MY STEPFATHER

CHAPTER 6

I sit on the kitchen island, with vanilla ice cream in hand, happily putting it in my mouth when the front door opens.

" Hey.” Frank waves and comes towards me. " What do you have? He stands right by my legs, leaving about a meter and a half of distance between us.

" Vanilla ice cream.” I said with my mouth full.

" Let’s shared, you're eating it all.” He laughs and takes my spoon from me, putting it in his mouth.

" Oh, do you mind?” He asks, realizing what he just did.

" I don't mind.” I laugh lightly and he smiles, and eats the ice cream.

" How was work?” He asked.

" It was boring, as always.”

" I can imagine. Did you talk to your mom?”

" No, but this morning she said she would be late coming home today.”

" Oh, okay.”

" Did you have a bachelor party?” I ask, raising my eyebrows. He laughs and shakes his head.

" No, that's not my thing. It always ends up dragging the guy to a strip club and that's the last thing I want.”

" I get it.” I laugh and grab the spoon when he pulls my hand and brings the spoon to my lips. I open my mouth and eat the ice cream, laughing in the process.

" You have some on your lip.” Frank lightly brushes his thumb against my lip. " Here, done. He quickly sucks the cream off his thumb and I lick my lips.

" Thank you.”

" Mhm.” We continue to share the ice cream, He feeding me like a baby every time I try to take his spoon.

" Why do you lick your lips so much?” He asks out of nowhere.

" My lips are dry.” I shrug, licking my lips again out of habit.

" Here.” He takes out a lipstick from his pocket. " Take my lipstick. It has a strawberry flavor, my favorite. He smiles.”

I take it and slide the smooth surface against my chapped lips.

" Thank you.” I try to give it back to him, but he stops me and tells me to keep it. I thank him again, putting it in my pocket, biting my lip trying to hide the tingling inside.

" So, is there a guy at college I should be worried about?” Frank asks, laughing.

" No, I'm not really focused on that. Besides, guys in my age are really dumb. Like, in high school, they were so dumb. But college guys are so stupid, especially fraternity boys. They're the worst.” I sidestep, realizing that Frank was just listening to me while his brown eyes looked at me intensely.

" I agree. I used to be a nice guy in college, but men are just dumb. And stay away from fraternity boys and parties. You'll end up dead.”

" I know, all they do is use drugs and have s*x on the couch, even if you're sitting right next to them. It's disgusting.”

" It's true. But come on, not all guys are like that. Look at Mark, for example, he seems like you, and he's a gentleman.”

" Are you trying something with him? You know he has a girlfriend, right?”

" I would have tried, but since he has a boyfriend. I'm out, trouble. Did my mom put you up to this?”

" She cares.”

" Of course. Frank, I'm fine. I promise.”

" Don't tell me, you have a thing for older men.”

" Maybe?” I timidly laugh and he shakes his head, trying not to laugh.

" Okay, I might have to sabotage Mark's relationship and set you two up. I'm trying to save you here.” He jokes.

" Oh, sure.” I playfully touch his arm, laughing with him. I rub my lips, the taste of the lipstick still on my mouth. As I watch Frank put the ice cream back in the freezer. With him turned away, I can get a good look at his well-shaped butt in his executive pants. My teeth sink into my lower lip as s****l fantasies float in my head.

.....

Doorbell! Doorbell!

" Oh, sorry, we're closed.” My head turns to the café door.

Oh, it's Mark. A blushing smile appears on my lips.

" Hey, would you be mad if I ordered a coffee now?” He asks, sucking air between his teeth as he walks towards the counter that I just cleaned.

" It depends on who it's for.” 

He looks into my eyes. " Just for me.”

" Well, if that's the case, I'll make it for you.” I joke as I turn on the coffee machine. " What kind do you want?

" Vanilla, please.” He gives me his charming smile, making me bite my plump lip. I refocus on making the drink before my dirty mind can start conjuring up explicit fantasies about all the different positions we could do on this counter.

" How was your day today?” He asks, tapping his finger on the counter.

" I've been really busy, I worked alone after lunch because the other girl had a family emergency.” I explain as I finish topping off his drink.

" How was the office?” I ask as I hand him the drink.

" It was fvcking boring. But thanks, I've needed this all day.” He smiles and takes out his wallet.

" Don't worry, this one is on the house.” I interrupt him, but he keeps taking out a hundred dollar bill.

" I insist.”

" Mark, really, it's a courtesy.”

" No, take it.”

" Mark, this is a five-dollar coffee cup. I don't want you to do this, it's making me embarrassed.

" It's alright.” He goes back to his wallet and takes out five dollars for the coffee. Then he takes the hundred-dollar bill again. " Take this, it's your tip. And if you say no again, there will be consequences.” His husky voice threatens me, sending s****l vibrations.

" And what kind of consequences would those be, exactly?” I raise an eyebrow, testing his limits.

" Oh, you'll find out someday.” He leans over the counter, leaving a seven-centimeter space between our faces.

" When will that day be?” I whisper.

" When I tell you what it'll be.” A pearly white smile masks his face as he leans in and takes a sip of his drink. I do as he asks and put the five in the cash register and the hundred in my pocket.

" How did you get here?” He asks as I stack the chairs.

" Walking.” I reply.

" I'll take you to my house, unless you need to be home?”

" I'm not free.”

" Great.” A satisfying smile appears on his lips as I feel his eyes watching my every move. I hurry to close so he doesn't have to wait long for me. Once everything was safe and clean, we went to his car. Like a gentleman, he opens the passenger door when I get in.

Once behind the wheel, he doesn't hesitate to step on the accelerator and speed towards his house.

" So why are you taking me to your house?” I ask as I look at my matte red nails.

" I want to trust you with some things.” He explains.

" Oh?”

" I feel like I can trust you.”

" You can, I feel the same way about you. You're easy to talk to.”

" I try to be.” He smiles as he parks in his garage. He makes me wait for him to open the door and help me out before entering.

" Do you want something to drink?” He offers as I sit on his gray couch in the living room.

" No, I'm fine. Thank you.” I smile and see him sit next to me. " So, what do you mean?”

" I think I really want to break up with Patricia.”

" Why?”

" Honestly, she's a bad girlfriend, she doesn't like me at all, she craves attention from everyone when we're out. Besides, I think I like someone else.”

" Who would that mysterious person be?”

" You. I think about you all the time, I like your presence. I like you, Lola.” He takes my hands in his, giving them a slight squeeze.

" Mark, I can't be the reason you're leaving her. She'll come after me and try to sue me or kill me. I sigh.”

" But it's not just because of you.”

" I know, but if we start a relationship right after you break up, it will cause a stir.”

" I think you're right.”

" Just sleep and don't worry, I like you too.” I kiss his cheek before getting up and putting my shoes back on.

" I'll have John take you home.” He tells me and a man in a black suit appears out of nowhere.

" Thank you, Mark. I'll message you when I get home. ”I hug him as I watch John help me into the car.

I fasten my seatbelt and watch through the window as Mark and his house disappear as the distance between them and the car increases.

I can't date Mark. I tell myself sternly. He is sweet and definitely wonderful, but I love Frank. I want him more and I need to have him. I can't let Mark or any other guy take that desire away from me.