FLIRT

AUTHOR'S POV

Skye was seated early today.

And for once, she didn't fall.

As usual, she sat beside her mother and opposite Lynn.

Mr. Blackwood cleared his throat. "I hope you're all enjoying your meal," he said in his crooked, calm voice.

Catherine grinned. Skye's face softened as she nodded lightly.

Her eyes drifted from her plate to Lynn-and she caught him staring.

She held the gaze, waiting for him to look away first.

He didn't.

Instead, his lips curved faintly as he lifted his glass. His eyes never left hers as he swallowed slowly, unhurried, like he had all the time in the world.

For Mr. Blackwood and Catherine, it was just another quiet family breakfast.

For Lynn and Skye, the air between them held too many unsaid things.

He brought his spoon to his lips with deliberate slowness. The movement made her skin prickle, a little too close to the memory of his hand sliding across her belly the night before.

Skye noticed the faint smear of cream on his lower lip.

She hesitated... then leaned in slightly and lifted a finger toward him.

"You have cream on your lip," she said softly, passing him a napkin.

His eyes stayed on her.

"Ah... no," Lynn murmured instead, gently nudging her hand aside with his fingers.

The contact sent a quiet shiver through her and her eyes widened.

His tongue slid slowly across his bottom lip, wiping the cream away on purpose. When he looked back at her, his green eyes were darker.

He's doing this on purpose, Skye thought, biting her lip. Why can't I stop looking?

Catherine smiled at them. "Skye is such a sweetheart, isn't she?" she said, turning to Mr. Blackwood.

He nodded absently and continued eating.

"I need some cherries," Lynn said casually, stretching his hand toward Skye.

She didn't answer-only lifted the bowl and passed it to him.

Their hands met beneath it.

His fingers closed under her palm, enclosing it for a brief second.

Skye gasped softly and pulled her hand away before the bowl could slip, the back of her fingers brushing his skin in the process.

Her eyes flew to him but his gaze was fixed on the cherries.

He picked one and dipped it into the cream again. Then, slowly, he brought it to his mouth with his eyes lifting back to her as he bit into it, juice spilling slightly as he sucked the sweetness free.

Skye stayed frozen, watching.

He licked the corner of his lip lazily with his thumb.

Then he reached for the honey pot, scooped a slow, careful stream onto a plate. His movements were controlled, unhurried, and intimate.

He dipped his index and middle fingers into the honey and lifted them.

The golden liquid slid down his skin.

And his eyes met hers again as she swallowed food she hadn't properly chewed.

Without breaking eye contact, he drew his fingers into his mouth and licked them clean.

"...This tastes really good," he murmured, his gaze dropping briefly to her chest.

Skye was wearing a red, V-neck cotton dress that exposed her cleavage even when she tried to sit modestly.

"Ah!" Catherine clasped her hands brightly. "I'm so glad you like it!"

Skye pressed her lips together, restless. Her mother was right beside her-she feared her uneasiness being noticed

"I hope these buns are just as..." Lynn paused, "...tasty as they look," he said, licking his lips again.

He pressed the bread between his fingers.

"Is yours still warm?" he added in a low voice.

Skye froze.

"Huh?"

She couldn't tell if he meant the bread-or her.

"N-no," she whispered.

Her throat went dry. She tried to look away, but his gaze held her in place.

He tore off a small piece and held it out to her.

Skye shook her head quickly. "No," she murmured.

"Skye," Catherine called lightly with a laugh, "it's just bread."

With a quiet sigh, Skye leaned forward.

She tried to bite-but Lynn brushed the bread against her lips first, teasing her.

Her body locked.

If she turned even slightly, she'd meet her stepfather's eyes-and Lynn knew it.

He held the bread there, waiting.

Her heart raced as she finally took a bite.

He didn't pull away immediately. His gaze held hers until she swallowed.

When he finally withdrew his hand, his smile was calm... satisfied.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

Skye's lips curved in slow realization.

If he can play... so can I.

She slid her right foot from her soft footwear beneath the table, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"Just wait," she thought.

Lynn traced his thumb along the rim of his cup. He wasn't eating anymore nor drinking or speaking.

Just watching her.

She forced herself to sit back and look calm. The bread was just bread. The honey was just honey.

But her body refused to believe that.

He leaned back as well, a faint knowing smile still on his face.

"You always eat this much cream?" Skye asked lightly.

"It's a phase," Lynn replied smoothly. "I like things that melt slowly."

"Sweet things."

Catherine smiled warmly, missing the tension entirely. "It's good to see you two getting along."

Mr. Blackwood grunted. "Less talking, more eating. Breakfast isn't a theatre."

Lynn's gaze flicked back to Skye.

"He's right," he said softly. "We shouldn't... make a scene."

Her spoon paused mid-air.

"Oh," she breathed. "It's not my fault you have strange eating habits."

Lynn lifted the bread with both hands.

"Little Miss Atmosphere... you don't tell me how to eat. Or... WHAT to eat."

There was a small silent pause, "Or where to eat?"

Mr. Blackwood sighed.

Catherine laughed lightly.

Skye lowered her gaze, her cheeks warming up.

"Where to eat," she whispered to herself.

Her skin flushed brighter.

She glanced back up at Lynn-this time without shyness. The boldness in her eyes made him pause.

Then her foot moved.

Her red-polished toes brushed against his crotch beneath the table.

Lynn's breath caught. His hands tightened on the edge of the table as his head snapped up.

He shot her a warning look.

She only acted innocent, cutting a slice of hot dog and sliding it slowly into her mouth, mirroring his earlier movements while her foot worked underneath the table.

His jaw flexed.

Mr. Blackwood pushed back his chair and stood.

Lynn exhaled sharply in restraint.

But Skye didn't stop.

Her foot shifted again, pressing lightly through the fabric of his sweatpants, teasing just enough to make him tense.

"I hope you all enjoy your day," Mr. Blackwood said, beginning to walk toward the hallway.

Lynn held still perfectly still as his cock was beginning to respond to her.