MAYA
“Pool party tonight,” Becca announced, throwing a pink water gun at me, and I knew trouble was brewing as she walked to my closet.
“Count me out,” I said flatly, tossing the water gun back at her. “Not happening.”
“Why? It’s just you and me!”
“And before you continue saying what you’re clueless about, I’ve already invited people.”
Before I could argue further, she pressed a finger to my lips, silencing me. “Shh. I invited my boyfriend and a few friends. And Dad can invite whoever he wants to.”
The thought of Robert bringing pretty girls made worry swallow me. More people meant less chance of anything happening between us. What if one of them caught his attention while I was stuck being seen as nothing more than his daughter’s teenage friend?
“This will look amazing on you,” Becca continued, holding up the white bikini connected by three tiny triangles.
I could already picture Robert’s reaction. Would he look away in disgust at my obvious attempt to get his attention? Would he think I was some desperate girl throwing herself at him?
“I don’t swim, Becca. You know that,” I said, though my protest sounded weak even in my own ears.
“Perfect! Dad can teach you.” She thrust the bikini into my hands. “He taught me when I was little. He’s actually really patient, even though he pretends to be all gruff, serious, and untouchable.”
The image of Robert rejecting me to my face haunted me. No, I couldn’t deal with another rejection from him.
The words struck like lightning. “No!” I yelled louder than I intended, cutting her off.
Her brows knitted. “What the heck, Maya?” Becca’s voice turned serious as she sat beside me, the bikini dangling forgotten between us. “Does my dad scare you that much? You’ve been weird and jumpy around him lately. Did he do something to you?”
Yes, he made me lie awake at night imagining what it would feel like to have those big hands explore every inch of me. But how could I break it down to her in the simplest way—that I wanted to sleep with her dad?
“It’s not that,” I said quickly. “I just… don’t want your friends to come over and then you abandon me. I don’t like being the lonely tag-along.”
Her face softened, lips curling into a teasing smirk. “Is that jealousy?” She nudged me with her elbow. “Don’t be jealous, Maya. I love you more. You’re my sister and my better half.”
“Mmm… don’t patronize me with that,” I said, forcing myself to return the same energy.
“They’ll be so jealous when they see you in this.” She picked up the bikini again, studying it with the eye of a stylist. “It’s freaking expensive and hot. I can’t wait to finally see you in it after all these years of giving it to the wardrobe to wear.”
“Okay,” I heard myself saying. “I’ll wear it.”
Becca’s squeal of delight was so loud it probably shattered windows in the next county.
***
I applied enough glow oil to look like I was heading out of the mansion. At least if we had an encounter today— God, I was daydreaming again, my skin would feel soft under his touch.
I stood in front of my full-length mirror, barely recognizing the girl staring back. The bikini had transformed me, all I needed was a pole to hang on to complete the look. I looked like a slutty b***h, ready to strip for big daddies.
Normally, I wouldn’t care. But knowing Robert would see me like this made my throat dried.
I wanted this look to be seen and appreciated by just him, but he’d be too busy entertaining his guests.
I turned sideways, examining how the bikini hugged my body from different angles. I found myself both terrified and thrilled by how exposed I looked.
Daydreaming or not, I sincerely hoped he would lose control in the right way after seeing me in this. I wanted him to see me as someone who could bring sweetness to his bed rather than just little Maya.
I adjusted the bikini top to show a little more cleavage, grabbed my water gun, and headed downstairs.
Outside, I chose the quieter pool on the far side of the deck. Dropping my gun, I perched on the edge and let my legs dangle in the warm water, hyperaware of how the position made my thighs look fuller and my waist smaller.
From here, I could watch without joining in. Becca didn’t notice, thank God she was too busy letting her boyfriend carry her on his shoulders.
But honestly, I was quite jealous. They were all happy while I was thinking about a man who might not even spare me a glance.
The strange thing was… none of Robert’s friends had shown up. Maybe they were late or they were caught up.
The thought barely left my head before a continuous spray of water drenched me from behind, soaking my hair and dripping cold trails down my neck.
I gasped, spinning around, knowing it was unintentional—just like I’d thought a few seconds earlier.
“Bec,” I said, looking up at the culprit.
She plopped down next to me, and I retaliated by splashing a handful of water on her, though it was useless since she was already soaked. She laughed and chased me with her water gun, spraying until I gave up.
“Let me get Dad to teach you how to swim so you can have fun too,” she said breathlessly, immediately walking away.
ROBERT
My heart beats differently every time I see her. Don’t judge me, I know it wasn’t supposed to be like that. I wasn’t supposed to see her that way or supposed to feel my body betray me the way it always did.
But I told myself the lie I wanted to believe—I was only nervous around her because of what transpired between us in my bathroom. Maybe the nervousness also had consequences that traveled straight down, affecting the bulge between my legs, just like right now. I dabbed my towel to cover my swollen p***s.
Then she stepped into view, again.
The white bikini she wore was so ridiculously tiny that they could snap at any second. My brain scrambled for words to describe her, but all I could think of was river goddess. The light shimmered against her blonde hair, falling in soft, damp waves past her shoulders.
Don’t get me talking about how the bikini bottom stuck between her ass cheeks so brazenly, leaving enough space for thousands of dirty imaginations. My brain didn’t just wander; it stormed straight into a red room filled with thoughts I had no business entertaining.
What the hell is wrong with you, Robert?
I told myself again that I only noticed because I was a man. But that excuse was flimsy. She was intoxicating, a temptation carved into flesh, and every cell in me wanted to squeeze and have a taste of those medium-firm breasts. What should never be tasted, right? Be in my shoes and you won’t be able to resist.
Who would’ve guessed she had this banging body hidden under those baggy clothes she usually wore?
But seeing her like this now made me feel something even worse. Maybe if I had known, I wouldn't have pushed her away. Regardless, I should punish her for exposing what was mine.
What the hell gave me the right to claim her? She was too young and off-limits.
Dead every other thought, she was mine and I’d handle her like daddy’s needy girl.
She was still alone on the edge of the pool with her legs dipped in the water. Was she pretending? Did she sit apart so I’d think she had no friends, waiting for me to notice? That had to be one of her tricks. Little girls like her didn’t sit alone unless they wanted an audience.
My body wanted me to get up, stride over, spread a towel across her lap, and slide two fingers inside her hole just to keep her company.
“No, Robert,” I muttered cautioning myself. “You wouldn’t do that.”
But she was killing me without holding a knife.
Now she’s running, trying to dodge my daughter's splashes with her breasts bouncing inside that bikini top. I clenched my fists, hating myself for being apart from her.
She looked fuller and more mature than her age, if compared to Becca.
But my eyes dragged lower to where her n*****s pressed against the wet fabric which was now transparent, showing pink buds so stiff I could almost feel them between my teeth. My jaw ached with the urge to bite, to claim, to silence the hunger by indulging in it.
All I wanted was to wrap her in a towel and hide her from everyone’s eyes.
I raked a hand through my hair, frustrated. This wasn’t me. I wasn’t the man who lost control. I wasn’t supposed to want this.
But still, I wanted.
*
Becca’s voice snapped me out of the trance.
“Dad!” she called, water dripping from her hair as she left her boyfriend, jogging towards me. “Thank God you’re free. You should teach Maya now.”
I couldn’t thank my sweet daughter enough for leading me into my temptation. I owe her a shopping spree for doing this.
Before I could stop myself, I bent down and planted a quick peck on her forehead.
And the second my lips touched her skin, I knew I’d made a mistake.
Becca’s brows arched, wearing doubtful gaze. “That was a quick jump, Dad. You only peck me when you’re going out.”
Tell me I just got caught by not saying it.