Stepsister's Curious First-Time Exploration

Mia stood in the doorway of the living room wearing nothing but an oversized t-shirt that barely reached the tops of her thighs. Her heart hammered so hard she was sure Jake could hear it from the couch where he was sprawled, controller in hand, the glow of the TV painting his bare chest in shifting blues and whites.

Their parents had left for the cabin six hours ago. The house felt enormous, hollow, and far too quiet.

“Jake,” she said, voice barely above a whisper.

He paused the game and looked over. Something in her face made his easy smile falter. “You okay?”

Mia swallowed, cheeks burning. She had rehearsed this a hundred times in her head and every version sounded ridiculous. But the ache between her legs had only grown worse all week, a constant, humiliating throb that no amount of embarrassed touching in the shower could soothe.