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I should've stayed at Jason's place a little longer. We were halfway through a game, laughing about nothing, when I realized my phone was dead. No charger. Typical me—forget the one thing I actually need.
So now here I was, trudging back home like an idiot, annoyed that I couldn't just sit there and ride the night out.
The house looked the same, but something about walking up the path made my stomach tighten. I'd only been back from college a few days, and it still felt… off. Different. Not my house anymore, not exactly.
My dad remarried while I was gone, and with Evelyn came her daughters—three of them. All older. All constantly around. And me, the only guy in the house. It was like some cruel setup for temptation.
I pressed the doorbell out of habit even though it was my home. The chime rang, and a second later the door cracked open.
Lila.
Of course it had to be her.
She leaned on the doorframe, her tank top barely clinging to her, half the buttons undone like it was on purpose. A short skirt rode up her thighs. She smirked the way she always did, that "caught you" kind of grin that made me feel like she already knew what I was thinking.
"Kai? What are you doing here? I thought you left for the night." Her voice was teasing, like she didn't actually care about the answer.
I froze, trying to keep my eyes anywhere but her chest. But it was impossible. The swell of her breasts pushed against that ridiculously tight fabric, threatening to spill free with the smallest move. My throat went dry.
"I, uh—forgot something. My charger," I muttered, trying to move past her quickly before she noticed me staring.
I felt her eyes follow me as I brushed by, her perfume lingering in the air. God, get a grip, Kai. She's basically your sister now. Not blood, sure, but still. Come on, she's your sister. Don't be a creep. I yelled at myself inside my head, hoping the voice was loud enough to drown out the way my body reacted to her.
I exhaled hard once I was down the hall, trying to shake it off. Just get the charger, head back. That was the plan.
But when I opened the door to my room, I froze again.
Clothes. On the floor.
I was sure I'd left the place neat before heading out. I wasn't messy like my dad accused me of being. Someone had been here. My eyes darted up—and that's when I saw her.
Bent over in front of my wardrobe, tossing clothes out like she owned the place. A towel clung loosely around her hips, threatening to slip with every movement. Damp blonde hair hung down her back, clinging to her skin like she'd just gotten out of the shower.
"Maya?" I blurted before my brain caught up.
She jerked upright, startled. The towel twisted with her sudden turn, slipping dangerously. "Kai—you're back?" Her voice came out rushed, surprised, and the shift in her body was enough for the towel to lose its battle.
It slid.
And in a flash, she was exposed.
Breasts bounced free with her movement, the suddenness making them jiggle as she scrambled to grab the fabric again. But my eyes… my eyes were locked. I couldn't hear a damn word she was saying because all I could see was pale skin, curves, nipples stiffening in the cool air. My heart hammered so loud I thought she could hear it.
Man. She was gorgeous.
My mind betrayed me instantly. Bigger than Sera's? Maybe. Close. I remembered the accidental times I'd caught Sera wandering around without enough clothes, her "oops" moments that never actually felt like accidents. She was bold about it. Maya wasn't. Maya was shy, careful, which somehow made this worse.
"What are you looking at?" she snapped suddenly, snapping me out of my daze. Her eyes followed mine downward and—realization hit her face like fire.
She screamed, yanking the towel up too late. She twisted away, turning her back to me, but in that split second of movement her ass was bare, smooth curves flashing before she clamped the towel against herself again.
I swallowed hard, heat crawling up my neck. My body reacted instantly, shame mixed with desire battling inside me.
Before I could even stammer an apology, a sharp knock hit the door.
"Kai? Why did you shout? Is everything okay in there?"
Evelyn.
My stepmother's voice cut through the air, freezing Maya and me both.
Shit.
Maya darted toward me in panic, eyes wide. She covered my mouth with one hand before I could speak, pressing against me. The towel strained to stay in place, her breasts brushing against my chest as she hissed, "Shh!"
My brain fried. All I could process was the heat of her body, the soft pressure, the scent of shampoo clinging to her damp hair.
Evelyn's voice came again, firmer this time. "Kai? Answer me."
My mouth was still covered by Maya's trembling hand. Her eyes begged me silently not to say anything.
My pulse thundered.
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