When we got back to the house, I headed for my room, thinking I had better keep out of sight. There was no persuading Cassandra. She had a thick head, and I didn’t feel like wasting my time.

So I collapsed onto the mattress and closed my eyes. I didn’t even think of escape. What was the point?

As I lay there, all I could think about was the way her lips had felt on mine. It had been the feeling of perfection. Liquid silk. The best dope on the market.

I wanted more. Much more.

But fat chance of that happening.

She’d stubbornly try to hate me, even as our attraction became harder and harder to ignore. Honestly, I didn’t know how I was managing to keep my desire in check. Every time I saw her, all I wanted to do was pounce – to pin her against a wall, take command of her body, and make her moan my name.

Just before my thoughts could take an even naughtier turn, I heard soft footsteps against the hardwood. Looking up, I saw Kimmy standing beside my bed, an expectant look on her face. “Are you busy?” she asked.

“No, why?”

“Do you want to help us make dinner?” There was an excited inflection in her tone as she rocked on her feet. “Pretty please?”

I chuckled. “Are you sure your mom would be okay with that?”

She tilted her head, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Huh?”

“Never mind.”

She frowned. “So, you’re not coming?”

“No, no, I am.”

“Yippee!” She giggled with glee, grabbing my hand and tugging me out of bed. “This is going to be so much fun!”

I followed her into the kitchen, where Cassandra was chopping some onions, tears rolling down her cheeks.

She looked at me, her eyes narrowing, and pressed her lips together.

“Hey, she’s the one who invited me.” I held up my hands in innocence. “So don’t get mad at me.”

“He can help us, can’t he, mommy?”

Cassandra hesitated before she eventually nodded. “Yeah.”

“Goodie.” Kimmy pulled me to the table. “We are making my favorite!”

“What’s your favorite?” I asked her. There were so many ingredients splayed out in front of us that I didn’t quite know what to make of them. I had never been much of a cook. Honestly, I didn’t know my way around a kitchen. Who was I kidding?

“Lasagna,” she said with a smile.

“Wait… Do you put onions in lasagna? Since when?”

“They’re for the red sauce,” Cassandra explained as if I were an idiot.

“Oh, alright. So, what do you want me to do?” I was a little hesitant to ask, knowing that I would no doubt make a total fool of myself.

But, to my surprise, it was a rather smooth operation. Once we got into a rhythm, we kept a tempo in the kitchen, dancing around one another as Kimmy fluttered along the perimeter, handing over ingredients or giving her “professional” opinion.

Soon, I found myself having fun. Somehow, I was actually enjoying the experience. Sure, I was a little awkward at first, but I soon got the hang of it. Besides, lasagna wasn’t all that hard – thankfully.

By the time we settled around the table, I was proud of my contribution to the meal.

“Mmm, yummy.” Kimmy smiled.

“What did I tell you about talking with your mouth open?” Cassandra chided.

“Sorry, Mommy,” she whispered, bowing her head before she continued to shove food into her mouth.

I chuckled. This kid had quite the personality. I liked it.

“Thanks for helping,” Cassandra said, much to my surprise.

I looked at her, thinking for a moment that I had misheard her. “What?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“Did you just thank me for something?”

“Yes,” she answered, slipping her fork between her lips.

“You’re doing that on purpose,” I accused.

“Doing what?”

“Teasing me.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She feigned innocence, once again bringing the fork to her lips and wrapping them sensually around the tongs. Oh yeah, she was definitely teasing me. I could even see the naughty little glint in her eyes.

Kimmy looked at us, confused.

“Why don’t you go get ready for bed, Kimmy?”

“But…”

“Kimmy.”

She frowned but eventually scurried off.

“What was all that about?” I asked.

“I don’t know what you mean.” She smirked.

“I don’t get you. One second, you hate me. The next, you taunt me with bedroom eyes.”

Her smirk just deepened as she cleared the table, placing the dirty dishes in the sink. “You’re delusional.”

Before I could say anything, she left to check on Kimmy.

I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to make sense of it all. Why were all women so damn confusing? Everything had to be some sort of game where the man could never win. Figuring I was better off staying out of it, I started washing the dishes.

By the time she returned, I had finished placing the last plate on the dish rack.

“You didn’t need to do that.”

“Figured I’d try to get some bonus points with you.”

She laughed. “Ah, so that’s what it is. Thanks, anyway.”

“Seriously, what are you up to?” I asked, but again, she avoided the question. This time, she walked past me, her hips swaying from side to side. I groaned under my breath, wanting to feel that ass between my fingers, to pull her close and never let her go. If she kept up all this teasing, she would soon regret it.

“Would you like to join us for some TV?”

“Huh?”

“Kimmy and I are going to watch TV. She’s probably going to ask you to join us anyway.”

Shrugging, I followed her into the living room. There, the three of us settled onto the couch. Kimmy was comfortably nuzzled between us, happily watching her favorite cartoon series.

As I sat there, all I could focus on was Cassandra’s weird shift in attitude. What had happened? What had caused this change? Or was she simply toying with me?

I didn’t know, and it was killing me inside. Subtly, I glanced over at her, only to find her glancing at me.

Our eyes locked. The air between us electrified. Desire intensified.

There was no denying it.

The attraction was there.