by J. L. Beck
She fucking wanted me, even if she wasn’t going to admit it, and I’ll be damned if I wasn’t going to do everything I could to make her give into those desires. I kept my eyes on her soft brown ones, watching and waiting for her to give me some type of sign to come forward and claim her.
What I got was nothing of that assort.
“Leave me the fuck alone, Talon, because if you don’t I’ll do whatever I can to make your life an ever living hell.” There was so much determination in that little body of hers, I almost wanted to take her up on that offer. Instead I let her walk away from me, the warning hanging in the air between us. My eyes following the motion of her ass as it swayed away from me.
Shit, and now I had to help her carry her shit in. Fuck my life.
My Step-Brother Is An Asshole
I knew he was an asshole, I just didn’t realize how big of one he was until I was forced to move in with him. My mother had sold the house without warning, taking everything and moving it out... that included me. Which is why I was stuck here dealing with Talon, day in and day out. I was currently sitting in the cafeteria eating lunch with one of my acquaintances. I couldn’t consider Daisy a friend since she never hung out with me much and we didn’t really share any personal information with one another.
“Word on the street is that Talon has a thing for you. Apparently you keep turning him down?” Daisy questioned for the first time like ever, her eyebrow raised and a hurtful look on her face like I withheld some type of secret from her.
I took a bite out of my apple ignoring her question. Every thing I had to deal with revolved around the prick. From my life at home, to college, he was always the center of attention. It was nauseating.
“While…” Daisy cleared her throat.
“Oh stop! You act like I actually have something going on with him. He’s an asshole, and better yet he’s my stepbrother. He’s filthy with a capital fucking F!” I may have raised my voice a bit as I spoke but I got my point across, or at least I hoped I had.
“Wow. So it’s true then?” she added, baiting me of course. I didn’t want to ask or give into the gossip Gods of Central Heights, but I didn’t have much of an option. If I was being talked about in the same sentence as Talon I wanted to know.
“Just say it, because I’m not going to beg you for information, Daisy. I’m not like that. My life doesn’t revolve around the gossip at this school.” I was beyond annoyed by the time I finished my sentence. So much so that I was considering just getting up and forgetting about whatever it was that was being said about me.
“It’s just a rumor, and since your life doesn’t revolve around the gossip then I assume you don’t really care to know.” Daisy smacked her lips together in anger. I could see the steam flowing from her ears. She was just like the rest of the girls that drooled and chased after Talon and totally not worth my time.
“Save it. I don’t need to know.” I got up from my chair, faster than needed, and I all but ran from the cafeteria barely stopping to toss the food I hadn’t eaten in the trashcan. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going or who was in front of me, and I ended up running into the back of someone. I mumbled a sorry and started to walk away but was stopped as the person grabbed my arm and refused to let go.
“Excuse me, but you…” I was whirled around to face the person I had hit. Words were lost as I realized Talon had plucked me up and twisted my body into his. He smiled down at me as if he had just won the jackpot.
“You’re excused, sis.” He was trying to woo me in front of all of his friends. I could see the gawks and whispers. They seemed to follow him wherever he went. I wanted nothing to do with that.
“No you’re…” I growled, fed up with the way he was acting and handling me. Lifting my leg, I angled my knee upward and toward his balls. I could tell when they made impact because his mouth made an O shape, and he released me. I didn’t stick around to see the anger or swear words that would come from his mouth. I just walked away, a new feeling cascading over me. I felt empowered even as I heard Talon’s friend Nick call me a bitch. I had better shit to do, like get to my next class, apply for jobs, hell anything was better than letting him make a mockery out of me in front of the entire student body.
Instead I went to all my classes for the afternoon and watched the time on the clock slowly tick down. I had felt so great earlier after I showed everyone that Talon couldn’t sink his claws into me, but now as the time ticked away and it grew closer to the end of the day in which I had to come back to our house, my nerves started to tingle and my belly seemed to be doing a flip flop. I was starting to regret my charade from earlier.
Don’t be weak. Stand your ground. I forced the reminder in my head a couple of times, talking myself out of a full-blown anxiety attack. I hadn’t thought about Talon once today, not until it was time to leave. I walked out to my jeep slowly, scouring the parking area. Talon drove today, and I… God, I was being paranoid. I ignored the nagging thoughts at the back of my mind and instead got in my car and headed toward Starbucks. I could kill a little time there before I had to go home and deal with his bullshit.
I hit the drive thru, which is what it seemed like everyone else was doing at the time. I ordered a Caramel Macchiato, extra caramel and paid for it at the window. As soon as the caramel goodness touched my tongue I moaned. I lapped up the yumminess as I pulled into Central Height’s rich district. All the houses were large, the driveways perfectly paved, and not even a single blade of grass was out of order. Everything was perfect and totally not for me.
I sighed in relief as I noticed Talon’s Dodge Charger wasn’t in the driveway. Hopefully he wouldn’t come home tonight, and if he did then he would know better than to start something with me.
I got out of the car, my eyes roaming over the house itself. It was a beautiful fortress, made for those with money. A three car garage was attached to the home, the house was white, and had marble columns in the front. There was a stone path that led around the house, and a porch made for those that loved the great outdoors. I had thought about heading out to it the other night but stayed confined to my bedroom.
I still wasn’t comfortable with the fact that I slept down the hall from playboy Talon. Who knew how many girls rolled around in his sheets? Was I jealous, no. No way. I continued to sip my drink as I got my key out and unlocked the door heading into the house.
My heart sank when I heard a female voice accompanied by Talon’s smooth, deep one. I wanted to stab someone—
preferably him— but at this point anyone would do. I sneaked in around the corner and into the kitchen, making sure that I didn’t make any noise as I tip toed toward the stairs.
“Mia, why don’t you come hangout in here with the rest of us.” Talon’s voice was robust in such a large house. It bounced off the walls and right into my ears. Knots formed in my stomach as I peeked around corner and saw who us really was. Talon had a busty blonde sitting on his lap, his friend Nick was chilling in one of the recliners, and a guy I had never met before gave me handsome smile.
“I have a lot of homework and I had such a stressful day today; you know with Mom and…”
“Stop making excuses, Mia.” Talon’s voice was flat, his eyes void of emotion as he interrupted me. I had never felt so embarrassed in my entire life. Who did he think he was?
“Yeah, see I don’t think this is going to work,” I snarled, blowing him off completely. I could give him as much attitude as he gave me, and I could make him look just as weak too.
“Go hide up in your bedroom. I’ll be there in a little bit to check up on you like the good brother I am.” I almost vomited on the floor with his brother reference, however there was a tiny wedge of excitement that filled my veins when he said he would come check up on me.
I climbed the steps up to my bedroom listening to their laughter fill the room. Who knew what it was they were talking about or doing. All I could think about was how fucked it was that I kind of wanted Talon, just a littl
e bit.
Under My Skin and In My Head
Have you ever tried to convince yourself that you don’t really need someone in your life? I had spent the last two hours doing that, listening to Nick go on and on about a party that I had missed because I was too busy sitting at home, listening to Mia down the hall talk to someone on the phone. The girl I brought here as a means to make Mia jealous was doing nothing but aggravating me, and I was pretty sure that Matt had been checking Mia out when she came in.
“I’m going to Donovan’s party next week. The one with the giant fire pit and booze up to your eye balls. You better be going man.” Nick cut his eyes to mine. He was one of the few guys I got a long with. It was hard to keep friends when you ended up sleeping with everyone’s girlfriends. I never said I was a good guy.
“I’ll go, but Mia has to go too. I have to keep an eye on her,” I lied, knowing all too well that getting her to go would be an epic pain in the ass. I knew the party life wasn’t her scene. Book reading and watching some show called The Shadow Hunters was. Nick seemed annoyed at the thought, and I’m sure it wasn’t directed toward Mia, but more so me because since she came around I had changed.
“You said we would do something fun tonight.” Mandy’s nails ran down my back. Normally that would’ve turned me and had me harder than a diamond... not this time though. All I could think about was the one fucking thing I couldn’t have.
“Mia.” Matt said her name as if he was excited to see her, and for a second I wondered if I had said the thought out loud. I turned in my chair watching as Mia slowly walked into the room. Her eyes weren’t on me but on Matt.
Fuck no.
“I know you invited me down earlier, but I had homework to do. But now, I’m done.” Her hair was up in a bun on top of her head, and she was wearing a pair of gray sweats with a t-shirt that said My blog’s better than your blog.
What the hell did that even mean?
“That was a one time deal, sis.” I carried out the word sis, making sure she was aware of what she was.
“This is my house too, so I think I’ll do whatever I want.” She dropped down onto the couch right next to Matt. I could see the pickup lines forming in the small-brained idiot’s head.
Jealousy. It was a real fucking bitch. Still, I smirked knowing I could give her a dose of her own medicine. Nick turned a movie on, and I turned down the lights. Mandy snuggled into my side, and as she did eyes seemed to embed into my skull. I knew she was watching, and I knew she had to be just as jealous as I was.
“You promised to fuck me,” she pouted, her lips right next to my ear. I could feel her nipples poking through her shirt, and normally being the gentlemen I am I would’ve taken her right here, right now. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. Even if I wanted to be a prick to Mia, I couldn’t hurt her like that. Something about her made me want to do better, be better, even if the reasoning wasn’t all there.
“I will, baby,” I whispered back to her, grabbing her hand and placing it in my lap to grip my cock. I pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and my eyes shot to Mia’s. She wasn’t even paying attention to me. Instead she was talking to Matt about some class they must have had together.
Frustration hit me hard. The fact that I wanted Mia and couldn’t have her made it worse. I was a fucking mess, all over a little pussy. I didn’t think so. I covered Mandy and I with the blanket and waited for Mandy to do whatever she could to make me forget about Mia for a few minutes.
My eyes focused on the screen as Mandy gripped my cock in a vice grip, her hand barely fitting around it. She slid up and down, each stroke making me want to scream out. I placed my hand on top of hers urging her to go faster. I was sure Mia knew what was going, on at least right now. My eyes drifted closed for a moment and the image of Mia appeared in my mind.
Fuck no. Mia wasn’t getting to be the reason why I came again. I pulled Mandy’s hand away, even though I was so close to getting my release. Rage burned through me. I was so angry that this girl had weaseled her way in under my skin. So angry that she had such an adverse effect on me.
“I would love to meet up for coffee or something,” I heard Matt ask her. I wasn’t sure why I acted on the emotions I was feeling or why I cared about what she did with Matt. She wasn’t mine, and I didn’t have girlfriends, but I still stepped in and said something.
“Everyone out,” I ordered. I wasn’t sure where my head was today, but I needed space from everyone. I needed to talk to Mia without everyone being here. Eyes landed against me. Nick’s face all but said are you fucking serious and Mia looked like she ate something sour.
“I mean it; leave, get the fuck out.” Mandy and Nick groaned. Matt seemed to get what I was saying because they all hustled toward the door without another warning. Mia stood from the couch, her face a mask of anger and confusion. I understood what she was feeling. I just didn’t know how to explain my feelings to her. I was better at using my dick then using words.
“That was fucking low and even for you,” I argued. I was ready to bend her over the couch and spank her ass till it was cherry red after what she had just pulled.
“Low?” Her eyebrows shot up, and she looked like she was ready to blow a gasket. I clenched my fists at my side waiting for her to finish. “Low is letting Mandy give you a fucking hand job under the blanket in the living room with everyone here. I am allowed to go out with whoever I want, whenever I want, and no one— not even Talon Fuckin’ Reed— can stop me from doing it.” One of her fingers poked me in the chest, her touch melting away at the icy cold block around my heart.
“I do what I have to, Mia. I never claimed to be anything other than an asshole. What I do with Mandy is my thing, she knows what she’s getting into. What you do is a whole different fucking thing,” I growled. Yes I was going all alpha on her, but only because I didn’t want her with anyone else when I couldn’t have her, even if that was selfish.
“You’re nobody to me.” She raised her lip at me, her eyes glancing down to my lips. She wanted to kiss me, even if she couldn’t admit it out loud. Her body wanted me, her pussy was begging for me to take her.
“I am,” I countered back with just as much anger. “I’m selfish because I can’t let you be with anyone else when I can’t have you as my own,” I admitted without warning. I wanted to kick myself in the ass the second the words came out, but I didn’t take them back. I couldn’t, not after seeing the look of shock on her face.
“Well, you’ll have to get over that, because I’m doing whatever I want….” I wanted to reach down and take her lips against mine. To feel the contours of her body melt into me, and stroke the animal underneath the surface. “Whoever I want.” I felt all-consuming rage when those last words came out. I didn’t stop myself from doing what I had wanted to since the day I met her. I knew I couldn’t. It had to happen.
I reached out placing my hands on the side of her head and pulled her into my body. I placed my lips against her soft ones, pressing with every bit of anger into her. I wanted that kiss to be memorable, passionate, and enough for her to realize I owned her.
I wrapped my hand into her hair,and nibbled at her lips. The taste of heaven mixed with chocolate filled my mouth. Her scent surrounded me, and as soon as she moaned into my mouth, I knew I needed to end the kiss now, otherwise she would be face down on the couch ass in the air in no time. For the first time ever I did the right thing and pulled away from her, walking out of the living room and up the stairs leaving her there to think about what it was that just took place.
I was pretty sure I made a mistake touching her. There was no way I would be able to end it now that I had finally tasted just how sweet she was.
He Made My Lips Hurt
and My Chest Ache
“Promise to take care of your Momma when I’m gone, sweetie.” My dad made me make a lot of promises to him. The doctors kept saying there wasn’t a chance he would live through the winter, but he hung on claiming he wouldn’t go anywhere until the first
flowers bloomed.
I wanted to believe him, but I knew better. Even at the age of seventeen I knew so much more than I should. Losing my father was just one thing I would have to face. You lived, and you died. The only thing that mattered was what you did in time between all of that.
“Promises are nothing when you’re gone, Daddy.” I pushed the tears that threatened to full from my eyes away. Once he was gone, the coldness would sink into my bones and leave my body with a permanent chill.
I looked up into his eyes, and I could see that tears had already started to fall. “Promises are all I have left, Mia.” His voice was weak, so very weak. It pained me to make him talk at all.
“Then I will do whatever I can to keep those promises, Daddy. I will do everything I can to help Mom.” Tears started to drip from my eyes and down onto where our hands were joined.
“Good.” His smile was sweet and his eyes were lively… but only for a moment. I could see he had taken all his energy and put it in to those two very things. Trying his hardest to give me something to hold onto. There was nothing to hold on to when you were losing the first man you ever learned to love.
“Mia.” Talon’s voice sounded in my ear as my body jerked back and forth as if I was being shaken. I batted him away, blinking awake, only to realize there were big fat, wet tears on my cheeks.
“I’m fine,” I lied, wiping the tears away with the back of my hand. It had been months since I last dreamt of my dad’s death.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked. I looked up at him from the bed. He was shirtless, of course, his abs, and lick-worthy physique on display as always. That and his low riding sleep pants did nothing to hide the start of the V muscle. I forced myself to look away and noticed the grave concern that was etched into his features. I could feel his hand against my shoulder; it was gentle and warmed me where I felt I would be forever cold. I wanted to lean into his touch, but I remembered just who he was.
