Aurora's POV

The moment I heard my mom's voice, my heart leaped into my throat.

Shit.

When did she return?

"Thought you said she went out with your dad?" I instantly pulled away from him.

"She did," Albert said, nodding too fast as he scrambled to pull up his trousers.

"Aurora?" My mother's voice was closer now, just right outside my door.

Panic surged through me. She couldn't see Albert here. She'd lose her mind. She'd think all the negative thoughts thinkable.

"Go." I whispered urgently as I stood, reaching for my bathrobe. "Inside the bathroom."

"What?" He froze, eyes wide.

"Now." I hissed.

He didn't argue. He tiptoed into the bathroom just as I shrugged into the robe. My fingers fumbled with the tie. Just as I managed to knot it, the door to my room swung open.

"Mom." I stood stiffly, forcing a smile. "Hi."

My heart was pounding so loud I was afraid she might hear it.

Her eyes swept over me, then the room, brows arching with suspicion.

"Where's Albert?"

"Ummm..." My mind scrambled. "He went out."

"But his bike is still outside." She frowned, folding her arms across her chest.

Fuck.

One more lie and she'd suspect, if she wasn't suspecting already.

Think. Think.

"His friends came by..." I said quickly. "And they all went to the basketball court together."

The words tasted wrong as soon as they left my mouth.

Would she buy it?

"Oh." She nodded slowly, but her eyes kept scanning my room like she was searching for evidence.

My palms were sweating. Did she hear something? See something out of place?

"What about Tony?" I asked, grasping for distraction.

She gave me a look. "He's your father, Aurora."

Stepfather. I screamed in my mind.

"Right. Father." I forced the word out, painfully aware that Albert was a thin wall away, probably hearing every syllable.

"Are you okay?" She took a step closer, studying my face. "You're acting weird."

"Yeah. I'm fine." I tried to keep my voice steady. "Just tired. I need to rest. That's all."

Please leave. Please just leave.

She watched me another second, then sighed.

"Okay. I came back home to ask Albert something. Your dad got a call from work."

"Sorry about that."

"I'll be heading back out. I'm going to visit Mrs. Rory and then the grocery store." She moved toward the door, then paused. "You sure you're alright?"

"Completely fine, Mom."

"Okay. Take care. I'll be back before it gets dark."

I held my breath until I heard her footsteps fade down the hallway. Then the front door closing. Then her car starting in the driveway.

Only when the sound of her engine disappeared did I finally let out a loud breath.

I waited another minute, just to be safe, before opening the bathroom door. Albert stood there, eyes wide, shoulders tense.

"That was too close," he whispered.

"Way too close." My hands were still shaking from the adrenaline.

He noticed. He always did.

He took my hands in his, grounding me. "Hey," he murmured. "It's okay."

His other hand rose to my cheek, warm and steady. Before I could think, he leaned in and kissed me again.

I didn't stop him. I melted into it, my fingers sliding up around his neck, my body still humming with fear and relief and something reckless.

We should've stopped. Mom almost catching us should've been enough.

But it wasn't.

He was too irresistible.

And in that moment, all I knew was that I wanted him.

All of him.

I pulled back slightly and trailed a finger down his chest.

"Tell me to stop," I whispered, grinding against him. I knew he had no second thoughts but I wanted to be sure he didn't.

"Never." He murmured, pulling me back into the kiss. I felt him harder under me as his hands gripped my hips.

He pulled back and his silver grey eyes that were half lidded with desire locked onto mine.

"You're making it fucking hard for me to resist you."

"Then don't." I bit my lower lip.

He licked at my throat and sucked softly right under my ear.

"Fuck." I purred as he began to rock slightly, gripping my hips tighter.

"I'm going to fuck you till you beg me to stop," he growled, flipping me so my back faced him. He loosened the knot of my robe and caressed my breasts from behind.

"I dare you," I challenged, looking over my shoulder with a half-smile on my face.

He pulled the robe from my shoulders, and it fell to my feet.

"Are you sure?" He kissed my shoulder while his hands caressed my breasts, my stomach, and lower.

"Uh-huh," I replied, rubbing my butt against the bulge of his trousers.

"Don't say I didn't warn you."

He walked a finger down my back, goosebumps prickling across my skin, then his hand came down hard against my ass.

The sound startled me more than the sting. A breathless laugh slipped out before I could stop it, my skin burning where he'd touched.

He made me bend, my hips facing him in a standing doggy-style position.

"Pretty little cunt." He murmured as his fingers rubbed my wet pussy

"It feels so good," I moaned, turning my face slightly to the side."

His fingers dug into my entrance and I moaned louder.

"Albert-oh-my...fuck."

I couldn't control myself. The way his fingers moved in and out of me, God. I wanted him to fuck me so badly.

"Yes. Scream my name baby," he increased this pace as the sloppy sound filled the room.

"Albert...what are you doing to me?" I whimpered.

His free hand gripped my hair as his other hand fucked me.

He finally pulled his fingers out and licked them like it was ice cream.

"Yummy. You taste so sweet."

"Give me more." I begged.

He dropped to his knees, facing my ass. His hands pinned my hips and he buried his tongue in my pussy.

I completely shattered at that moment.

It had been so long since I'd last been sucked, I almost forgot the feeling.

"Oh-my-God...you're so fucking good..." I cried.

He licked me slowly, his tongue flat, the teasing in circles right where I needed.

I tightened my grip on my knees as I felt the warmth of his tongue inside me. I couldn't think. Couldn't even breathe.

He was stealing my breath away.

"Please...don't stop..."

He sucked on my clit, tongue dipping inside and out of me like he was tongue fucking me.

I closed my eyes and I swear to God, I saw stars.

It was only a matter of seconds before my orgasm spilled out like a tap left on.

I tried to pull away but he held me firmly.

"Do it baby." He ordered, moving his tongue deeper inside me.

"FUCKKK...." I cried out and my juices came pouring out into his mouth.

He licked every drop like it was the best thing he had ever tasted.

Aurora's POV

My whole body still shuddered when he stood up.

He turned me to face him directly, holding me right against himself like he was afraid I'd fall if he left me on my own. And he was right. My legs were shaking.

"Tired?" He asked, tracing kisses around my neck and shoulder.

"Never." I shook my head.

His lips met mine, slow and claiming, letting me taste myself on his tongue. Heat curled low in my belly as I fumbled with the buttons of his shirt. When the last one finally gave way, I dragged the fabric off his shoulders and flung it aside, careless and breathless, needing him closer.

His body was perfectly sculpted, just the way I loved it. The way his chest rose and fell with each breath was sexy on its own.

I traced a manicured finger slowly down his neck, lingering between his chest before following the defined lines of his abs. He stilled beneath my touch, watching me closely, lips parted just enough to betray his need, like he was holding himself back, waiting to see what I'd do next.

When I reached his groin, I let my hand drift lower, unhurried, until my fingers brushed the unmistakable hardness beneath his trousers.

I stared at him, drinking in every detail of his face, wanting to memorize the way he looked right now, the curve of his lips, the heat in his eyes, the subtle rise and fall of his chest, so it would live forever in the deepest part of my subconscious.

I wrapped my hand around him, letting my fingers linger just enough to make him shiver.

"Shit," he growled, his breath hitching as heat pooled in his chest.

I pulled down his pants and boxers that barely held back the huge cock that came dangling in front of me.

I didn't care at that moment if he was my stepbrother or if what we were doing was forbidden. All I wanted was to be fucked by his love rod like I had been starved of it my entire life.

I spat into my hands and circled it on his thick length.

He groaned, throwing his head back.

With my hands around his erection, I let my touch roam, feeling every pulse and tension beneath my fingers. His body reacted to me with every subtle movement, and I drank in the way he trembled under my hands.

He pulled me close, his hands gripping my waist as he pressed his lips to my breast. The heat of him against me and the way his tongue teased my nipples sent shivers through my body, making me moan before I could stop myself.

I moved my hands on his dick faster, lost in the heat between us, when suddenly he lifted me effortlessly, as if I weighed nothing. My legs curled around him, my hands clutching his neck, and the thrill of being held so completely consumed me.

My wetness dripped down onto his thick length as he lined himself up to enter me.

"You're so fucking ready for me." He whispered as he slowly lowered me into his erection.

"Oh fuck." I moaned, feeling the hardness of him inside me. I adjusted to his size and without words, we both moved in unison

"Oh, fuck," I moaned, feeling his hardness inside me.

I adjusted to his size and without words, we both moved together effortlessly, each motion perfect in sync, and every pulse of closeness sent shivers racing through me.

My fingers dug into the strength of his shoulders as I clung to him, holding on like he was my anchor.

"Ahhh..yes..fuck...me." I pressed against him, moaning softly in his ear. Every movement sent shivers through both of us as his hands guided me closer to that perfect rhythm.

He paused, both of us panting, our bodies still pressed together, every shudder and heartbeat echoing the heat between us.

"After today, you won't be able to walk," he growled, his hands still firm on my thigh as he carried me to the bed.

When he finally laid me on the bed, he lifted my leg to his shoulder and slowly slid his erection into me again.

"Oh God." I screamed, arching off the bed.

He let out a low growl and slammed into me, one hard thrust.

"Albert....fuck me like a slut!"

"Scream it." He ordered. "I wanna hear it."

"Please..." I gasped, each word barely escaping past my ragged breaths. "Fuck my pussy."

"That's what I want to hear." He pulled out slowly, then slammed back in.

"You're so good." I whimpered.

He pressed a hand gently yet firmly over my mouth, silencing my cries while he thrust in and out of me, again and again.

The bed moved beneath us as we pressed together, my body trembling with every motion, and for a moment it felt like we were the only two people in the world.

"Beg me to fuck you like a good girl. Not a slut." He rumbled, his eyes dark with wild pleasure as he stared at me.

"I'm not a good girl," I whispered, but his hand pressed gently over my mouth, muffling the words.

"What was that?" He removed his hand from my mouth.

"Don't stop!" I gasped, my head tilting back, eyes fluttering with need.

He pinned my hands above me, lifted my other leg and drove in deeper.

"Faster...faster Albert...."

He answered my plea, moving with more intensity, each motion sending waves through me. The sounds of him slamming into me combined with my gasps, the incomprehensible words that left my lips and his low groans, filled the room.

I didn't care how loud I was. It was just him and me.

No one else.

Another surge of orgasm coursed through me, overwhelming every nerve as I surrendered completely to the rhythm we shared.

I screamed into the pillow as he fucked me raw. I tried to pull my hands free, but he held me tighter, every pulse of his movement sending heat through me. I shivered under his grip, lost in the intensity between us.

"Albert!" I folded my hands tightly. "Yessss..."

Then, waves of pleasure tore through me, leaving me trembling and breathless as my juices sprang out but Albert didn't relent.

With one final, powerful movement and a low, guttural groan, he found his own release, and his body shuddered against mine, every motion echoing the heat we'd shared.

Aurora's POV

By the time Albert reluctantly retreated to his room, dusk had already begun to settle in. Mom still hadn't returned. Neither had Dad.

A reckless part of me wished they wouldn't, not yet. If they stayed away just a little longer, Albert and I would have all the stolen time in the world. Time that felt dangerously precious.

I lay back on my bed soon after he left, staring up at the ceiling while the ghost of his touch lingered on my skin, warm and impossible to ignore.

The way he had whispered my name, low and heated, like a secret he wasn't supposed to know. The way he'd held me, as if I belonged to him, as if forever was something he could claim with just a look. The trail of his kisses still burned in my memory, etched into every place his lips had touched.

And God... I wished it hadn't ended.

I wished I wouldn't have to return to L.A. and pretend none of this had ever happened, pretend that my heart hadn't been shaken to its core.

I pushed myself off the bed, suddenly aware of the faint sheen of sweat on my skin. The last thing I needed was for Mom to notice anything unusual when she got back. I headed to the bathroom and took a quick shower, letting the warm water wash away the lingering heat, and none of the memories.

Afterward, I rubbed lotion into my skin, slipped into fresh clothes, a tank top and shorts, and made

my way downstairs.

And that's when I saw her.

Mom was back.

"Hi, Mom," I said casually, walking to the sink to rinse a glass before filling it with water, hoping the normalcy of the gesture would steady me.

She turned toward me, one brow arching slightly.

My stomach tightened.

For the first time, a terrifying thought crossed my mind, what if she knew? What if she'd seen through me?

"What's with the look?" I asked, but I couldn't hold her gaze. I felt exposed, like a specimen under a microscope, every secret laid bare under her scrutiny.

"You should wear a bra, Aurora," Mom said as she unpacked the groceries from a paper bag. "There are men in this house."

I rolled my eyes. "Except for your husband... and I'm pretty sure Albert doesn't care."

Almost on cue, heavy footsteps thudded against the stairs as someone descended.

"Right, stepbrother?"

"Not at all," Albert replied.

He appeared in the kitchen doorway, freshly changed, a hoodie and jeans replacing what he'd worn earlier. He looked perfectly composed, too composed, and yet my mind betrayed me, replaying memories I had no business thinking

about.

"Whatever," Mom muttered, shaking her head before turning back to the counter.

I caught Albert's eye and allowed myself a brief, knowing smile before reaching up to grab a can of fries from the cupboard, suddenly very aware of the charged air between us.

Then the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," I said quickly, grateful for the excuse to step away.

When I opened the door, a young, beautiful woman with dark hair stood on the porch. She looked like she was in her early twenties, and the moment her eyes landed on me, a bright smile curved her lips.

"Hi, I'm Lucy." She extended her hand for a handshake.

"Hi," I replied politely, taking it. "How may I help you?"

"I'm here for Albert," she said easily. "I'm his girlfriend."

The word girlfriend rang in my ears like a shrill alarm.

I pulled my hand back as if her touch had burned me.

Albert had a fucking girlfriend.

"Lucy?" Albert's voice came from behind me, laced with surprise. "What are-"

"Hi, Albert. Missed me?" she cut in brightly.

She brushed past me, deliberately knocking her shoulder against mine, and went straight into his arms. Before I could even process it, she rose on her toes and kissed him.

She fucking kissed him.

Those lips, the same lips that had been on me just

hours ago.

My chest tightened as the reality settled in, sharp and merciless.

"Who's she?" Lucy asked, her smile faltering as her gaze slid to me. Her hands were still splayed across Albert's chest, possessive and intimate.

"She's Aurora," Albert said. He hesitated, then forced the words out. "My... step-sister."

Her eyes flicked back to him. "You didn't tell me you were coming."

"I didn't know you were," he replied, attempting a smile, though his eyes kept betraying him, darting toward me again and again.

"I didn't need to," she said lightly, her tone suddenly grating. "I'm your girlfriend."

"Lucy, I didn't invite you-"

His voice dissolved into a distant murmur, like I'd slipped underwater. I straightened my shoulders, clinging to my pride, and turned away. Without another word, I carried myself up the staircase, each step heavier than the last.

I told myself I wasn't jealous as I walked back to my room.

Thank God Mom didn't notice the change in my expression.

"Okay. Breathe," I murmured once the door closed behind me. I paced the floor, inhaling deeply, then exhaling. "This is childish. He's your stepbrother. He's allowed to have a girlfriend."

The words sounded reasonable. Sensible.

But none of them felt true.

A sharp knock sounded at my door, and before I could even tell him to come in, he pushed it open.

"What do you want?" I asked coldly, folding my arms across my chest.

"Aurora, calm down." He reached for my hand, but I stepped back.

"Don't tell me to," I snapped, struggling to keep my voice from rising.

He dragged a frustrated hand through his hair, clearly searching for the right words.

"Look-"

"Don't," I cut in, my voice tight. "Don't explain anything to me." I swallowed hard. "Albert, we just had sex. And you're gonna fuck her with the same cock?"

"Christ, Aurora, watch your language..."

"Don't," I warned, lifting a finger to silence him. "You couldn't even wait until I went back to L.A. You just had to bring your perfect girlfriend into this house."

A bitter laugh slipped out. "How considerate of you, stepbrother. I should've known better. I should've known exactly what kind of person you are."

I brushed past him before he could say another word, leaving him standing there with no chance to explain himself.

I sat on Mom's car, scrolling mindlessly through my phone, trying to forget everything that had just unraveled inside the house. I'd completely lost my appetite for the sprinkles, so they lay untouched beside me.

I slipped on my headphones and turned the volume all the way up, desperate to drown out Albert's voice before it could creep back into my thoughts.

Not long after, Mom texted to say dinner was ready.

At the table, she casually announced that Dad wouldn't be coming home tonight. She chatted easily with Albert and Lucy, laughing like nothing was wrong, while I rushed through my food, eager to escape back upstairs.

I didn't say a word throughout the meal. I felt strangely mute, like I'd lost the ability to participate in conversation. When I was done, I stood up, dropped my dishes in the sink, and left.

Thankfully, Mom didn't stop me or ask questions. I knew she was saving those for later.

Back in my room, I stepped out onto the balcony and sank into the chair, staring up at the night sky where stars shimmered quietly above me.

Albert wouldn't leave my mind, how he had made me feel, and how hollow I felt now.

"Behave like the adult you are," I whispered to myself. "He's your stepbrother. You knew better. And still, you let it happen."

Then I heard laughter.

Lucy's laughter.

I stood and peered down. Thank God the balcony lights were off, they wouldn't see me.

She laughed at something Albert said, leaning closer to him.

Perfect little couple.

My chest tightened painfully.

I was about to turn back inside when I heard Albert speak.

"You should get going, Lucy. It's late."

"I want to spend the night," she said, wrapping her arms around him. "Haven't you missed me?"

He gently pulled her hands away.

"Stop, Lucy. We're not getting back together," he said firmly. "The fact that I'm even speaking to you after you cheated on me with my best friend is more than fair."

I froze, leaning forward to listen.

"It was an accident," she pleaded. "I miss you, Albert." She pressed a quick kiss to his lips, but he pushed her back, carefully, though she nearly lost her balance.

"Go home, Lucy," he said coldly. "Goodnight. Thanks for joining us for dinner."

He turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, seething.

A slow smile spread across my lips.

So I had been wrong. I had misunderstood everything.

I stayed where I was, waiting, hoping. When I finally heard a door click softly hours later, a smirk curved my mouth.

"Aurora-"

Before he could say anything else, I stepped forward and silenced him with a kiss.

His hands settled at my waist, steady and familiar, as he kissed me back.

When he finally pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine.

"You should go before my mom wakes up-"

"Shh." His fingers brushed lightly over my lips.

"She's asleep."

The night wrapped around us again, quiet and dangerous and full of things neither of us were ready to admit.