DADDIES I WANT YOU

Liana stepped out of the cab, the late afternoon sun warm on her bare shoulders. Her duffel bag thumped against her thigh as she stared up at the two-story house—white siding, wide porch, flower boxes bursting with red geraniums.It looked beautiful. She’d spent the last three years bouncing between her mother’s cramped apartment and her father’s new life in another state. Now, at nineteen, she was here—moving in with her father’s new wife, Claire, and Claire’s two sons. Stepbrothers she’d only met once, at the wedding last year. She barely remembered their faces. Just that they were tall and quiet. The front door opened before she could knock. Claire appeared, all warm smiles and floral perfume, pulling Liana into a hug. “You’re here! Come in, come in—your room’s all ready. The boys are out back, but they’ll be in soon.” Liana forced a smile, letting herself be ushered inside. The house smelled like lemon polish and something savory simmering on the stove. Hardwood floors gleamed. Family photos lined the hallway Claire’s wedding portrait with Liana’s dad, smiling wide. And there, on the mantel, a candid shot of two young men in basketball jerseys, arms slung around each other’s shoulders. Sean and Shawn. She remembered them now. Sean was the older one—twenty-three, broad-shouldered, dark hair cropped short, eyes the color of storm clouds. Shawn was a year younger, leaner, with longer hair that fell into his face and a crooked grin that looked like trouble. At the wedding, they’d both shaken her hand politely, but their gazes had lingered just a second too long on the way her sundress hugged her hips. A low thud came from the back of the house, followed by laughter. Then footsteps. They appeared in the kitchen doorway at the same time, both shirtless and glistening with sweat. Basketball game, probably. Sean’s chest was wide, dusted with dark hair that trailed down to the waistband of his low-slung gym shorts. Shawn’s was smoother, more defined, abs carved like they’d been sculpted for show. Liana’s mouth went dry. “Hey,” Sean said, voice deep and easy. He wiped his forehead with the back of his wrist, eyes flicking over her body—slow, deliberate. “Welcome home, Li.” Shawn leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, smirking. “Yeah. Welcome.” Claire bustled past them, oblivious. “Boys, help your sister with her bags. Liana, I’ll show you your room.” Liana’s stomach flipped at the word *sister*. It felt wrong. Dangerous. Sean grabbed her duffel like it weighed nothing, slinging it over one shoulder. His bicep flexed, veins standing out against tanned skin. Shawn followed, brushing past her close enough that she felt the heat radiating off his body. Upstairs, the hallway was narrow. Sean went first, leading her to a door at the end. He pushed it open—bright, airy, queen bed with crisp white sheets. A big window overlooked the backyard. “This one’s yours,” Sean said, setting the bag down. He turned to face her, standing closer than necessary. “We’re right across the hall. Both of us.” Shawn leaned in the doorway, blocking the exit. “If you need anything… just knock.” His voice was lower than Sean’s, rougher around the edges. His eyes dropped to her chest, where her thin tank top clung to her from the heat of the cab ride. Her n*****s had pebbled under the fabric—traitorous, obvious. Liana crossed her arms, trying to hide them. “Thanks.” Claire called from downstairs, voice cheerful. “Dinner in an hour!” The boys lingered a moment longer. Sean’s gaze met hers—steady, unreadable. Shawn’s was hungrier, like he was already imagining what she looked like under the clothes. Then they were gone, footsteps retreating down the hall.Liana sank onto the edge of the bed, heart pounding. She could still smell them—sweat, grass. Her thighs pressed together instinctively, a pulse of heat blooming low in her belly. She told herself it was nerves. Adjustment. Nothing more.But deep down, she knew better.