Thou Shall Not: A Dark Ten Commandments Anthology

by Michelle Brown

  As we prepare to leave the church after the service, my father places his hand on the small of my back. It takes all my careful control to keep the mask in place and not flinch away from his touch where people can see us. While the other members of the congregation move past us, I force my lips into a smile as fake as the life I’m living. They don’t think anything of that hand, but to me it feels like a brand...an unwanted claim I’m struggling to refute.

  When we finally leave the building, I inhale the fresh air, and moving swiftly away from the stifling presence standing behind me, I breathe out a sigh of relief. A motorbike revs nearby, drawing my attention, and I look for the source of the noise with a genuine smile curling up on my lips. Landon’s here.

  I start to head over to him, but my father grabs my wrist, halting my progress. After scanning the car park where everyone’s now heading to their cars or leaving the grounds, I round on him with a glare and wrench my arm away.

  “Lillian,” he warns with a low growl, and I scoff, shaking my head.

  “I fucking dare you to stop me, Dad. In front of all these people, I dare you,” I challenge when he reaches out again to grab me.

  “Young lady, don’t you talk to me like that,” he replies, attempting to sound authoritative.

  “Don’t try to parent me, Dad, and don’t come after me,” I hiss, bitterness lacing my tone. Then I turn and run across the lot, my plain black pumps thudding against the concrete.

  “Lillian Claire! Get back here, now!” he bellows, and I can hear him chasing after me, but I don’t turn around.

  I don’t care that I’m wearing a dress; I don’t care that I’ll have my bare legs exposed when I straddle Landon’s bike. All I care about, in that moment, is the fact I’ll be getting away from the house and from him for a few hours at least.

  As I approach the bike, I call to Landon, “Get me out of here.”

  With a jerk of his head towards the pillion seat behind him, Landon indicates I should hop on the back and says, “Let’s go, babe.”

  Grinning, I step forward, kiss Landon quickly on the lips, hike up my dress, and clamber on. Wrapping my arms around his warm body, I press my face into his back and inhale the familiar smell of man, wind, and leather: a scent that’s unique to Landon. Home is here with him, not the joke of a place I inhabit with my father.

  “How was it today?” Landon asks when we’re out of earshot. His warm husky voice washes over me like a balm.

  I roll my eyes at him even though he can’t see me, and I tighten my arms around his waist. “The usual,” I respond.

  The heat from Landon’s body and the vibration of the bike between my thighs make my blood rush with anticipation. Whatever may or may not happen in some undetermined future doesn’t matter. In this moment, it’s only us, the bike, and the wind whipping past us as Landon expertly weaves through the minimal traffic, heading out of town to our favourite spot near the river.

  It’s a quiet, private place where we come to sneak away from overbearing adults and escape the reality of our lives. Landon’s parents have never fully forgiven him for turning his back on their faith, and my own father is a demon beneath the facade of a good man. My father’s touches seep through my skin like a poison while his transparent thoughts leave nothing to the imagination.

  “What happened today, Lil?” Landon asks when we finally arrive and move through the overgrown branches to our little hideaway.

  I look away from him, but the thing about Landon is he never lets me hide from him.

  “Tell me,” he urges, gently turning my face back towards him, so he can meet my eyes.

  “Nothing happened. It doesn’t change how I feel, though. Every time we pass in the hallway at home, every simple brush of skin, and every look lasting no longer than a heartbeat. I feel him everywhere, Landon. Nothing has happened, but nothing changes, either. It’s like everything is stagnant in that house. I’m the one who’s changing. I’m aging while he seems to forever stay the same.” The words tumble from my mouth, making me feel both elated and ashamed.

  I shouldn’t have to feel this way in my own damn home, but I don’t want to lie or upset Landon. I’ve only ever told him the truth...unless an omission is considered a deception. It’s something we always promised each other ever since we were children. It’s hard to keep my promise, though, when I know how much it upsets him that he can’t do more to protect me.

  “I want to get you out of there,” he says, biting his lip roughly.

  My eyes are drawn to the movement; it causes my heart to stutter, and I involuntarily lick my own. Landon lets out a groan and flops back on the cool grass, pulling me down with him. I curl up against him, enjoying the closeness we share.

  “I know, and I love you for it,” I reply softly.

  “What kind of hell shall we raise today, Lil?” he murmurs, kissing my head that’s now resting on his shoulder.

  I lift my head and grin at him. “How about we just stay here and forget the outside world exists?”

  He pulls me closer, and his lips collide roughly with mine, “Hmm, I think we can do that, Lil.”

  I moan against his lips and move, so I’m straddling him. Landon’s hands grip my bare thighs before he slowly runs them up beneath the hem of my dress. The material slips higher, exposing my pale skin. We’re both breathing heavily as the moment builds between us. He brushes a finger lightly over the front of my panties, causing a little whimper to escape from me.

  “I don’t care about anything other than being with you right now,” I whisper, then gasp when Landon tugs my underwear down and dips his finger into my wetness before bringing it up to circle my clit.

  “So wet for me, Lil,” he groans, grinding against me while he continues to rub my clit.

  “Make love to me,” I beg, crying out when he applies the right amount of pressure.

  Landon lets out a low growl, holds me by my thighs and rolls us over, so I’m lying beneath him. I shimmy out of my panties while he fumbles with the button of his jeans, freeing his swollen cock. After rolling a condom down the hard shaft he lines himself up with my wet pussy and sinks slowly into my body until there is nothing but a breath of space between us.

  “Damn, Lil. You’re so perfect,” he groans, moving slowly in and out.

  Landon makes me feel whole and safe, and when we’re here, I can’t be touched by the monster who lives under my roof. When we’re together and Landon’s holding me, I don’t feel tainted by his touch, and I don’t feel unclean. I feel cherished...loved in the right way.

  Chapter Three

  Kellen

  Lillian knows of course. How could she not? She’s an intelligent, beautiful girl, and the delicate innocence radiating from her leaves me salivating. It’s impossible not to touch her whenever she’s within reach. I’m at war with myself. The father in me knows this is wrong, but the man in me doesn’t seem to care. It’s immoral to have such cravings for my own flesh and blood, but I can’t seem to stifle this furious need I have to sample a taste of her.

  She hasn’t come home yet. That wayward child of mine needs to learn some respect and to get it through her head she can’t go running off with Landon. Their closeness is a mounting problem I need to bring to an end. I regret ever encouraging the friendship between them. But there’s no denying it may prove useful to me in the long run, should I lose control. No one would ever suspect me when that kid has been seen hovering around my daughter.

  There’s no point calling her phone. Ever since I bought Lillian her first mobile, I’ve drilled it into her that it’s not to be taken to church; I didn’t want her distracted by it. As usual, she left it behind when we went today, and it’s locked with a password, rendering me unable to get into it to check through her messages. The only reason I let her have one in the first place was to keep up appearances as the doting father and for the added benefit that I could keep track of her whereabouts via the in-built GPS.

  There’s only one good thing about her disappearing t
oday, and that is it’s given me the opportunity to snoop through her room. I haven’t found anything new; I already know about the secret stash of clothing she keeps hidden at the back of her wardrobe. I trail my fingers down the lush velvet of the dresses, imagining the way they would hug Lillian’s soft curves. She’s my only child, and she’ll be my damnation, one day. Her sweet scent wafts from the clothing when I disturb them, and I inhale deeply. A low groan escapes me and blood rushes south to my dick. I drop a hand to my swelling cock and squeeze it through the fabric of my suit trousers. Grinding my teeth together, I start to rub my hand up and down the shaft, hoping to ease some of the ache.

  Lust takes over, and I loosen my belt, unfasten the button and zip, and free myself from the confines of my trousers. Air escapes in a whoosh when I fist the length, pumping my dick slowly. I should be sickened by this, but all I can feel is a twisted sense of excitement as I stand in Lillian’s walk-in wardrobe, surrounded by her clothes and her enticing fragrance.

  Pleasure tingles at the base of my spine, and my balls draw up tighter the longer I stand there furiously jerking off to fantasies of my beguiling daughter. I imagine what it would be like to have her kneel in front of me while I fuck her mouth and throat. Would she gag? Would she swallow every drop of cum I spill into her mouth?

  “Fuck,” I groan, shuddering as the release hits.

  Thick white cum spurts from the end of my dick, coating my hand and dripping onto the floor of her wardrobe. Breathing hard, I lean against the wall with my eyes closed while the aftershocks continue to ripple through me.

  After a few moments, when I feel more composed, I open my eyes and take in the mess I’ve made. I let out a heavy sigh and straighten. I better clean that mess up. Do I feel guilty? Not particularly. But sneaking into Lillian’s room and invading her privacy is one thing, leaving evidence of the pleasure I’ve so sinfully gained from it for her to discover is another thing completely.

  Tucking my flaccid dick back into my trousers, I head to the bathroom for a cloth. I look into the mirror fitted to the wall and stare thoughtfully at my own reflection. My eyes which are usually the same warm brown as Lillian’s are still dark with lust. She has my eyes, but the rest of her looks belong to her mother.

  I’m surely going to hell for these thoughts and desires; but what if I were to act upon them? I chuckle bitterly to myself. I know I’d willingly endure eternal damnation for a few forbidden moments with my daughter. Even though she’s my flesh and blood, all I can think about these days is how she would feel beneath me as I work my dick into her tight body.

  I clench my fists when I remember she’s with Landon. He’s probably touching her, giving her pleasure, and tasting her sweet pussy as she comes...doing everything I want to do to her right now. Anger starts to boil in my veins, and as I power back down the hallway to her room, I’m almost tempted to leave my mess for her to find. But in spite of the twisted thoughts that plague me constantly, I’m trying to be a good father...

  Chapter Four

  Lillian

  Landon and I spend the rest of the day talking, laughing, loving, and simply being together. It was nice to get away from everything for a while. Escape the expectations and find respite from the lies I have to tell every single day about how I’m the perfect daughter to the perfect father...

  “Will you tell me if he tries to take it any further?” Landon asks, lacing his fingers with mine.

  I avoid his gaze and squeeze his hand, not wanting to see his worried eyes boring into mine. I give him a reassuring smile, but I know he can tell I’m not answering, because I don’t want to lie to him. Thankfully, he doesn’t push me.

  I see him peeking up through the overhead branches at the darkening sky. “It’s getting late,” he observes, sounding regretful,

  I let out a sigh and bury my face in his chest as I reply despondently, “I don’t want to go home yet.”

  “We can stay a little longer, but you know that your dad will go to my house, and my parents will lose their shit again. They barely tolerate me living there as it is. If I wasn’t working and paying them to stay at home while I’m studying, then I’d be out on my arse by now. I can’t risk moving away and leaving you behind with him.”

  IT’S DARK BY THE TIME Landon drops me home. My stomach is growling because apart from a few snacks he’d stored in the compartment on his bike, I’ve had nothing to eat all day. We were too comfortable in our bubble to venture out for anything, and it’s well past dinnertime, or at least, I assume it is. I’ve no idea what the actual time is. I always leave my phone at home when I go to church.

  My stomach clenches when I see the light filtering through the gaps in the living room curtains. Fuck, that means my father’s still awake. Not that I’d expected him to go to bed while I was out with Landon, but still, I had hoped.

  “Lillian, is that you?” I hear my father’s falsely calm voice calling out over the sound of the door clicking shut behind me.

  I inwardly groan before answering, “Yes, Dad, I’m home.”

  “Come in here for a moment, Lillian,” he orders, and every hair on my body stands on end.

  Reluctantly, I make my way down the hallway to the living room where my father waits, all the while battling to slow my panting breaths. My heart thuds heavily in my chest as I fight the urge to run straight up to my room.

  No matter how things may appear to everyone else, what happens under this roof is beyond anything they can comprehend. Father doesn’t tell anyone how I constantly defy him, and I don’t tell anyone about the ever encroaching advances he’s making towards me. The only person I’ve ever confided in is Landon whom I swore to secrecy after his previous attempt at confronting my father.

  I steel myself before stepping through the doorway. My eyes sweep across the room taking in the family and school photos that adorn the faded peach-coloured walls. I do everything possible to avoid meeting the eyes of the man I can’t stand living under the same roof with.

  Mum passed away when I was six, and it's been the two of us ever since. She'd be disgusted by the despicable desires my father has for me. It never used to be like this; we were as normal together as we could possibly be. It's only been in the past few years that the balance between our father-daughter relationship has started to shift. The rules he enforced became stricter, and the punishments for disobedience harsher.

  “Lillian, it’s late. You ran off after church and didn’t come home,” he says slowly.

  I don’t respond; I simply wait for him to continue. The fallout is swiftly approaching, I can sense it, but I’m unable to do anything to prevent it. I brought this upon myself by running off with Landon today when I should’ve just come home.

  It’s agonising treading on constant eggshells while I wait for what seems to be the inevitable. I could tell someone, of course I could! Honestly though, who on earth would believe me? I’d most likely be branded a liar and punished for it. In their eyes, my father’s an upstanding member of our congregation and couldn't be guilty of such a wicked sin. So even if I did confess, nothing would fucking change.

  “You defied me and spent most of the day with Landon even though I forbade you to see him anymore, Lillian,” he continues.

  “Landon is my best friend. Did you really think I’d just drop him because you ordered me to?” I snap, my voice cracking.

  My father shoots from his seat and is now standing directly in front of me, looking down with a furious expression. It takes every ounce of my will not to flinch away from his glare, but I do take a hesitant step back. I stare up at him, fighting to keep my face impassive...staying strong when I feel anything but.

  Shaking my head, I spin on my heel to walk away, his fingers close around my arm, and he snaps, “Just where do you think you’re going?”

  I tug my arm away from his grip with a cry, “I’m going to bed, just leave me alone.”

  “I’m sorry, Lillian, but if you misbehave you must be ready to face the consequences” he says,
reaching for me. I close my eyes with a shudder when his arms wrap around my now shaking frame, and he pulls me close to his body. He slowly slides his hands down my back, and I tense when they reach the top of my butt where he leaves them, his thumbs gently stroking over the covered skin.

  Careful not to look too eager to get away from his touch, I shrug out of his arms. “I’m tired. Can we please talk about this in the morning?”

  “We’re going to talk about this right now, Lillian. You can’t keep disobeying me this way,” he says with a frown, and my heart skitters in my chest as fear slowly starts to take hold.

  I wish he would stop saying my name. The way he says it makes my fucking skin crawl and bile rise up my throat. It feels almost like a caress...even when he’s scolding me like this. I cross the room to the small sofa, it sits against the wall farthest from the chair my father favours, and I take a seat. I sense more than see him as he sits down next to me and places his hand on my thigh. I inhale a shaky breath at his proximity, and his too familiar touch. He’s my father, but even this seemingly innocent gesture is uncomfortable...because from him it’s far from innocent.

  I feel as though the slightest breeze would be enough to push me over the edge and shatter me. I act so strong in front of everyone; only Landon can see the cracks in the seams of my fragile mind. I slowly turn my head to look at my father, hoping to get this over with quickly, so I can escape to my room.

  My father doesn’t look old enough to have a daughter of nearly eighteen years. His hair is still mostly brown with just a few silver streaks, and faint laugh lines crinkle at the corners of his eyes and mouth. To the outside world he appears attractive, upstanding, and God-fearing. But his eyes betray the real him: their soulless depths suck all the warmth out of me, and when I’m alone in his presence the burning lust in them makes me feel like I’m bathing in acid.