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The front door clicked shut, the sound of Nicholas’s parents' sedan fading as they pulled out of the driveway for their anniversary dinner. Ten-year-old Nicholas sat on the edge of the velvet armchair, his hands tucked under his thighs. He was at that awkward age where his limbs felt too long for his torso, and his face was perpetually stuck in a state of mild alarm.

Jenny didn’t waste a second. She kicked off her sneakers and tossed her oversized hoodie onto the bannister. Underneath, she wore a thin black tank top that left little to the imagination.

"Ugh, finally," Jenny said, reaching behind her back to fiddle with her waistband. "I thought they’d never leave. Your mom looks at me like I’m a criminal if I don’t dress like a nun."

She reached into her tote bag and pulled out a pair of black spandex shorts. Without heading to the bathroom, she stepped out of her jeans right there in the foyer, pulling the tight fabric up over her hips. The shorts were several sizes too small, designed to cling to every curve. As she pulled them taut, the fabric strained against her backside, failing to contain the sheer volume of her frame. A significant portion of her lower cheeks spilled out from the bottom hems, exposed to the air.

Nicholas stared. He knew he shouldn't, but his eyes were glued to the sight. He had seen her like this dozens of times over the last two years, but lately, the sight made his stomach do strange, uncomfortable flips.

"Take a picture, kid, it’ll last longer," Jenny teased, catching his gaze as she turned around. She didn't look annoyed; she looked amused. She walked toward the kitchen, her gait heavy and deliberate, causing the exposed flesh to jiggle with every step. "Actually, don't. Your dad would probably have a heart attack if he saw your search history."

Nicholas felt the heat rise to his ears. "I wasn't looking at anything."

"Liar," she shouted from the kitchen. She popped the tab on a soda and leaned against the counter, specifically positioning herself so she was facing away from him, bending over slightly to reach for a bag of chips. The view was unavoidable. "You were staring at my ass like it was a double-cheese pizza. And honestly? Valid. It’s huge today. I think the carbs are going straight to the trunk."

She turned back around, munching on a chip, and walked over to the couch where he was sitting. She flopped down next to him, the impact vibrating through the cushions. She stretched her legs out, the tight black shorts riding up even further.

"So, what’s the plan, Nick? We doing homework, or are we going to sit here while you pretend you aren't trying to peek at my thong line?"

"Jenny, stop," Nicholas mumbled, looking down at his lap. He shifted uncomfortably. He was wearing loose basketball shorts, but he felt a strange, tight sensation starting to build. It was a new development in their two-year history, one he didn't quite know how to manage.

"Stop what? Being honest?" Jenny laughed, reaching over to ruffle his hair. She leaned in close, the scent of her perfume filling his lungs. "You’re ten now. You’re becoming a little man. It’s natural to want to look at a fat ass when it’s right in front of your face. I’m basically doing you a public service by not covering up. You’re welcome."

She grabbed the remote and started scrolling through a streaming service. "Let’s find something violent. I’m bored of those animated movies your mom suggests."

As the movie started, an action flick with plenty of explosions, Jenny didn't sit still. She shifted constantly, tucking one leg under her, which caused her shorts to stretch even thinner across her glutes. Every time she moved, Nicholas caught glimpses of skin that seemed far too intimate for a babysitting session.

"You’re awfully quiet today," Jenny remarked, glancing over at him. She noticed he was sitting very rigidly, his hands folded tightly over his lap. "What’s the matter? You look like you’re trying to solve a math equation in your head."

"I'm just watching the movie," he said, his voice a pitch higher than usual.

"Mhm. Sure." Jenny grinned. She decided to lean back, resting her head on the top of the sofa and arching her back. The movement pushed her chest forward and made her bottom dig deeper into the cushions. "You know, if you keep acting this shy, I’m gonna think you’re falling for me. And I’m way out of your league, kid. I’m a lot of woman to handle."

She let out a loud, unhinged laugh and slapped her thigh. "Look at you, you’re turning purple. Is it because I’m sitting too close? Do I smell too good? Or is it just because my ass is taking up half the couch?"

Nicholas didn't answer. He couldn't. He was focused entirely on the fact that his body was betraying him. He felt a distinct pressure against the fabric of his shorts, a physical reaction he had only recently started experiencing in the mornings, but never while someone was actually talking to him.

Jenny noticed his lack of movement. She paused the movie and turned her full body toward him, pulling her knees up to her chest. This position caused the bottom of her shorts to retreat even further, leaving her almost entirely exposed from behind.

"Whoa, hang on," she said, her voice dropping the teasing tone for a second as she looked at his lap. Her eyes widened, and then a slow, mischievous smirk spread across her face. "Nicholas. Are you... is that what I think it is?"

Nicholas froze. He wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole. "Nothing is happening."

"Oh, something is definitely happening," Jenny said, her voice dripping with unfiltered amusement. She leaned closer, her breath warm on his cheek. "Wow. I didn't think I’d see the day. My little Nicky is growing up. My fat ass finally broke your brain, didn't it?"

She reached out, not to touch him, but to poke his shoulder playfully. "Don't look so scared. It’s a compliment. Most guys would pay for a view like this, and you’re getting it for free while I eat your parents' snacks."

She stood up suddenly, turning her back to him to head toward the kitchen again. She made sure to exaggerate the sway of her hips, the tight black fabric of her shorts straining to the absolute limit.

"I’m gonna get some more soda," she called out over her shoulder, giving her backside a deliberate jiggle. "Try not to explode while I’m gone, okay? We still have two hours before your parents get back."

Nicholas stayed on the couch, his heart hammering against his ribs, wondering how he was supposed to survive the rest of the night with the most unhinged babysitter in the world.