The Stepbully She Craves

Chapter15

Hailey

" . and you're listening to Smutty Books and Spicy Reads."

I feel some of my discomfort ebb away as we get started on our episode,

talking about our book of the week, and then, as usual, digressing into all the

amazing books we love, and for a little while I forget about my anger at Cole.

Talking about books and fantasy worlds with my best friend is my happy place. By the time we quit recording, we've been on our call for over two hours-which

we'll edit down later-and I feel refreshed and happy.

I just wish I could have told Sasha the one thing I wanted to tell her the most: that I slept with Cole. But even though it's something she's jokingly encouraged

me to do, I still think she'dbe shocked to find out it actually happened. How could she not be grossed out that I slept with my own stepbrother

It's strange, but all the talk about book boyfriends and fictional sex has made

me less angry at Cole, though. The more we talked about romantic things, the more vividly recollections of the night before came back to me, momentarily stealing my breath away.

Remembering the feel of him inside me makes goosebumps trace lightly over my skin, remembering the intense and unguarded way he looked at me makes my

heart race. It was a different, vulnerable, yearning Cole I was with last night, just him and me together-until it was over, and then it wasn't.

I'd been restless and agitated all day, irritated by the way things ended, but

recording tonight's episode has made me look at things in a new way. Whatever it is between Cole and I, no matter how fucked up it is, it's a kind of love, and now

I'm craving his touch like it's a drug I just got addicted to. I really need to see him, even if he's going to aggravate and frustrate me. I can't stop thinking about him.

Greta and Barry went out to a party tonight and loaded up our UberEats

accounts for dinner, which means they'll be out late. I change into my bathing suit and head down to the pool to do some laps, even though the sun is setting. I know Cole will be out there, probably with Xander, and sure enough, I can see them

beyond the manicured hedges as I head into the garden. Xander's in the pool and Cole's sitting on a lounger, both dressed only their swim trunks, and I admire the lines of their arms, chests, and shoulders from afar. They're hot even at a distance.

I walk down the path to the pool, casually drop my towel on a lounger, and

dive in without saying anything to either of them. When I come up for air they're both watching me.

"Hey," says Xander. This is the first time I've seen him since I jerked him off in the movie room and his tone surprises me. It's just.friendly, for once.

But what really gets a reaction out of me is the way Cole is looking at me from the pool deck. His eyes are heated and dark, flashing with an intensity I rarely see, and I feel my body instantly respond to him.

I turn away, before he can see me blush, and start doing my laps, and for once they actually give me space and don't try to interrupt me. Xander gets out of the pool and they let me have it to myself.

Twenty laps later, I lift myself out onto the ledge of the pool and swing my feet in the water as I catch my breath, feeling winded but good. The exercise has helped to burn off any remaining agitation.

"Want a beer " Cole calls over to me from the pool bar, and I shake my head. I'm not supposed to drink until I'm nineteen, and I don't. It's one of the things

about me that drives Cole crazy, that I'm such a 'good girl. '

The boys walk over to the pool holding their cans of beer and take a seat on the ledge as well, Xander next to me and Cole on the shallow side. They raise the cans to each other in a cheers gesture.

Xander takes a sip and gives me a long look before saying: "I gotta tell you, Hailey. You look good in that bathing suit."

"Leave her alone, man," snarls Cole. I look over and see a muscle working in his jaw.

"Dude, I'm just saying she looks nice."

"You're flirting with her."

"Why the fuck wouldn't I " He turns to me with a slow smile. "I still remember how good she got me offthe other night."

"Yeah, well, we were high, and we were watching porn, too, so that helps."

Xander scoffs. "Tell me, Hailey," he says. "Wouldn't you say we shared a meaningful sexual experience "

I consider it for a moment, and look past him at Cole as I answer. "Yeah. I think sex is always a meaningful experience."

Cole says nothing, but glowers.

"Totally," agrees Xander, and pauses before asking, "So.do you think we'll ever do it again "

"Fuck off," says Cole with exasperation, and we both turn to look at him. "What the fuck is with you " asks Xander.

"It's weird," Cole accuses. "She's my fucking stepsister, dude."

"I may be your stepsister," I clarify with a smile, "but I'm not his stepsister." Xander guffaws triumphantly.