The house was still dark when Travis rolled over in bed, the soft glow of his phone lighting up the nightstand. Another notification from Katie. It was early, too early, but she always messaged before dawn this time of year. Finals week. He smiled as he unlocked the screen.

"Two more exams. Coffee IV, please,” Katie wrote.

"You’ve got this, doc. Sleep is optional, caffeine is life,” replied Travis.

A photo came through a moment later. It showed her desk in its usual state of creative chaos: notebooks spread open and overlapping, a laptop glowing with half-written notes, a coffee cup abandoned at her elbow with only a cold sip left at the bottom. Her handwriting looped across the page in tight, hurried spirals, familiar enough that he could almost hear her voice in it.

It was a ritual by now. She sent these small snapshots from her med-school mornings, fragments of her life caught between lectures and exhaustion. He answered with quiet encouragements before heading out for his own early run. They weren’t dramatic exchanges, just steady ones. Brief acknowledgments that said I see you, I’m here.

Somehow, over the years, those messages had become their daily check-in. A friendship built in passing moments, resilient enough to last long after family gatherings had thinned and drifted apart.

He typed back between sips of water.

"At least it’s almost break. When do you fly home?"

"Saturday. If I survive neuroanatomy,” Katie replied.

“The classic holiday struggle,” wrote Travis.

“Yeah. Still have to finish shopping, pack, clean, do laundry, and buy new underwear, apparently.”

He laughed, reading that last one twice.

"New underwear?" he asked.

"Don’t judge. I just realized I haven’t bought any since… maybe high school?" she wrote.

He grinned, shaking his head as Alexa’s soft breathing came from her side of the bed. He typed carefully, mindful not to wake her.

"High school?? Katie, please tell me you’ve upgraded since then."

A pause. Then the little “typing” dots danced.

"They’re fine! I just don’t know where to shop for that stuff. Too busy surviving med school."

"Granny panties confirmed." Travis joked.

"Shut up."

He chuckled, stretching. It was harmless, the kind of teasing they’d always fallen into. Brother-sister energy with just enough edge to make him wonder sometimes how she’d grown up so fast.

He sent one more.

"Alright, I’ll help. I’ll send you a few sites. Consider it my early Christmas gift,” Travis wrote.

"Lol okay, deal. Just keep it PG, Santa."

Travis smirked at the screen before setting his phone down.

The message stayed with him long after he had set his phone aside. He caught himself thinking about it as he went through the rest of his morning, distracted in a way he could not quite explain. Maybe it was the casual way she had mentioned something unexpectedly intimate, as if it were ordinary. Or maybe it was simply Katie herself. She had quietly become part of his routine, her sharp humor and easy sarcasm woven into his days, along with that familiar tone she carried, sounding both exhausted and bright at the same time.

He laced up his running shoes and stepped out into the cold Seattle morning. His breath fogged the air with each exhale, drifting past pine trees that sagged under the weight of fresh dew. The quiet steadied him. The holidays were closing in, bringing family dinners, soft lights, and the comfort of familiar traditions, and he found himself looking forward to it more than usual. Alexa always came alive this time of year, filling the house with music, candles, and the smell of cinnamon rolls baking before dawn. And Katie would be there too. She would be back from Colorado, nearly finished with med school, older now, sharper somehow. The thought settled in his chest and stayed there longer than he expected.

He didn’t let the thought linger.

By the time he finished his run, the sun was edging up over the Sound, a thin gold line on the horizon. His phone buzzed again. Another message from Katie.

"You’re not allowed to forget the website."

"Already working on it. Priorities,” he replied.

"You’re a menace."

He could picture her saying it, the teasing smile that always reached her eyes. After ten years in the same family orbit, their friendship had somehow remained easy and uncomplicated. Still, as he walked back into the quiet house, a question followed him inside. He wondered if she still saw him the same way, or if she had noticed that lately he was no longer sure of that himself.

They had never meant to become this close, at least not in a way that anyone might question. Travis had been part of the family for nearly a decade, first as Alexa’s boyfriend and then as her husband. Their wedding photo still hung above the fireplace in her parents’ living room, washed in soft summer light and full of promises that had once felt unbreakable.

Because he had been around for so long, Katie had grown up with him threaded quietly through every milestone. He had been there for school plays and graduations, for the awkward teenage years she now pretended never happened. To her family, he was simply the steady one, the reliable man her older sister chose, the person everyone trusted without hesitation.

Something shifted when Katie left for Colorado to start med school. It did not happen all at once, and neither of them could have pointed to a single moment where things changed. It revealed itself slowly, in small ways that were easy to dismiss. She sent late-night texts asking for advice. He checked in early in the mornings before her rounds. She shared chaotic photos from the anatomy lab because she knew he would laugh instead of cringe.

For Travis, those messages became a window back into the warmth of Alexa’s family, something he had always cherished but had begun to feel slipping away beneath the weight of schedules, stress, and a quiet distance that had settled into his marriage. Katie softened that distance without trying to. She reminded him of a version of their life that once felt natural and unforced, a time when connection came easily and stayed.

And Katie… she wasn’t blind to the tension in the house when she came home for the holidays. Alexa retreating to the bedroom early. Travis lingering in the kitchen, washing dishes he didn’t need to wash. Conversations that stayed polite when they used to stay intimate. She never pried; she wasn’t that kind of sister. But she felt it.

Maybe that’s why their connection had deepened, innocently, at first. Shared humor. Mutual support. Familiarity sharpened by distance. And now, as the holiday weekend approached, something in the air felt different, charged in a way neither of them named out loud.

Later that morning, Travis leaned back against the kitchen counter, a small grin lingering on his face. Above him, the muted sounds of Alexa moving around upstairs drifted through the ceiling, faint footsteps followed by the familiar creak of the old floorboards. Otherwise, the house was still. The refrigerator hummed softly, and the wall clock marked the seconds with a slow, steady tick, filling the space with an easy, domestic calm.

He started tapping into his browser, half out of curiosity, half because he’d promised.

Big national brand. Clean layout, everything pink and polished. He scrolled through the basics — cotton, seamless, and safe. Exactly the kind of thing someone in scrubs would need. He copied the link and sent it.

“Here. The standard choice. Practical and painless.”

“You sound like a commercial. But fine, this is probably smart,” Katie replied.

“Nothing wrong with comfortable,” Travis said.

“Yeah, but no one likes visible lines under scrubs. Panty lines are a no-go,” said Katie.

“Wow, the way you said that. Like it’s a personal vendetta.”

“Ugh, it is. So cringe.”

He laughed again and shook his head. He had forgotten how easy it was to talk to her, how light and unfiltered the conversations always felt. There was no effort required, no need to perform or explain himself. Over the past few years, their messages had settled into his life like a quiet background rhythm. Simple check-ins between work and workouts, updates about her school stress, travel plans, and whatever chaos her week had thrown at her.

As he scrolled, his thumb slowed when another tab caught his eye. It was a smaller, boutique brand, and the images felt different from the others he had seen. The lighting was warmer, the design more thoughtful, almost intimate. Everything about it felt personal in a way he could not quite explain.

He did not know why he clicked, or why he did not immediately close the page once it loaded. He scrolled once, then again. Before he had time to overthink it, he copied the link and sent it off.

“Or, you know, if you’re feeling adventurous in your old age.”

The typing bubbles appeared right away.

“Old age?? Please. I’m 28,” Katie replied.

“Ancient, in med school years,” wrote Travis.

“Rude. But fine, I’ll allow it. This site looks cute actually,” said Katie.

“You’ve got options now. You can graduate in style.”

“Ha! If I order today, I could even get them before I fly home.”

He felt himself smile again, longer than he meant to. Then he replied.

“Always planning ahead. I’m impressed.”

“You should be. This is high-level multitasking. Finals, laundry, and underwear procurement,” joked Katie.

“Truly heroic,” Travis joked back.

“Don’t forget it.”

The phone dimmed as the conversation quieted. Outside, the morning fog was lifting from the trees, sunlight catching on the damp branches.

He set his phone down and stared out the window for a moment. Just a text thread, nothing more than usual. But something about it stayed with him. Maybe it was how open she’d sounded lately, or how naturally they’d slipped into that teasing rhythm.

He finished his coffee, a little restless now.

The week had ended. Katie zipped her suitcase shut and exhaled, the sound almost like relief. Her last exam was behind her. The kind of exhaustion that came with it felt light this time, almost buoyant. Tomorrow she’d be on a plane, and then she’d see her family... and Travis.

Her phone buzzed as she was folding the last of her scrubs. It was Travis.

“Survived finals?” it said.

“Barely. My brain is fried. But I even got my underwear in time,” she typed.

She grinned to herself before she hit send, then tossed the phone on the bed. It only took a few seconds for the reply.

“Priorities, clearly. Hope they’re everything you wished for,” Travis wrote.

“Oh, they are. Comfortable and cute. You’ve got an eye,” Katie replied.

“It’s a talent. Also, was that the boutique order or the 'no lines under scrubs' one?” Travis asked.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Katie typed as she giggled to herself.

“Yes. Yes, I would,” Travis replied.

Katie rolled her eyes as she laughed out loud. He had always been good at this, playful without crossing lines, attentive without making it heavy. Still, the fact that he remembered the conversation so clearly made her heart beat faster than she wanted to admit.

Her gaze drifted to the open suitcase on the bed. Folded neatly beside her usual cotton underwear was the bright pink lace set. She shook her head, smiling to herself, as if caught in a private joke.

She looked back at her phone, rereading the message once more before setting it down. A soft flutter settled low in her stomach. It was not nerves. It was the quiet thrill of something taking shape, something unnamed but unmistakable.

For a moment, she simply stood there, studying the contrast in front of her. Old habits on one side, and whatever this newer, bolder version of herself was becoming on the other. Acting on impulse, she reached for the lace. It felt out of character, the kind of thing she would have teased her friends about. Yet standing alone in her apartment, it felt good to break the pattern.

She was wearing only a thin white tank top, no bra beneath it. She stepped out of her sweats and comfortable panties, pausing for a brief second to look at herself before slipping into the hot pink lace thong.

When she caught her reflection in the mirror, she hesitated. Then she shifted her weight, turning slightly and tilting her head. The woman looking back at her seemed confident, playful, and a little daring. It surprised her how much she liked what she saw. It was a side of herself she had not shown anyone in a long time.

Her phone rested on the dresser. She did not overthink it. She picked it up, framed the shot, and took the photo. Standing in front of the full-length mirror, she turned just enough to look back over her shoulder. The lace outlined her curves perfectly.

She sent it before doubt could creep in. The image said more than any message could, a quiet declaration of mood, curiosity, and intent.

Seconds passed. Then her screen lit up.

“Wow. Didn’t expect that. You look incredible,” wrote Travis.

Katie felt her cheeks flush. She bit her lip, half laughing, half mortified.

“I was just showing off your styling skills,” she replied.

“I’ll take the credit. But seriously, you look beautiful, Katie.”

She stared at the message for a long moment. There was something about the simplicity of it, how he didn’t make it crude or awkward. It just felt honest. Warm.

And in that small, electric moment, she realized how much their teasing had shifted into something real, something that scared her just enough to make her heart race.

Travis found himself thinking about the photo again. It had been a mirror selfie, casual at first glance, but not quite. Katie looked like herself, and yet nothing like the version he had known for the past decade. Her hair was pulled into a loose, messy bun, a few strands escaping around her face. Her glasses sat low on her nose, giving her an almost distracted look. Her posture was relaxed, unguarded, as if she had not posed so much as simply existed in that moment.

There was a quiet confidence in it. Not practiced or deliberate, but natural, almost accidental. That was what caught him off guard. It landed heavier than he expected, settling somewhere deep in his chest before his mind had time to organize a response.

The feeling surprised him. It was not just the image itself. It was the choice behind it. The fact that she had sent it to him at all. That she had shared something playful and private, something unfiltered, without explanation or apology.

He sat with that realization longer than he meant to, aware that whatever this was, it had already stepped beyond something simple.

He couldn’t look away.

His pulse quickened. The thought looped in his head: She’s wearing something I told her to buy.

He swallowed, set his phone down, picked it up again. The warmth in his body was sudden and disorienting. He forced himself to breathe, to think, to remind himself that this was Katie. Alexa’s sister, the same girl who used to fall asleep on the couch during movie nights.

And yet, the tone between them had changed.

Travis’s cock hardened instantly, the sensation surprising. He zoomed in. The picture was bright and clear. And the bright pink lace thong stood out brightly. A sensual yet casual reminder.

“Oh fuck” Travis thought.

He started stroking himself without realizing it, examining Katie’s body inch by inch. One he knew so well, but so casually. Now differently. He pulled his cock out of his sweats, the tip slick with fluid, and started going.

It didn’t take long; he didn’t realize how turned on he was. He came hard, multiple hot wet streams landing on his bare abs and glistening in the low light.

Then he snapped back to reality. He’s just masturbated to his wife’s little sister. A photo he’d sent him in her panties. He ran and cleaned up. He shook his head and exhaled slowly, letting the tension roll off his shoulders.

Guilt and desire tangled together in an uncomfortable mix, leaving him restless.

Katie stared at the photo she had just sent and immediately felt a wave of anxiety. What had she done? Her older sister’s husband. Someone she’d always known as family, and here she was, sharing something intimate and bold, entirely out of character.

Her chest tightened, and she ran a hand through her hair. She wasn’t sure why she’d done it. But the truth hit her: Travis had this way of making her feel seen, of calming her in a way no one else had. After years of burying herself in school, ignoring her own needs and relationships, she felt… alive.

She sank onto her bed, hugging a pillow to her chest. Her body buzzed with a mixture of excitement, guilt, and something else she hadn’t named yet. She could imagine him looking at the photo, his reaction, the way he always knew how to respond to her, how to make her feel both safe and desired.

Why does he have this effect on me?

She closed her eyes, letting the emotions wash over her. The thrill of being noticed, the tension of doing something reckless, the yearning she hadn’t acknowledged in years. It was overwhelming, confusing, but undeniably real.

Finally, she exhaled slowly, trying to calm herself. Her cheeks were flushed, her mind racing. She reminded herself of boundaries, of Alexa, of family. But she couldn’t deny the pull, the new awareness of desire she hadn’t let herself feel in a long time.

Lying back, she stared at the ceiling, caught between anticipation and guilt, heart still thudding. The quiet room felt charged, electric, as if her own private emotions had filled the space.

The next morning, Katie sat in the airport terminal, her carry-on at her feet, staring out at the planes taxiing across the tarmac. She felt a little giddy, nerves buzzing. She pulled out her phone and snapped a quick selfie, grinning at the camera.

“Taking off!!!” she captioned the picture.

Almost immediately, the family group chat lit up.

“Fly safe! Can’t wait to see you!” Alexa wrote.
“Someone will grab you from the airport, don’t worry,” wrote her sister Natalie.
“Have fun, travel safe!” Madison, her oldest sister, typed back.

Katie laughed softly. The familiar messages from her sisters made the airport feel warmer somehow, less like a noisy, crowded space and more like home. She leaned back, scrolling through notifications, excitement bubbling inside her.

Soon she was on the plane, settled by the window, watching Seattle shrink beneath the clouds. She sent another quick picture to the group chat.

“Plane selfie. Window seat wins.”

Responses came almost instantly, playful and protective:

“Haha! Don’t forget to wave at the clouds for me,” said Alexa.

“Save me a good story when you land,” from Natalie.

By the time the plane touched down, Katie was practically vibrating with anticipation. She pulled her bag from the overhead compartment and typed a quick message to the chat.

“Landed!!”

Her phone buzzed almost immediately.

“Travis is coming to get you! Shouldn’t be long,” said Alexa.

Katie’s cheeks flamed. Her stomach did a flip. Travis? Coming to get her? Just last night, her thoughts had been… complicated. And now, sitting here, she realized that anticipation was mingling with nerves.

She took a deep breath and tried to focus on the mundane, but every time she imagined him waiting at the curb, a small heat spread through her. She reminded herself it was just a drive home.

Travis was pulling up in the car when she approached the exit from baggage claim. Normally, he greeted her with a big hug, teasing banter, and easy smiles. Today, though, something felt different. Their smiles were still there, but faintly guarded, tentative, as if they were both measuring boundaries they hadn’t realized were crossed.

Katie climbed into the passenger seat, and the familiar scent of his cologne brought a shiver she quickly tried to mask. She glanced out the window as he started the engine. The car felt smaller than usual, the space between them charged with something neither of them had named.

Travis spoke first, keeping his tone light and professional.

“How was the flight?”

“Fine… smooth. Thank you for coming to get me,” said Katie.

They exchanged a quiet look, both aware that the easy familiarity between them had shifted slightly. They had always been close, comfortable, teasing, but today there was a subtle tension. A sense that what had happened, or at least what they’d done in secret, had added a new layer.

Neither spoke about it, and neither had to. The car hummed quietly as they drove toward home. It was a long ride, full of small talk and shared smiles, and yet every glance, every casual brush of her hand on the console, carried a hidden weight.

Katie pressed her hand to her lap, heart still fluttering. This wasn’t awkward, exactly. But it was new. Tentative. Charged. Both of them were walking on a line they hadn’t realized existed. A line that had shifted overnight, and neither knew exactly where it led.

The car pulled into the driveway, and Katie’s heart lifted at the sight of her childhood home, decked out in twinkling Christmas lights. Pine-scented wreaths hung on the doors, and through the windows, she could see the soft glow of the fireplace reflecting off ornaments on the tree. Steam rose from the kitchen chimney, carrying the rich scent of roasting herbs and baked goods.

Travis parked, and together they stepped out into the crisp winter air. Katie’s cheeks were still flushed from the car ride, the anticipation, nerves, and excitement all tangled together.

Inside, the house was alive with holiday chaos and warmth. Her parents were bustling around the kitchen: her mom, Dianne, a masterful cook, had several dishes going at once, the smell of roasted vegetables and fresh bread filling the air. Mark, her dad, was perched on a stool with a glass of wine, chatting with Madison and Natalie, laughing over some shared family joke.

"Katie! Finally! Let me take your coat,” said Dianne.

Katie smiled, setting down her bag and letting her mom hug her tight. The room was a swirl of sound and scent: laughter from her sisters, the pop of a cork, the clatter of pans, and the constant hum of a holiday playlist in the background.

Travis followed behind, carrying his own jacket and a small bag of gifts. He greeted Dianne with a warm smile, quickly blending into the family energy. He caught Katie’s eye across the room, and she felt that familiar spark. The teasing, easy connection that had always been theirs.

They walked toward the kitchen together, slipping into their usual banter effortlessly.

“I’ll help. Someone has to taste-test your mom’s famous stuffing," said Travis.

“Oh, I think you’ll find that’s a full-time job. I can show you how to pace yourself," said Katie.

Their laughter blended with the rest of the room, warm and unselfconscious. While the family moved around them, chopping vegetables, pouring wine, and swapping stories, Katie and Travis fell naturally into their rhythm of teasing, joking, and sharing quiet glances. Just like old times.

The room smelled like Christmas: roasted pine, cinnamon, and butter, with the soft glow of candlelight reflecting in everyone’s eyes. Glasses clinked, plates were filled, and the fire crackled. Outside, the Seattle pines stood tall and silent against a blanket of snow, completing the perfect cozy holiday tableau.

Even in the middle of the family hubbub, Travis and Katie found little moments just for themselves. An elbow bump here, a quick smile there, that kept their familiar connection alive amid the cheerful chaos.

Early the next morning, the house was quiet except for the faint hum of the heating and the occasional pop from the fireplace. Outside, Seattle was gray and rainy, the clouds hanging heavy over the pine trees, streets slick with winter drizzle. It was the kind of cold, damp morning that made the inside of the house feel impossibly warm and inviting.

Most of the family had already departed, bustling about with last-minute errands. Madison and Alexa had gone to drop off cookies to neighbors, Natalie was running last-minute gifts to friends across town, and Dianne and Mark had a long list of deliveries and errands of their own. The house felt empty, in the most peaceful sense.

Travis, assuming the day would be quiet, had settled into the living room with a mug of coffee, stretching out on the couch with a soft throw over his legs. He’d planned a slow morning: just the fire, the tree lights, and a little bit of holiday music. He didn’t notice that someone else had stayed behind.

Katie appeared quietly, stepping into the living room. The roaring fire cast a golden glow across her face, the tree sparkling behind her with its ornaments and presents neatly stacked beneath. The rain tapped softly against the windows, a gentle Seattle rhythm that made the room feel snug and intimate.

She paused for a moment, taking in the scene: the warm light, the scent of pine and baking lingering from the previous evening, and the rare quiet that made everything feel suspended in time.

The house was empty, cozy, and safe. And for the first time that weekend, she realized she wasn’t alone, though Travis hadn’t noticed her enter yet.

Travis was sprawled across the couch, mug of coffee in hand, enjoying the rare quiet. He didn’t hear her come in at first.

“Morning,” Katie said softly, stepping into the room.

Travis jumped slightly, almost spilling his coffee. “Oh! You’re… here.” His voice was a mix of surprise and amusement. “I didn’t realize you stayed behind.”

Katie smiled, letting the warmth of the fire reflect in her turquoise-rimmed glasses. Strands of hair had escaped her messy bun, framing her face softly. She was relaxed. Sweats and a loose shirt, no bra underneath, cozy in a way that made the casual look feel effortless.

“I stayed. Everyone had errands, so I figured… why not enjoy the quiet?” she said, her voice teasing slightly. Then, after a pause, she added, “About that picture I sent…”

Travis cleared his throat, trying to act nonchalant, but even the thought of it made his blood rush. “Ah… yeah. No big deal,” he said, setting down his coffee and leaning back. “Really.”

Katie tilted her head, a small grin tugging at her lips, cheeks faintly pink. “I was just… curious. Thinking about what you thought of it.”

Travis looked at her, trying to keep his tone casual, but the heat in his chest betrayed him. “Katie… you looked amazing. Seriously. Even like this,” he said, gesturing subtly to her relaxed outfit and messy bun. “You always look amazing, even when you’re just… cozy.”

Katie’s grin widened, her own cheeks warming further. She sank onto the arm of the couch, a little closer than necessary, the soft hum of the fireplace filling the quiet spaces between them.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, comfortable yet charged, the cozy living room wrapping around them like a private bubble in the middle of a bustling holiday weekend.

Katie leaned back on the arm of the couch, smirking. “You’re still thinking about the picture, aren’t you?”

Travis laughed, trying to play it off, but his cheeks went pink. “Okay… maybe a little,” he admitted, grinning. “It was… impressive. You looked really good. Like, really confident.”

Katie raised an eyebrow, teasing. “Confident, huh? Or maybe a little reckless?”

“Both,” Travis shot back immediately, his tone light but warm. “You’ve always had this… energy about you. It just… caught me off guard.”

Katie’s lips curved into a playful grin. “Caught you off guard, huh? You mean, made you think a lot about me?”

Travis leaned back, pretending to be casual but failing spectacularly. “Yeah. Definitely made me think.”

Katie laughed softly, tilting her head. “Good. Because I’ll admit… I was thinking about what you might have thought. It was… kind of thrilling.”

Travis looked at her, eyes widening slightly at her boldness. “Kind of thrilling, huh?”

“Mm-hmm,” Katie said, playful but confident. “You weren’t the only one curious.”

Katie shifted, standing in front of the fireplace. The firelight flickered across her face, the warm glow of the fire painting her face in gold and amber. Her messy bun had loosened, strands falling around her cheeks, and her turquoise-rimmed glasses reflected the flickering flames.

She shifted slightly, a playful smirk on her lips. She let her shirt hang loose over her body, just enough to accentuate the cozy, casual look she’d put together.

“I’m wearing those panties right now,” she said softly, teasing, her voice carrying just enough boldness to make him notice. “Makes me wonder… do they look better in person?”

Before Travis could respond, she stepped confidently forward. In one fluid motion, she dropped her sweats, letting them pool at her feet.

The firelight glimmered across her skin, highlighting the bright pink lace she’d worn under her clothes. She turned slightly, giving him a glimpse of her curves, letting the glow of the fire frame her small, tight figure.

Travis’s eyes widened, and for a moment, words caught in his throat. He tried to play it casual, but the flush on his cheeks betrayed him.

“You… really do know how to make an entrance,” he said, forcing a laugh.

Katie’s grin deepened, cheeks warming.

“I was curious,” she admitted, tilting her head, “about what you’d think… seeing them in person.”

The room was quiet except for the soft crackle of the fireplace and the muted patter of rain against the windows. The tension between them hummed, electric but unspoken, the cozy holiday setting contrasting with the boldness of her presence.

Travis managed to smile, his voice low but sincere. “Katie… you look amazing.”

Katie laughed softly, feeling the familiar thrill of their connection. The firelight, the quiet room, and the shared glances created a space charged with possibility.

This was new for Katie. She’d never been so confident, so bold. She was fully stepping into her power, embracing her sexual goddess energy.

She could see Travis’s reaction. The flush in his cheeks, the tautness of his sweats, the undeniable heat in his gaze.

“Katie,” he said, voice low, “I was so turned on by that picture I… I masturbated right there to it. I hope telling you that doesn’t change our relationship.”

Katie’s cheeks flamed, but she met his gaze boldly. “Travis, I also masturbated that night after sending you the picture. I haven’t been with anyone in years, and it felt amazing to be desired.”

The tension in the room skyrocketed. Katie stepped further into the firelight, her confidence glowing, every movement deliberate. She let her shirt fall away, revealing her small, perky B-cup breasts, bathed in the warm orange glow.

Travis’s breath caught. He shifted on the couch, caught between casual composure and raw desire. He couldn’t hide how much she affected him.

He slid his sweats down to his ankles, still seated, letting her see the full effect. “See this, Katie?” he said, voice thick with emotion. “This is what you do to me.”

His cock sat against his stomach, long, hard, and throbbing.

Katie giggled softly, the thrill of it rushing through her. She stepped forward, kneeling, glasses sliding down to the tip of her nose, and reached out, feeling his pulse through the rhythm in his shaft just for her. The firelight shimmered across them, the room charged with energy, heat, and the thrill of lines crossed, desires revealed.

Katie’s hands were on him, her cool fingers wrapping around the hot, hard length of his cock. He hissed, his head falling back against the couch cushions as she stroked him, a slow, deliberate twist of her wrist that had his hips jerking forward. Her thumb swiped over the slick crown, spreading the bead of precum that had gathered there.

“Someone’s been waiting,” she purred, her voice a husky whisper that sent a shiver down his spine.

She sank to her knees on the plush rug before the fire, the firelight casting her in a warm, golden glow. She looked up at him, her eyes dark and full of a wicked hunger, before leaning in and flicking her tongue over the tip.

The wet, hot touch was a jolt straight to his system.

“Fuck, Katie,” he choked out, his hands tangling in her hair, guiding her as she took him into her mouth.

She was relentless, hollowing her cheeks, taking him deep until he felt the head of his cock brush the back of her throat. The wet, sucking sounds she made were obscene in the quiet room, the most beautiful noise he’d ever heard.

She pulled back with a wet pop, her lips glossy and swollen, a string of saliva connecting them to him.

He was done with foreplay. He hauled her up, his hands digging into her thighs as he positioned her over his lap. She straddled him, her knees sinking into the couch on either side of his hips.

He could feel the heat radiating from her, soaking through the thin lace of her thong. His fingers hooked into the delicate crotch, and with a sharp tug, he pulled the flimsy fabric to the side.

She gasped, a mix of shock and pure thrill, as the cool air hit her soaked folds. “Travis!”

“Shut up,” he snarled, though his tone was all heat.

He positioned himself at her entrance, the thick head of his cock teasing her slick opening. He wanted to savor this, the moment before the point of no return. He looked into her eyes, seeing the same desperate, reckless need mirrored back at him.

Then he slammed into her.

A cry tore from her throat, a sound of pain and overwhelming pleasure as he buried himself to the hilt in one brutal thrust. She was impossibly tight, a velvety, wet heat that gripped him like a vise.

“Oh god, you’re so big,” she whimpered, her nails raking down his chest.

“And you’re so fucking wet for me,” he growled, his hands gripping her hips, holding her still as he began to move.

He set a punishing rhythm, pistoning up into her, each thrust driving a gasp from her lips. The couch groaned under them, a rhythmic protest that matched their frantic pace. The firelight danced across their sweat-slicked skin, illuminating the raw, primal act.

“Ride me,” he commanded, slapping her ass. “Take what you want.”

That was all the encouragement she needed. She braced her hands on his shoulders and began to move, rolling her hips, grinding down on him. Her breasts bounced with the motion, the hard points of her nipples right in front of his face. He leaned forward, capturing one in his mouth, biting down gently. She cried out, her movements becoming more erratic, more desperate.

“Like that?” she panted, her head thrown back. “You like fucking your wife’s little sister in her parents’ house? You like how my tight pussy grips your cock?”

“Fuck yes,” he snarled, his fingers digging into the flesh of her ass, spreading her cheeks wider as he drove into her, hitting that spot deep inside that made her vision blur.

“You’re a dirty little slut, aren’t you? Teasing me, wanting this.”

“Only for you,” she gasped, the words tumbling out between moans. “Only ever for you.”

The coil of pleasure in her belly tightened to an unbearable point. “Travis, I’m gonna—”

“Cum for me,” he demanded, his voice a raw, guttural command. “Cum all over my cock. Now.”

The command sent her over the edge. Her orgasm ripped through her, a violent, shuddering wave that stole her breath and made her body convulse.

She cried out his name, a broken, desperate sound as her walls clamped down around him, pulsing with the force of her release.

The feeling of her coming undone on him was his undoing. With a final, brutal thrust, he buried himself deep and let go, his own orgasm barreling through him. He poured himself into her, a hot, thick flood that seemed to last forever, his whole body shaking with the force of it.

For a long moment, they were frozen, the only sounds their ragged gasps for air and the crackle of the fire. He was still inside her, softening in the aftermath, their bodies slick with sweat and the evidence of their sin. Then, from the front hallway, came the unmistakable sound of a key turning in the lock.

Katie’s eyes flew open, wide with terror. “Shit—”

Travis’s lips curled into a slow, dark smirk. He gave a final, lazy roll of his hips, making her whimper. “This isn’t over,” he murmured, his voice a low, dangerous promise. “Not by a long shot.”

The metallic click of the key in the lock was a splash of ice water on their overheated skin. Katie’s body, still humming with the violent aftershocks of her orgasm, jolted as if electrocuted. She scrambled off his lap, his softening cock slipping out of her with a wet, obscene sound that echoed in the sudden silence.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” she chanted under her breath, a frantic, whispered mantra.

She could feel the immediate, warm trickle of his cum beginning to leak down her inner thigh. Panic warred with a dark, thrilling satisfaction as she slipped the pink lace thong back in place. The lace was instantly soaked, a warm, sticky reminder of what they’d just done, pressing against her swollen, sensitive flesh.

Her movements were a blur of desperate efficiency. She yanked her grey sweatpants on, the soft fleece a stark contrast to the slick mess between her legs. Grabbing her discarded shirt, she pulled it over her head, her fingers fumbling with the hem. She shot a wild look at Travis, who was moving with an infuriatingly lazy calm, slowly pulling his pants back up.

“The dining room!” she hissed, and then she was gone, slipping through the archway just as the front door creaked open.

A blast of cold air swept into the cozy room, carrying the scent of snow and pine.

“Brrr, it’s freezing out there!” Madison’s voice, cheerful and completely oblivious, was a gunshot to Katie’s frayed nerves. “We forgot the extra cinnamon for the cider.”

Travis was leaning back against the couch cushions, an arm thrown over the back, one ankle crossed casually over his knee. He’d managed to pull his pants back on, but his shirt was still rumpled, and his hair was a mess from her fingers. He looked the picture of a man relaxing by the fire. “Rough out there, huh?” he drawled, his voice a low rumble.

“You have no idea,” Alexa said, stamping snow from her boots. She was Katie’s older sister, Madison’s best friend, and her eyes swept the room before landing on Travis. “You look cozy. Where’s Katie?”

Before he could answer, Katie re-emerged from the dining room, carrying a decorative bowl that had been sitting on the sideboard. She’d forced a bright, innocent smile onto her face, but her cheeks were flushed a deep crimson that had nothing to do with the fire. She could feel Travis’s hot cum seeping through the thin lace of her thong, a slick, shameful secret against her skin.

“Right here,” she said, her voice a little too high. “Just grabbing this bowl for… for snacks.” She set the bowl down on a side table with a small, decisive clatter, avoiding everyone’s eyes.

Alexa walked over to Travis, leaning down to give him a sweet, lingering kiss on the lips. Katie’s stomach clenched, a sick, twisting mix of guilt and a dark, possessive jealousy. She watched as Travis’s arm came around her sister’s waist, his hand resting possessively on her hip. The same hand that had been gripping Katie’s ass, bruising her flesh, moments ago.

“Good,” Alexa said, pulling away and smiling at her husband. “We’re back. Did you miss us?”

“Every second. But Katie kept me company,” Travis said, his gaze flicking over to Katie.

His eyes were dark, knowing, and held a smoldering promise that made her breath catch. A slow, wicked smirk played on his lips, a secret shared only between them, hidden in plain sight. He was still marked by her, and she was still full of him. The fire between them hadn't been extinguished; it was just banked, waiting to erupt again.