Page 109 of Heartless Stepbrother

“Interesting,” he murmured. “That’s the first time you’ve said ‘please.’”

My lungs strangled around air.

“If you send that,” I breathed, “I swear—”

“You’ll what?” His voice dipped to something dangerous and soft, the kind of tone that could make a threat sound like a promise. “You gave me permission, princess.”

I shook my head, a tiny, helpless movement.

He smiled.

A quiet, lethal curve of lips.

“Relax,” he said, voice low and wicked. “I haven’t sent it.”

His thumb tapped the screen again, highlighting the unsent message.

“But knowing I could…” He let the unspoken power coil between us. “…is much more fun.”

The phone remained in his hand.

The message remained unsent.

But the damage?

He already knew he had me cornered.

He stepped closer to the tub, the steam wrapping around him like it wanted to claim him too. Droplets clung to his skin, sliding down the hard lines of his chest, tracing the cut of his abs, disappearing into the waistband of the only thing he was wearing.

My breath trembled.

I hated that he noticed.

His eyes dragged over me, slow, deliberate, possessive, before returning to the glowing screen in his hand.

“That look on your face,” he murmured. “The one you’re trying so hard to hide right now?”

He tilted his head, studying me like a puzzle he already knew he could solve.

“It’s almost making me want to send it.”

I swallowed, pulse ricocheting beneath my skin. “You wouldn’t.”

He crouched beside the tub in a smooth, predatory motion, bringing his face level with mine. The heat of him rolled over my wet skin, turning the water hotter, my breath tighter.

“Tell me why I shouldn’t,” he whispered, the words caressing me like a touch.

My fingers curled under the surface of the water, nails digging into my palms. “Because it’s not true.”

His lips curved. He was close enough that I could feel his smileagainst my cheek.

“Really?” His voice dropped to a velvet murmur. “You’re telling me you’re not thinking about all the things those messages imply?”

“Riley.”

He hummed, the sound low, amused, sinful.

“You’re blushing everywhere,” he said softly. “Even under the bubbles.”