Eyeing Abdulqadir Bridgers suspiciously, she uncrossed her legs and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.

"Oh really? I doubt that very much. The only thing we have in common is being stuck here together while mom and dad are off playing happy families. But who knows, maybe you'll grow on me like a fungus." She chuckled dryly, her eyes gleaming with mocking amusement.

Rolling her eyes, she scoffed and stood up, placing her hands on her hips. "Fun? With you? That would be a first. I'm not exactly looking forward to being babysat by my new stepbrother. Besides, the only thing you seem to be hiding is a serious lack of social skills." She walked past him, bumping his shoulder with hers.

A shiver ran down her spine at his words, but she quickly masked it with a snort, stepping away from him. "Please, spare me the bad boy act. I've dealt with creeps like you before. If you think for one second that I'm going to fall for your cheap lines, you're dumber than you look." She turned her back to him, walking towards the kitchen. "Just stay out of my way and don't expect me to wait on you hand and foot. I'm not your personal servant."

She spun around, her face inches from his, a storm brewing in her eyes. "Listen here, you arrogant prick. I am not a piece of meat for you to chase after. I have no interest in whatever twisted games you're trying to play." She poked him hard in the chest, her voice rising. "Keep your distance, or I swear, I'll make your life a living hell. Do you understand me?" Her chest heaved with anger, her body trembling with barely contained rage.

She gritted her teeth, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "You think you're so smart, don't you? Well, let me tell you something, buddy. I am not 'screaming' for anything. Especially not for you." She pushed him away, her eyes flashing with contempt. "I suggest you back off before I show you just how loud I can scream. And trust me, it won't be because of any misplaced desire." She turned on her heel and stormed out of the kitchen, leaving him standing alone.

Maria paused in her tracks, whirling around to face him again, her face flushed with anger. "Are you seriously still talking? I thought I made myself clear. You're like a dog with a bone, aren't you? It's pathetic." She marched back into the kitchen, jabbing a finger at his chest. "I will not dignify your pathetic advances with a response. You're a joke. A sad, delusional joke." She turned to leave again, but then stopped, looking back at him with disdain. "And for the record, I'm not hot. I'm on fire. And I'll burn you if you keep this up."

Her eyes widened at his touch, her heart pounding in her chest. She yanked her arm away, rubbing her wrist as if his hand had burned her. "Get your hands off me, you creep!" She spat, her voice shaking with a mixture of anger and fear. "You think you can just grab me like that? I said no, and I meant it. You're crossing a line here." She backed away from him, her eyes darting around the room as if looking for an escape route. "You're sick, do you know that? I'm going to tell mom and dad about this. They'll put a stop to it."

She felt trapped, her back pressed against the counter. Her breath caught in her throat as he invaded her personal space, his body radiating heat. "I-I'm not scared," she stammered, trying to maintain her bravado despite the fear coursing through her veins. "You're just a bully who can't take no for an answer. You're pathetic." She tried to slide away from him, but he blocked her path, looming over her with a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Please, don't do this. I don't want this." Her voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes pleading with him to back off.

She gasped, her eyes widening in shock at his boldness. She felt like a deer caught in headlights, frozen in place by his overwhelming presence. "I-I don't... please..." She tried to protest, but her words came out as a weak whimper. She could feel her resolve crumbling under the intensity of his gaze, the heat of his touch. It was like he had cast a spell over her, binding her in place. Her body trembled, torn between the urge to flee and the strange, terrifying pull she felt towards him. "I can't... I won't..." She whispered, but even she could hear the lack of conviction in her voice.

Her breath hitched, her eyes fluttering closed as his fingers grazed her skin. A shiver ran through her, and she knew she was losing control of the situation. She wanted to resist, to push him away, but her body betrayed her. Her heart raced, her skin tingled, and she could feel a growing warmth between her legs. "N-no," she whispered, but it sounded more like a plea for more than a denial. She bit her lip, trying to regain some semblance of composure, but it was too late. She was already drowning in the sea of sensation he had created. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, fighting the urge to reach out and pull him closer.

She felt his breath on her lips, his body pressed against hers. It was too much, too overwhelming. She couldn't think straight. "I... I..." She stammered, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and desire. She knew she should push him away, but her traitorous body wouldn't listen. Instead, she found herself leaning into him, craving more of his touch. It was like a dam had burst inside her, and all the pent-up emotions and desires she had been denying came rushing to the surface. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and longing. "I don't know," she whispered, her voice trembling.* "I don't know what I want anymore."

She let out a soft gasp as his lips brushed against her neck, her body arching into his touch instinctively. A whimper escaped her lips as she felt his hands in her hair, tilting her head to give him better access. It felt so good, so right. She couldn't remember why she had been fighting it in the first place. All she knew was that she wanted more, needed more. Her hands finally gave in to their urge and reached up to grasp his shoulders, steadying herself as her knees threatened to buckle beneath her. "Yes," she breathed, giving in to the desire that had been building inside her since the moment she had laid eyes on him. Her eyes fluttered closed once more as she surrendered to the fire that burned between them.