by Quell T Fox
Jonathan: You like putting on a show for me, sweet girl?
Jonathan: Think of me touching that pussy for you.
Jonathan: Think of me while you come.
This man is so dirty, it drives me fucking wild.
I head to the living room after that, wanting to lounge around and catch up on cheesy TV shows. The house is so quiet without Jonathan here. Mom is barely ever home, so it’s not like she ever made a peep. I begin to wonder about the guy she has been seeing. Who is he? Why did she start seeing him? And where is she moving to?
I start to think of that whole situation again and I feel awful for Jonathan. How could she do that to him?
The front door opens a short time later and I can tell it’s Mom by the way she sets her keys down. She always tosses them, causing a louder clang. Jonathan places them down neatly.
“Charlie, you here?”
“In here!” I shout. Her face pops around the corner a moment later and she comes in and takes a seat beside me.
“Hey, I’m really sorry about the other day. I’ve been wanting to talk to you about it.”
“It’s fine. It’s not even any of my business,” I say dismissively, really not wanting to get into it with her.
“But it is, you’re my daughter.”
“Does he make you happy?”
She looks taken aback. “What?”
“This… guy. Whoever he is. Does he make you happy?”
“Yes.” She says, without hesitation.
“Then that’s all that matters, okay? I shouldn’t have gotten upset with you. It wasn’t fair of me, it’s not my business.”
She smiles and pats me on the leg.
“Okay, glad that’s done but…” I raise an eyebrow. “Jonathan asked that we go for lunch with him today.”
My heart starts to pick up.
“What? Why?”
“I told him you were upset, thought maybe he would talk to you. He said he thought it was best we do it together and I agree. He’s been a part of your life for quite some time now, the closest thing you’ve ever had to a father. Him and I plan to stay friends, I just think it’s the adult thing to do.”
“The adult thing to do?” I groan, while her words run through my head.
…closest thing you’ve ever had to a father.
“Charlie, even though we aren’t together, he’s still like your stepdad.”
Oh, fuck. No. No, Mom, no. This is what I’m trying to avoid. My mouth falls open, trying to find words but nothing comes out.
“Be ready for twelve thirty, okay?” I nod and look back towards the TV. “I’m going to take a nap.”
I pick up my phone, immediately sending him a text.
Me: We’re having lunch together?
Jonathan: As your stepfather, I feel it is only appropriate to speak to you with your mother about the situation at hand.
Me: Is that all that it is?
Jonathan: I said you would regret it.
I can’t help but smile. This is a punishment? A way for him to get back at me? Fine. It’s time to up the ante.
Chapter 18
Charlotte
We end up at Jonathan’s bar for lunch. Which is a bar, and yes I’m underage, but during the day it serves food and everyone is welcome. It’s only after nine in the evening that no one under twenty-one is allowed inside.
Jonathan is already there when we show up, tending the bar. He’s dressed in a way that would bring me to my knees if I weren’t with my mother. Even with her beside me they’re trembling.
Tight fitted jeans and a button up shirt, with the sleeves rolled up. His hair is perfectly messy, sticking up every which way like it normally does.
“Come on, let’s go sit in our normal seats.” Mom ushers me to the right, but I keep my eyes on Jonathan. As if he can feel the heat of my stare, he looks up and winks. I duck my head down and rush after my mother. I find Mom in the corner, the same place we always sit when we come here, and I slide in next to her.
My phone dings and I check it, welcoming the distraction.
Izzy: Can’t deal with this family shit, I’m stressed! How are things going for you?
Me: Out for lunch. Call you later?
Izzy: Duh!
“Girls! So glad you could make it.” Jonathan slides into the opposite side of the booth, a huge grin on his face. I look everywhere but at him. It seems that my bravery diminishes when in front of him and my mother. I place my cell onto the table, face down. A habit I picked up from who knows where. “Any traffic?”
“No, the ride was fine,” my mother says.
The waitress comes over and takes our order, giving us extra attention since we’re the owner’s family. Or used to be family.
We sit in an awkward silence as we wait for the food, my cheeks hot the whole time. When the food comes, I quickly busy myself with it. The heated stare coming from Jonathan is almost too much to handle, and I have to constantly take sips of my water because my mouth is so dry. I worry my mother is going to notice, but she’s too busy eating and looking at her phone. Finally, once I’m about halfway finished, they start up some small talk, chatting like old friends and not ex-lovers.
“So,” Jonathan starts once the table is cleared and all that’s left are the two bottles of beer that he and my mom are drinking, and the glass of water I’ve yet to finish. “Charlotte, I want you to know this decision between your mother and I was mutual. We both decided this was for the best.”
I look up but can’t meet his eyes, I nod anyway.
“Things haven’t been the best for a while, we’ve slowly fallen apart from each other over time but we’re both okay with this. As long as your mother is happy, that’s all I care about.”
“Seems you’re taking this rather well,” I say, sipping from my water, finally taking the chance to look up at him under my lashes and I immediately wish I hadn’t. His presence is so overbearing, but in the best possible way. Looking at him only makes it worse. He is a weakness to me. And now that all obstacles in my way of having him have disappeared, it’s even worse.
He grins. “What can I say? Can’t complain about being single.” He winks at me and my stomach drops yet my pussy aches. I look to my right and see that my mother isn’t even looking at him, but down at her phone.
“Have you met him yet?”
My mom’s head pops up and I shake mine.
“I’m sure he’s a great guy. And how about his daughter? You’re going to have a sister, isn’t that exciting?” he asks but there is a hint of mischief laced in his tone.
“A sister?” I ask, shocked. I look to Mom. “You forgot to mention that part. You don’t even like kids,” I say defensively. But it’s the truth. She’s never been a fan of tiny humans.
“Of course I do!” she says with a laugh.
“You didn’t even want me,” I deadpan.
“Charlie,” she warns tiredly before looking back at her phone.
My mouth falls open and my eyes meet Jonathan’s. He purses his lips, giving me a deep stare. He looks as if he wants to say something, a flash of pity crossing his face, but my mother’s phone rings and the chance is lost.
“Hello? Yeah.” She looks down at her watch. “Uh, I can be there in an hour.”
I roll my eyes as she says goodbye and ends the call.
“Work?” I ask, feeling more angry than disappointed this time. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that she couldn’t understand why I didn’t want to come back in the first place. I could be at school doing something conducive to my future right now, like taking extra classes. But she said she missed me and wanted to spend time with me, yet… here she is, doing what she always does and working every chance she gets. Always unable to say no.
I can’t completely complain, I guess. I don’t need my mom, I just want to spend time with her. Clearly the hospital actually needs her, and it’s fine. I’ll get over it.
“Jonathan, are you able to bring Charlie home?” She looks fr
om him to me. “If not, I’ll leave money for a cab.” She pulls her wallet out and Jonathan holds his hand out, shaking it.
“I’ll take her home, don’t worry.”
“Here, for the food.” She pulls out a twenty.
“Allison, really?”
“Fine.” She shoves it back into her wallet, tossing it into her purse. She gets up from her seat, leans over, pulling me in for a quick hug and kisses my head. “See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.” The words are barely a whisper. My gaze follows her out the door and once she’s out, it moves to Jonathan who is sitting with a small smirk on his face, leaning back into the dark red booth with his toned arms crossed over his chest.
“Have an eventful morning?” he asks.
My face heats the slightest.
“I did actually, how was yours?” I lean forward on the table, suddenly feeling more brave. He doesn’t frighten me and he doesn't make me nervous in the normal way. I crave him, want him. Need him. When I look at him, my body wants to melt into his. I want to know all the things he can do to me. Every last one of them.
How quickly can he make me come? How hard can he make me come? Can he do it with his cock alone?
“Not as fun as yours, since I’ve been here all morning. But I’d like to change that. Care to help?”
I lean back in my seat, crossing my arms over my chest, biting on my cheek. “I’ll pass.”
He lets out a short laugh, leaning forward. His muscular forearms rest on the table. “Why do you have to be such a brat, Charlotte?”
“Because you like it.”
“You have no idea what I like.”
“I think I have an idea.”
“An idea? Perhaps. But that only scratches the surface. You have no idea what goes on in this head of mine. What visions and images of you live in here.”
I lean forward again, sliding my hands along the table, stopping them only an inch from his. I lean in, looking up at him from under my lashes. “Maybe you should show me.”
His eyes narrow the slightest.
“I plan to. And you’re going to enjoy every second of it. You belong to me. You were made for me,” he growls lowly. “Every little thing about you is perfection, Charlotte. The way you taste, the way you smell, it’s mine. Every little fucking thing is mine. I’m going to do things to you that you’ve never even dreamed about. But first…” he trails off, seeming to gather his thoughts or maybe just pull himself together. His control is slipping. I see it in the way his hand is clenching and how the vein in his neck is pumping just a little harder.
“First?” I ask, trying to keep my voice as confident as I can.
“First, we’re going to keep playing this game. Because I rather like it. I like how you tease me. It drives me fucking wild, to the point of insanity. I like knowing you’re thinking of me when you touch yourself and when you allow others to touch you.” He leans in a little closer. “The images of you riding Michael’s cock, knowing you were imagining it was me, makes me so fucking hard.”
A choking sound leaves my throat causing him to smirk. “Who said I was thinking of you?” I finally manage to say, though my words aren’t as strong as I wished they were.
“No one needs to say it, baby, I know.” He gets up from his seat and holds out his hand. “Come on, let’s get you home.
The tension is high on the car ride home, but that’s the most of it. We don’t speak, don’t say a word. It isn’t a long ride, thankfully. Because even though it wasn’t far, the air was stifling. When we pull up to the house I get out. “See you soon,” he says with a wink before I close the door. My face heats just a tiny bit as I spin and head into the house, hoping a cold shower will help me to cool down.
Chapter 19
Charlotte
“Can you repeat that?” Izzy asks for the third time. I pull my feet up onto the couch and pull them under me, settling into the corner. I really missed this oversized couch. It basically swallows you up and it’s almost more comfortable than my bed. Mom’s living room is small, only holding the couch and two end tables. The TV is mounted on the wall with an electric fireplace underneath that looks like the real deal. A few photos of me from when I was a baby are on the walls and a fake plant sits in the corner. I’ve kept the curtains drawn back so it’s dark, and the AC is pumping so it’s nice and cold—just the way I like it.
“I’ve already gone over it twice,” I groan. And I have. I spilled everything to her, knowing I needed to let it out. I need another opinion on this and I know Izzy would never judge me. The girl is a freak in bed, she was pushing me into Jonathan’s arms before she even knew half of this story. I may have made a mistake in telling her because now she’s only going to push harder. At the same time, maybe I’m just looking for a bit of encouragement. For someone to tell me that this is okay, and I’m not as awful as I think I am…
“Yeah, but I really want to hear it again. Just tell me about the part when he promises punishment again.” I can hear the humor in her voice.
“Stop! This is serious. Am I like... the worst child ever? I feel like an asshole.” I whine.
“Girl, if you feel it, go for it. They aren’t even together. That does not make you a bad person. The heart wants what the heart wants and all that bullshit.” I laugh a little. “And you said your mom has a new boo.”
She does. “Yeah, but—”
“No buts! You didn’t tell me all of this because you were worried that I would tell you you’re wrong. You know I would never do that. You want this to be right, so let it be right. Just… go with it, Charlie.”
“Okay.”
“Good girl,” she says in a low, husky tone, clearly mocking Jonathan, and I let out a frustrated sound. A crash and shouting sounds on the other end of the phone and Izzy groans. I can picture her eye roll perfectly. The girl has it down to a science. “Well, that’s my cue. I expect daily updates on this situation. Don’t leave me hanging!”
“Bye, Izzy. Love you.”
“Love you too!”
I end the call, dropping my phone to the couch. I settle back and throw my hands over my face.
I’m torn, but Izzy has made me feel a little bit better about this situation.
He’s single. Mom has a new boyfriend. I’m legal.
What is holding me back?
I think I know, but I’m too afraid to admit it. Jonathan is a man. He wants a relationship, to settle down. Even with the games we’re playing, I can see that. Deep down inside, there is something growing for him. And I know he feels the same way. In my mind, my heart, it’s always been Jonathan… So what is stopping me?
My phone rings and I pick it up, heading into my room and flop on the bed.
“Hello?”
“Hey, beautiful. What are you doing?” Michael’s smooth, soft voice sounds from the other end of the phone.
I look around my room, still curious as to where the camera is. Where is he hiding it? And how many are there? What if… oh my God, what if he heard that conversation between me and Izzy? Are they all around the house? My stomach drops with the thought. How freaking embarrassing.
“Just got home from lunch.”
“Care for some company?”
My eyes settle on the bookshelf, something telling me that’s it. It has to be there, somewhere. A smile crawls across my lips.
A distraction would be good right about now…
“My mom isn’t home. Why don’t you come by?”
“Sounds good. When?”
“How about now? Just come right up.”
I may be confused about a lot of things in my life, but one thing I do know is that I am enjoying this game with Jonathan. So it’s going to continue. It’s just teasing, so what’s the harm? We haven’t done anything truly inappropriate... Not since that one time. That’s not so bad, right?
It’s what I keep telling myself, anyway.
There is this nagging thought in the back of my head, that maybe if I just fucked him, I
’d get over this obsession. That maybe all of this build up is from wanting it for so long and not having it. Two things would happen. Either he doesn’t live up to what I’ve built him up to be in my head, or he’s just as good as I hoped, maybe even better. The problem is with the latter. I know me. I know if he is as good as I think he will be, there will be no way I can let him go. That once I finally have him, there is no turning back.
The thought of not wanting to let him go is just as terrifying as the thought of having to…
It’s a huge chance to take.
But while I sort my shit out, I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. Because just like him, I am single. He can say he owns me all he wants, it won’t stop me from doing me. The bonus here is that apparently, he likes it.
He’s not wrong when he said I think about him when I’m with Michael. Part of me hates that I do it, but the bigger part loves it. It’s dirty and wrong and that’s appealing to me for some fucked up reason.
Some people are just born this way. I don’t think they’re made. I mean, of course people can be made like this for whatever reason, but me… nothing happened to cause this.
I’m just me. I enjoy the dirty, raw parts of sex. And there isn’t anything wrong with it. It took me a long time to accept it, but I think I finally have.
I’m not attracted to Jonathan because he’s my stepdad, or was my stepdad. I’m attracted to him because he’s hot as fuck… the off-limits thing because he’s my stepdad just makes it hotter, but it’s more than that. When I’m around him, hell, even when I think about him, there is this giddy, swirling feeling in my chest that I can’t ignore. He makes me happy, but it’s more than just a smile to prove it. It’s something inside of me that every part of him satisfies, even with just a bit of attention. It’s scary because it’s dangerous. This kind of feeling is the kind that kills your spirit if something goes wrong. And this situation is far from ideal. It’s why I know I should keep my distance, why I shouldn’t be doing this… but I just can’t help it.
