Chapter 1

Abel’s face flushed bright red. He clutched tightly at himself and snarled at me fiercely. “Simon! How dare you! Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Dad?!” I let out a laugh, lifted my hazy eyes, and roughly brushed my thumb over his lips. “Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?” As I spoke, I sank my teeth into his Adam’s apple. Abel let out a muffled groan, a low whimper escaping him, while his fingertips dug deep into my arm. The dose he’d given me wasn’t large, and I’d always been confident in my self-control. But when I saw the flush spreading across his skin, a flicker of desire stirred in my chest. Abel froze when he felt the change in my body. “You…?” I took a sharp breath and let him go. Then I lit a cigar nonchalantly. “Try slipping me drugs again, and I’ll fuck you senseless.” Abel’s face turned even redder, looking like he’d rather die than submit. I smacked his ass. “Not gonna talk? Cat got your tongue?!” He ground his teeth, turning his face away, looking utterly wronged. “Don’t hit my ass! You’re shameless! And you said you weren’t into men! Looks like you know exactly what you’re doing!” I scoffed. “So, are you still gonna send people to harass me?” “If you didn’t have these perverted inclinations, no matter how many people I sent, it wouldn’t work!” I teased, “Yeah, when I looked at you just now, I was really turned on. You’d better watch your back. Who knows? Maybe I’ll crawl into your bed one night.” “Simon! You’re so rebellious! You’re the top graduate of the school!” Such a naive kid, really. I hooked his neck and whispered against his ear. “Is that right? But if I want to, I can rewrite all the rules. So don’t provoke me again.” Abel and I were so close I could clearly see the fine fuzz on the tip of his nose. Footsteps gradually sounded outside, followed by my father’s voice. “Abel, your brother’s finally home. Don’t forget the party tonight!” Abel was about to answer when I bit down on his earlobe, making him whimper. Father heard the sound. “Abel? What are you doing? Why aren’t you answering?” A smile tugged at my lips as I pressed close to his ear. “Tell me, what do you think Dad would do if he walked in and saw this? His adopted son trying to seduce me.” Abel panicked completely, looking at me with pleading eyes. “Still gonna try?” He shook his head. Only then did I let go. Just before Father pushed the door open, Abel managed a low reply: “Okay, I’ll be there on time.” Father’s footsteps faded away. A bead of sweat slid down Abel’s forehead. He met my mocking gaze, looking a little annoyed. “If you keep this up, I’ll tell Dad you’re bullying me!” “Aren’t you the one who drugged me first, trying to throw yourself at me? Now that you’re at a disadvantage, you’re gonna play the victim?” “Who’s throwing myself at you?!” Abel yelped, his ears bright red, his fair cheeks flushing too. A mischievous urge struck me. I grabbed his arm and placed it around my waist. “Oh? Then who was doing this to me? And this?” At that moment, the door suddenly swung open. “Oh, right, Abel. Have you seen your brother…?” Father had turned back, and his eyes widened. “Oh my god, Abel, you’re actually… with your brother… Alright, let me process this!” “It’s not like that, Dad! It’s not what you think!” Abel tried to explain, but Father shook his head, stopping him. “It’s okay, kid. I just need some time to accept it… Remember to come to the party tonight.” Father walked away with heavy steps. Abel glared at me fiercely. “Why didn’t you explain?” I smiled at him. “Isn’t this what you wanted?” At the banquet, I’d just turned down a few women trying to chat me up when my old friend Eric came over, teasing me. “Heard you pulled down Abel’s pants? You wouldn’t have actually caught feelings for your adopted brother, would you?” I nearly spat out my drink. Only Abel and I knew about that. Which meant he must have told someone. For a moment, my expression turned odd. Abel and I used to get along great. But ever since he turned 18, he’s been picking fights with me nonstop. I’d been confused before, but with everything that’s happened lately, a thought hit me: Could it be that Abel likes me? Lost in thought, a pair of fair hands suddenly stretched out in front of me. “Can I buy you a drink?” The boy in front of me batted his big eyes, his fair, youthful face looking innocent and a little pitiful as he stared at me. “Sorry, I lost a game. I need to have a toast with you, arms intertwined.” Eric snickered beside me. “Just said he’d behave, and here it go again.” I didn’t need to be told. This boy was sent by Abel. Normally, I would’ve lost my temper on the spot. But this time, I surprisingly took the drink from the boy’s hand. “No need for the intertwined arms. But you can stay.” Eric looked stunned. “C’mon, man, are you serious? You actually like guys?” I shot him a look, but my gaze drifted to Abel in the corner. He was staring straight at us, but pretending to drink. Beneath his long lashes, his eyes fluttered. Incredibly beautiful. I stared, transfixed. But… what was I thinking? He’s my brother. I downed a glass of wine, then grabbed the boy and pulled him close. The boy fell into my arms. Not far away, Abel’s grip on his glass tightened, his gaze sharp as thorns. If he really did have feelings for me, maybe today was the day to put an end to it. Eric couldn’t even bear to watch. But quite a few people in the family noticed, and started whispering. [Look! We might be getting a leader’s spouse!] [Not sure. Simon’s ex-girlfriend was a total knockout.] [You never know. This boy is really cute and obedient.] [Wait, he kind of looks like Abel, doesn’t he?] Probably hearing the whispers, Abel’s face went pale, and his glass shattered in his hand with a crash. I hooked my finger under the boy’s chin. “Wanna come home with me?” I’d never taken anyone home before, and the moment I said it, the whole room erupted. Father looked at me with a stern expression, but said nothing in the end. A flash of calculation and greed flickered in the boy’s eyes, but his face stayed shy. “Is that… appropriate?” “Then forget it.” I pulled my hand back without hesitation. The boy panicked, quickly changing his tune. “I mean, it’s not like I can’t. I just need to head back early!”