I felt my heartbeat pick up, thumping faster in a way I hated to admit was excitement. My thoughts ran wild, completely out of my control.
Stupid fool, I whispered, cursing myself for reacting this way. I clutched the blanket tighter around my body. My cousin, fast asleep beside me, tugged it back in protest.
"Go to sleep," I muttered to myself, shaking my legs—a habit I used to lure myself into rest. But the truth sat heavy in my chest: if I had known he would be here, I never would have come. I regretted it already.
Unable to stay still, I quietly slipped off the bed. The house was too silent, too aware of me. I made my way into the bathroom we shared with the boys' room next door, sliding the door shut behind me. I stood in front of the sink, staring at my reflection, but really waiting—for him. A part of me knew he would appear. Or maybe it was just something I desperately wished for.
My heart jumped at the soft creak of the door from the room beside us. His footsteps came closer. My fingers tightened around the sink.
What are you doing? my conscience asked one last time, but any sense of guilt in me had already dissolved.
The door opened. I spun around. And there he was.
My heart squeezed painfully at the sight of him. His eyes caught mine, held them for a few seconds—long enough for me to know that whatever I was feeling, he felt it too.
"Sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't know you were inside."
I nodded, unable to trust my voice.
"I want to use the restroom… if you're done," he added. He looked calm. I, on the other hand, was fighting to catch the breath he had just stolen from me.
"Okay… yes, I'm done," I finally managed.
As I walked past him, my body brushed his—barely, accidentally—but enough to send a sharp shiver down my spine. I tried to look unaffected as I slipped back into the room. The thought that he might have come out just to see me flashed across my mind, but I rolled my eyes at myself.
No. He just needed the restroom. That was all.
Still, that night he invaded my dreams—as usual. He gave me one of those rare smiles that showed his dimples, and in the dream, we did far more than talk. By morning, the dampness between my thighs was enough to remind me of just how vivid those dreams were.
I had dreamt of him before… many times. But this morning was different, because this time he was under the same roof as me.
Now I had to face him and pretend nothing had ever happened between us, nothing had ever existed. And I knew it would exhaust me—physically, mentally, completely.
I should never have come to spend the summer with my aunt. I avoided visiting for a reason. I tried so hard to bury everything that happened between us.
But I didn't know he was going to be back.i had have a feeling that this summer was going to be difficult but maybe I would lose this stupid feeling I have for my cousin am turning 19 but haven't dated a single guy cause my stupid heart is pining for someone forbidden for me ,but in my defense he started this fire and than boom last two years summer before he started college, he quite to talking me and started acting irritated at my existence, I have to pretend it didn't hurt at all, so I avoided visiting at all cost but moving on its even harder for me, Be ashamed of yourself Ruella I muttered getting up from the bed half awake, Dora's side of the bed was already empty seems like I had overslept I thought, that why you go to bed early.
I should never have come to spend the summer with my aunt. I'd avoided visiting for a reason. I had tried so hard to bury everything that happened between us.
But I didn't know he was going to be back.
A part of me already suspected this summer would be difficult—but maybe, just maybe, I could finally lose this ridiculous feeling I have for him. I'm turning nineteen, and I haven't dated a single guy because my foolish heart insists on pining after someone who is completely forbidden to me.
And in my defense… he's the one who started this fire.
"Be ashamed of yourself, Ruella," I muttered, pushing myself up from the bed, still half awake.
Doro's side of the mattress was already empty; she must have left a while ago.
Great. Overslept again, I thought.
"That's what you get for going to bed late," I scolded myself under my breath as I swung my legs off the bed making my way straight into the restroom to freshen up.