Craved By My Stepfather And His Son

Company

Chapter 12

Elena Adams

~•~

“How was your night, Elena? Did you sleep well?” My mom asked cheerfully as she walked into the dining room.

No, I didn’t sleep well.

I was up all night because I couldn’t stop thinking about Damien and the mess that I’d found myself in.

I smiled. “Yes, Mom. I slept well,” I lied through my teeth. “How did you sleep?”

After exchanging pleasantries, she sat down on the chair, beside her husband. We were all having breakfast together, including Chase.

It felt so awkward and intense.

“So Elena, what do you do?” Chase asked after taking a sip of his orange juice.

He had been stealing glances at me ever since I came downstairs. While Damien hadn’t even looked in my direction.

“Nothing. I don’t do anything at the moment,” I replied quietly.

“Really?” He tilted his head. “Why?”

Before I could respond, my mom chimed in on the conversation. “Elena’s former husband didn’t really let her work. He provided everything for her. But now that they’re getting a divorce, she’ll have to look for a job.”

My mouth fell open.

“Mom!” I exclaimed.

Why was she telling them my business without my permission?

She raised her hand in surrender. “I’m sorry, baby.”

Chase laughed.

Damien chuckled.

I swallowed hard.

“If she doesn’t have a job now, she can work in Dad’s company,” Chase replied, his eyes fixed on his Dad as if he was waiting for some sort of approval or something.

No. No. The last thing I wanted to do was work for his father. It was already bad enough that we stayed under the same roof.

At least, we would find it difficult to give in to our temptations here. But if we worked at the same place, we wouldn’t be scared of getting caught by my mom.

Chase had no idea that he was about to make things even more complicated for me.

“I don’t think—.”

“Sure, she can resume whenever she wants,” Damien said sharply, cutting me off.

My heart began racing.

I looked at him.

What the hell did he think he was doing?

And the worst part was that he seemed thrilled about the idea. He intentionally agreed to it.

A wide smile spread across my mom’s face. “Really, honey? You’d do that for my daughter?”

He nodded. “Of course. Just like I told you yesterday, she’s family,” he replied with a mischievous grin. “And she’s my daughter too.”

The way he said the last words made my skin crawl and my heart do a somersault at the same time.

He said it with a straight face, with paternal authority. But we both knew that it was anything but fatherly.

He was trying to tease and torture me at the same time.

While my mother beamed at his generosity, it felt like I was about to lose my mind.

“That’s settled then,” Chase said, clapping his hands together, looking far too pleased with himself. “You’re not going to be a housewife anymore.”

I struggled to hold back a scoff.

He was just trying to be polite, but he had no idea how annoying that topic was.

“Chase, leave her alone.” My mother nudged him playfully. Then she turned to me. “But seriously, that is going to be a great opportunity.”

“Sure.” I forced an awkward smile.

If she knew what was going on between her husband and me, she wouldn’t even let me go close to that office.

We continued eating.

The three of them discussed while I focused on eating my food. I just wanted to be done with it and head back to my room.

But I could feel Damien’s eyes on me.

I looked up for a moment and our eyes met. That alone was enough to make heat crawl up my neck.

His expression was calm and unreadable as he cut into his food like he hadn’t completely turned my life upside down.

Meanwhile, I could barely hold my fork.

“Elena, are you excited to start working with the company?” My mom asked, shifting the attention back to me. “Maybe it’ll help distract you.”

I let out a sharp exhale.

Distract me?

If only she knew that the biggest distraction of my life was sitting next to her.

“I’ll think about it.”

Damien leaned back slightly in his chair. “You’ll think about it? I thought it was already settled.” His voice was smooth. “Don’t worry, you’re going to like the environment.”

I had no idea what his company even did.

At this point, it felt like the three of them were making decisions for me and I didn’t have any say.

“Okay,” I replied. I didn’t want to talk about it anymore and silently hoped that they would drop it too.

The conversation shifted to something else. I resumed eating my food and pretending like I was actually enjoying it.

I needed to get out of the dining room before I would crack.

But suddenly, I felt a foot brush against mine under the table.

My breath hitched but I didn’t dare look up. The touch was deliberate and the person definitely wanted a reaction from me.

Damien. It had to be him.

My mom was busy chatting about a trip that she had planned with her new friends, while her husband was doing something entirely different with his foot.

My heart hammered against my ribs so loudly, and I was certain that everyone would have heard it if the place were silent.

His legs were still pressed against mine.

After a few moments, I let out a deep sigh and yanked my leg away. Then I finally looked up.

But to my surprise, Chase had a naughty smirk spread across his face.

My lips parted and I blinked.

Did he just brush his foot against mine?

Was that his way of flirting with me?

I wanted to confront him, but I didn’t want to embarrass him in front of everyone, so I decided to let it slide.

But I kept thinking about what was happening. Both the father and son were interested in me.

That wasn’t good.