My Slutty Step-Sister

You only get to fall really hard once in your life, and to my eternal bad luck--the kind that seemed to cling to me no matter where I went--fate found it funny to steer me far from everything I had envisioned for myself. And that included falling for someone I never should have.

My sister--step-sister, Danielle, to be exact. And I had fallen for her. Hard. So hard she haunts my dreams even though I had deliberately moved far away from our place in hopes of dissolving these dark feelings that I have for her.

At least, that's what I thought back then.

I was just a teenager--young, reckless, and full of emotions I didn't understand. There were drugs. Some shitty sports I never had the passion to do, but ended up pursuing professionally, anyway, by taking-up sports science as my degree. But at the time, my feelings for Danielle felt all-consuming, and it was something I couldn't fucking control even up to this day. God, it was wrong. So, so wrong, and I knew that. But knowing didn't stop my heart from racing every time she laughed, didn't stop the way my chest ached whenever she smiled at someone else, or how I secretly heard the guys from my team talk about how gorgeous and innocent she looked in her junior year in high school. Jealous, I stirred these men out of her way until I graduated and moved to another place.

No matter how many times I told myself we weren't really related, that there was no blood tying us together, it didn't change the fact that we had grown up as siblings. That's how the world saw us. That's how we were supposed to be.

And yet, no matter how much I fought it, something had shifted.

Maybe it was the way Danielle had started carrying herself differently--the way she no longer seemed like the girl who used to chase me around the house, but was now a young woman who could take my breath away with a single glance. Maybe it was the nights when the house was quiet, and I'd catch myself thinking about her, remembering the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, and I'd felt that familiar pulse between my legs, and how I'd want to shove my hard dick inside of her, and see how she would react when I started to move. It was the smallest things and the dark ones that made everything so damn difficult I decided to move out and stay far away from my foster family as possible. This was my own fight, and I tried to fight it. I had to.

I told myself it was nothing more than a phase, just hormones messing with my head. But the more I denied it, the stronger it became. And that terrified the shit out of me.

So when the opportunity came to take an entrance exam for a university far from home, I grabbed onto it like a lifeline. No one thought I would get in--not even my parents. But I did. And as soon as the acceptance letter arrived, I packed my bags without a second thought, desperate to outrun whatever this was before it consumed me completely.

But now, summer break was coming. And no matter how much I had grown, no matter how much time had passed--I was on my way back home, back to her. And I had no idea what I'd feel when I saw her again.

When the door creaked open, my breath hitched, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. My chest tightened painfully, and I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm.

Danielle blinked, clearly startled. Her big brown eyes locked onto mine, and for a second, we just stood there. Her long hair was pulled into a high ponytail, her cheeks flushed--whether from surprise or something else, I didn't know. But then her gaze dipped lower, and her entire face turned red.

Fuck. I wasn't supposed to notice these things, but I couldn't help it. She wasn't the same girl I left behind months ago. She had curves now--big, impossible-to-ignore curves that made her tight shirt look like it was barely holding her together. The sight of her made my throat go dry, and before I could stop myself, my mind drifted to things I shouldn't be thinking about. How soft she'd feel beneath my hands. How easy it would be to reach out and--

I cleared my throat, yanking myself out of it. Focus, Xavier. Fucking focus. I forced a smile.

"Dani? You're looking good..."

"Xavi?" Her lips parted in surprise, then broke into a grin. "You didn't tell me you were coming home!" She hiccupped, and that's when the strong scent of alcohol hit my nose.

I frowned. "Are you... drunk?"

Danielle let out a laugh and shook her head, waving a hand. "Drunk? Nah! Prom night just ended, so we had a few, uh... You know? Drinks, I guess?"

Before I could say anything else, her words slurred, and she stumbled forward.

Straight into me.

I caught her out of instinct, my arms wrapping around her waist to keep us steady. But the second her hands landed on my bare stomach, a sharp jolt shot through me. Her palms were warm, her touch light, but it sent a fucking wildfire through my veins. My muscles tensed under her fingers, and when she felt it, she jerked back like she'd been burned.

Her gaze lingered.

Her pupils dilated, and her lips parted slightly, as if she had--No. I clenched my jaw. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not when I'd spent months trying to get a grip on myself, convincing myself that this was all in my head. That it wasn't real. That I didn't need her.

"Danielle," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Her name was a warning--a plea.

Stop. Don't do this.

She met my eyes, then quickly looked away, stepping back. Her face burned with embarrassment. "Sorry... I'm sorry, brother. I mean, Xavi. We've barely seen each other for the last two years," she laughed with no humor in it. "No, I don't know what I'm saying. Ignore whatever's coming out of my damn mouth."

She turned and walked off toward the kitchen, leaving me standing there, pulse hammering in my throat.

I exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over my face before shutting the door behind me. Dropping my bags to the side, I followed after her. "Where are Mom and Dad?" I asked, scanning the house. It was too quiet.

"They're staying somewhere tonight," she said, filling a glass with water. "I was about to crash in my room when you knocked." She took a sip, then tilted her head at me. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"Summer break," I said, my voice still tight. "Wanted to surprise everyone."

Danielle grinned and leaned against the table. My stomach twisted, my body betraying me as my eyes flickered--too quickly, damn it--down her curves. I swore under my breath, forcing myself to look away.

"Mom misses you terribly, you know?" she said, swirling the water in her glass. "She gushes about how proud she was that you got into that elite university of yours."

I chuckled, and my eyes drifted toward her. "... only Mom?"

I only meant it as a joke, hoping to ease whatever tension still hung in the air. But something dark flickered across her face.

For a second, I swore she wanted to say something else. Something she wasn't sure I was supposed to hear.

She turned away, placing her empty glass in the sink. But when she looked back at me, there was something in her eyes that hadn't been there before. A sheen of unshed tears.

I took a step forward.

"Don't." I heard her say. "Stay right where you are." She wiped the side of her eyes with her sleeve. "Please. Just stay where the hell you are." Her last word came out as a whisper. A broken, defeated one.

Something twisted inside me at the sight. What happened to her? Why was she suddenly acting this coldly?

"Dani, what's going on?" Concerned, I reached out to touch her arm, but she flinched and took a few steps back.

"You don't understand. Just--just stay where you are!"

The sight of her crying made me panic. "I don't understand..." To be honest, I was just as confused as her.

She shook her head and sniffed. "No, I can't do this anymore. It hurts too much. And seeing you makes me realize just how stupid I am all these years."

"What are you talking about?" I frowned in confusion. "Did I do something to you? The last time I remember, I was gone for two years."

"Exactly!" Danielle snapped, glaring at me. "Two years, Xavier! You were gone for two fucking years. And you never bothered to call me. Not once. Not a single message, nothing! I was left wondering what I did to make you act this way."

I winced at her words, but before I could respond, she kept going.

"You didn't care enough to reach out. And when you got accepted to that, stupid, elite university, I was so proud of you, Xavier. I really was. You were out there chasing your god damn dream and I..." her voice cracked, and she clenched her fists. "And then you just left and never looked back. Do you know what that feels like? To have someone who's always been there for you, someone you care about more than anything, suddenly... disappear?"

My shoulders sagged, guilt pressing down on me. "I never knew you felt that way."

"Of course not, because you weren't here!" she spat. "You left. You were gone, Xavier! You left me behind without so much as a goodbye."

"Dani--" I began, but she cut me off.

"Don't call me that," she said sharply, her tone like ice. "You have no right to call me that anymore. We're not kids. We're not family. We never were, and we never will be."

Her words hit me harder than I expected, but I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay still. "Fine. If you don't think of us as family, then why are you crying?"

"That has nothing to do with you!" she snapped, her breathing uneven. "I'm drunk. I'm emotional. That's all."

"Bullshit." My voice came out rough. "If you really didn't think of us as family, then why are you still so upset? Is there something more you haven't told me?"

"Leave me alone," she whispered. "I have nothing to tell you."

I grabbed her wrist before she could step away. Her body collided with mine, and she gasped, hands pressing against my chest as she tried to push me off. But I was stronger. Bigger. She wasn't going anywhere.

"Tell me," I demanded, my voice low. "Tell me why you're acting like this, Dani."

"Stop it," she whispered, struggling against my hold. "Stop calling me that! I'm not your sister!"

"Then stop treating me like your brother," I shot back, the words leaving my mouth before I could stop them.

She froze. Her eyes widened, and for a second, something flickered in them--something raw, something vulnerable.

Tears spilled freely down her cheeks, her breathing coming out in short, panicked bursts. "You want to know?" she whispered. "Fine. It's because I never saw you that way."

The room went silent.

I stared at her, heart pounding, the weight of her confession sinking in.

Danielle looked just as shocked as I felt. Her lips parted slightly, her own words sinking in, and then she slapped a hand over her mouth, shaking her head.

"I--I didn't mean that," she stammered. "I don't know what I'm saying. I'm drunk, okay? That's all this is. I don't--"

"Don't what?" I murmured, stepping closer, forcing her to look at me. "Don't feel that way?"

She swallowed hard. "I--I don't. You're my brother. You're--"

"No." My voice was dark, firm. "I'm not your brother. And I think we both know that."

Her breath hitched. She stepped back, but there was nowhere left to go.

"You're wrong," she whispered desperately, shaking her head. "You're wrong."

I reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Her skin was warm. She shivered.

"Am I?" I asked, my voice dangerously low.

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

"You say I left," I continued. "You say I didn't care. But you're the one who's lying right now." My fingers brushed against her jaw, tilting her chin up. "You don't see me as your brother, Danielle? Then maybe I should show you the difference."

Her breath hitched, her eyes searching mine for something--an escape, a reason to fight back. But she found nothing.

Because we both knew the truth now.

And there was no going back.

Danielle blinked up at me, confusion flickering in her tear-streaked eyes, but before she could say anything, I moved. My hand cupped the side of her neck, fingers pressing into her warm skin, and then I crashed my lips against hers. Hard.

She gasped, her body tensing as our teeth clicked together, but I didn't stop. I kissed her rougher, letting every frustration, every ounce of anger, and every damn moment of pent-up lust from the last two years pour into it.

She whimpered against me, her lips parting slightly, and that was all the invitation I needed. My tongue slipped inside, tasting her, savoring her warmth, feeling the hesitant brush of her own against mine.

A shudder ran through her, her hands gripping my shirt, not pulling me closer but not pushing me away either.

"Xavier," she whispered against my lips, her voice trembling, "this is wrong."

"If this is wrong," I murmured back, pressing in deeper, "then why are you holding onto me?"

Danielle moaned as my tongue claimed her mouth. My cock hardened, straining painfully against my pants as I lifted her onto the dinner table, spreading her legs apart. I've waited years for this. And fuck, if not for my control, I would've combusted here and then from just the feel of her tongue and lips.

The once little sister I saw her as, has now shattered into a thousand pieces of shards I could never piece back together.

Danielle gasped, eyes wide, as my hands slipped beneath her shorts, fingers tracing along smooth, heated skin. I found soft cotton soaked with her arousal, pushing it aside to feel the wetness dripping through. My other hand tangled in her hair, tugging free the restraint of her ponytail, letting the silky strands cascade over her shoulders. She shivered beneath my touch, lips parting as I leaned in, my breath hot against her skin. Then, I moved my mouth toward her nipple, my lips grazing the hard tip as it grew stiffer with every stroke of my tongue.

"Xavier, that's... ah." She suppressed her mouth, but I wasn't done yet. I moved my focus back to her wet entrance. Her body arched against me as I rubbed her slowly, teasingly circling around her clit, watching as her face twisted in pleasure, and it was even damn better than the ones in my dreams.

I felt Danielle's breath quickened as she shuddered violently, her body tensing beneath my touch. "Xavier, brother," she whispered breathlessly, "This is too much." Her eyes were glazed with desire, her cheeks flushed as she gazed at me. "This shouldn't be happening between us. Mom and Dad--they might come home anytime sooner."

The possibility scared me--for both of us--knowing the horrible consequences I had always feared. I paused, my eyes locking onto hers as my chest rose and fell with desire.

"Then... would you rather I stop?"

Silence filled the room, but the way Danielle's trembling lips sought mine--kissing me, reclaiming me--was better than any words I had expected her to say.

It was all the answer I needed to continue.

I slid two fingers into her aching heat, and she let out a sharp gasp, clenching tightly around them. She was slick and warm--wetter than I had ever imagined. Her walls gripped me as I pumped my fingers in and out, watching her squirm beneath me.

"Xavier!" she cried, her nails raking across my shoulders, leaving burning trails in their wake.

"Do you want more? I wouldn't know, Dani. You need to tell me," I murmured, my voice low, teasing. "Do you like how my fingers feel inside you?"

I added a third, stretching her further, pulling a gasp from her lips as pleasure and pain intertwined in her trembling body.

She nodded weakly at my questions, unable to form coherent sentences as I pumped slowly, yet making sure I reached the places that she seemed to like best.

"More," she whispered near my neck, making me harder than ever. These were words I had only expected to hear in my dreams. "I want more, brother."

Fuck this.

Her breathing was ragged, sweat trickling between the valley of her breasts. She looked beautiful--too beautiful. And I wanted to claim every inch of her, to mark her with my mouth until she begged me for more.

At my silence, her breath quickened, a violent shudder running through her as her body tensed beneath my touch.

"Brother--Xavier," she whispered breathlessly, her voice trembling. Her eyes, glazed with desire, locked onto mine, her cheeks flushed with heat.

I immediately inserted two fingers in her aching hole, and Danielle let out a sharp gasp, clutching tightly around them. She was slick and warm. Wetter than I've ever imagined. Her walls clenched around me as I pumped them in and out of her, watching her squirm beneath me.

"Xavier!" she cried loudly. Her nails raked across my shoulders, leaving marks behind.

"Do you want more, sister? Do you like how it feels inside you?" I asked softly while adding a third digit, stretching her further, making her writhe in pain mixed with pleasure. "Is this how you'd imagine a brother would do to her sister? Answer me."

She nodded weakly, unable to speak. Her breathing was ragged, and sweat trickled between her breasts. She looked beautiful, irresistible. I wanted to claim every inch of her, to mark her with my mouth until she begged for more.

"I'll give you more," I murmured.

Danielle covered her eyes as I unbuckled my belt and freed myself, pumping a few times to ease the ache before guiding her hand to my shaft.

"Stroke it. Together." My voice was hoarse, thick with need as I watched her fingers wrap around me, moving in slow, shaky strokes.

Her palm was warm against my sensitive skin. I groaned when her thumb brushed over the tip, spreading the moisture that had formed because of my desire for her, before squeezing me tighter. She worked her hand up and down clumsily, her touch unsteady, unsure, but eager. Tension coiled low in my stomach as I fought to hold back.

Sliding my hand between her thighs, I found her slick and ready. My control wavered as I teased her, feeling my release building fast.

She moaned my name again and again, her voice breaking with each breath as my fingers thrust deeper inside her.

"Oh, my god, don't... stop."

"I won't," I promised, my voice thick with desire, a dark promise that could never be retracted. "Not now. Not ever."

I crashed my lips against hers, swallowing her gasps, my tongue claiming every inch of her mouth the way my hands claimed her body. When I finally pulled back, Danielle's moans turned into a sharp cry as her legs locked around me, thighs trembling violently. Her body bowed off the table, every muscle seizing as she came, her slick heat pulsing around my fingers. The sound of her screams filled the air, raw and uncontrollable. She thrashed beneath me, lost in pleasure so intense it shattered her. I held her through it, savoring the way she clung to me, the way her body surrendered completely.

But I wasn't done.

"What... are you...?" she panted, her voice unsteady, body still trembling with aftershocks.

A dark smile played at my lips. "I'm not letting you go just yet."

I dragged my hand between her thighs again, fingers teasing her overstimulated clit. She jerked, a whimper escaping her lips, but I didn't stop. Instead, I pushed back inside her, fingers curling deep, pressing against that perfect spot.

Danielle's eyes flew open, her body arching as a ragged cry tore from her throat. "Xavier--!"

I smirked, watching her unravel all over again.

"Relax," I murmured into her neck, kissing it sensually the way I did with her mouth. "Listen to your body."

"No, Xavier! Oh, God. Something's going to come out!"

I continued thrusting my finger inside her tight hole. Then, I pushed in deeper than before, curling my fingers inside of her once more until I hit that special area that sent shivers down my spine. My cock hardened instantly as soon as Danielle whimpered helplessly, her body quivering beneath mine as she clung onto me desperately while I kept on fingering her mercilessly, bringing her closer toward another climax.

When her body began to shake again and her muscles tensed under my hold, I knew she was ready. I pulled out my fingers and replaced it quickly with my dick, burying it deeply into her cunt. She let out a loud cry of agony when my cock stretched her inner walls, filling her until she jolted violently as another powerful surge washed through her entire system.

Her eyes rolled to the back of her head, something wet dripping down onto her legs as she came. I held onto her tightly, letting her ride the high until her body went limp against mine.

I stayed inside of her for a while, catching our breaths while I let her recover. When I finally pulled out my cock from her pussy, a small puddle had formed on the table, and her juices dribbled down onto its surface.

"Shit," I muttered under my breath before I lifted her up and carried her toward the couch. Her eyes opened slowly as I laid her gently down, placing a cushion below her ass so that she would be comfortable.

"No," she cried. "This--it's so embarrassing, oh, my god!" Her face was redder than before, but I couldn't help smiling at how beautiful she looked right now.

I stroked her cheek affectionately and kissed her forehead softly. "You're beautiful."

Danielle shook her head weakly and buried her face between her arms, hiding her embarrassment from sight. But I could see clearly how her body trembled with each shuddering breath. Lust had overcome me, and before I knew it, I was already inside of her, fucking her hard and fast, making her scream my name over and over again while she begged me for rest.

"Again," I heard her say, gasping, "I'm close... brother, ah!"

My balls tightened at her words as I pumped my length in and out of her, hitting every sensitive part of her insides with each thrust. Soon enough, Danielle's voice grew louder, her moans echoing in the living room we once played together as kids, and now, the cause of it was with each stroke of my cock. She came violently once more, screaming loudly in pure ecstasy as her body spasmed uncontrollably around mine.

Every fantasy I had about her was getting fulfilled. But I wasn't sure I would be done yet anytime sooner.

"On top," I said with urgency.

Danielle barely opened her eyes as she lay her back on my chest, lifting herself up and positioning herself above me.

I held onto her waist firmly as I lowered my body to the ground, laying my head against a pillow as I watched her lower herself down on me. Slowly, inch by glorious inch until my dick reached her hilt.

Danielle bit her lower lip as she started moving up and down, rocking back and forth as I guided her hips, helping her find a rhythm that suited us both until she began to move faster and more confidently.

Even though I wasn't seeing the expression on her face, I was sure of what she felt with the way her pussy tightened around my cock.

Her breasts bounced up and down with each movement as she fucked herself on top of me, grinding against my groin. I pulled her head down, resting on my neck as her back arched against my chest.

She moaned my name repeatedly in my ear. Each utterance sent chills down my spine as her voice echoed inside me.

"Brother... brother... Xavier...!"

The sensation became too much for both of us as my cock swelled inside her tight walls. My hands grasped her shoulders tightly and held her still as I shot ropes of cum inside her womb without warning.

I groaned when I felt her pussy clasping down around my cock, milking it dry as she climaxed again.

For a split second, Danielle lay limp on top of me. We didn't move, our breaths in sync with each other, enjoying the moment of silence.

"That's..." Danielle whispered softly, panting. Her face was flushed red as she looked up at me, her lips parted slightly as if she wanted nothing more than to devour them right then and there.

"Yeah," I said. "You did good." I chuckled lightly. My heart was beating fast inside my chest. "We did good together, actually."

Danielle blushed furiously at this statement, turning her attention back toward my chest.

Before I could even say another word back, headlights shone bright from outside our house. The rumble of engines stopped abruptly before the sound of a car door opening echoed loudly.

We both froze. Panic rose inside me as my gaze met hers. She looked terrified at what had just happened, and so was I. What if they found out? How will I explain myself?

But it wasn't enough time to think.

Danielle jumped up immediately. She scrambled off my lap, grabbing her clothes scattered all over the carpeted floor before rushing up toward her bedroom. I grabbed a napkin and started cleaning the mess we made on the table before I threw it like a pro.

Dad and Mom were busy chatting away, unaware of what transpired earlier. I took that opportunity and grabbed my bag, threw it basically on my bed, locked my door, and ran back to Danielle's room.

"What are you doing here?!" She whispered angrily as I slid myself inside, locking her door behind me. "They'd know you're home, and they'd check on you!"

I grinned at her as I slid my arms around her waist. "Locked my door. Remember the old trick I made when I tried to escape them?"

Danielle sighed in exasperation, but she allowed my embrace regardless. She wrapped her arms around me, too, hugging back as she rested her chin against my chest, looking up with an annoyed expression etched on her lovely features.

Footsteps approached the stairs, and we immediately knew that Mom and Dad were headed to my old bedroom.

"Oh, my! I didn't know Xavier would be home," she giggled.

"It's best to meet him in the morning," Dad answered. "Kid had a long day at school, I'd bet."

We stood silently as they passed by. After a few seconds, we heard their doors open and close, before one of them headed straight to Danielle's bedroom.

I watched Danielle panic, but I held her in place.

She glared at me, as if to say What the hell are you doing? But I smirked, my cock sliding slowly between her wet slit.

"Dani? Are you home?"

It was Dad, but then Mom's voice followed after, "Honey, let the child sleep. She might have been exhausted."

Danielle's mouth parted as I slid my hard length into her pussy, stretching it further than it should. I bit her ear lobe as I whispered softly, "Quiet," before moving my hips forward until I bottomed out inside of her completely. "They'd catch us. You don't want that, do you?"

Danielle closed her eyes and bit her tongue to stifle a gasp escaping her lips when I thrust my cock deeper inside of her pussy, hitting all the right spots as she tightened around my girth. She pressed herself against me, trying not to make too much noise.

Her nails dug deep into my skin, marking it with red lines as she struggled to stay calm. I continued fucking her slow and hard, keeping the rhythm steady, making sure I filled her completely. Her body shook with each thrust, her legs trembled, and soon enough, I felt myself losing control.

"Fuck," I muttered under my breath while pounding her harder, faster, deeper until her pussy clenched down on me, milking my length as her climax ripped through her body.

Danielle gasped as she writhed underneath me, biting my shoulder harshly while riding out the last remnants of euphoria.

I groaned low in my chest and emptied myself into her tight channel, filling her fuller than before until I was completely spent and exhausted from exertion. My cock throbbed inside Danielle as she slumped against me, her breath warm against my bare skin.

I wasn't done. I placed both of her hands on the door and lifted her legs. My mouth opened wide as I caught Danielle's eyes widening.

She was about to scream when the door handle rattled loudly.

"She's asleep, then?" We heard Dad say as my tongue slipped inside of her.

Danielle immediately covered her mouth to keep herself silent.

"Let's go," Mom said as the two of them descended back downstairs.

I didn't wait for them to leave. Instead, I let my mouth savor the taste of my sister, drinking all that was dripping from her core. My fingers played with her clit, pinching, twisting it until she cried out loud again.

My dick hardened once more, wanting to be inside her again. But I wanted her to squirt, so I slid three fingers inside her.

Danielle whimpered as she rocked back and forth against me while she rode my hand. "... oh, my god, no, no, no--" she whispered frantically as she reached another climax, her whole body quaking in bliss as liquid poured out of her relentlessly before she collapsed onto me completely.

I held her tightly, supporting her weight as she lay there motionless on me.

After several minutes, when her heartbeat had calmed and strength had returned to her legs, I carried her to the bed.

"Sleep," I murmured, pulling her close. She looked so beautiful like this. So perfect. I brushed a few strands of hair from her face and kissed her forehead softly.

"Xavier," she whispered, her voice barely there. "Why... did you leave?"

I stilled. My throat tightened, my chest feeling too small for the weight of her words. I let out a slow breath, running my fingers through her hair, the familiar softness making it harder to say what I needed to.

"I left because I couldn't stop how I felt about you," I admitted, my voice low and rough. "It wasn't just brotherly love, Danielle. It never was. And I didn't know what to do with that."

She stirred against me, pressing closer like she needed my warmth. "Then why come back?"

"Because staying away was worse." The words were barely a whisper. "I tried to forget. I tried to bury it. But no matter how much time passed, it never went away. And when I saw you again... I knew I couldn't fight it anymore."

Danielle's sleepy gaze found mine, searching for something--maybe the truth she already knew.

"And now?" she murmured.

I cupped her cheek, brushing my thumb over the soft heat of her skin. "Now, I'm done running."

She didn't say anything. She didn't have to. The way she curled into me, her fingers gripping my shirt like she was afraid to let go, told me everything. And I held her just as tightly.