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I spent the next thirty minutes trying to get my room back in order. Clothes scattered everywhere, drawers half open, bed sheets wrinkled from Maya digging through them. It was easier to focus on folding shirts than on the image of her towel slipping, the way her ass flashed before me, or the way her breasts bounced when she turned.
"Fuck," I muttered, slamming a drawer shut harder than I meant to.
No matter how many times I told myself to quit thinking about it, the scene replayed in my head like some broken record. Maya's wide eyes, her flushed cheeks, the feel of her hand over my mouth. It was torture.
By the time Evelyn's voice drifted down the hall—"Dinner's ready!"—I was practically begging for a distraction.
I took a deep breath and headed out. The dining table was already set when I walked in. On the right side sat Sera, cool and collected, with Lila beside her, twirling her fork like she was bored. Evelyn was in the middle, serving dishes like she owned the room.
And on the left… the empty chair. My chair. Right next to Maya.
Perfect. Just fucking perfect.
I hesitated for a second, trying to shove away the memory of what had just happened in my room. But when I glanced at her, I froze.
She was naked.
Sitting there with her legs crossed, body bare, eyes locked on me as she bit her lower lip. A slow, seductive smile curved across her face, like she was daring me to say something.
My stomach dropped. "What the—holy shit!"
I stumbled back, rubbing my eyes. The chair screeched against the floor, and everyone turned toward me in shock.
"What's wrong?" Evelyn asked, frowning.
"Yeah, dude, what the hell?" Lila chimed in, raising a brow.
I blinked again, heart racing, and looked back. Maya was… fully clothed. Hair dry now, a casual shirt, shorts. Nothing out of place. She stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
"N-Nothing," I stammered, waving it off. "Just… thought I saw something."
Lila smirked instantly, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "What, a ghost?"
Sera chuckled, low and amused. "More like a hallucination."
I muttered, "Yeah, whatever," and slid into my seat, cheeks burning. Maya didn't say anything, but her leg brushed against mine under the table as I pulled my chair in. I jolted, trying to move away, but her thigh pressed right back against mine, "accidentally."
I clenched my fists under the table. Don't react. Don't give her the satisfaction.
Sera leaned forward then, reaching to scoop food from the center of the table. Her blouse dipped as she bent, and my gaze betrayed me, locking on the gap between her breasts. Just a sliver of cleavage, but my imagination filled in the rest—full, heavy, pressing together, nipples hardening under the thin fabric—
I swallowed hard, yanking my eyes away before anyone noticed.
"Eat," Evelyn said, finally sitting after making sure everyone had a plate.
We dug in. Or, they did. I just pushed food around my plate, my brain spinning too fast. The silence didn't last long.
"So," I said, desperate to break the tension, "when's Dad coming back?"
Evelyn dabbed her mouth with a napkin before answering. "Another month, maybe more. His job is keeping him busy."
A knot twisted in my chest. "A month?"
Don't get me wrong, I wasn't a daddy's boy, not really. But at least when he was around, there was balance. Another man in the house. Someone to absorb some of this pressure. Without him, it felt like I was drowning, the only guy in a sea of temptation.
"Damn," I muttered.
"Oh, don't pout," Lila said, smirking over her glass. "Guess you'll just have to be the man of the house a little longer. Take care of us."
Sera laughed, sharp and amused, like the words were a private joke between them.
I froze. My brain twisted her meaning instantly. Take care of them. Not in chores. Not in errands. Sexually. Lila on my lap, Sera in my bed, Evelyn whispering my name—
"Stop," I muttered under my breath, stabbing my fork into the food.
When I glanced up again, everyone else was nearly done eating. My plate was still full.
"Kai?" Evelyn asked softly. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah. Fine," I lied, forcing a smile. "I'll, uh, finish up."
She gave me a thoughtful look but didn't push it. I chewed mechanically, ignoring the way Maya's leg brushed mine again, pretending not to notice the smug little smile she hid behind her glass.
When everyone stood to leave, I spoke quickly. "I'll do the dishes."
Evelyn smiled faintly, touched. "Thank you."
I gathered the plates, carrying them to the kitchen. I thought I'd finally gotten a moment alone when I turned with the last cup in my hand—only to bump straight into Lila.
The liquid sloshed, spilling down the front of her shirt.
"Shit!" she yelped, jerking back.
"Oh, fuck—sorry!" I panicked, grabbing a towel and pressing it against her chest to help wipe it off. I didn't even think.
And then I froze.
My palm cupped against her breast, soft and warm under the damp fabric. My fingers squeezed reflexively, the shape fitting too perfectly into my hand. Time stopped.
Her eyes went wide, staring right at me.
I went rigid, frozen like a deer in headlights. My breath caught in my throat.
I wasn't sure if she was about to slap me, scream, or laugh—but fuck me, it felt good. Too good.
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