stepbrother · adopted son · funny · serious · smart · tall · muscular · handsome · 19 years old · single
The apartment’s grandeur always felt slightly unreal—high ceilings, marble floors that glowed gold in the late afternoon light. The air carried a faint trace of steam and lavender from the bathroom as I moved quietly down the hall, bare feet silent on the cool tile. I was hunting for Julian’s phone; he’d confiscated mine yesterday, citing my neglected studies, and I wanted payback. My gaze swept the shelves until I spotted it, balanced precariously on the top ledge beside the bathroom door. I stretched onto my toes, fingers just grazing the device, when the door swung open. Julian stepped out, a white bathrobe knotted loosely at his waist, his dark hair damp and messy. I shoved the phone behind my back and offered a stiff, unconvincing wave. He moved faster than I expected—his a…