Page 86 of Sweet Sinners
"Or," she cuts in, pressing closer until the scent of her shampoo surrounds me, intoxicating and familiar, "you can help me forget everything else for an hour or two." Her nails dig lightly into my waist, teasing through the fabric. "You’re stressed, I’m stressed, and we both know orgasms help. A lot."
I groan softly, shaking my head, but a smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. "What happened to my innocent, perfectly controlled stepsister?"
She smiles slyly, her hands slipping beneath my shirt, fingers tracing slow paths over my bare skin. Her mouth brushes against my neck, voice dropping to a whisper that makes my blood run hotter. "She got a taste of you, and now she can't remember why control was ever a good idea."
I grit my teeth, forcing myself to remain strong even though every nerve is screaming to give in. "Maya's still in the house," I remind her gently, tipping my head toward the living area where I hear quiet footsteps. "And the gardeners are out back. Three housekeepers, three landscapers. That’s a lot people who would sell whispers about us without thinking twice."
Cali sighs, shoulders slumping slightly as her forehead drops against my chest. “Then you'll have to keep me quiet.”
A low chuckle escapes my lips as I brush my thumb softly across her cheek, reluctantly easing her away. “I’m going to let you goupstairs and take a cold shower. While you do that, I’ll cook dinner and wait for everyone to leave. Until then, no touching.”
She sighs heavily, stepping back just enough to glare playfully up at me. "When did you turn into the responsible one?"
I chuckle softly, nudging her gently toward the stairs. “Just keep reminding yourself why we’re being careful. We’re doing this so we can finally get justice—so we can stop hiding. Once everyone’s gone, I promise I’ll make it worth your wait."
She turns reluctantly, one foot stepping up to the next stair. She pauses briefly, clearly fighting the urge to look back, knowing exactly how dangerous that would be. "I really hate waiting," she murmurs, taking another step.
As I watch her walk away, hips swaying beneath her skirt, I tighten my fists at my sides, body throbbing with impatience.
Yeah. My body couldn't agree more.
Chapter thirty-nine
Cali
Rightaftermyshower,I gather the staff in the entryway and announce that they can leave early for the night, they'll be getting paid full regardless. I keep my voice casual, neutral—as if my pulse isn’t racing beneath my skin, counting down every second until Connor and I are completely alone. They nod gratefully, whispering their goodbyes as they file past me out the front door, leaving quiet, confused murmurs in their wake.
But as they disappear down the driveway, I repeat to myself—over and over—that this isn't just about me wanting Connor whenever I can get him. It's about safety, privacy, the investigation we'redrowning in. Until we know who's trustworthy, I need to be able to talk openly without listening ears.
But my heart knows the real reason. I'm not fooling anyone—least of all myself.
Maya hesitates by the front door, purse clutched tight in her hand, uncertainty pulling at her features. Her eyes meet mine, wary and cautious, holding something back.
I sigh softly. "What's wrong?"
She clears her throat, shifting uncomfortably, fingers flexing nervously around the strap of her purse. "Are you sure you’re okay with this, Miss Cali? With...him?"
I force a calm breath, tilting my head gently. "Connor needs to learn to handle things around the house on his own. I won't always be here to supervise him." My voice lowers slightly, gentler. "And there have been developments in my dad's case. If there's danger... I don’t want you or anyone else caught in the crossfire."
Her brows pinch together anxiously. "If something happens when you're at work—"
My chest tightens at the worry etched clearly across her face. Stepping closer, I reach for her hands, squeezing them softly. "I know you're worried, but Connor wants this sorted out just as much as I do. I know you don’t trust him completely, but trust me—he wouldn't let anything happen to you or anyone else here."
She looks down at our joined hands, her expression tense but softening slowly. "If you say so."
"I do." I squeeze her fingers again, holding her gaze until she nods reluctantly. "Everything will be fine."
With a small sigh, Maya finally nods, slipping quietly out the front door. I watch her retreat down the driveway, waiting until her car disappears from view before shutting the door softly behind her.
The silence that follows is deafening, filled only by my racing heart and scattered thoughts. Turning toward the empty kitchen, I bite my lip, considering dinner—but my mind quickly flashes back to Connor instead. I need something, anything, to distract us from the overwhelming mess we've found ourselves in.
I busy myself in the kitchen, pulling open the refrigerator and staring blankly inside. There's a restless buzz beneath my skin, a need to distract myself—but cooking won't quiet the storm brewing in my head. I should be focused on solving this, on uncovering the truth about my father’s killer, not fantasizing about Connor’s hands sliding over my—
"Already sent everyone away?" His deep voice cuts through my thoughts, low and teasing. His fingers skim lightly over my hips from behind, pulling me gently against him until I feel every hard, tempting inch pressed to my back.
Heat floods my cheeks, but I force my tone steady. "I wanted privacy." My voice trembles despite my efforts to control it. "Connor, if the staff are around, I can’t talk openly. What if there’s more than one person involved? What if someone here is connected to the photos—or worse, the murder?"
He gently grabs my wrist before I can reach for the oven dial, pulling me back around to face him. My breath catches at the intensity of his gaze, at how fiercely he stares down at me, as if he sees straight through every excuse I try to hide behind.
