TOUCH .

Why you gon do like that

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✨✨✨✨✨MAYA'S POV ✨✨

This chapter got that guudguud. 😏

I woke up at 8 since I had a class at noon sharp and didn't want to risk being late. I figured I'd wake up a bit earlier since I was going to curl my hair just a little. I had these heat-resistant braids-and my gawd, they came in handy.

I shuffled to the shower after setting up a playlist-something upbeat but smooth-because I knew I'd take my time today. I was doing my full-body shaving routine. Personally, I believed the only place anyone should have hair is their head. But today was extra special because I wanted to try my new glitter and seduction body scrub.

The smell was divine, like something that could make your brain short-circuit. A brainy orgasm, if you had the imagination for it.

And speaking of imagination, why does Raveen act the way she does? She's always teasing me, always trying to get under my skin-and it's like she knows exactly how paralyzed I get when she locks eyes with me.

Especially since that time she whispered in my ear.

I swear, I've been craving that feeling ever since. That brush of danger when the hairs on your neck stand up. When your breathing slows, turns shallow, until your breaths feel like echoes bouncing inside you. And then her warm breath, soft and slow, brushing over your skin. Her lips barely grazing those tiny, sensitive neck hairs...

Everything freezes in that moment. The world vanishes. All you can hear is her voice.

Shit.

I shook myself out of the thought, realizing how deep I'd gone. Raveen is too much, I told myself. I prayed she never found out how weak I got around her. I wasn't about to lose my scholarship over her.

With a sigh, I turned off the water. These shower thoughts were getting ridiculous.

Once I was out, I smelled like the next Marilyn Monroe scandal. I patted myself dry and rummaged through my wardrobe, trying to figure out what to wear. Today, I was feeling a little edgy, a little vintage. My first pick was one of my big brother's shirts-oversized and comfy. He was never home anyway, so why not?

But then I thought: Why play it safe?

I pulled out a low-V cleavage summer dress instead. The kind that turned heads. I paired it with a drop-pin chain necklace that dangled perfectly in the middle of the V. My rings, knee-high black bow fishnets, and my favorite Mary Jane platforms tied the look together. For makeup, I went with puppy-dog eyeliner, a soft lip combo topped with shiny gloss, and a whisper of pink glitter highlighter on my cheeks and nose bridge. Short earrings finished the look.

It was risky, but what was one day of testing the waters going to hurt?

Downstairs, I found sticky notes scattered across the counter from my mom-well, my stepmom, but she felt more like a goofy older sister.

"Hey huummmaannn, I made your favorite cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip muffins. Don't forget your grapes in the fridge. Also, here's some money for snacks. Love, your huummaann mother."

I chuckled and peeled off the note, only to find another one underneath:

"MAYA, PLEASE MAKE ME BREAKFAST FOR DINNER. I MISS YOUR PANCAKES. I'll bribe you by letting you bring one friend over. Think of the bribe. Love, your favorite mom. PS: You can use my car-I took the other one."

God, this woman. I laughed out loud, shaking my head.

After packing my snacks and filling Salem's water and food bowls, I grabbed the keys to the blue Juke. Honestly, I thought Jukes looked like baby spiders with all those headlights, but I wasn't going to complain about free transportation.