Chapter 6

six

. . .

Lila

The water ripples around me as I glide through the moonlit pool, my auburn hair fanning out behind me. Sleep eludes me tonight, thoughts of Ethan consuming my mind.

My body is perpetually on fire. All I can think about is him…

As if summoned by my desire, he appears at the pool's edge, his blue eyes smoldering with intensity.

My breath hitches. Fuck, he’s gorgeous.

Without a word, he dives into the pool, his sculpted body cutting through the water with powerful strokes. He surfaces inches from me, droplets cascading down his chiseled chest.

"Couldn't sleep either?" he murmurs, his voice low and seductive as he moves toward me with predatory grace.

"I needed to clear my head," I whisper, but my body betrays me, aching for his touch.

Ethan's hands move toward me under the water. "I can't stop thinking about you, Lila. I need you."

I shake my head, my breath catching as his fingertips graze my hip beneath the water. "Ethan, we can't..."

But my protest is silenced as he pulls me flush against him, his hard length pressing insistently against my core. A soft moan escapes my lips.

His lips crash against mine, urgent and demanding. I melt into the kiss, my resolve crumbling. Ethan's hands roam my curves, gripping my ample hips as he grinds against me. The delicious friction ignites a fire deep within, and I moan into his mouth.

He pushes me against the pool wall, his knee parting my thighs. "Let me make you feel good, baby. I'll take care of you."

Ethan's words are a sinful promise, and I surrender to the sensations, his thick length rubbing against my most sensitive area. He sets a relentless pace, the water churning around us as he brings me closer to the edge.

"That's it, come for me," he growls, his fingers digging into my soft flesh.

I shatter with a cry, waves of ecstasy crashing over me. But as the haze of pleasure clears, reality hits.

This is wrong.

I push away from Ethan, stumbling out of the pool on shaky legs.

"Lila, wait!" he calls after me, but I don't look back, afraid I'll be drawn into his orbit again.

Ethan

The next day, I find myself alone with Lila in the kitchen. Hell, who am I kidding? I orchestrated it so I would be alone with her. I follow her around like a lovesick puppy or some creepy stalker.

The air is thick with tension. She’s trying to ignore me, but I know she’s just as aware of me as I am her.

She reaches for a glass, her shirt riding up to reveal a sliver of smooth skin. Unable to resist, I step behind her, my hand grazing her hip.

She inhales sharply, her body leaning into my touch. Emboldened, I spin her around, capturing her lips in a searing kiss.

She tastes like forbidden fruit, sweet and addictive.

"Ethan, we can’t" she protests weakly, even as her hands fist in my hair.

Fuck, I’m so tired of hearing that.

"Yes, we can,” I growl. “Please, sweet baby, let me have you," I plead, trailing kisses down her neck. "I'll make it so good for you, beautiful."

Lost in the heat of the moment, we don't hear the front door open. It's only when my father’s voice calls out that we spring apart, nearly caught red-handed.

Lila's eyes widen with panic. "This ends now," she hisses before rushing out, leaving me aching for more.

I nearly roar with frustration as I slam my fist against the counter.

Fuck!

But I won't give up. Stepsister or not, I know Lila is meant to be mine.

And she will be mine, no matter what it takes.