Unfaithful - (Part 1)

Sometimes, the lines between right and wrong blur in the most unexpected ways. Dive into a tale of temptation, secrets, and undeniable chemistry. Will they give in to their desires or walk away.

Jamal Sans is living the dream—or so it seems. As a rising star in Chicago’s legal scene, he’s traded in his small-town roots for the adrenaline-fueled thrill of late nights, high-stakes deals, and an endless carousel of hookups that keep him far from any notion of commitment.

The idea of a monogamous life like his stepbrother Chad’s makes him laugh and then cringe. Chad's annoyingly perfect smile and even more perfect marriage is a living reminder of everything Jamal swore he’d never want.

But when a chance reunion stirs old feelings and forbidden desires, Jamal finds himself questioning if the life he’s crafted is everything he truly needs—or if it’s just a distraction from the one thing he’s too scared to admit he wants. 

Witty, raw, and unapologetically steamy, this story will make you wonder what happens when a man used to having it all realizes that “everything” might not be enough.

It had been six years since I’d last seen Chad. After our parents’ divorce, Dad and I left for New York so he could take up a spot at a high-powered law firm, while Chad and his mom stayed behind in the old house in New Orleans. Chad wasn’t just my stepbrother; he was my closest confidant, the keeper of my secrets, and my partner in mischief.

When I got the news that he’d married, it felt like an old, familiar tune played off-key. The little boy with the lopsided grin had grown up and done something stupid—he tied that knot. Chad always sought what I avoided—roots, stability, commitment.

After checking into my hotel, I called him. His rich cadence oozed through the phone like honey, smooth and lazy with that unmistakable Cajun drawl. It sent a rush through me, warm and startlingly familiar.

“Well, look who finally remembered their way down south,” he teased a hint of laughter. “Too busy closing deals in the big city to make it to my wedding?”

“Something like that,” I said, trying to match his playful banter, even as guilt crept in.

“Figures,” he said, voice softer now. “But hey, you’re here now. So, you comin’ over or what? We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

A smile curved my lips despite the way my heart thudded. “Yeah, I’ll be there. Seven sound good?”

“Seven’s perfect. And don’t be late, Mr. Big Shot Lawyer.”

The call ended, leaving a charged silence in its wake. The clock read five, just enough time to clean up and make the drive out to the house where memories waited, as thick and heady as the Louisiana heat.

Driving down the winding driveway, memories swept over me like the sultry Louisiana heat. My eyes lingered on the pond where Chad once taught me how to swim the hard way—by tossing me in headfirst. I’d flailed, spluttered, and come dangerously close to sinking before he waded in, strong arms pulling me to safety. Sink or swim, he’d laughed, that mischievous sparkle in his eye. Life lessons never felt so raw.

As I eased into the roundabout, I checked my reflection, tugging down a playful curl on my forehead. The front door burst open before I could kill the engine. Chad strode out, all confident swagger, the kind of sexy that made the years melt away. He reached my car in a few strides, opening the door with a grin that could charm the devil.

“Mademoiselle,” he teased, extending a hand.

“Get the hell out of here,” I shot back, giving him a playful shove. 

He stepped back, hands on his hips, giving me a look that quickened my pulse. “Well, look at you, Mr. Big Shot. Still hitting the gym twenty times a day?”

“Only when I’m bored,” I smirked, catching a whiff of his cologne—warm, spicy, and entirely too familiar. It sent a pleasant shiver down my spine. 

“Come on,” he said, leading me up the steps with a wave. His gaze lingered just a bit too long on my crotch, a silent commentary that stirred something deep within me.