I discreetly got up and entered the bathroom, turning on the shower, and warm water cascaded over me.

I opened my eyes and saw myself in the mirror—my swelling buds, proof of my desires. However, I suddenly noticed him standing behind me.

Joe!

I smiled, but I didn't look back.

"What are you doing here?"

He moved closer and closed the door behind him. "The door is open when you take a shower. Are you not afraid of us?"

He wiped my damp hair off my back with his fingertips while his soothing breath touched my skin.

I laughed. "Why should I be?"

He taunted, "Aren't you scared of our bites?"

I nodded and bit my lip. "I like them."

I felt his hands slide to my waist and draw me in.

"Ivy," he said as he encircled me.

I let out a breath.

"What is it?"

"I love you," Joe murmured.

"As if I didn't know that," I laughed.

He tightened his hold and sighed.

"I'm serious. I don't want you to act in this way."

I turned to him and frowned.

"Like this?" I reached for a towel and tried to dry it off, but Joe quickly took it away.

"Can’t you understand what I’m saying?" His voice was fraught with frustration.

"It's not possible, Joe," I sighed.

"Why not?" he insisted, clutching my waist.

"Don’t play with my feelings, Ivy."

I met his eyes, my hands gripping his cheeks.

"I do love you, Joe. If not, you are free to depart. I had no intention of playing with your emotions."

He said nothing.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "But please understand—I can’t offer you anything more."

"So, this is just friends with benefits?" he said coldly.

"Call it what you want," I answered.

Joe took a deep breath. "And if you meet someone else?"

"Please, Joe. You are the one who knows me the most." I smirked as I stroked his lips.

"Ivy…" he began, but I put my finger to his lips, stopping him.

I caressed his delicate lips with my thumb and said, "I only believe this. This is just what I desire."

I reached in and kissed him; our lips pressed against each other. His fingertips moved down and around my delicate skin. I whimpered into his mouth, pulling his hair to intensify our kiss.

Then… Bang! Bang! There was a loud knock on the door.

Joe's face darkened suddenly as he interrupted the kiss. He reached for a towel, wrapped it around me, and opened the door.

I knew who was standing there.

Liam!

I walked by Joe and gave him an affectionate greeting.

"Good morning, honey."

Liam did not answer. Rather, he pulled me from behind, his breath warm on my ear.

"Why did you leave me?" He spoke in a husky, lustful voice.

I looked at Joe, who was drying his hair while ignoring us.

Liam's fingers played with my towel's edge.

"Why are you hiding at all? You look great without it," he said.

"I know. But I can't really go home nude, can I?"

He furrowed his brow. "Home? You're going to leave?"

I nodded.

"Yes. Mom told me last night that I needed to be home early today. We have a special guest visiting."

Liam scowled.

"So, you’re choosing that over this?"

I made a face.

"Honestly, I don't give a shit about some visitors. But if I don't show up, Mom will freak out. Furthermore, I'm not in the mood to listen to another lecture."

Liam let out a loud sigh.

"All right. But you still owe me something."

I moved forward and gave his jaw a long, passionate kiss.

"I always pay my debts, babe."

With a grunt, he clutched my waist. "Then come back soon."

In the car, the stillness between Joe and me was profound. I knew Joe was upset, so I broke the silence.

"You should’ve gone to college," I said.

"No, you're more important than the class," he said without hesitation.

I chuckled.

"How sweet!"

"Are you mad at me, Joe?" I asked quietly.

A little grin curved his lips. "How could I ever be mad at you?"

I smiled as I looked out the window at the countryside that was fading away from us.

When we arrived, I undid my seat belt. I put my palm over his and whispered, "Thanks, honey."

Joe grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips for a long, passionate kiss. "Call me when you’re free."

"Okay," I got out of the car after saying that.

I was about to turn to face the house when I heard a voice.

"You’re clingy with him."

"You jerk, Jack! You frightened me," I said as I widened my eyes.

Jack folded his arms. "Well, you scared me—seeing you all over Joe."

I scowled. "Don’t tell Mom."

"Mom is quite busy. Perhaps she forgot about you," Jack remarked nonchalantly.

"What?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, she's tied up with a guest," he said.

"A guest? So, are they here already?" I asked.

Jack clarified, "Not them—just him."

I frowned. "Him?"

"Yeah, Dad said he's our uncle." Jack's comments shot a shock through me.

Uncle? My heart was racing. Dad doesn't have a brother.

Jack waved his hand in front of my face. "Hey, are you okay?"

I didn't answer. I was aware of who was inside.

I entered slowly, my heart beating frantically. My parents were sitting there, talking to a person.

I could only see his broad back, not his face.

Dad smiled as he turned to face me. "You're right here, my love. Look, who's here!"

I moved in closer, trying not to stare at that person.

Then he said something.

"Ivy!"

That voice.

I felt a chill go through me. I gasped as the realization hit me hard. I was aware.

I forced myself to glance up at him at last.

My entire world froze as we locked eyes.

His sharp eyes were fixed on me, unblinking, inscrutable. My heart pounded violently against my ribs as my chest constricted.

I pushed my lips together, trying to make a logical thought. My head was filled with unanswered questions.

"Do you remember him, baby?" Dad asked, unaware of the tempest brewing inside me.

I took a deep breath.

"U-uncle," I said in a whisper, scarcely able to nod.

How could I possibly forget him?

That man... the one I used to love.

I pushed myself to stop thinking.

I don't wish to recall.

Still, I kept looking at him.

Aaron, my so-called uncle, appeared even more attractive now.

More elegant.

More dashing.

Furthermore, I felt embarrassed when his sharp eyes locked with mine. Does he still recall everything that I did?

"Ivy, Aaron will be staying with us," Mom nonchalantly stated.

I made an effort to smile, but my heart was beating fast against my chest.

Is he planning to stay here?

Like before?

How could I be expected to see him every day?