it was just for an hour.
I lean into the first woman who looks my way.
"Come home with me tonight," I whisper into her ear.