Chapter 1

My eyes snapped open, my chest heaving as if I had just been pulled from deep water.

The hand in my dream―the hand roaming over my body―felt so real that my scalp tingled.

Wait, this wasn’t a dream!

“Mmh…” A soft gasp slipped past my lips.

A hand, a man’s rough hand, was wandering boldly across my bare skin.

My body instinctively tried to pull back, but I was firmly pinned down.

His fingers were calloused and strong, carrying a strange scent, yet making me feel bizarrely secure.

He was skilled, definitely no amateur. Every stroke ignited tiny sparks of fire beneath my skin.

Dazed, I blinked open my eyes, only to see a tall, dark silhouette looming over me.

The overwhelming wave of masculine heat made my brain freeze for a few seconds.

1.

“Who are you…?” Before I could see clearly, a heavy, calloused hand clamped over my mouth.

“Maya, don’t scream. It’s me. I walked into the wrong room.”

That deep, raspy voice… A violent shiver ran down my spine, and I woke up completely.

In the dim light, I recognized the man in front of me―Zack, my best friend Lexi’s boyfriend!

He was wearing a black ribbed tank top that showed off his thick, muscular build. His damn scent made my heart race uncontrollably.

I shoved him off with all my strength and scrambled to pull the blanket over myself.

“W-What are you doing in here? The wrong room? You…” My mind was a complete mess, words failing me.

Zack scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, his eyes darting around.

“I… I got up to use the bathroom and was half-asleep. I walked into the wrong door. I’m so sorry, Maya. I swear I didn’t mean to.”

As he spoke, his gaze drifted downward, lingering on my body.

Only then did I realize I was wearing just a thin nightgown that left nothing of my curves to the imagination.

Humiliation and fury flared up inside me. I grabbed my pillow and hurled it at him. “Get out! Get the fuck out!”

Zack dodged in a panic, apologizing over and over. “Okay, okay, I’m going. Please don’t be mad, it’s all my fault.”

He scrambled out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him. I slumped against the headboard, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

Was I supposed to believe his bullshit excuse?

But…

Why did his eyes look so hungry just now?

My name is Maya Brooks. Lexi and I had been best friends since high school.

After messing up our final exams, we ended up moving out of state together to work at an electronics plant.

To save on rent, Lexi and I shared a two-bedroom apartment.

Her new boyfriend had recently moved in with us.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine Zack would pull something like this.

Thinking about it, my cheeks burned with intense heat.

The memory of his calloused fingers grazing my skin sent a warm ache between my thighs.

Honestly, his touch had been incredible, relaxing every tense nerve in my body.

I couldn’t help but think that Lexi was eating good. With moves like that, she had to be getting rocked every single night.

I shook my head violently, trying to banish those dirty thoughts.

Thinking about how I had been without a man for nearly three years only made me more frustrated.

Feeling sticky and restless, I decided to take a hot shower before trying to sleep again.

Hot water poured from the showerhead, cascading down my body.

Steam filled the bathroom, fogging up the mirror where my silhouette reflected back at me―pale, smooth skin and pronounced, luscious curves.

My body was fuller and more mature than most women who had already given birth. I couldn’t help feeling a flicker of pride.

Too bad nobody was around to appreciate it.

I let out a soft sigh. When was this lonely drought ever going to end?

An overwhelming emptiness swelled in my chest.

Just then, a strange sound drifted in from the living room, sounding like…