Chapter 4

SOFIA

The rain had finally stopped by the time I left Elena’s apartment. I stood at her door with the dry hoodie still wrapped around me and my damp clothes stuffed into my bag. “Elena, really, you don’t have to drop me,” I said quickly, shifting the folder of manuscripts under my arm. “The files need to get back to the library tonight, and I can just catch a cab. You’ve already done enough.”

Elena leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, that same half-smirk playing on her lips. “You sure? It’s still pretty wet out there. I don’t mind.”

“I’m sure,” I replied, forcing a bright smile. “Thank you again for everything—the ride, the clothes, the tea. I owe you big time. Tell Mrs. Morales I said goodbye.”

She chuckled low. “Alright, stubborn. Text me when you get home safe, okay? And keep the hoodie for now. Looks better on you anyway.”

I nodded, cheeks warming, and hurried down the stairs before I could change my mind. The cab ride back to campus was quiet. I dropped the files at the library desk with a quick “Professor Hayes will be thrilled—thank you!” to the night staff, then headed straight home. By the time I unlocked our apartment door, Daniel was already asleep on the couch, work papers scattered around him. I slipped into the bedroom, changed into my pajamas, and crawled under the covers, trying not to think about anything.

But the moment the lights were off, my mind betrayed me. Elena’s body filled every corner of my thoughts. Those tattoos—thorny roses twisting up her spine, the wolf across her shoulder blades, the script along her ribs. The way her olive skin had glistened with rain. The side view of her breasts when she turned, full and perfect. God, she was so hot. I didn’t even realize my hand had slipped under my shirt until my fingers brushed my own nipple and a soft gasp escaped me. 

“What am I doing?” I whispered to the dark room, but I didn’t stop. My other hand slid down my stomach, under the waistband of my panties. I pictured Elena pushing me against the wall of her apartment, that intense dark gaze locked on mine. “You’ve been thinking about this since dinner, haven’t you?” I imagined her saying, voice low and rough. Her hands would be everywhere—gripping my thighs, sliding under my dress, teasing me until I begged. “Tell me what you want, Sofia,” she’d growl, lips brushing my ear. I circled my fingers faster, breathing quick and shallow. In my head she had me bent over the couch, one hand fisted in my hair, the other between my legs, fucking me while she whispered, “So wet for your fiancé’s sister. Such a dirty girl.” 

The orgasm hit me, my back arching off the bed, a choked moan slipping out before I could bite it back. Waves of heat rolled through me, thighs trembling. For a few blissful seconds I floated there, lost in it.

Then reality crashed down. Oh fucking hell. I just came thinking about my fiancé’s sister. 

I yanked my hand away like it burned and stared at the ceiling, heart still racing. “What is wrong with you, Sofia?” I muttered under my breath, cheeks flaming with shame.

I avoided thinking about Elena for the next three days. Every time her face popped into my head—those tattoos, that smirk, the way she’d said “I wish” to Mrs. Morales—I shoved it away. I buried myself in Master’s assignments, stayed late at the university library helping students, and smiled extra hard whenever Daniel came home. 

On the third evening I was in the kitchen chopping vegetables for dinner when Daniel walked in, loosening his tie. “Hey babe, long day?” I asked, keeping my tone light.

“Yeah, brutal,” he replied, kissing my cheek. “Listen, I need a favor. I ordered some stuff online for Elena—new psychology textbooks she’s been complaining about not having and a couple of motorcycle parts she needs. The box just got delivered to our place by mistake. Could you drop it off at her apartment tomorrow? I’ve got back-to-back meetings and she’s been texting me about it all week.”

I froze mid-chop, knife hovering over the carrot. My stomach did a little flip. “Me? Uh… sure, I guess. I have a light morning at the library. What’s in the box exactly?”

Daniel grabbed a beer from the fridge and popped it open. “Just those books and some brake pads or whatever. She’s always fixing that damn bike. You don’t mind, right? You two seemed to get along at dinner.”

I forced a laugh and went back to chopping. “Yeah, we did. She gave me a ride in the rain the other day when my car died at the state university. Super nice of her.”

“See? Perfect. You can just swing by after work, drop the box, and come home. I’ll text you her address again.” He took a long sip of beer. “Thanks, babe. You’re the best. What would I do without you?”

I smiled even though my pulse had picked up. “No problem. Happy to help family. Did she say what time works for her?”

Daniel shrugged. 

The next afternoon I stood outside Elena’s apartment building with the heavy box balanced on my hip. I had spent the whole drive telling myself it was no big deal—just drop it off and leave. My heart still raced anyway. I climbed the stairs, found her door, and knocked twice.

The door swung open a moment later. Elena stood there, sweaty and flushed, dark wavy hair sticking to her forehead, a thin tank top clinging to her damp skin. Her tattoos gleamed under the hallway light, and she was breathing hard like she’d just finished a workout.

Fuck!