Chapter 1

"You said your folks are out of town right? So what's wrong with just one kiss ... or two or three?"

Gary's lips glided against mine. We were supposed to be watching "Just Go With It," but Gary was too busy trying to make out with me.

"Gary!" I giggled and playfully pushed him away.

He groaned. "C'mon Emma. Just one kiss. I promise. Nothing else."

"If you wanted to make out, why did you even bother to get this movie? Besides, we could have watched this and made out at your apartment."

Gary shrugged. "You know my cousin has his girlfriend over. That's our rule. We take turns bringing our girls over."

I raised a brow. "Girls?"

He laughed. "You know you are MY girl and my cousin has HIS girl. Silly."

I was weakening. "Ok. Fine. One kiss and that's it!"

Gary smirked and leaned closer to me. Our lips touched and his tongue was in my mouth so fast. I tried to protest but Gary was a damn good kisser. What was supposed to be just one kiss lead to a huge, hot make out session.

My folks were out of town, which was true. I'm a 20 year old female still living under my parent's roof. I go to college in town and am currently majoring in journalism. Gary has been my boyfriend for six months now and yes, we've had sex.

Gary's kissed me and I felt his hands creeping up my tank top. His hands felt good and I suddenly started getting goosebumps. The movie is continuing to play but I was too distracted.

"Ahem!"

I gasped and pushed Gary off of me. Gary grabbed a couch pillow and put it on his lap to hide his hard on. I looked up to see my little brother Ethan standing in front of the TV. He had his backpack and wore one of his many t-shirts he had. This one was a black Nirvana t-shirt with the yellow smiley face and his baggy jeans.

"I've been standing here for like five minutes and you two kept going at it," he said mockingly.

I sat up and fixed my tank top. "Shut up. You were not there that long. I thought you were going with mom and dad out of town?"

Ethan looked at Gary and then at me. "As much as I'd love to go to our Cousin Gina's wedding, I did have school today. Mom and dad left early today and besides don't you think you have something to tell me?"

I was dumbfounded. "Um..."

Ethan looked somewhat hurt. Ethan was always a bit of a prankster so I could never tell when he was actually sad or if he was faking it.

"Help me out!" I yelled

Ethan shook his head. "Never mind. Sorry I interrupted your little love fest here. See you Gary."

"Later Ethan," Gary replied.

Ethan went upstairs to his room. I heard his door slam hard. Gary inched closer to me. "So where were we?" He whispered.

Gary and I went out for dinner later that night. I ended up getting home well after three in the morning because Gary and I decided to go to the night clubs that night. I had fun. Gary and I danced and drank and were grinding against each other on the dance floor. I knew I left him with blue balls, but promised I'd make it up to him the next time we were over at his place.

I fell asleep and got woken up by the ringing phone early the next morning. I groaned as I rolled over looked at my cell phone displaying my mom's cell phone number.

"Hello?" My voice was raspy.

"Emma sweetie. How are things?"

I closed my eyes. "Everything's ok mom. How's Uncle Brian and Aunt Liz?"

"They're great. They send you and Ethan their love. Oh and your cousin Gina does too. She's so happy. Her fiancé is handsome and treats her well."

"Hmm that's great mom."

"Be sure to tell Ethan that he has to activate the card first."

I opened my eyes and frowned. "Huh? What card?"

"The prepaid credit card we gave him for his birthday."

I gulped and felt like the biggest asshole ever. "H-his birthday?"

"Yes Emma. Ethan's birthday was yesterday. Oh my goodness! Do not tell me you forgot!"

I felt guilt. Major guilt. "Um I kinda ... forgot."

I had to pull my phone away from my ear because my mother started yelling like never before.

After a good twenty minutes or so of getting lectured by my mom, I got out of bed and went to wash up. I couldn't believe I had been so stupid to forget my baby brother's birthday. I NEVER did that. That's why he had been so upset. I had to make it up to my brother one way or another. As I washed up, I thought of the perfect little surprise.

Since my baby brother was now an adult, I could take him out where I knew guys loved to go, the strip bar! Yes, that would totally make up for forgetting his birthday. I'd go get him a cool t-shirt at Hot Topic and then I'd take him to the strip bar. What guy wouldn't like that?

I got hyper and went downstairs to get some breakfast. Ethan was in the kitchen finishing up his Cheerios cereal. He looked up at me and then went back to reading the newspaper.

I went to the cupboard and got a bowl for my cereal. I preferred Captain Crunch. I grabbed a spoon and since the milk was already at the table, I went to make myself comfortable. Ethan kept his eyes down.

"Um ... so mom called to make sure you activate your prepaid credit card first before using it." I felt nervous.

Ethan didn't look up. "Ok," he said and continued reading.

"Um ... h-happy birthday by the way," I stammered.

"Thanks." His voice was cold.

"I'm really sorry I forgot."

"Uh huh..."

"No, seriously I am."

"Yeah ok."

"Ethan!" I groaned.

He finally looked up at me. His curly brown hair was a mess. He was in his boxer shorts and old beat up Ramones t-shirt that he refused to throw away. That was his usual sleepwear.

"I said it's ok Em. You don't have to apologize."

"I do! I'm such an idiot! How could I have forgotten your birthday?"

"You're too busy with Gary, that's why," He shot back.

I was taken back. "Excuse me?"

"Well ... ever since you met Gary; we don't hang out as much."

I felt more guilt. "I'm sorry you feel that way. And I'm sorry if it seems that way."

"It IS that way Em."

I reached over and placed my hand over his. He started to fidget. "Look, I'm going to make it up to you big time ok? Later today we can go to the mall and I can get you a t-shirt of your choice and then ... well baby bro since you're 18 years old now, I'm going to take you out to a ... well it's a surprise."

Ethan smiled. "Really? You and I are going out? Without Gary right?"

I laughed. "Of course. It's YOUR day. So it's just us."

I saw him blush. "Ok Em. That sounds perfect."

After I showered I called Gary and let him know about my plans with Ethan. Gary was fine with it since he'd be watching UFC fighting with his cousin and his best friend Ben. I put on a pair of jeans and pretty flowery blouse. My hair was long, so I put it up in a ponytail and slipped my feet into black ballerina flats.

I went downstairs and Ethan was waiting for me. "Can I drive?" He asked already holding my car keys.

"Yeah, yeah. I told you it's your day."

Ethan and I spent a few hours at the mall. I got him a new Ramones t-shirt and I bought myself some new shoes. We ate at the food court like we used to do when I was still in high school and Ethan was in junior high. We'd ride the city bus to the mall and hang out for hours.

"This is great Em," Ethan said. He was eating his chili cheese fries.

"I know it's been fun. I'm really sorry if we haven't been hanging out. I guess I got too caught up with Gary."

Ethan paused and nodded. "Yeah. But it's ok. I understand."

I smiled. "So ... um did any girls at school get you something special for your birthday?"

Ethan laughed. "What girls? You know girls don't see me that way. They always just want to be friends."

"What? They're crazy. Can't they see how cute my baby brother is?" I said and reached over to mess up his thick curly hair. "You look like Patrick Dempsey in Can't Buy Me Love."

Ethan laughed. "Patrick Dempsey? Yeah right. During geek status or king status?"

"King status! You do!" I was being serious. "So have you even asked any of the girls out?"

"No."

"Why not? You know girls like it when guys ask them out."

"Yeah, but none of the girls at school are my type."

"Oh?" I raised a brow. "What IS your type? Oh wait! Let me guess ... Nirvana fans? Ramones fans? Gothic looking girls?"

Ethan frowned. "Goth chicks. No thanks."

"Well then? Oh cheerleader types?"

"Oh god no."

"Well, whatever type you're into, I'm sure you'll find your perfect girl and she better love you or else I'll kick her ass."

Ethan smiled shyly. "Thanks for all this, sis."

"We're not done yet. Remember, I still have another surprise for you."

"As long as we're hanging out, that's fine with me," Ethan said and looked into my eyes. For some reason I got shivers as he looked at me.

After the mall, we went back home and relaxed for bit. I knew the strip joint that I was taking Ethan to didn't open until eleven at night. I knew this because I had gone with Gary two or three times. It was no big deal. I usually bought Gary a lap dance and he'd get horny and have sex with ME not the strippers. So in the end I was the one who got my way, at least that's how I saw it.

It was almost time to go. Ethan put on dark jeans and a white polo shirt. He actually looked really cute.

"Wow, no t-shirt huh?"

He blushed. "Nah. I have a feeling you're taking me someplace really nice so I wanted to dress up."

I giggled. He had NO idea where I was taking him. "Well, you look handsome. I just need to put my earrings on and we'll be on our way."

"Sounds good Em. Can I drive?"

I nodded. "No way. I'm going to blindfold you and you can't see where I'm taking you."

Ethan looked excited. "Ok cool. I can live with that."

A few minutes later we're on the way to the strip joint. Ethan is wearing his blindfold and is anxiously waiting to know where I'm taking him.

"Are you taking me to a blues bar?" He asked.

"Nope."

"Hmmm are you taking me to a fancy dinner?"

"At eleven at night? Um no."

He laughed. "Ok ... um are you taking me to a party?"

"Wrong again."

"I don't know where you're taking me then. Give me a hint!"

"There's um ... music."

He thought about it. "I bet you are taking me to a blues bar."

"Keep thinking that," I teased.

"You got me curious Em."

"Stay curious then."

"You suck," he pretended to pout.

"Trust me you're going to love this place."

I pulled up to the strip joint and parked. "Ok now keep the blindfold on until we get inside ok?"

Ethan nodded. "Yeah. Yeah."

I led Ethan into the club. It was already full. The room was smoky and dark and the music was blasting. Everyone was looking at Ethan blindfolded. I showed the doorman Ethan's ID and whispered to him why I had Ethan blindfolded. I then led him to a table and sat him down.

"So ... you ready?" I asked.

"Um ... I guess. Is this a night club?" He asked cautiously.

I took off his blindfold and Ethan's eyes widened when he saw he was in a room with a lot of half naked women.

"Ta-da! This is your surprise baby bro. I'm buying you a lap dance or two or three how ever many you want."

Ethan's jaw dropped. He began to squirm in his chair. "Um Em..."

"Wait, I'll be right back." I took off to get "Ginger" a pretty red head to do the first lap dance for Ethan. I explained he was my little brother who just turned 18. She thought it was cute of me to do that for him and agreed to do the dance.

Ginger and I walked back to Ethan. He looked somewhat scared or very shy. "Hi, I'm Ginger. I hear you had a birthday yesterday huh? Well ... happy birthday..." She started dancing for Ethan. Ethan sat there very still as Ginger slowly began to remove her top.

Ethan looked away once Ginger's top came off and quickly jumped up from his chair. He looked at me and then at Ginger and sped out of the club. Ginger looked at me confused.

"S-sorry. Here." I left her a twenty and ran after my brother.

"Ethan! Ethan!" I yelled out breathlessly.

Ethan was in the parking lot standing by my car. He was fuming!

"Ethan..." I was panting as I walked towards him.

"Why did you bring me here?" He asked furiously.

"I-I'm sorry ... I just thought you might like it."

"Just because your perverted boyfriend likes it, doesn't mean I would too."

"Look, I'm really sorry ok? I just thought-"

"Let's just go home ok?" He cut me off. He turned away and waited for me to open the car.

"Ethan..."

"Let's go Em."

I was left with no choice but to take him home. I felt awful.

The drive back home was silent. Ethan turned on the radio to avoid having to talk to me.

Once we got home, Ethan went straight to his room. I stood in the hallway all alone and felt really bad. How was I supposed to know Ethan wouldn't be into titty clubs? I should have waited until he was older maybe? Or maybe I should have really thought it out and taken him somewhere nice?

I knocked on his door. "Ethan, I said I'm sorry. Talk to me please?"

No answer.

I knocked again. "Please? Please?"

He opened the door and sighed. "No, I'm sorry I acted like a jerk. I didn't mean to go off on you like that sis."

"I was the asshole. I should have never taken you to that place. I just thought ... well obviously I DIDN'T think."

Ethan smiled softly. "It's ok Em. All is forgiven. We had a nice time at the mall and you got me a cool t-shirt."

"Yeah but still, I wanted to do something really special for you. I don't know why I thought taking you to a strip bar would be special."

We both laughed.

"You can come in Em." He stepped aside and let me in his room. He had tons of music posters on his wall and his bed was still unmade. He had his computer on and a few soda cans on the floor.

"Gosh bro, clean much?" I joked.

"Shut up. You're no neat freak yourself."

"Yes ... that's true." I sat on his bed and looked up at him. "So we're ok?"

He shrugged.

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"I suppose we're ok."

"Aww c'mon Ethan. I apologized like a million times already."

"Yeah..."He smiled," but you promised me that we'd do something special and well ... the mall was fun and all but it wasn't special."

I looked at him suspiciously. "What did you have in mind? Don't tell me ... you want to go to that blues bar?"

I shook his head.

"Well then?" I asked.

He looked at me with intensity in his eyes. Suddenly the room got hot. "I want to ask you for something."

He sat next to me. I looked at him waiting for his request.

"I want to ... um ... I want you to kiss me. Just one kiss."

I gulped. "Kiss you? You mean like kiss your cheek or forehead?" My hands suddenly started trembling.

Ethan looked at ease. "No. I want you to kiss me on the lips."

I blinked. "Um ... ok..." I started to lean towards him to give him a quick peck but he stopped me.

"I want you to kiss me the way you kiss Gary."

I was shocked. "W-what?"

He leaned closer. "You heard me. Just one kiss that's all I ask for."

"Ethan ... I can't-"

He cut me off by placing his lips against mine. I gasped. His lips were warm and tender. He parted his lips slightly and slipped his tongue in my mouth. I didn't know what else to do but comply. I pressed my tongue against his and before I knew it, we were lost in a long deep kiss.

For a moment I almost forgot it was my own brother I was kissing. He kissed me slowly and very lovingly. Gary never had kissed me that way. His kisses were always a bit rough, sexy, but too rough at times.

Ethan broke the kiss and I hadn't realized I still had my eyes closed and my lips puckered. I slowly opened my eyes and Ethan was gazing into my eyes.

"See? That wasn't so bad was it?" He asked calmly.

I was numb. His kiss was still lingering on my lips.

"W-why did you ask me for a kiss?" I finally asked after a few seconds of silence.

"Because I love you," he said boldly.

"Love me? Like you know in a brother/sister way?"

He nodded. "Yes and probably the way Gary loves you too but I can bet you that he doesn't love you more than I do."

My heart was pounding. "Since when..." I couldn't even finish what I was going to ask. My mouth was dry and aching for more of my brother's kiss.

"Hmmm ... oh since about birth," he smiled sweetly and touched my face.

"I never knew..."

"Why do you think I loved to hang out with you so much? It is partly because you're fun, but mostly because I love to be around you."

I was flabbergasted.

"And remember you asked me earlier today what was my type of girl?"

I nodded.

"You. You are my type of girl."

My heart was melting with each word he said. He leaned over again and placed lips on mine again. Never in my life had I thought of kissing my baby bro but then again I never knew how he felt about me. His soft warm lips caressed against mine. I was in total bliss but then I forced myself to pull away.

"You said just one kiss."

He smiled deviously. "Yeah I know. I'm sorry. I couldn't resist."

I stood up abruptly. He looked up at me with loving eyes. "I-I better go now. Um ... Happy Birthday." I ran out of his room.

That night, I could hardly sleep. I was feeling somewhat paranoid so I locked my bedroom door in fear that Ethan might walk in and want more than just a kiss. Or was it because I was the one that would want more?

I was tossing and turning and the taste of my brother's kiss was still on my lips and tongue. I closed my eyes and kept going through everything that happened that evening.

What was supposed to have been a fun time at a strip joint turned into an incestuous episode. I wasn't sure how to feel. It hadn't just been the kiss. It had been all the things Ethan had confessed to me. How he'd always loved me as more than just a sibling way. Why hadn't I ever caught on? Or had I but just pretended that it was just my imagination the way my baby brother always looked at me? I started to remember how Ethan would follow me around when we were both kids. I found it annoying at times but secretly enjoyed having him around.

Gary! Suddenly my boyfriend came into mind. Was it considered cheating that I kissed my brother? It's not like I would ever tell him. What would I do say, "Hey Gary I kissed another guy." He'd throw a fit and then I'd say "I kissed Ethan, my baby brother." Gary would probably freak! I had to think about if Gary had a sister and told me he'd kissed her how would I feel? I really wouldn't know how to answer that.

The next morning I woke up near noon time. I had fought to go to sleep but finally fall asleep until after six that morning. After getting out of bed and washing up, I went downstairs to find Ethan and Gary talking! I felt my entire face turning red. Ethan noticed me first. He smiled sweetly and then Gary took notice.

"Hey there sleeping beauty." He came towards me and hugged me and gave me a short but sweet kiss on my lips. I noticed Ethan's sad eyes and him looking away. I felt somewhat guilty.

"W-what are you doing here?" I asked sounding slightly annoyed.

Gary frowned. "I came by to see you and Ethan said you were still asleep. We started playing some video games and then got hungry. We just finished eating some sandwiches. You ok?" His eyes searched my face. I kept looking down and Ethan kept stealing glances at me.

"Oh. Ok. Well do you want to go somewhere?" I asked nervously.

"You sure you ok?" He asked and cupped my chin making me look up at him.

"Y-yeah. I'm just..."

"She's tired," Ethan chimed in. "She took me to a strip club last night as a late birthday present and well we stayed up a little late."

"A strip club huh?" Gary asked wickedly. "You bad girl trying to corrupt your little brother. I wish I had a sister like you!" Gary hugged me. My eyes met with Ethan. Our eyes locked for what seemed to be forever.

"Uh well come on," I said quickly pulling away from Gary's embrace. I grabbed his hand and led him upstairs to my room. I couldn't stay in the same room with Ethan and having my boyfriend kissing and hugging me. It felt almost as if I was cheating in Ethan? I know sounds ridiculous right?

Once up in my room, I felt calmer. I gave Gary a long wet kiss and hugged him the way I usually would have even if Ethan had been in the room, but now it just seemed ... different.

"So ... how was the strip club last night?" Gary asked as he broke our kiss.

I shrugged. "Ok I guess. Ethan had fun."

"I bet he did. Did you introduce him to Ginger?"

I nodded. I really didn't want to talk about the previous night. I just wanted to make out with my boyfriend and forget about my incestuous episode.

"Ethan looked pretty happy you know. I don't think I've seen him look that happy ever since I've known him."

I smiled and kissed Gary again. Suddenly Ethan's kiss came back to me. The way he nervously kissed me as if I had been his first kiss. Had I been his first kiss? No way. What eighteen year old guy now a day hasn't kissed anyone?