by Fiona Cole
Kelly. Yeah, I guessed she’d be there too and probably join in, but she wasn’t one of us. She was more of a…distraction.
A distraction from this growing attraction to Nova. And not the normal one that most teenage guys had. I had that too since I first saw her. No, this attraction crept into my very being, planting itself in my bones until it became part of me—until I feared I wouldn’t be able to live without it. Which was why I had to try and stop it before I couldn’t.
Nova was my stepsister, and I struggled to sit across from her at dinner like some kind of happy little family when all I could think about was what her lips would taste like. If her skin was as soft as it looked. What her moans would feel like against my tongue. I knew what her annoyance, happiness, frustration all sounded like, but I constantly wondered what her pleasure sounded like. Would it be just as unique as her?
How would she fit in my arms if I snuck into her room at night and pulled her close? Probably better than Kelly did, who wrapped around me like an anaconda. But it was fine because I didn’t plan to be with Kelly forever. Like I said—a distraction.
A distraction that worked as a double-edged sword and sparked Nova’s jealousy.
That was the thing—my attraction was only half of it. The way Nova looked at me more than filled in the other half. One of us had to try and put up walls. Nova had her shy, passive personality that would prevent her from making a move, so I used Kelly because I didn’t have a shy or passive bone in my body. I needed physical objects that would at least try to slow down my get, get, get attitude.
“I wouldn’t leave you behind. Come on, the guys will be there, and I want you there.” That got her attention. “Please, please, please, please, please.”
Her eyes met mine over the edge of the book, and I held my breath, unsure of how I wanted her to answer. Despite needing to keep her from becoming too much a part of me, she’d already planted roots, and I also hated having her away—like I left my arm at home or something.
I wanted to rip out my hair. I hated not being able to make a solid decision about Nova and just stick with it. I guessed this was part of being a teen—all the angst and being unable to follow through on what you needed because of what you wanted.
She sighed and tossed her book aside. “Fine.”
“Yes,” I shouted, arms tossed in the air. I did a victory lap around her art table and back to her bed like Rocky Balboa. She shifted to the edge, laughing at my antics. I gripped her shoulders and hoisted her up, turning her toward the bathroom.
“Listen, you don’t have to get changed, but maybe wear something other than slippers. Also, brush your teeth, so you don’t clear out the house the first time you speak.”
“Oh, fuck you, Parker.”
“Oohhh, shit. Nova just swore. It’s gonna be a good night,” I cheered.
She rolled her eyes just before slamming the bathroom door in my face. Turning, I leaned my back against the wall and smiled, inhaling as deep as I could to stretch my lungs. It would be a good night. As long as I could keep my hands off my stepsister, we’d be fine.
By the time Nova emerged, Ash was waiting and whistled, looking her up and down.
“Damn, Nova. Those boots were made for walking, and they can walk all over me,” he declared.
She did a twirl, her long hair fanning out like a spreading wildfire, lifting one of her grass-green, crushed velvet boots. Nova had a thing for shoes, and I remembered when she came home with those. She wore them around the apartment for days, even in her pajamas, because apparently, she needed to break them in before taking them out on the town.
“Come on,” I grumbled, playfully shoving Ash toward the door—kind of.
By the time we walked into the industrial loft, the party was in full swing. As soon as we cleared the doors, Kelly threw herself at me, making me bump into Nova.
“Parker! You made it.”
The beer on her breath almost took me down faster than her surprise attack. “Already drinking?”
“Just a little.” She held her thumb and pointer finger barely apart. “Hey, guys.” She waved at Nova and Ash, not bothering to untangle her arms from my neck.
Kelly smacked a kiss against my cheek and caught me up on what had already taken place. She was a cool girl. Laid-back and easy to be with. We both knew she liked me more than I did her, but it never stopped her from wanting to be with me.
She was the perfect distraction—her black hair and tan skin making it impossible for me to imagine Nova whenever Kelly and I fooled around. I already struggled to keep thoughts of Nova from my imagination. I definitely didn’t need a picture of a redhead bobbing over my lap to go along with those fantasies.
“You want a drink?” Kelly asked.
“Sure.”
Before I could say anything, she tugged me to the kitchen, Ash and Nova following behind. Kelly poured two drinks and danced around me, doing her best to get my attention, but I couldn’t stop staring at Nova as she accepted the shot of tequila. I stood right next to her but somehow barely hung on the fringes of the attention she gave to Ash. I watched her take the shot, her delicate throat swallowing it down. She cringed and coughed before tossing her head back, laughing. The lights from the living area flashed, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Pinks, blues, greens splashed across her smiling face, and I thought about our recent science lesson. “Supernova,” I whispered, not even realizing I’d said it until all attention was focused on me.
Her big green eyes looked at me, and I couldn’t look away. It wasn’t until her nose scrunched up that I realized I spoke loud enough to hear.
“Supernova?” she asked.
I knew I should be aware of Kelly still clinging to me, but I couldn’t make myself care. “Yeah. You’re like an exploding star—all bright lights and energy.”
The confusion dropped from her eyes like a gate being let down, and a flash of honesty flared like a flame hitting me square in the chest.
“It’s totally the red hair,” Kelly announced, bringing the gate back down over Nova’s gaze.
“And those green shoes,” Ash added, thoroughly breaking the moment.
“Thank you?” Nova responded, laughing, but still looked at me curiously.
“What is up, my buddies?” Oren greeted, saving me from explaining more. He walked up behind us with his arms spread wide. The giant linebacker behind him looked a little out of place in our crew but had managed to find a spot.
While we wore band tees and relaxed jeans, Brogan Carmichael wore a polo and perfectly pressed jeans—his blond hair styled to a T. He was the star linebacker for our football team and also the new rhythm guitarist for our band. Like me, he’d just moved here, and through an unlikely run-in, we made fast friends.
“Shots, man. Join me,” Ash said, flipping over more solo cups.
A giggly Nova turned to Oren, the tequila already seeping into her veins. “I’m a supernova.”
“Damn right you are,” Brogan agreed, holding his fist out.
She bumped hers to his and edged back to make room in the circle for everyone, holding out her cup for more tequila.
We all tapped cups and tossed the shots back. Nova brought the lime to her lips, and I almost choked on my tongue when her usual bright eyes met mine, growing darker, filling with something I’d never seen from her before. Desire. Unlike the curious glances she gave me before, this one screamed want and need. She dragged her tongue along her bottom lip. I could have basked under her stare all night, but it vanished when Kelly ducked under my arm.
“Pour me a shot,” she told Ash.
“Pour me two,” Nova shouted like it was some kind of competition.
Oren cheered. “Me too. Let’s do it, Supernova.”
She lifted her cup and started singing Shots by LMFAO. Oren danced, and Nova joined in, stumbling.
“Hey, why don’t we slow down,” I said softly.
She stopped dancing and looked from me to Kelly and back to me. “Na
h, I want to enjoy the party. That’s why you wanted me to come out, right? Have fun on a Saturday night?”
“Yeah,” the guys cheered in chorus.
I wanted her to come out and have fun, but I didn’t want her to end up miserable and blacked out drunk.
Thankfully, Uptown Funk came on, and Nova abandoned her plan for two more shots, brushed past the guys with her arms already up as she danced her way to an open spot. Oren took her shot for her and followed behind. Brogan and Ash joining them.
“Let’s dance. I love this song.” Kelly grabbed my hand and pulled me to the group. She shook her ass and rolled her hips, holding my attention—for the most part. Nova danced beside us, tempting me to watch her.
Determined to focus on Kelly, I gripped her hips and moved with her. Two songs later, she asked if I wanted another beer, and I jumped at the chance to put distance between Nova and me. But it backfired when we stood on the edge of the dance floor with our beers, and I had a perfectly direct view of Nova dancing.
Kelly stood in my arms, her back to my front, ass firmly swaying against my dick. It should have been all I could think about, but I couldn’t help but focus on Nova dancing with the guys.
Songs blended together, and she twirled away from Ash’s arms and into Oren’s and then Brogan’s. She rotated between them until they began pairing off with other girls. Then random guys moved in, trying to capture the supernova shining on the floor, and I reached my breaking point.
“I’m gonna keep the other guys away from Nova,” I said against Kelly’s ear.
She turned back, her face twisted in confusion. “You’re going to dance with your sister?”
“She’s not my sister,” I growled. “And I promised our parents I’d keep an eye on her,” I lied.
Kelly’s face softened, and she kissed my cheek. “You’re a good guy, Parker.”
I snorted. Yeah, a good guy. Totally noble.
NOVA
My head swam from the quick succession of tequila I’d consumed upon entering the party. I knew I’d regret it later, but right now, with the music blaring, the lightheaded happiness that kept me from dwelling on anything other than moving my body to the beat, I didn’t care.
Every time I looked over to find Kelly grinding on Parker, all I had to do was turn into whoever’s arms I was dancing with, and all was forgotten. All I had to do was close my eyes and pretend it was Parker’s arms wrapped around me and it was like Kelly never existed.
But she did.
And it had guilt bubbling up because Kelly was cool—other than her being with Parker.
I wasn’t even sure if they were dating, but fantasizing about a guy who even kind-of-slightly-might belong to someone else wasn’t me.
At least it hadn’t been me.
I didn’t want it to be me.
“Move,” a deep voice ordered, interrupting my beat.
I stumbled and turned, watching my dance partner hold his hands up to a scowling Parker and back away.
“What the hell, Parker?”
“You just going to rub your ass on anyone tonight?” he asked with none of his usual relaxed humor.
“I’m just dancing,” I said, rolling my eyes. “It’s not like I’m letting my girlfriend dry hump me in front of everyone.”
His brows shot up, and I looked away, hating that I admitted my irritation.
“She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Well, whatever. I’m just dancing.”
“With strange guys.”
“Half of them go to our school.”
“Well, now you can dance with me.”
“I-I—” I sputtered, trying to process the thought of Parker actually wrapping his arms around me, his clean, spicy scent engulfing me. “What? Won’t Kelly care?”
“No. Like I said, she’s not my girlfriend.” The song changed, and his smile came out to play, luring me in. “Now, shut up and dance with me.”
I laughed, hearing the opening to the song, giving in to the music. I bounced on the balls of my feet and swayed side to side, singing the words to him. When the chorus came on, I acted out the lyrics, holding up my hand and demanding he dance with me.
His perfect smile grew, and we danced around each other, singing back and forth. When the lyrics weren’t there, I played drums while he played air guitar, just to go right back to dancing—never getting too close. The only time we touched was when he held my hand and turned me in circles.
At least until a slow beat came through the speakers, and my inner ho came out. The gritty bass opened the song, and I moved my hands up my sides, into my hair, dipping down to rock back and forth. I rolled my hips and neck, turning around to meet his ocean blue eyes darkening under his heavy lids. He stood there motionless other than his hands flexing along with his jaw, watching me.
The rest of the room faded, and I basked in his heated gaze, putting on a show. Stepping close, I moved his hands to my hips before turning and continuing my dance. His hands gripped tight when my ass brushed against his groin the first time. I half expected him to step back, but a moment later, his heat came into full contact with my back and enveloped me. He wrapped around me, moving his hips, leaning his head next to mine, breathing deep. I tipped my head back, giving him every temptation to bury his mouth against my neck. The desperation to feel him overwhelmed me. Sweat dripped down my spine. My thighs burned from dipping low and pushing back against him.
His long fingers dipped beneath my hip bones, and I lost myself for a moment, placing my hand over his, lacing our fingers, holding him in place while I pushed back and moved side to side. I felt his rumble against my back more than heard it, my heart jumping in its confines when my ass encountered a hard ridge.
The high of making Parker Callahan hard hit me, and I never wanted it to fade.
The dry humping I accused Kelly of performing on Parker earlier looked like the hokey-pokey compared to what Parker and I were doing.
Before now, I rarely thought beyond my own desires. I never allowed myself to wonder if Parker might feel the same way because it’d been so easy to scoff at. Parker would never go for someone like me—someone as complicated as his stepsister. But the way he held me tight and inhaled against my neck like he wanted to make my essence part of him, I couldn’t brush it off and wondered if maybe he looked at me as something more, too.
The song faded, and I turned back around, our foreheads almost touching, His eyes were glued to my mouth, and his hands still held me close. On impulse, I slicked my tongue across my lips before digging into the tingling flesh. One of his hands abandoned my hips to tug my lip free and slowly drag his thumb along the abused flesh.
It would be so easy to suck his thumb into my mouth—to cross the line—to drop a bomb on the line and forget why it even existed.
I almost did when a catcall preceded Oren bumping past people and emerging in our little bubble, Brogan and Ash close behind.
“Damn, Supernova. That was H-O-double-T—hot. I think I got a half-boner just watching.”
Parker pulled back to a respectable distance, breaking the connection like it never existed in the first place.
“Ew, Oren.” I tried to say the words like I normally would, but they came out breathless. Still a little lost in the moment.
“Yeah, ew,” Brogan agreed, slapping the back of Oren’s head.
The guys danced around and joked. I tried to get into it, but the weight of my desire made it hard to lose myself like I had before.
Halfway through the song, Kelly made a reappearance and tugged Parker down to whisper in his ear. His eyes flicked to mine before he nodded and followed her off the dance floor.
Questions bombarded me as I watched them move out of sight. I tried to ignore them and failed.
Where did she take him?
What are they doing?
Maybe he’ll be right back.
Maybe it’s nothing.
Maybe everything was nothing.
Maybe I’m imagining it.
What if it meant nothing, and he was hard because he was thinking of Kelly?
Shaking my head, I finally gave up on dancing by the third song. The pendulum of emotions from high to low wiped out any lingering energy, and every bone in my body called for a bed.
But first, my bladder called for a bathroom.
I let Ash know and made my way down the single hallway, almost pouting like a child when I took in the four doors on each side. With a deep breath, I sent up a quick prayer I didn’t walk in on anyone fucking.
First door, empty bedroom.
Second door, group of pot smokers. After politely declining, I resumed my search.
Third door, locked. God, I hoped that wasn’t the bathroom.
Fourth door—I didn’t bother because I could hear the couple banging against it on the other side.
Only four more to go, I promised my bladder.
Fifth door, a guy getting a BJ on the edge of the bed.
Fifth door, I cringed, about to shut it when my heart dropped. My bladder was forgotten, and every ounce of tequila threatened to come up with each rioting roll of my stomach.
Fifth door, I shattered, not knowing how much I cared until watching the possibilities be snatched away.
Fifth door, Parker leaned on the bed, his lips parted, head tipped back, and eyes closed as a girl kneeled between his parted legs, her dark head very clearly bobbing up and down.
He groaned, and his eyes slid open, locking on mine, widening.
“Shit.”
I jerked back into action, shoving all hurt aside and locking it away. “Fuck this. I’m leaving.”
He promised to not leave me for Kelly, and yet here he was, getting his dick sucked, leaving me stranded with the guys. Maybe he really did need me as a wingman, and he was dancing with me to get Kelly going. Maybe this was all just a fucking waste.
“Nova,” he called just before I slammed the door.
Keeping my head down, I barreled through the crowd, blocking out anyone calling my name. I made it to the elevator, the doors just opening when the music blared into the hallway with the opened door.
“Dammit, Nova. Stop.”
