Estranged Bedfellows

Evelyn paces the living room like a caged cat, shooting worried glances at the door. Bella bounces in, greets her with a sunny hello, then stops dead when she catches the panic on Evelyn's face. Bella asks what's got her step-mom so twitchy, and Evelyn blurts out that she's scared to meet Bella's estranged step-brother Ty—he's moving in and due any minute. A knock cuts them short. They both pop up straight. Bella looks eager. Evelyn looks like she might bolt. Ty steps inside, flashes a cocky grin. Bella sprints to him, dives into a hug. He spins her around, plants her back down, and leaves a hand resting just above her ass. Bella's too giddy to notice. Evelyn clocks the touch and frowns but keeps her mouth shut. Ty's palm drifts lower, rubbing slow circles, hunger flashing across his face while his chin hides on Bella's shoulder. Evelyn's discomfort hits a new high. She clears her throat, steps forward, forces a smile. 'Hi, Ty. I'm Evelyn—your new mom.' Ty stares at her with a sly, knowing little smirk. 'Hello…Mom,' he purrs, voice dripping something dark. TITLE PLATE A week later. Ty corners Bella again, coming on stronger now that money troubles have dragged him home. Bella shifts, uneasy. Evelyn walks in, tells Bella to scram—she needs a word with her new step-son. Alone, she warns Ty to cut the crap with Bella. He laughs, reminds her of that juicy secret he’s holding, and lays out his real demand: Evelyn has to seduce Bella. Evelyn’s stomach drops, but blackmail wins. She calls Bella back in and leans in for a kiss. Bella jerks away, stunned. Ty makes Evelyn spill her secret right there. Bella looks gut-punched. Evelyn swears she still loves her. Ty folds his arms and lays down the law—fuck or the secret drops and Evelyn loses everything, Bella included. The two women trade one last miserable glance, then start stripping under Ty’s smug stare. Welcome home, indeed.