Temptation of Mine

Four Years Ago

Russell’s POV

“You’re showing too much skin. Get changed!”

Ryker’s voice cut through the room as his eyes swept over me from head to toe.

It was prom night, and I’d gone all out with a red-and-black, figure-hugging gown. It showed a hint of skin at the back and just enough cleavage to make my overprotective brother lose his mind. I was already an adult, yet the way he looked at me made me feel like a teenager caught sneaking out past curfew. Every time I wore something even slightly revealing, he acted like I’d crossed some invisible line.

“Kuya, prom dresses aren’t outdated. This outfit is fine,” I replied, rolling my eyes. I could practically hear his old-fashioned mindset crashing against modern fashion. He was always so quick to play the protective older brother, even though he was far from the saint he liked to pretend he was.

“Change that dress!” Ryker repeated, his frustration obvious.

I felt my irritation rise. Why did he always have to make such a big deal out of my clothes?

“Ryker, you don’t get how women dress these days,” Mom said, clearly annoyed by his narrow-mindedness. “This is pretty standard now.”

“I know that, Mom...” Ryker muttered, though the frustration never left his face.

“How could Kuya not know?” I teased. “He’s practically a womanizer. He and Daniel make the perfect pervert duo.”

If Ryker wanted to play the overprotective brother, I was more than willing to play the rebellious little sister.

“Do you want men drooling all over her? She’s practically putting herself on display like—”

“Like what, Ryker?” Mom cut in sharply. “Go ahead. Finish that sentence and hurt your sister’s feelings.”

Ryker frowned.

“She’s spoiled because you always give her whatever she wants.”

I stuck my tongue out at him before rolling my eyes. He was being so dramatic that it was almost funny.

“Hmm. My date looks beautiful.”

Daniel smiled as his eyes openly admired me.

Ryker and Mom turned toward him, and he immediately greeted her.

“Good evening, Auntie.”

“Daniel, you’re the final authority here,” Mom said with a smile. “Do you think Russell is showing too much?”

I felt Daniel’s gaze linger for a moment, making me unexpectedly self-conscious. He had always been fashionable and surrounded by beautiful women, so I wondered whether he’d side with Ryker or agree with Mom.

“Well?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I don’t see anything wrong with her dress, Auntie,” Daniel answered confidently. “I’m her date. No one’s touching her or even getting close. Men can drool all they want, but that’s as far as they’ll get.”

I couldn’t help chuckling at his usual womanizer confidence.

“So... you don’t think I look like a prostitute?”

Daniel blinked in surprise before glancing at Ryker.

“No. You only look like a hooker if you act like one. And honestly, we shouldn’t judge people for how they earn a living, even if society does.”

Mom nodded with relief.

“Alright then. If Daniel says it’s fine, you can keep the dress.”

She smiled at him.

“Just be kind to her.”

Daniel grinned from ear to ear, looking ridiculously pleased with himself. His approval felt like a small victory, and despite everything, I found myself smiling too.

Maybe prom wouldn’t be so bad after all.

I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“Let’s go. My date might already be waiting,” Ryker said.

He took my hand and led me toward the garage.

As we walked outside, the tension slowly faded, replaced by excitement for the night ahead. I glanced at Daniel, who looked genuinely happy.

At least no one would ruin my night now.

...

Claire leaned closer and whispered, “Ryker is so handsome.”

We were sitting in the backseat on the way to prom.

Even though I’d received plenty of invitations, Ryker insisted that I go with his best friend instead. Naturally, that best friend happened to be older than me.

“Do you really like my brother?” I whispered back. “That pervert? That stripper? We should be spending prom with people our own age. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event, and he’s completely ruining it.”

“Ryker still looks young,” Claire whispered with a dreamy smile. “And handsome. Just like Daniel.”

She nudged my shoulder.

“Besides, you should appreciate Daniel’s effort. He’s busy, but he still came with you. Honestly, the two of them are probably going to be the highlight of prom. Just look at them. Everyone at school is going to ask for their numbers.”

She giggled.

“If anyone asks for Ryker’s, I’m giving them a fake one.”

I didn’t answer.

I simply sat there, scowling all the way to school.

When we arrived, Daniel stepped out first and offered me his hand.

The moment he saw my face, he smiled.

He knew exactly how unhappy I was about having him as my prom date.

While everyone else had classmates as their partners, I had what basically felt like bodyguards.

“Smile, babe. Enjoy the night,” Daniel whispered.

His warm breath brushed against my ear, making me shiver.

I shoved him away.

“Shut up, Daniel. I’m still your best friend’s sister. Jeez, you’re such a perv.”

Daniel laughed. “I’m not doing anything. I just told you to smile.”

“Then stop talking about it.”

Our entrance immediately drew attention.

Heads turned our way, but surprisingly, no one seemed bothered by the age difference. If anything, Ryker and Daniel attracted even more attention.

It was obvious they had their own kind of charm.

Daniel placed our wine glasses on a nearby cocktail table before looking at me.

“Let’s dance.”

“I don’t want to dance with you.”

My eyes drifted toward the dance floor.

Ryan was there. He was dancing with Monique.

I sighed.

Ryan was supposed to be my date tonight.

Instead, my obnoxious brother had paired him with someone else. After spending two weeks flirting with Ryan, any chance of becoming his girlfriend tonight had completely disappeared.

“Come on, Russell,” Daniel coaxed. “It’s prom. You only get one.”

He shrugged.

“I’ve turned down everyone who’s asked me to dance because I didn’t want you sitting here alone. But if you really don’t want to dance, I’ll go find someone else while you stay here.”

“What do you mean?” I frowned. “Do you think you’re the only attractive person here? I have plenty of admirers, too.”

“I know,” Daniel said. “That’s exactly why I’m not letting any of them come near you. I’m your date tonight.”

He smiled.

“So your attention belongs to me.”

Before I could protest again, Daniel guided me toward the center of the dance floor.

I inhaled slowly as his hand settled around my waist, drawing me closer. Resting one hand on his shoulder, I deliberately kept my eyes away from his.

Nearby, Ryker and Claire were dancing and laughing together.

“Hold me properly,” Daniel murmured. “Otherwise it’ll look like you’re counting the seconds until this ends.”

“That’s because I am,” I replied flatly. “I told you I didn’t want to dance.”

He didn’t argue.

Instead, I felt his warm hand slide gently against my bare back.

“You’ve lost weight,” he observed. “I remember your waist being thirty-two inches. Now it feels...”

“I know I’m sexy,” I interrupted. “You don’t have to tell me.”

Daniel laughed.

“You really shouldn’t listen to my brother.”

He looked at me for a moment. “We don’t exactly get along. This whole arrangement isn’t fun for either of us.”

“I don’t hate you. Actually, I—”

“Hi. May I have this dance with Russell?”

Daniel turned.

I immediately stepped away.

Ryan.

He was asking me to dance.

“Sure,” I answered with a bright smile.

Before I could leave, Daniel caught my wrist.

“Wait, Russell...”

I pulled my hand free, already annoyed.

“There are plenty of girls who want to dance with you,” I said, forcing a smile. “Go pick one of them and enjoy the night.”

Without waiting for a response, I walked away, leaving Daniel standing alone in the middle of the dance floor.