On Your Knees, Stepsister

Best decision?

LYLAH

Fuck Kaelin and his plans to screw me over! I gritted my teeth in annoyance, weaving my way through the dance floor and glaring at the men who tried to cup a feel.

“f**k you!” I mouthed, my mood dwindling the nearer I got to the bar. It took all my willpower not to stamp my heels on the last motherfucker's foot, but I held back, to avoid getting thrown out a few seconds after being let in.

For the first time since I became an adult, I was allowed into a bar aside from mine. I couldn't even tell what I did wrong, but no bar ever let me in after seeing my ID. It was as if they all had a vendetta against me, one I couldn't even understand.

I had never been on anyone's bad side… Aside from Kaelin, that is.

Thinking of Kaelin, my mood got sour once more. He wasn't worth thinking over, not after everything he had done.

I slid onto the only empty stool and signalled for the ginger bartender, whose smiles alone would have made me weak if not for the thoughts swirling in my mind like a vortex.

“I will take a Hugo Spritz, please,” I said in my practised voice, not knowing what I had just ordered. Blame it on Kaelin.

Every damned thing always circled back to him, one way or the other, even when it wasn't his fault. But this one is. After I got my arse spanked by our father on my 14th birthday after I sneaked some tequila, and got busted by KAELIN, I'd never tried alcohol.

I knew much about it from years of managing my bars, but I never tried one. The memories haunted me all years after that incident, and they never left me.

However, with everything happening, I was determined to do something out of the ordinary, to show Kaelin I couldn't be controlled.

“Nice choice, pretty.” The handsome bartenders flashed me a smile.

My response was halfhearted. “Yeah.” He's handsome, I'd give him that, but he just doesn't cut it for me.

But Kaelin does?

I gritted out in annoyance at that flitting thought. I'd never see Kaelin as handsome… Okay, he is. I had always known. I'd be blind if I pretended not to notice how hot my step-brother is, but come on, having a devilish heart made him miss the cut. It was such a waste of a pretty face.

He slid the drink over to me. “Here's your drink, pretty.”

I'd been so lost in thought that I didn't even watch him mix the cocktails.

Flashing a smile at him, I took the cup and drew the first sip., The chilled drink glided smoothly over my tongue, the crisp bubbles tickling the roof of my mouth.

I tasted it, tilted my head slightly before I swallowed it. The drink slid down my throat, feeling cool and refreshing. I loved the tang of the lemon and the sweetness of whatever was added to it. It wasn't as strong as I thought it would be, but I like it.

The bartender watched, his gaze fixed on my throat. Self-consciously, I placed the glass back and adjusted my gown, which was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I was hellbent on getting back at Kaelin when I chose the gown. I bought it years ago, but never dared to put it on because of how low the neckline was. It wasn't just showing my cleavage, it cut through my breasts, concealing just a fraction.

Coughing slightly, I picked up my glass, avoiding the bartender's eyes as I finished the cocktail and placed the glass back on the counter. Adjusting my gown made my breasts almost spill from the gown, and I resisted the urge to touch them again.

Just live your life, Lylah, nothing to be ashamed of.

Yet, I couldn't help glancing around to be certain no one was looking at me.

“Do you need another glass?” The bartender smiled, obviously not aware of how creepy his stare was. I take back my remark about him being handsome. He wasn't discreet about his stares and the invitation in his eyes as they roamed over my body, drinking in my creamy body, which seemed brighter in the crimson dress.

“Nah.” I shook my head. “I'm good. I just —”

“What's a pretty girl doing all alone,” someone spoke behind me. I paused at the unexpected statement, then turned, my eyes taking in the stranger whose voice was loud, despite the booming music from the speakers.

A man, probably in his late forties —I'm going by the dusting of whites on his grey hair and beard — smiled as he slid over to a now-empty stool next to me, his blue eyes so deep, I felt like I was staring into the ocean at sunrise.

He wasn't that bad, muscular, with a pleasant whiff around him, not like the ones I passed on the dance floor. My gaze roamed down his body, taking in his well-tailored shirt, which didn't seem to belong in this place, and his tight slacks.

I bit my lower lip. Losing my virginity to him doesn't seem so bad…

His grin widened when he noticed me checking him out. “Hi.”

“Hi,” I replied, my voice sultry and my eyes dimming to get that seductive pose I'd practised countless times in a mirror.

"I'm Dan."

"Lizzy," I lied.

“Mind if he refills your glass?”

“Of course not.” I blushed, making a show of tucking my hair behind my right ear before realising I had it up in a ponytail.

“Great!” He turned to the bartender, whose dark glares would have frozen him if they were ice. “A refill of her glass, and a glass of dark rum for me.”

“Got it.”

While the drink was being prepared, we conversed. Truthfully, I wasn't getting into the conversation as he kept on droning about his work and how girls loved him. I almost got cold feet until I realised he was the only handsome, not drunk man around. I had no choice.

“Do you mind if we move to a better place?” He suggested, after making a quick work of his drink, his breath stinking just a little from the rum.

“Uhm… Not at all.” I was already on my feet, sliding some bills with a tip to the bartender, when he tried to stop me.

“No, girlie. You don't getta pay. I do it.” He tried to stop me, but I shook my head, smiling as pleasantly.

“I'm a big girl. I pay my bills.” I'd been trained to always foot my bills, especially with people I had just met, so I wouldn't be indebted to them.

He looked disappointed, but he nodded. “If you insist.”

“I do.” I smiled at the sulking bartender, and followed Dan, stepping back when he tried to touch me, and laughing it off as not being comfortable with physical touch.

I was slowly getting turned off by everything and was almost regretting my decision when I remembered I would give it up to Kaelin if I didn't do this.

We walked out of the bar, to his car, when I halted. “Give me the address of your house, and I will drive behind you.”

Another safety measure.

He frowned at that, looking fed up with me. He must have weighed his chances of returning to the now booming bar to get a partner and going home with a decent partner. The probability was slim, I believe.

He let out a sigh. “As you wish.”

“Then, I will just —”

“Lylah?”

Someone rumbled behind me. The tone was so dark I felt a shiver run down my spine. I froze in my steps, my heart beating slightly faster.

No, please. Let this not happen. Please, God.

I prayed, despite knowing what awaited if I turned.