chapter Two: Pretend

The morning always comes too bright and calm

I woke up wet, swollen, the sheets twisted around my ankles like I was bound by it. My phone is still on my hand the last text from Julian was still on the screen “Julian”

Tomorrow we pretend that didn’t happen

The day after that, we stop pretending.

Tomorrow is today.

I shower until the water runs cold, trying to scrub away the ache between my thighs but it didn't work. Every time I close my eyes I feel the weight of his shadow in my doorway, hear his breathing match mine while I came apart calling his name.

Downstairs smells like coffee and something dangerous and I couldn't place a hand on it He’s at the island in a white dress shirt, sleeves rolled high, reading the paper like a normal man as if he didn't just listen to his stepdaughter fuck herself senseless six hours ago.

I set my mug down harder than necessary.

“Morning,” I say, voice husky from screaming into my pillow.

He doesn’t look up right away but when he did his eyes are unreadable “Sleep well, baby girl?”he nickname came as a blade wrapped in silk. My nipples tighten instantly against the thin tank top i slept in.

“Like a rock,” I said knowing very well that was a big lie

He hums, turns a page today is gonna be good big day groceries, dry cleaning, pretending we’re civilized.”he said slowly and yet deliberately as though he waited for me to cut in between his words

The word pretending lands between us like a lit match we moved around each other all morning with the same accuracy he reaches for the orange juice at the same moment I did our fingers brush and we both froze I felt the electricity snaps up my arm just the same way it did yesterday He lets go first, but not before his thumb strokes once across my knuckles so light I could almost convince myself I imagined it.

By noon the house is spotless and humming with tension thick enough to taste. I sneaked to the backyard hoping to avoid him sprawling on a lounger in the smallest bikini I own it was a white, already slightly see-through when wet I don’t go in the pool I just lie there, sunglasses on, pretending to read while every nerve ending waits for him.He never came out

At 6:00 p.m I’m in the kitchen chopping vegetables for dinner I didn’t notice when his shadow falls across the cutting board I looked sup to notice he'd changed into a black T-shirt that clings to his chest and low-slung sweatpants same gray ones from yesterday. My knife slips a bead of blood wells on my thumb.Without a word he takes my hand, brings the cut to his mouth, and sucks. Slowly. His tongue swirls, eyes locked on mine my knees buckle it felt stiff at the moment

“Careful,” he murmurs against my skin I Wouldn’t want to hurt you ”he said

Then he releases me and walks away, leaving me dripping saliva and want,it felt like a deliberate torture.

Dinner is silent agony we sat at opposite ends of the long table like strangers I’m wearing an oversized college T-shirt and nothing else. Every time I shift, the seam rides against my bare pussy he notices his fork stills halfway to his mouth when I uncross and recross my legs just to watch his jaw flex.

After the plates are cleared he pours two glasses of red wine and hands me one.

“Movie?” he asks, casual as anything.

I know what this is the pretense is weak now.

We ended up on the couch in the dark living room, some mindless action flick playing the space between us is exactly one cushion close enough to feel his heat, far enough to deny everything Half an hour in, I stretch deliberately, letting the T-shirt ride up until the curve of my ass peeks out. His breathing changes I deliberately did it again on the third time, his hand lands on my bare thigh heavy, possessive, thumb stroking slow circles

“Be careful what you start, Lila.”he said with a soft moan I turn my head so now our faces are inches apart “Who says I want to stop?”asked

For a moment it felt as though th e world paused Then his mouth crashes into mine

The kiss is not gentle It’s years of starvation breaking loose at once. He tastes like wine and restraint finally shredded I moan into him and he swallows it, he carried me across the cushion into his lap so I’m sittingon his thighs my legs placed on the cushion ,My T-shirt disappears somewhere between the couch and the floor.His hands are everywhere gripping my ass, pinching my nipples, fisting my hair to angle my head exactly how he wants

I grind down and feel exactly how hard he is. He groans, hips bucking up to meet me.

“Fuck, baby girl, you’re soaking through my sweats.”I am i can feel my own wetness slicking his length through the fabric. I reach for his waistband, desperate, but he catches my wrists, pinning them behind my back with one hand.“Not yet,” he growls against my throat. “I’ve waited too long to rush this.”He flips us so I’m on my back, his weight pressing me into the cushions his mouth trails fire down my neck, between my breasts, across my stomach. When he reaches the apex of my thighs he pauses, breathing me in.

“Look at you,” he whispers, voice wrecked. “Spread open for me like you were born for it.”

Then his tongue drags up my center in one slow, filthy stripe and I cry out, hips jerking off the couch.

He pins me down and feasts no teasing, no mercy Just relentless licks and sucks until I’m sobbing his name, until the orgasm slams through me so hard I see stars.

I’m still shaking when he crawls back up my body, kissing me so I taste myself on his tongue.

“Tomorrow,” he says against my lips, “we stop pretending.”

He starts to pull away.

I lock my legs around his waist. “Not now ”i said begging

His eyes flashed for a second I thought he’ll give in.Then the doorbell rings three sharp chimes that slice through the haze We froze

He rests his forehead against mine, breathing hard“Package motion sensor i forgot.”he said as if recalling something he forgot

The bell rings again, insistent.

Julian swears in Spanish, presses one last bruising kiss to my mouth, and stands, adjusting the massive erection straining his sweats“Stay here,” he orders.

He disappears down the hall. I lie there naked, throbbing, chest heaving, listening to his low voice and the delivery guy’s.

When he comes back his face is tight with frustration.

“Security camera caught the couch,” he says quietly “Whole thing Cloud backup.”

My stomach drops.

He crouches, cups my cheek. “We have twelve hours before your mother’s daily footage summary email goes out. After that, if she opens it…”

He doesn’t finish. He doesn’t have to.

Tomorrow we stop pretending

Tonight, we might lose everything