Chapter 1

I tossed my lacy thong into the laundry hamper and stepped into the bathroom.

The warm stream of water glided down my neck and skin, sending a sudden shiver through me.

After five years of marriage, the passion between Darren and me had dried up long ago.

To make matters worse, he was currently wasting away in a hospital bed, fighting a brutal battle with cancer.

Standing in front of the mirror, I studied my reflection carefully.

I had to admit, even as a married woman, I still had all the assets.

A delicate collarbone, full perky breasts, a tiny waist, and long, toned legs.

Every inch of my body radiated undeniable charm.

Back in college, I was the campus queen with guys lining up around the block just for a chance.

Yet out of all of them, I chose Darren because of his athletic build and that bright, sunny smile.

Now, he was reduced to skin and bones, a sight that filled me with dread.

Why did fate have to ruin our good life with such a cruel disease?

I hadn't even had the chance to enjoy my prime, and now I was basically sentenced to living like a widow.

1.

I rinsed off quickly and wrapped a bath towel snugly around my curves.

When I turned back to wash my underwear, I froze.

My black lace thong was gone from the dirty laundry basket.

This was the third pair of panties that had vanished this month!

Aside from my mother-in-law and me, the only other people staying here were Darren's distant cousins, Austin and Silas.

They had both come to town to help run Darren's shop.

Each of them was built like a tank, looking rugged and honest, and every time they purred "sister-in-law," my heart fluttered.

Could it be one of them...?

Heat instantly rushed to my cheeks, and my heart began hammering against my ribs.

The thought that they might have stolen my panties―and what they were doing with them―filled me with disgust.

Yet underneath the shock, a dirty, illicit thrill sparked inside me.

I vigorously rubbed my wet hair with a towel, my pulse racing out of control.

Just then, Silas strolled down the hallway wearing nothing but a pair of loose gray boxer briefs.

I pretended not to look, but my peripheral vision betrayed me.

Sweet Jesus.

He looked lean in clothes, but stripped down, the heavy bulge in his shorts was unmistakable!

The thin cotton could barely contain him, making my throat go completely dry.

"Finished your shower, sister-in-law?" he asked with a wide, wicked grin, flashing bright white teeth.

I was only twenty-five, so hearing him call me "sister-in-law" in that sultry tone felt strange, but I couldn't say anything.

"Yeah," I murmured, avoiding his gaze. "You should wash up too. You smell like sweat."

"Can't help it, it's hot outside," he chuckled, running a hand through his damp hair.

His eyes greedily roamed up and down my towel-clad figure.

"You've got an amazing body, sister-in-law. Not like my other sister-in-law, who looks like a soggy water barrel."

A wave of vanity washed over me, though I put on a scandalized pout.

"Watch your mouth, boy! What are you blabbing about?"

As I scolded him, I couldn't stop myself from drinking in his frame.

He had just finished working, and beads of sweat glistened along the cut lines of his muscular arms.

Lower down, his abs were hard and defined, tapering into a waist built to drive a woman wild in bed...

I snapped myself out of the filthy fantasy, my cheeks blazing hot.

"Just get in the shower," I stammered, terrified of lingering any longer.

I bolted back to my bedroom like a frightened rabbit.

Throwing myself onto the mattress, my chest heaved.

The image of Silas's ripped body kept replaying in my mind on an endless loop.

It felt like I was possessed, and I couldn't stop thinking about him.