Her Stepfather's Mistress

004

Jewel

“How the hell should I know? The landlord just showed up this morning, threatening to call the cops if we don't leave before noon." She huffs, throwing her hands up.

That doesn't make any sense.

“Did he say why?"

“He wouldn't say anything, but I'm not stupid, okay? This clearly has to do with that couple you were fighting with last night.” She mutters, returning to boxing things.

Running back into my room, I pick up my phone and dial Skylar. She doesn't pick. I call again.

“I'm in a meeting. What is this about?" Her cold voice filters through the speaker.

"Did you do this? Did you get my landlord to kick me out?!” I yell, gripping my hair tight.

"Oh please, like I spend…"

“Don't you lie to me. If you ever want a relationship with me, then don't lie." I warned her. She goes silent, and I patiently wait for her confession.

“Just move in with us, alright? I spoke with Reed after we got home last night, and he said he was fine with it.”

Was that before or after he waylaid me in the parking lot?

"This isn't right. It's not just me you're messing with; my roommate is innocent.”

"No, I got her a new place. The movers should be there already.” She says, and I pinch my nose bridge.

What is this?

"Why are you doing this?”

"You came looking for me, Jewel. You wanted a mother, and that's exactly what I'm trying to do. Be your mother, which means I get to take care of you now. So just move in with us and let me give you the life that you should have had all these years.”

A few hours later, I find myself standing in the middle of the most oversized living room I’ve ever seen. It's like something that popped out of a f*****g magazine.

Everything looks new, exquisite and shiny. The floor is marbled, glass walls surround the house, and the furniture is expensive enough to cost more than my life. Even the air smells different, like money and power.

I turn slowly, trying to take it all in, then I hear footsteps.

Reed descends the stairs, his shirt unbuttoned, exposing the toned abs and muscled chest my fingers once eagerly traced.

He catches me ogling him, and he smirks, coming to stand before me.

I swallow, looking away.

“You actually came." He mutters, crossing his arms.

“It's not like I have any other choice." I huff, stepping away from him, pretending to observe the house.

“There’s always a choice. You just picked the worst one.” I feel his breath brush the back of my neck, and I wheel around, my lips flattening.

“You have to stop doing that.”

“Doing what, this?" His mouth curves, and he closes the gap between us despite my protest

"This." I motion between us. “Creeping up on me, coming close to me. It has to stop. I'm your stepdaughter now." I snap.

“My stepdaughter?” He laughs. He grips my jaw, forcing my lips open. I should be offended, yet I find myself entranced.

“You actually think Skylar cares about you? That she brought you here to build a relationship with you?” He scoffs, his tone mocking.

“Why not? Are you disappointed she wants to be my mommy after all, and you have no choice but to play along, Daddy?” I retort, throwing his words back at him.

Yes, Skylar isn't perfect, but he's no saint either. They are equally bad, that's if he's not worse. He's a cheater, a liar and a manipulator.

“Such innocence,” he murmurs, teasing my jaw. “Too bad you’re about to get pretty ruined.”

I shiver, trying to step away, but he tightens his grip, his warm thumb dipping into my mouth.

My eyes widen, and a soft moan escapes me, much to my mortification.

The front door opens, and I stumble away from him, sighing in relief when I see that it's just the driver bringing in my bags.

Fucking hell.

This is a terrible idea; I knew it even as I said yes to Skylar, but here I am anyway.

Call it stupid, but there's a part of me that hopes for a chance with her. That she's not so bad, and we'll develop a good relationship over time.

And then there's Bloom, my sister. She's the main reason I agreed to this. I plan to take her away from Irene, our manipulative and morally corrupt adopted mother, as soon as Bloom hits eighteen, which is only a few months away.

Staying here means I don't have to spend money on rent, food, or any other bills, except for my transportation to work. Which means I can save as much as I want, and when the time comes, I can get another apartment, take Bloom with me, and we can both finally be free of Irene.

It'll be a plus if Skylar remains in the picture in the long run, but I'm trying not to raise my hopes too high. She's offering me a reprieve from my hard life, and I'm taking it.

I'd like to believe Reed wasn't another contributing factor to my decision, but I know if the driver hadn't walked in, he probably would have kissed me, and I wouldn't have stopped him.

Does that make me a bad person? A hypocrite? A w***e?

I don't know who I am anymore. Reed made sure of that after that night two months ago.

He ruined me with his passion, protection, and intentionality.

I felt seen.

Wanted.

Cherished.

Until I found out he knew about Skylar’s plan and went along with it anyway. Fooling me into thinking we had a connection. Then he offered me the fifth time of what she offered to hide the truth.

Of course, I tried to say no, but then he revealed his darker side, and I realized I had stepped into a situation bigger than me.

Still, I can't stop wondering if the man he showed me that night was the real him and the asshole before me now is just a facade.

“Come, I'll show you to your room. Skylar is still at work." He mutters, already moving without waiting for a response.

I begrudgingly follow him, my palm getting clammy as I climb the stairs.

After reaching the landing, we walk down a long hall, then we take another corner before he finally stops in front of the last door.

It makes sense that he's stuffing me as far away as possible. He opens the door, keeping it open for me to enter.

I eye him warily as I walk past him, forcing myself to ignore the sheer heat radiating from his body.

Just like the rest of the house, the room is luxurious with a large window offering the city view. I exhale, feeling like I'm being stowed away in a fancy hotel room.

“Well?” He asks, and I swallow, struggling to hide my surprise.

"It's nice.” I croak.

"Good. Settle in. I'll have the driver bring your bags up. Freshen up if you want, but dinner will be ready in an hour and in this family, everyone eats at the table." He says, waiting for my response.

“Who's cooking?" I blurt the first thing that comes to my mouth.

“I am."

“You can cook?" I mutter in disbelief, and his mouth twitches slowly.

Leaving the door, he steps inside the room, his eyes pinning me to a spot.

“I can cook many things, Angel, and I happen to know that you have a big appetite.” He murmurs, stopping before me. His voice dips “So, come to my table empty. And Hungry. I’ll make sure you leave full — real full.”

My stomach clenches. And it's not from hunger for food.

Our eyes lock, and my breathing quickens, my lips throb in anticipation of the kiss I know is going to come any moment now.

My eyes shut, and I place a palm on his shoulder, needing to be balanced before he rocks my world.

I feel him leaning closer, my body buzzing with awareness. I hold my breath, any moment now.

“Is it still intact?" He breathes against my lips, and I tremble, reluctantly peeking at him.

“What?" I murmur, getting lost in the warm depth of his eyes.

"Your virginity, Angel. You didn't let anyone else touch what's mine, did you?" He whispers, his eyes probing mine for an answer.

My head nods before my brain catches up.

“Good.” He whispers, “Cus I hate leftovers." His lips slam over mine before I can respond.