Romance: Yes, Stepbrother!

by Annie Valentine

  “Alright. Get up. We’re leaving.”

  ‘Aw, come on. Let me just get to another level.” His fingers were moving as furiously as possible as if the digital world were about to end.

  She walked out the door without responding. He knew it would be Armageddon if he didn’t follow her so he was saving the game before she was down the driveway and in the car before she had the keys in the ignition.

  “Jake,” Nicole asked as they pulled out onto the major street, “when you were a kid, did you ever fall asleep in the clothes and shoes you were planning on wearing the next day.”

  “I left the shoes by the bed.” Of course he did.

  He looked out the window in order to encourage silence.

  “Do you know why we’re doing this?”

  Jake sighed. “Your dad’s a terrible person, Nicole. I get it. I know his life story and we’ve psychoanalyzed the man for months now. That doesn’t mean that I agree that you need to get your stepmother to leave him.”

  “You don’t know what it’s like, Jake.” Every time she closed her eyes she saw his red contorted face, and how he’d scream at her for hours. He mocked her, he beat her sill when she was small. She remembered the way she’d run out innocently to the fridge when she was little to get him another beer. She loved doing it just to please him.

  Nicole knew how her stepmother felt. It was that same desire she had when she was a kid. She just wanted to make him happy, but he would never be happy. He pushed every single woman he met until she either left or went crazy.

  “How long does it take to get there?”

  “Three hours.” Jake didn’t react, but she could tell that he thought it was too much trouble.”

  * * *

  It started small. At first it was little things that he wanted. He’d ask her to get him a glass of water or a beer. Then he moved onto bigger things like what they should eat for dinner. Of course, she had to be instructed as to how he wanted it. Then he was too tired to do the dishes. Then could she clean that spot off the carpet? And why wasn’t the house straightened up when he got home from work?

  The little things turned into larger discussions about how the house should be run, how dinner should be made and what chores should be done when he got home. When she completed them, he didn’t say anything. When she didn’t do it, he screamed at her and blamed her for all of the little things in his life that bothered him.

  Rick did give her little bits of reinforcement at times, but it was mostly just talk. He never gave her anything. He didn’t even let her have her own life.

  It was all perfectly calculated. He knew exactly what to do and how to do it in order to have his own personal slave—that’s what she was. The sick part was, Tricia realized as she vacuumed the living room, she knew he was doing it the entire time and her love and devotion to him kept her from stopping him. If she did something to defend herself, she’d be betraying him.

  An old Bee Gees record was blasting songs about life and love while she tried to get things done and avoid her resentment.

  She told herself that it wasn’t over, that she was imagining things and that she should just live her life, but the way he spoke to her. There were so many times when he was sure she was going to hit her. She didn’t know how long he’d hold back. He drank too much. He always had one bottle of liquor going and a twelve pack of dark beer.

  The music was so loud that she hardly noticed the phone ringing till she saw the light flashing on the receiver. He was almost home, but she could risk it. It was definitely Nicole.

  “Hello?” She whispered even though she knew that nobody was around. That was the effect he had on her.

  “Hey, Trish. You doing OK?”

  “You know, thank you so much for this, Nicole.”

  “It’s alright sweetie. I gotta. I know what it’s like.” Nicole was her only comfort. She was estranged from her father for more than 7 years, but she found Tricia on FB. At first it was simple correspondence until Tricia finally snapped and told the girl everything. She told Tricia that was why she got in touch with her. It made sense. She never wanted her father to know that they spoke.

  “Where are you?” Tricia felt like a secret agent. She ran to the pantry in case he came in. he’d be home any time now.

  “We’re about an hour away. When does he leave for his trip?”

  “I’m not sure. I can call you later when he leaves.”

  “Can’t I just come get you now?” Nicole was ready to get the whole thing over with, but Tricia wasn’t even sure what she was going to do it. There were two urges, both stronger than her, leading her in two directions. She couldn’t resist the need to leave any more than she could resist the devotion that kept her there. She had to act and she had to act quick because this might be her only chance.

  “Nicole I do-

  The door opened wide and Rick grabbed the phone away from her in a flash. “Nicole!?” He slammed the phone shut. She clearly hung up on him. Tricia had no idea what was going to happen, but she knew it was going to be bad. He slammed her against the wall, with his breath drenched in cheap whiskey. He shouted, “Why are you talking to her!?” He raised his fist and she slammed her foot into him.

  “Did you just do that? To me? Oh, you don’t wanna keep on living, boy.” She ran upstairs faster than he could follow her. She opened the vent and pulled out her money and the gun that she kept there just in case. She ran into their garage and grabbed a suitcase full of clothes and ran out the front. No doubt Nicole would drive up any minute.

  Rick rushed out the door after her and started screaming, “I loved you!”

  “No, Rick, you didn’t. It’s over. I’m through.” At that point, after he lifted his hand, she didn’t care. The universe imploded and there was nothing left but a broken shell of their lives together. Even if Nicole didn’t show up, she wasn’t going to spend one more second with him.

  “PLEASE!” He slammed down onto the ground and started balling. He pounded his head into the grass, and all she did was watch silently. She was thoroughly pleased be his reaction, but it wasn’t over until he had a pill bottle and a razor blade in his hand.

  Nicole did in fact pull up at that moment. They’d never met and Tricia had never seen her car, but somehow she knew it was her. She grabbed her bag right before the girl slammed on her brakes and jumped out. She ran over to Tricia, who was getting a bit teary eyed, and gave her a big hug. “You alright, sweetie.”

  “I am now. Let’s go.”

  “There’s one more thing I have to do first. This is the last time I’m ever going to see him.” Nicole ran over and kicked her father square in the face then she said, “I love you daddy,” in a mocking tone. There was blood running down his broken nose.

  Tricia walked up to the passenger side door and opened it. There was a punk kid with his face firmly glued to a game system in the front so she had to sit in the back while she waited for Nicole to get in.

  “Where are we going,” Nicole asked when she pulled away.

  “A couple years ago, he put his beach house in my name to avoid tax trouble. You guys wanna spend a few nights there?”

  “I do.” The young man had been silently moving his thumbs on the controller the whole time. This was the first time he spoke up.

  “I guess we could go. I got time off work. Did you get off, Jake?”

  “Uh, yeah.” Jake clearly didn’t care whether he had it or not. He was definitely in his early 20s, but he was easy on the eyes, so Tricia didn’t mind having him around.

  Chapter Three

  The two women talked the entire four hour drive to the coast. They recounted every single story they had about Rick and how much he’d hurt them. They talked about their newfound freedom and their ability to finally live their lives.

  They connected on that level that true friends connect when they’ve been through the same trauma. It had always been like that with them, but Nicole had been there when it finally ended and they both knew how significant t
hat was.

  Tricia felt like a whole new person. She was a kid that had finally become an adult, or a man who had just gotten out of prison. She could do anything, be anything, and she wouldn’t be tied down by that man any longer. She had never realized how trapped she was before.

  The house sat atop a hill that overlooked the ocean. It had steps carved into the jagged rock face that lead down to a beach that you could only access through their private staircase. It was a thrill to be there. She could get her mind off things and take some time away.

  The best part about it was that it was hers. Legally, if he went there, she could ask him to leave and he would have to.

  Jake’s game had already died out and he was snoring loudly when they pulled up. Nicole reached out and pinched his nipple and he opened his eyes with a big grin, “Hey baby.” He motioned down to his massive hard on.

  “Not now, Jake. Tricia’s here.”

  He jumped and looked back to see the smiling lady. Tricia waved at him and he lowered his head like he was a dog who just messed up the carpet.

  “Is it safe here,” Nicole asked?

  “Yeah. It’s fine. Come on, guys.”

  The trio walked over to the front porch where a tiny rock lay next to the door. Tricia reached down and opened it to reveal an inner chamber that held a key. She opened the door, and the smell of salt air and plug-in air fresheners assaulted them. She reached to the right of the door and turned on the lights.

  The house was simple with modern decorations. There was an off white section with a glass coffee table in front and an orchid in a glass vase sitting on top of it. The countertops were white marble and there were little decorations and side tables sitting around. It was the like a show room, but it had a lived in feel too. It had the smells and the ambiance of a home.

  It wouldn’t be home forever, but it would work for a while. She forgot one thing. She turned to Tricia and asked, “Do you think we could run and get my car in the morning?” That was on big issue. The car was hers. They had separate assets, but he might have done something to it by now.

  “Jake,” he left the room. “Where’s the biggest bedroom?”

  Tricia laughed. “This way.” She walked down the small hallway to the right and knocked softly on the door. There was no answer, but there was also no lock so she let Nicole do her thing.

  When she came out, she said, “He says he will take you down to my father’s house to get the car in the morning. Rick didn’t see him so it should be pretty safe if he goes and gets it himself. He’ll just have you drive our car to the corner out of sight.”

  “That works.” Tricia wasn’t tired in the least. On the contrary, she was quite invigorated. “Would you like to go down and take a walk on the beach with me?”

  “Sure. Let me just change into something better.”

  Tricia went to the next room at the end of the hall, with her luggage in hand, and pulled out her white bikini. She hadn’t worn it in years, but she still had that look and she could pull it off. She got glances from men, both young and old, and she was ready to break it out to see how it felt.

  It had gold rings on the sides of the bottom piece that held the tight stretchy fabric together, and a strap that went over her neck that she had to tie in a knot on the back. She looked wonderful. She even decided to pull out some nice strappy white sandals to go with it.

  This was probably the first time in a long time that she’d actually taken such pride in her appearance. Looking back, she had no idea how she actually kept it up the way she did. She certainly didn’t do much to maintain it.

  There was a soft knock on the door and Nicole walked in with her hands over her eyes. “You ready?” She sounded excited. In a way, Tricia could tell that they’d both gotten out of prison. Nicole needed that closure as much as Tricia needed her exit.

  “I’m ready.” Tricia grabbed a towel from the adjacent bathroom, and they made their way down along the small gravel path that led to the steps. Tricia forgot how steep they were and she stopped for a second to grab her bearings. Nicole steadied her.

  “It’s alright. Come with me. I got you.” They made their way down the steps together. “You don’t know just how healing this whole experience has been for me, Tricia. Just talking to you has helped. I was so stuck in the past that I couldn’t move forward.”

  Tricia understood. She needed her closure too. “I had to get out or I was going to lose myself there. That house was my prison. You know, I don’t even remember the last time I got out.

  “Really?” They were nearing the bottom of the stairs and both girls were anxious to run in the sand a little bit.

  “I just stayed there. I cleaned and cooked like he told me to do.” Tricia looked to the right at the breathtaking view. There was a soft fog raising over the water, like sweet bliss caressing the waves. The sky was still there, trying to break through, but it was too thick. They were both watching as they walked hand in hand down to the edge of the tide where they sat down.

  “I’ve always wanted to have a place by the beach,” Nicole said softly.

  “I never got to use it. This is my second time here. We only came when he wanted to put it in my name, and we only stayed for a few hours. I didn’t even get to come down here.”

  “Let’s do something,” Nicole’s voice had a spark.

  “What?” Their eyes locked.

  “Let’s make a pact to never get with the same kind of man, both of us. Women always do that. Even men do it. We can’t repeat the same pattern over and over again like everyone else.”

  “What do we do?”

  “Let’s kiss on it.” Nicole smiled Tricia leaned in. her lips were warm and tender. Her hand around the woman’s chin was as soft as a feather. When they pulled away the magnetic pull stayed in between them.

  “What is Jake like?” Tricia wanted to be sure she wasn’t making the same mistake. She was, after all, devoted wholly to this woman.

  “He’s sweet. He acts the way he does to avoid trouble. He plans out ways to stay in the corner so he doesn’t have to deal with petty squabbles.”

  Tricia nodded. “What’s the catch?”

  “He’s an overgrown frat boy. He lives in filth, he takes you quick and doesn’t know how to move, you know.”

  “Oh, I know.”

  “He leaves something to be desired.” Nicole’s hand grazed Tricia’s thigh. “I have a question.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You ever been with a woman? What’s it like?” Nicole was looking out over the water, but her hand rested a little bit close to where Tricia lay.

  “It’s soft and gentle. Women know what women want. They know how to move right. They know each other’s bodies and they meld together perfectly, no like the way men and women grate on one another with their sexual habits. Women both was the same slow, passionate feel.” Their hands met on the sand. Their heads turned towards one another. “Do it.” Tricia was too old for games. They both wanted it.

  “I’m scared.”

  “Of what? Jake? He’d probably beg you to record it.” Those final words felt like heresy. This moment was special and private. Nobody could share it the way they could. That was it. Tricia had hit the spot. She didn’t want Jake to find out.

  Nicole slowly moved closer and ran her fingers up Tricia’s chest. She moved her index finger along the woman’s nipple as Tricia let out a shuddered gasp. Their warm lips were moving slowly, with their tongues rubbing against one another’s. Their soft breath was moving over each other’s faces like a brilliant blaze of passion that would overtake their throbbing inner thighs that even then were drenched with the sweet nectar welling up inside of them.

  Tricia’s moved slowly along the crease of Nicole’s back and under her shoulder blades to where her bikini was knotted. “May I?”

  “Yes.” Just that one word meant the world. This girl trusted her enough to let her see her at her most vulnerable. They crashed together once again as her fingers undid the knot. The
ir kisses were flashes of flame that grew hotter and hotter, moving down their bodies. Tricia pulled the top off slowly to see her large breasts with their hard inviting nipples. She slowly moved her finger along the outline and watched Nicole gasp in pleasure as she squeezed it softly at first then harder, until the girl’s face was clenched up and her cries echoes across the beach.

  Tricia’s hand moved down the girl’s stomach slowly to allow her to bask in the sensation and it stopped just above that place where only the ones she truly loved dare enter. Their eyes locked and Nicole watched blissfully as her finger pushed through and a shockwave of pleasure moved over clit and just between her pulsing lips. She’d do it. She would let her go in there, in her most sacred depths. She pushed through, as her tongue passed the girl’s lips. She moved farther in her and twisted her finger just enough to make Nicole cry out.

  The girl reached back and pulled Tricia’s neck strap up over her head and unhooked her top with perfect precision. She then lunged her head in and with the technique of a master ran it around the rim of her nipples.

  Tricia’s finger had found its place and as she moaned with satisfaction she began her trip in and out of Nicole’s throbbing hole. The girl could feel the tide moving up, threatening to overcome her as the nectar pushed out with unbearable force and her pleasure magnified to that most sacred of levels. She could feel it coming and she couldn’t stop it.

  Tricia reached in as far as she could, curled her finger, and when her thumb grazed her clit she erupted and let out a passionate wave of sweet nectar. The wetness never left and neither did the throbbing feeling as Tricia, with her finger firmly placed inside the girl’s hole, moved down her chest with her warm lips and over her belly button where she slowly pulled the bottom to reveal Nicole’s soaking wet lips.

  She pushed Tricia’s head in, trying to hold it back again. She couldn’t. The tide of throbbing ecstasy was so overwhelming that as soon as her tongue ran up down the girl’s clit she started pulsing with an unthinkable amount of pleasure that enveloped her in a wave of bliss so powerful that for a single moment she forgot where she was and threw her head back and let out a roar like an animal in heat. Tricia dug her head in as far as she could to lap up the juices that were squirting out like a fountain. She looked up from her place of worship and smiled then she sat up again to sit next to her newfound sister.