TEMPTING COLE

Chapter 1: Hello, Stepsister.

Lila's pov.

I was already soaked when I slammed the bathroom door behind me. The fire in my chest made my skin burn hotter than the marble under my bare feet.

I yanked my panties down, pressed the buzzing head of the vibrator straight to my clit, and let the fury pour through me like gasoline. Every thrust of my hips against that relentless vibration was another curse aimed at my mother downstairs.

"Lila!" Her voice floated through the thick oak door, sweet as poisoned honey. "Lila, darling, are you in there?"

I bit my lip to keep from moaning out loud. My thighs shook. The vibrator’s highest setting was brutal, perfect and exactly what I needed to drown her out. So I ground harder, chasing the edge and refusing to answer.

"Lila, Mr. Ryder is waiting. Come down." She said in her usual rhyme.

Soon the second orgasm ripped through me. It came so fast it left my vision white. I stayed bent over the sink, panting until the buzzing finally stopped. Only then did I flush and straighten my skirt.

Outside she was waiting with that patient, camera-ready smile. Ugh. How much it always served as a pain in my ass.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I hissed, voice low so it wouldn’t carry down the grand staircase.

“Lila?”

“What?” I snapped. “Or is this the part where you want to convince me you're righteous?”

“I am your mother, young lady.”

"Yes. You are. At least, I'm not the one marrying a man I met six weeks ago because he has more money than God. You’re a gold-digger, Mom. Own it."

She totally ignored me. Fine. I promise she'll hear it more times than she can count.

Her eyes flicked to my open tote bag on the bench.

“That is none of your business.”

Before I could stop her, she reached in, pulled out the still-glistening not so little mouse, and examined it like a piece of jewelry she might return. "This is a very powerful model," she nodded, her tone laced with sarcasm.

I rolled my eyes.

"I hope you cleaned it properly. Infections are so unattractive."

“Whatever.” I snatched it back, my cheeks burning. She didn’t even blink.

Downstairs, the transformation was instant. The moment we reached the bottom step she became all soft laughter and fluttering lashes.

My new stepfather, Richard Ryder, stood by the fireplace in a charcoal suit that probably cost more than my entire college tuition. I must admit, he was very hot for his age. Broad shoulders, tattoos, probably thick cock…no wonder mom didn't think twice.

She slipped her arm through his and cooed about Vera Wang versus Elie Saab for the wedding dress.

Richard smiled at her, but his attention kept drifting toward me just long enough to make me wonder if I imagined it.

So what now?

He was flirting with her while his fingers tracing her waist.

"And what about your son, Richard?" my mother asked, her voice dripping sugar. "Will he be at the engagement dinner?"

"He should be here any minute," Richard said, checking his watch.

“You seem to like her, already. My daughter.”

“Oh, yes. Very much.”

"Already?” My mom pressed.

“Yes. Isn't she well-mannered and a great beauty like her mother?”

Throwing up looked better than watching them kiss.

I was already making my way towards the foyer when the front

doors opened. For no reason, my feet wouldn't budge as heavy footsteps crossed the marble.

A tall, sharply built guy in a black racing suit strolled in, helmet tucked under one arm, driving gloves dangling from the other.

His sweat-damp hair clung to his forehead; his jaw looked carved from the same stone as the estate itself.

Where the hell did I know him from? My knees nearly gave out, and I grabbed the console table before I embarrassed myself.

“Lila!” My mother's voice jolted me. “Are you okay?”

“Not like you care.” I muttered.

Then his eyes found mine.

Of course it was him. Cole Ryder. Campus golden boy. The Formula prodigy every girl on campus had apparently "accidentally" ended up in bed with.

My new stepbrother?

Footsteps followed and a hand rested on my back. “Are you okay?”

‘I’m fine, Sabrina.”

The sound of throat clearing caught our attention. “For the family introduction. Shall we?”

My mother flashed me her camera-smile again before stepping back to hold onto Richard.

“Babe, this is my son Cole. Cole, your new mother.”

He didn't even take a second glance at my mother when a petite maid in a short black skirt hurried forward to take his gear. Her skirt was so short my eyes unconsciously followed it only for me to grit my teeth when he smacked her ass.

I glanced at Richard as if expecting him to scold his son.

He didn't seem the least bothered. Right.

“I know Mrs. Morgan.” Cole finally spoke. “One can hardly miss social climbers.”

“Cole?” Richard cursed.

“It's alright honey.”

“Cole, I'm so happy to meet you. At last.” Sabrina replied with a giggle. “I know we will make one happy family.”

“Wouldn't we?”

"If that's all..." Cole sounded impatient as he tossed his gloves toward the maid. She scrambled to catch them with both hands, slightly bending over so her skirt went up.

"Nothing much. Do make your stepsister welcome."

My mother didn't even wait for a response before looping her arm through Richard's and turning away with him.

Cole's mouth curved into a slow, mocking smirk.

"Hello, stepsister.”