My Neighbor’s Forbidden Taste​

On my 18th birthday, my best friend Sophia gave me an adult toy as a gift.

That night, when my parents weren’t home, I sneaked into my bedroom, eager to take a peek at it.

But just as I was about to unwrap it, Ethan pushed the door open without warning.

Startled, my entire body went weak. I panicked and dropped it on the floor.

Under his stunned gaze, I yanked the fleece blanket over my head, hiding my burning face.

"Ethan! Why didn’t you knock?"

"There’s a fire downstairs! Don’t be scared—I’ll carry you out!"

A… fire?

Everything was fine just a moment ago. How did it suddenly happen?

Only then did I catch the sharp scent of smoke. "W-Wait, let me get dressed!"

Ethan didn’t hesitate. He rushed in, wrapped me tightly in the blanket, and scooped me into his arms. "No time. Let’s go!"

Mortified, I kicked my legs helplessly until his palm landed firmly on my backside. "Stop squirming!"

I froze instantly, letting him carry me out of the room.

This was all Sophia’s fault. Why did she have to give me that as a gift? Now I’d embarrassed myself in front of Ethan!

Even after he settled me into the passenger seat in the underground garage, I couldn’t lift my head from sheer shame.

When he slid into the driver’s seat and shut the door, the confined space suddenly filled with a strange, charged tension.

Ethan was my older neighbor—the guy I’d had a crush on since childhood.

With my parents away, he was supposed to look after me. I’d planned to flirt with him and maybe even confess my feelings.

Instead, he’d witnessed the most humiliating moment of my life.

Fidgeting with the blanket, I whispered, "Ethan… do you think less of me now?"

He ruffled my hair, his gaze lingering—intentionally or not—on the parts of me the blanket didn’t cover. "Silly girl. Everyone has desires. Even I do stupid things sometimes."