Modesty

Jeremy's fingers moved before anyone could react—a quick, deliberate flick against Mom’s exposed nipple through the thin fabric. The sharp motion made her gasp, her back arching slightly as her eyes flew wide. "Wha—?" she stammered, but Jeremy was already adjusting her dress straps with a firm tug, his other hand pressing the neckline up until not a sliver of cleavage remained.

"Rule one," he murmured, his voice low and commanding. "From now on, nothing shows except your face when Lachlan is present." His thumb brushed over the fabric where he’d just flicked her, his dark eyes locked onto her stunned expression. "Understood?"

Mom blinked rapidly, her pink lips parted in that vacant, doll-like expression she got whenever someone spoke too fast. "But... Jeremy, honey," she murmured, fingers fluttering nervously at the newly adjusted neckline of her dress, "it's so *hot* today." The whine in her voice was almost childlike—the same tone she used when the WiFi went out during her soap operas.

Jeremy relented, "Fine. Then you must stay in your bedroom bare your skin as you please. I am the only man permitted in that room, understood?" His fingers tightened around her wrist possessively, his thumb brushing slow circles against her pulse point. Mom nodded absently, her lips curving into that vacant smile as she adjusted the dress strap again—this time deliberately pulling it lower until it slipped off her shoulder entirely. "Okay! But only if you promise to bring me ice cream when I sunbathe."

Felix choked on his drink beside me while Tom let out a strangled noise that sounded suspiciously like a suppressed moan. Jeremy's gaze darkened, his grip tightening imperceptibly on Mom's wrist before he **** a smooth smile. "Of course," he murmured, his voice dripping with false sweetness. "Vanilla, just like your—" His eyes flicked downward meaningfully, and I saw the moment Mom's nipple stiffened against the thin fabric as if responding to his unspoken suggestion.