THE STEPDAD AFFAIR

chapter fourteen

TARA

I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts of Kohen as Lina and I walked into the club.

"Tonight is going to be so fun." Lina says excitedly.

"That's easy for you to say." I mumble.

Lina's boyfriend, Jace, grins and wraps his arm around her shoulder. He's the one driving us home, and he's actually responsible, so I trust him.

The throbbing bass and vibrant lights surrounded us, creating a lively atmosphere. Lina, always the life of the party, grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the dance floor.

"Come on, Tara! Let's have some fun!" she exclaimed, her voice barely audible over the music.

I forced a smile, hoping that losing myself in the pulsating rhythm would distract me from the tangled mess of emotions inside.

You kissed him... you kissed your stepdad.

As the night progressed, Lina handed me a drink, and I accepted it without hesitation. "Bottoms up!" Lina explained.

I know I shouldn't be drinking on my medication, but I just need one night. One night to be free. To let loose.

The alcohol flowed through me, numbing my inhibitions and intensifying my desires.

Hours passed, but I kept on drinking.

"Woah girl, slow down. I think that's enough for you tonight." Lina says.

"Nope." I slurred. "You brought me here to drink, so I'm going to drink."

The music became a blur, and I found myself lost in a hazy world of blurred lights and swirling bodies.

I fumbled for my phone in my purse, my vision slightly blurred from the alcohol. With trembling fingers, I dialed Kohen's number, the pulsating beat of the music echoing in my ears. I needed to tell him. I needed him to know how I felt.

"Kohen," I slurred into the phone, my voice barely recognizable. "You're...... my stepdad."

"Are you drunk, bella?"

"No." I giggle. "Maybe."

"You shouldn't have been drinking, you know that."

"Oh boo hoo." I slur.

"Be -"

"You are sooooo frustrating.. like your like handsome and tall and just stuff." I rumble.

I can hear Kohen laughing. "Do you want me to come get you?"

"You should come dance with me. I want you to dance with me."

My mind is so fuzzy right now.

"You want to see me?" He asks.

"Yes."

A familiar voice spoke from behind me. "Then turn around."

I turned around, my heart pounding in my chest, and there he was. Kohen stood before me, his eyes filled with a mix of caution, concern, and amusement.

with a mix of caution, concern, and amusement.

"You followed me?" I say.

"Yes. You didn't think I'd let you go without me, did you?" He smirked.

Now that he's here, it's different.

"But but.."

Without a word, Kohen took my hand, guiding me onto the dance floor. The music pulsed around us, and as we moved together, the world seemed to fade away. It was just him and me, lost in the rhythm, our bodies swaying in sync.

The heat of his touch sent shivers down my spine, and my mind was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. In that moment, all the walls I had built to keep my feelings at bay crumbled, and I allowed myself to surrender to the intoxicating pull between us.

Our bodies pressed together, the heat between us undeniable. I quickly turned to face him while biting my bottom lip.

"Kiss me." I say to him.

KOHEN

I laugh at her request. "You're cute when you're drunk."

"I don't care." She said in frustration. "Kiss me."

"Nope."

"What?" She says, stunned that I actually turned her down.

"You're drunk. I'm not kissing you when you're drunk. Plus, when I kiss you, I want you to remember every delicious second."

Tara pouts and wraps her arms around my neck. "Not even if I say pretty, please?" She says in a seductive tone.

I chuckle and wrap my arm around her waist. "I think it's time to go."

"Nooo. I want to stay. I want to stay with you." She says.

"Uh huh. That's sweet." I say and look around for her friend Lina.

I spot her making out with the guy that came to pick them up from my house, and I walk over to her, still holding onto Tara.

"Hey. Do you need a ride home?" I ask.

"Oh no, I'm good." She says.

"How many drinks have you had?" I ask.

She chuckles. "Lost count. But Jace here hasn't been, so I'm good."

"Wanna smell my breath?" He asks.

"Yeah, no thanks." I say to him and push my way through the crowd with Tara.

"I'm not a boby." She says.

I chuckle at her mispronounciation. "If you say so, bella."

She's so drunk right now. I should be mad, but I'm not.

As soon as I step out of the club with her, she pushes me away and leans over, and throws up.

Brian comes over to us while I pat her back. "Feeling better?" I ask.

"Remind me never to drink again." She manages to say before throwing up again.

I chuckle, and Brian hands me some tissue.

"Come." I say to her, and she faces me. I wipe her mouth and chin.

"I'm sorry." She apologizes.

"It's okay, bella. Let's get you home, okay?" I say to her.

I help her into the backseat of my car and get in beside her.

"Why were you here?" Tara asks.

I pull her close so she can lay her head on me, and she does.

"To look after you." I answer.

"I wasn't in trouble," she mumbles.

"Not yet."

Tara frowns, but I simply place a kiss on her forehead. Her eyes are barely open.

"Kohen." She says softly.

"Yes, bella?" I respond while playing with her hair.

"Were you.. talking about me... in the car?" She asked softly.

There's a fifty percent chance she won't remember this conversation in the morning, so I'll respond honestly.

"Yes."

She looks up at me with sleepy eyes but doesn't say anything else. She just keeps her head on my chest. I bite my lip and nuzzle the top of her head.

I know Tara is my stepdaughter, but I can't stop the way I feel or think about her.

"My breath stinks." She says.

"Yes, it does." I chuckle.

"That... not nice."

"Sorry." I laugh. "But it does."

"Kohen." Tara says half asleep.

"Yes, bella?"

She takes a while before she answers again. "I...." is all she manages to say before she drifts to sleep.

"Sir, we're almost there." Brian says.

"Change of plans." I say to him and hold her.

"Sir?" He asks.

"Just keep driving." I tell him while listening to Tara's snoring.

I know I can't sleep in Tara's bed. I know I can't hold her like this at home.

"To where, sir?" He asks.

"No where. Just keep driving."