Page 108 of Heartless Stepbrother

He stood there in nothing but black boxer briefs, steam ghosting over his skin, one hand holding my phone like a loaded threat.

His grin widened, wicked and certain.

“Let’s make this interesting, princess.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

LUNA

Riley’sfingersslidacrossmy phone screen with unhurried confidence, each tap loud in the steaming quiet. He didn’t bother hiding what he typed. He wanted me to watch. Needed me to see.

I pushed up higher in the water, bubbles slipping down my chest, but I couldn’t make myself move closer. Couldn’t make myself stop him.

He angled the screen just enough for me to catch the words forming beneath his thumb.

Girls… you can relax.

Yes, Luna and I have already hooked up.

Actually, she kind of begged.

My heart detonated.

Heat, boiling, furious, mortified, lit under my skin.

“Riley—”

His name scraped out of me.

He ignored it.

The next line appeared slowly, each letter a deliberate cruelty.

She’s obsessed. I can barely take a bath without her staring.

A shocked breath punched out of me, water rippling around my ribs.

“I never—Riley, delete that. Now.”

He didn’t.

He kept typing.

And no, I don’t have a girlfriend. Luna wouldn’t be able to handle the competition.

My face burned so hot I thought the steam might sizzle against my cheeks.

“Stop,” I whispered, the word breaking open. “Please.”

That made him pause.

Not out of mercy.

Out of interest.

He lifted his gaze to me, slow, patient, and devastatingly entertained. Like he was savoring every second of unraveling me.

His finger hovered over thesendbutton.