She sets up her own profile

The banana peel crumpled in my fist. Bella’s laugh rang out—too sharp, too loud—as she tapped another message. I exhaled slowly, went to the website on my own phone and clicked *Create New Account*. The username field blinked mockingly. My nails drummed against the counter before typing: *TeachMeTonight*. Age: 18. Location: Newcastle. The profile photo came easier—a cropped shot from last summer’s beach trip, just my collarbones and the swell of cleavage under damp bikini strings. No face. Just enough to make his breath hitch when he saw it.

Bella’s chair scraped back. “Gavin’s being a dick about the cinema,” she muttered, shuffling toward the hallway with her phone clutched like a grenade. “Back in ten.” The staircase groaned under her stomping footsteps. My pulse thundered in my ears as I tapped *Search Members*—SilverDaddy87’s profile loaded instantly. *Seeking Arrangement*, his bio read. *Discretion guaranteed.* My thumb hovered over *Message*, stomach twisting as last night’s whispered fantasies echoed between my ears. *Call you Daddy while you ruin me.*

The first draft was too coy: *What brings you here?* Deleted. The second too crude: *Want to see how tight I can be?* Backspace. I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood, then typed: *Tell me your darkest fantasy.* Sent before I could chicken out. The app’s notification chime echoed from the hallway charger—James’ tablet lighting up with my message. Footsteps approached. I slapped the tablet facedown just as he rounded the corner.

James scooped it up absently, fingers brushing the still-warm screen. His wedding ring clicked against the case. “Forgot my—” His gaze flicked to me, lingered on the banana peel shredded between my fingers. A flush crept up his neck. “Meeting notes.”

The lie curdled in the silence. He pivoted sharply, soles squeaking on tile. I counted his retreating steps—fifteen, sixteen, seventeen—until the study door clicked shut. My phone vibrated against my thigh. *SilverDaddy87 is typing...* The ellipsis pulsed like a heartbeat.