“Isabelle.”
She glanced up and caught her breath. Tristan was wearing jeans and a dark shirt. His hair was different, more modern, but his eyes were still very blue.
“Hi.” She smiled.
“So, how are you?” Tristan sat down. He couldn’t believe he was sitting here with a student. She was beautiful — he still couldn’t believe she was single.
“I’m doing fine. I studied for our test on Monday; seems pretty easy.”
“Well it probably seems that way to you; you’ve never had a problem in class.” Tristan looked at her lips.
“Well, it runs in the family. Between my great aunt and my father, I always knew what I would be doing.” Isabelle smiled.
“So, should I be expecting anyone else? Boyfriend, maybe?”
“No, I don’t have a boyfriend. Do you have a wife or girlfriend?”
“Not that I can recall,” Tristan laughed.
“You have a wonderful laugh.” Isabelle put her hand on his.
“Thank you.” He looked down at their hands.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Isabelle removed her hand. “I don’t know why I did that.”
“It’s all right, Isabelle.”
They talked for hours about his career, why he left it for teaching and what Isabelle was planning to do with her life. They talked about her parents and Isabelle was surprised Tristan didn’t blink an eye when she said she had two fathers. They left the coffee shop and walked around campus.
“So, do you live in the dorms?” Tristan eyed her hand; he wanted to hold it.
“During the week I do, but on most weekends I go home.” She stopped and looked out over a pond. “It’s beautiful out here at night, isn’t it?”
“Yes…beautiful…” Tristan eyed her sideways.
Isabelle turned to face him. “I’m not going to play games with you. I’m attracted to you and right now I want to kiss you.”
Tristan’s face registered his shock. He couldn’t even open his mouth. She was so direct. It was a nice change of pace. “I find you very attractive, Isabelle, but you’re my student.”
“So stop me then.” She pulled his face in, hesitated a few seconds and, when he didn’t pull away, she kissed him.
Tristan felt her tongue plead for entrance and he let her in. His hands came around her small waist and pulled her to his chest, their tongues exploring. Isabelle moaned when his hand moved up her back into her hair. Her hands made their way down his back and she grabbed his ass.
Tristan jumped back. “We can’t do this,” he breathed raggedly.
“I can…and I want to.” Isabelle moved close to him again. “Tell me you don’t want me.” Her hand came to the front of his jeans, where she stroked his erection. “Because that’s not the message I’m getting here.”
Tristan moaned deeply as her hand slid up and down. “I do want you, but you’re my student, Isabelle. It’s not right.”
She moved into him and kept her hand on him. Her lips brushed his again and she brought his hand to her breast. Tristan moaned again.
“I want you, Tristan.”
He squeezed her breast, and she brought his other hand to the front of her jeans.
“Isabelle! We’re out in the open.”
“Then let’s go to my room.”
“I’m not having sex with you. I have to draw the line somewhere.”
Isabelle smiled. “That’s okay; there are so many other things we can do.”
They snuck into the dorm and Tristan felt like a kid. Even though it was a coed dorm and he was young, he didn’t think he’d pass as a college student. Even if he did, too many of them knew he was a teacher.
Isabelle was giggling as they made it into her room. She turned on a small bedside lamp and Tristan’s eyes adjusted. There was only one bed, which meant she didn’t have a roommate. She took off her jacket and hung it up.
“You don’t know anything about me, Isabelle.”
“I know a lot about you. My great aunt had you investigated as soon as she heard you were my business teacher. But I’d also like to know your favorite color, food, movie — the whole bit.”
“Did I pass the test?” Tristan’s eyebrows rose.
“You wouldn’t be my teacher if you hadn't.”
Isabelle walked toward him slowly, pulling her shirt off.
“I’m the teacher — shouldn’t I seduce you?” he whispered as he watched her progress.
“I’ve never been one to conform to rules, Tristan.” She pulled him to the bed and down on top of her.
“You really go after what you want, don’t you?”
“Mmm hmmm. Now let’s check out those other things I told you we would find to do.”
*~~~*
On Saturday morning, Stefan and Jordan finished getting the house ready for the barbecue. The kids were outside cleaning up the back yard.
Jordan had all the food on the counter. Since buying the house, they’d expanded the kitchen, adding more cabinets and counter space as the family got bigger.
“Hey, where’s Izzy?” Heath took plates down from the shelves.
“She said she’d be here later, something about studying late.”
“Yeah, I bet,” Heath laughed.
“Is there something we should know, Heath?” Jordan looked at him, eyebrows raised.
“Ohhh, no you don’t! I am not getting sucked into the good dad, bad dad game in which you pump one of us for information.”
“Wait…who’s the bad dad?” Stefan laughed.
Heath was waving a carrot between the two of them. “I don’t know; it’s a toss-up.” He walked out of the kitchen.
Damon came in with a box of silverware. “Hey, did Heath ask yet?”
“Did Heath ask what?” Jordan eyed him.
“Oh. Never mind.” Damon tried to sneak out but Stefan caught him.
“Oh, no you don’t. Start talking.”
“Well, we were just wondering if we can have friends over today.” Damon smiled.
Stefan and Jordan glanced at each other. Jordan spoke first. “I don’t see why not.”
“You’re inviting Mark?” Stefan guessed.
Heath re-entered the room and Damon grabbed him. “Yeah, and Heath here wants to bring a girl. Gotta go!” Damon ran.
“Why that little sh…” Heath realized his parents were looking at him. “What?”
“So, what’s her name?” Stefan looked at him expectantly.
“See? This is why I don’t bring girls here. You immediately get that lovesick look on your face.”
“In his defense, he looks that way at kittens and puppies, too. But we did really like what’s-her-name. Tabitha? Theresa? Tina?” Jordan wrinkled his brow.
“Oh ha ha, Dad.” Heath walked off, waving one hand in their general direction.
“What’s up with him?” Charlie walked in and stole a carrot. Jordan took it back.
“If you must know, your brothers are bringing dates to the barbecue.” Jordan looked at her.
“Really? Interesting. Can I bring one?”
Jordan’s mouth dropped open. “Have you actually been out with someone more than once?”
“Well, it wasn’t really a date. I kind of helped him out after the football game, but I like him.”
“Wait a minute.” She could see her dad wracking his brain. “It’s Steve!” Stefan declared triumphantly.
“Wow, Dad, amazing. Your powers of deduction astound me.” Charlie kissed Stefan’s cheek.
Jordan twitched. “Condoms. That is all.”
He left the kitchen.
“Why does he do that, Dad?” Charlie gaped at Stefan.
“Because he’s your father,” Stefan laughed.
“Yeah, I’m not really thinking sex right this second. But you never know.” Charlie smiled.
“Do we need to see the doctor for a pill refill?”
Charlie stared at her father. For some reason, he was so much easier to talk to about sex than her other dad. If an
y of the kids ever mentioned sex, she always thought Jordan looked like he was going to hurl.
“No, I’m good for two more months, Dad. But thanks.” She kissed Stefan on the cheek.
“Daddy!” Isabelle flew in and hugged Stefan fiercely.
“I know you only do that to make me feel needed, Isabelle. ‘Dad’ is fine.” He hugged her back.
“Yeah, well she still has to call me ‘Daddy’.” Jordan walked back in and hugged his oldest daughter.
“Hey, I gotta steal Charlie for a sec; you know — girl talk.” She winked at Jordan.
“Oh, Christ.” Jordan sat down.
“Awwww, are you okay?” Stefan smiled at him.
“You?”
“Yeah, kiss me sexy,” Stefan laughed.
“You don’t have to ask me twice.” Jordan leaned in.
*~~~*
“You didn’t!” Charlie squealed.
“Yes I did! I couldn’t believe it. I just took charge and he came home with me.” Isabelle smiled.
“Did you have sex?” Charlie laughed.
“No, he said he wouldn’t cross that line, but oh my God! The things he can do with his tongue!”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, wow is right! I’m going to see him alone again next Friday.”
“I’m so happy for you, Izzy.” Charlie hugged her sister. She had known about Isabelle’s crush from day one.
“So, what about you? Any new guy?” Isabelle watched her sister’s face spread out in a smile. “There is a guy!”
“Yeah, it’s Steve.” Charlie smiled.
“Soloman?” Isabelle watched her sister nod. “Oh, he’s a hottie!”
Charlie laughed. “I know, right? I took him home after the football game the other night and he came out of the shower in a towel — a towel, Izzy! I almost died. He had this big bruise on his side so I made him lie down, and then he kissed me!”
“Was it good? Is he a good kisser?”
“Oh yes.” Charlie blushed. “So then I kinda straddled him and you know…rode him.”
Isabella laughed. “With your clothes on, right?”
“He was so sweet and honest. He told me I had to go or he couldn’t control himself.”
“Oh my God, that’s so sweet.” Isabelle slapped her hands over her lower face.
“I know! I have to confess that I didn’t leave immediately, though!” Charlie busted out laughing, her hands covering her mouth as she dissolved into giggles.
They spent the rest of the morning talking about their feminine powers of persuasion.
*~~~*
Jordan was running the grill and watching the boys play football in the yard.
Stefan passed the front door just as the bell rang. He opened the door to find a petite, dark-haired girl with green eyes holding a bowl of coleslaw.
“Hi, Mr. Youngblood. I’m Lisa, Heath’s friend?”
“Oh hey, yeah, come on in.” He opened the door wide and led her outside to the deck.
“Heath! You have company!”
Heath looked up and, while he was distracted, Damon tackled him.
“Dude, that’s so wrong!” He ran up to Lisa, all sweaty. “Hey, glad you could make it.”
“You said food. I came.” She smiled.
Stefan eyed Jordan. “You have competition,” he whispered.
“I’ll take her down.” Jordan narrowed his eyes at Lisa.
“I’m gonna go shower. Can you hang out for like ten?” Heath gave her an irresistible smile.
“We got this, Heath, go.” Stefan waved him off.
“So, Lisa, I hear you go to Sabino.” Jordan grinned at the young woman.
“Well, don’t hold it against me. I didn’t want to go there — my parents made me.”
Damon, Steve, and Mark were watching Lisa talk with the dads.
“So that’s Heath’s obsession, huh?” Mark laughed.
“Yep, he’s a goner,” Damon sighed.
They both eyed Steve. He was looking at the front of the house. Charlie and Isabelle walked toward them.
“Uh oh, I think Steve has a thing for Charlie, Damon.” Mark smiled.
“Shut up, it’s not a thing. She’s so beautiful,” Steve mooned.
Damon and Mark shook their heads. “Dude, you are in so deep,” Mark laughed.
“Hey guys!” Charlie waved at them.
“Look at them, Charlie; they’re so stupid,” Isabelle giggled.
Charlie laughed. “You know, Steve is really smart. Almost as smart as me, Izzy.”
“No, I meant stupid as in stupid in lust or love. Whatever,” Isabelle waved her fingers airily.
They finally reached the guys and Charlie took Steve’s hand. “Let’s go for a walk.”
Isabelle hugged Damon and then headed to the deck to hang out with Stefan, Jordan and Lisa.
Mark took Damon’s hand. “Hey, let’s go to the treehouse. We haven’t been there in forever.”
Jordan checked outside. “Where did everyone go?”
“Off to do God knows what, Dad,” Heath responded as he returned. “Hey sis, what’s up?”
“Nada, just enjoying the sun,” Isabelle replied, eyes shut.
Heath took Lisa inside. They dropped onto the couch and Heath flipped on the TV. “What do you want to watch?”
“‘Man vs. Food’,” Lisa laughed.
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, seriously!”
Heath flipped the channel and they settled back on the couch. Stefan walked in and called out to Jordan. “Lisa is watching your show, Jordan.”
“You’re kidding me! Oh, she wants a challenge, she’ll get one,” Jordan laughed.
~*~
“So, I was thinking about the other night. I can’t believe you did that.” Steve blushed and looked absent-mindedly at the woods surrounding them.
Charlie looked at him. “You wanted something to happen just as much as I did.” While they were kissing, she had straddled Steve and rubbed against his crotch — both fully clothed — until he came.
“Of course I did. I just don’t want you to think it’s all I want.”
“What if it’s all I want?” Charlie looked at him slyly.
“Honestly? If that’s all you want from me, I can’t do this.”
“You’re serious?” Charlie watched his face.
“Yeah, I’m sorry, Charlie, but I like you a lot, and I can’t be your boy toy.”
Charlie pushed him up against the tree and kissed him. “God, you’re hot!”
“What?”
“What you just said — that turned me on!”
“Charlie, I like you.”
“I know, you said that.”
“So, you’re using me?”
“For someone so smart, you sure are stupid.” Charlie kissed him again, softly.
*~~*
“Wow, we haven’t been up here in a long time.” Mark looked out of the treehouse window. “So, I saw Heather the other day; she asked about you.”
“Why?”
“Dude, she has a huge crush on you. You could have her with a snap of your fingers.”
“Great. Don’t want her,” Damon sighed. Man, Mark’s jealousy was getting out of hand. No matter how many times Damon insisted he wasn’t interested in Heather, Mark didn’t seem to get it.
“You only kissed her once, Damon. Maybe you should try more?”
“Why do you keep pushing me into this, Mark? You want me to go out with her? I told you, I want you. I’m not going to pretend to like her and go out with her. That’s not the way I roll. It wouldn’t be fair to anyone —not me, not Heather, not you.” Damon cupped Mark’s face.
“I just think maybe you need to try it out, see if you really don’t like girls. Maybe you should ask her to Homecoming?”
“You know what? Fine. I’ll ask her out Monday. Happy now?” Damon climbed down the stairs and stomped to the house.
*~~*
Stefan noticed the tension between the two over dinner; they s
at on opposite sides of the table and didn’t speak.
Heath was watching Lisa consume food like a linebacker. “Where do you put it all?” His eyes widened as she lifted a fork loaded with potato salad.
“I have a very fast metabolism and my brain needs to be fed,” she laughed.
They spent the night talking and watching Jordan and Lisa compete in eating contests, much to Stefan’s amusement. The party broke up and Heath walked Lisa to her car.
“I had fun, Heath. I like your family.”
“They like you. So do I. Will you go to Homecoming with me?”
“I would love that.” Lisa kissed him. “Night, Heath.”
“Night, Lisa.”
Charlie was with Steve, sitting on the hood of his truck in the driveway.
“Charlie — I was wondering if you’d go to Homecoming with me.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. Do you want to?”
“Yeah, I do.” She pulled him in by a belt loop. “You wearing a tux?”
“Of course.” He smiled. “You going to wear a sexy dress?”
“Don’t I always when the occasion demands it?”
“Yeah, but this time it’s for me, not some other guy.”
“Awwww, were you jealous Steve?”
“Yeah, I was. Why do you think I took a picture?” Steve looked down.
Charlie wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him in. She kissed him softly and felt his arms wrap around her. She moved her mouth to his neck, bit down and sucked, leaving a mark.
“Did you just give me a hickey?” Steve rubbed his neck incredulously.
“Yep, I marked you. You’re mine, Steve Soloman.”
“Wow, that’s sexy.”
“Goodnight, Steve.” She kissed him slowly. He pulled her in more tightly, and then finally moved back.
“Night, Charlie.”
Damon was on his bed reading when Stefan came in. He knocked on the open door.
“Hey, Dad, what’s up?”
“You tell me. What’s going on with you and Mark?”
“I did what you and Dad suggested. I’m taking it slowly. But today he started again bringing up Heather, and telling me I should go out with her to make sure I’m not gay! I mean, shit — oops, sorry, Dad.”
An Eye for an Eye (The Santorno Stories 2): The Santorno Stories Page 4
