Ntr: Living With My Stepmom[HIATUS]

Sun Tan

The morning air was thick with awkward tension. Zack had been doing his best to avoid Ashley, but as usual, she seemed determined to be everywhere he was. He could feel her presence before he saw her, the soft scent of her perfume announcing her arrival in the living room where he was trying to focus on anything other than the events of the last two days.

Ashley strolled in, her steps light and purposeful. She wore a snug pair of yoga shorts and a cropped tank top that clung to her slender frame. Her freckled skin glowed in the morning light, and her curls bounced with every step. She looked effortlessly stunning, and Zack hated how hard it was to look away.

"Good morning," she said, her voice carrying that familiar teasing lilt.

"Morning," Zack replied, keeping his eyes on the book in his hands, though he hadn't read a single word.

Ashley tilted her head, her mismatched eyes—one hazel, the other blue—sparkling with mischief. "You've been hiding from me, haven't you?"

"No," Zack lied, flipping a page unnecessarily.

Ashley smirked, walking closer and leaning over the back of the couch. Her curls tickled his shoulder as she peeked at the book. "What's so interesting that you can't even say hi properly?"

"Just reading," Zack muttered, his voice strained.

"Uh-huh," Ashley said, clearly not convinced. She slid onto the couch beside him, her thigh brushing against his.

Zack stiffened, clutching the book like a lifeline.

Ashley leaned closer, her lips curving into a sly smile. "You know, I don't bite. Unless you want me to."

Zack nearly dropped the book, his face heating up. "Ashley, seriously..."

"What?" she asked innocently, though the glint in her eyes told him she knew exactly what she was doing.

---

Kitchen Mischief

Later that day, Zack retreated to the kitchen, hoping to put some distance between them. He was pouring himself a glass of water when Ashley appeared again, her presence as unavoidable as ever.

"Thirsty?" she asked, her tone laced with double meaning.

Zack's grip on the glass tightened. "Just getting some water."

Ashley stepped closer, leaning against the counter. "You seem a little tense. Something on your mind?"

"No," Zack said quickly, avoiding her gaze.

Ashley chuckled, reaching past him to grab a snack from the counter. The move brought her so close that Zack could feel the warmth of her body.

"You're so jumpy today," she said, her voice soft and teasing. "It's kind of cute."

Zack cleared his throat, stepping back to put some space between them. "I'm not jumpy."

"Really?" Ashley turned to face him, her smile widening. "Because it seems like you can't even look at me without blushing."

Zack's cheeks burned. "I'm not blushing."

Ashley took a bite of her snack, her eyes never leaving his. "If you say so."

---

The Poolside Moment

In the afternoon, Zack decided to escape to the backyard. The pool offered some solace, a chance to cool off both physically and mentally. He was stretched out on a lounge chair when Ashley appeared, her entrance as graceful as ever.

She wore a vibrant swimsuit that hugged her curves perfectly, the color contrasting beautifully with her freckled skin. Her curls were piled on top of her head, and her mismatched eyes sparkled in the sunlight.

Zack's breath hitched as she sauntered toward him, carrying a towel and a bottle of sunscreen.

"Mind if I join you?" she asked, not waiting for an answer before settling into the lounge chair beside him.

Zack tried to focus on the clear blue water, but Ashley's presence was impossible to ignore. She stretched out, her movements slow and deliberate as she adjusted her chair.

"This sun is brutal," she said, holding up the sunscreen. "Would you mind helping me out?"

Zack blinked, his mouth suddenly dry. "Uh, I... I think you can handle it."

Ashley pouted, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "Come on, Zack. Don't be shy."

Before he could respond, she handed him the bottle and turned around, exposing the smooth expanse of her back. Zack hesitated, his hands shaking slightly as he squeezed some sunscreen onto his palms.

As he rubbed it into her skin, Ashley let out a soft sigh, her voice lilting with exaggerated contentment. "Mmm, you're pretty good at this."