Chapter 10

"I came to check up on you, to see if you're doing alright."

"I'm fine, nothing is wrong."

"Are you sure? I got the impression I might have done or said something when you rushed out of Splatburger."

Lies.

It was something she grew without. Everyone talks. Everyone lies. Yet Phoebe could see no point in Jessica accommodating her social graces by not jumping to conclusions about what she might have stumbled upon. The proximity. The unsure glances and his awkward gloomy excuse to give them some privacy after the surprise had subsided.

"Phoebe."

"Oh, sorry, but as you can see I'm fine, ok, that one is a lie because I happen to be nursing an ankle." she, purposely and fearfully drew the conversation over to another bridge. The result was instantaneous.

"Oh, what happened?"

"Stairs."

"Probably explained why Max was lingering around you, eh?" her tone wasn't by any means suggestive, but Phoebe's deceptive imagination did the work.

Great, just great.

Phoebe faltered away from the searching eyes. "He can be caring when he wants to be."

"Well, anyway, Link had this crazy idea about the four of us going to Amazing-Land on Saturday, right after your ankle is in good working condition. How does that sound?"

"I don't want to pull any strings."

"Come on, it will be fun, besides, the two of us never got the chance to formally hang out. Max is great and all, but it comes second to female company, right?"

"I don't-"

"I can be really persistent when I want to be Phoebe and I won't take no for an answer. Max is really colorful when he describes you but his honesty is as wide as his swoosh." Jessica stood up, practically coercing her without any hint of malice but Phoebe couldn't deny being intimidated by her.

"You're not giving me much of a choice here, so I guess.."

"See, you don't have to be poker around me, we'll have a great time, I promise." The girl, overzealous with a skip in her step as she ambled to the front door. "see ya! And don't forget to tell your brother!"

When the door closed, Phoebe felt both relieved and frustrated at the same time. She was aware Jessica was a kind person, contrary to her own personal injustice to accept the social standing between her and Max.

Mindful of the fact she wasn't alone in the house, she suddenly had an epiphany, concerning the implications of her actions with Max, who was probably regretting his-

Her thoughts were extinguished when familiar arms swept under her thighs, her cheeks filled with warmth at the bridal concept.

"I'm sorry."

For kissing her? Her heart clenched at the thought. Maybe the flamboyant butterflies roaming her stomach were imaginary and nothing more. How could she possibly swallow the wrongness of incest and remain hopeful he'd have the tiniest amount of room whatsoever to spare and return-

"Hey pissy-pants,"

She brushed away the tear that, no matter how much she tried to steel her heart and resolve, escaped her eye. His insufferable eyes were nowhere stout as they should have been because she couldn't get any read on them, but his insufferable features betrayed a prominent smirk.

"I'm sorry for not closing the kitchen door earlier,"

Oh.

Ridiculous and embarrassed, she buried her face into his chest, clinging to him in a tight embrace that shed any brotherly familiarity.

"Had me worried there for a second Pheebs," he admitted, carrying her up the stairs.

"I can perfectly walk on my own two feet, Max, I don't need your help." she supplied in response, her pride and confidence returning bit by bit.

"Wobbling on your feet and eventually falling flat on your face isn't exactly hot if you know what I mean." he said with a wink and it dawned to her that he was flirting with her.

"Stop it. The goosebumps are uncomfortable. Your petty flattery is just making it worse."

"Oh shut up, you love me anyway."

As he sat there, eyes wandering back and forth, probably judging the level of cleanliness of her room, something was not adding up. The romantic aspect of succumbing to her taboo feelings were inept. It's like one minute she is admiring the most elementary details of his face before it all vanishes and she's forced to endear her dumb as a board brother who was causing quite the ruckus within her love life.

Max adjusted himself, casting a small shadow over her conflicted figure.

"So,"

"So.."

There was more room to broach the subject burning on the tips of their tongues but they were so nervous. It was kind of late and by the looks of it, neither looked forth the impending topic so Phoebe took initiative and rose her head, kissing him on the cheek, searching for any reaction.

His eyes lit up.

That had to count for something.

She hid her smile.

His lips wavered momentarily before the redundant weight left her bed and he soundlessly treaded towards her bedroom door.

"Goodnight Pheebs."

It was a torture trying to sleep that night. All he could think about was that kiss, and what it meant, if it meant anything at all.

It was obvious it had made things a little awkward between the two of them but they could play it off, crankiness aside. He wondered what would have happened had Jessica not intruded. Yes it was a disgusting sentiment but he was curious. Miss Prim and Proper showing genuine interest in him, it was that train of thought that gave birth to a grin on his face.

This nifty change, he expected this, since day one. They weren't really the type to act as ordinary siblings with the absurd tendency of getting on each other's nerves. How could they when their actions were fed from deep-seated tension and frustrations. Yet, Max was sure she'd try to put an end to this before things escalated to the point of no turning back and he doubted he could stop her even if he wanted to.

It was unlike her to wake up at this ungodly hour but she wanted to make breakfast with a clear mind and without needless interruptions. She hoped he wouldn't wake up reason why she carefully snuck from place to place, noise to a minimum. Wrapping the blue towel around herself, Phoebe curled her toes within the cozy confines of her slippers and cautiously closed the door to her room.

Seconds away from mission success and the bathroom door swung open. The action was enough to elicit a gasp from her.

Hallway encounters were cruel.

"Wow, you're up early,"

"You're one to talk."

His chestnut eyes were so piercing that she was convinced he somehow had the ability to see past the only garment around her person.

"How's your ankle?"

"All healed up."

He didn't say anything much further, but showed no intention of leaving any time soon.

"There's breakfast in the kitchen." her attempt at distracting him was miserable.

"Smells like actual food."

"Max." her tone was warning, the stern glare on her face only adding to the fuel as he snickered and stepped a foot closer. "Move out of the way. I haven't had the chance to shower yet."

He clinched for her hand. Phoebe didn't want any contact with him whatsoever but his grip was tantamount to that of her father so much so that resistance was futile.

Max brushed her face, and she inclined it in the opposite direction. He felt brave that morning, cupping her chin and forcing her to look at him. The intense gratifying look in his eyes regressed and Phoebe didn't object when their hands entwined.

"You kept me up all night."

"Is that supposed to mean anything?"

"Maybe, maybe not, you're the smart one." his response was halfhearted but electrified her expectations as he made no intentions of hiding the fact he wanted something to occur, on a much grander scale as compared to the day before.

The implications were clear now.

His arms were on her thighs and she's wrapped around him straining for a hold against the nape of his neck. They locked eyes – she found it insulting that he was testing her resolve.

"Max, kiss me already."

Her lungs released the breath she was holding. Her lips tingling with sensations far beyond her, Phoebe lost all control when the affair took a foreign turn. Max didn't stop at her lips. He ventured across her collarbone and neck, breaking her efforts of forbearing the undeniable sensation juddering through her body.

Handful of his hair, she jerked back and met his lips again, encountering his invasive tongue seconds after.

Her body shuddered, greedy and in desire of something more. She was hazy, not really giving much into thought as her towel fell to the floor. His muscles were extremely tight, unrelenting of his hold onto her. Phoebe moaned subtly when he disrupted duty to her mouth, directing much of his interest to her chest. Her panties were unkind, wet and legs feeling ignored and unattended to.

She pushed against his chest, he raised his arms for good measure, tank top falling just beside her towel. They were in sync. In his aroused state, Max tested the waters and brushed her panties with a finger. Her response was muted, tensing at the sensitivity of her core.

He took to kissing her again, albeit slowly, slowing down their descend into aroused lunacy which she questionably pulled out of. Max was looking into her eyes again. Searching for the one thing he needed equal consent to. Phoebe bit her lip, unable to think straight and particularly not wanting this feeling of being touched to end, she nodded her head, her arms sweeping across his shoulders.

"I trust you."

Max squashed any hesitance and carried her to the far ends of the hallway. Phoebe simpered unsurely against his lips. There would be consequences, but this evil was necessary.