MY STEPFATHER

CHAPTER 8

" I heard what happened to him and Patricia. I hope he's okay.”

" He says he's alright, but I don't believe him. So, I just try to comfort him in any way I can. That's what friends do.”

" I agree. Well, I'm going to be late. See you later.”

" Bye bye. I wave to him as he heads towards the front door and leaves.” I go to the door, close it, and watch him get in his car. My heart stops when I realize he's looking at me, with a smile on his lips, before putting on sunglasses and driving away.

What did that look mean? I ponder as I bite my lower lip. Are you kidding me? Can you see through me and my plans?

The more I question, the more intrigued I become.

......

I open the front door and greet Mark with a big hug as he enters. "How are you?" I ask as he takes off his shoes and follows me to the kitchen.

"I could be better. I mean, at least Patricia cheating on me was a solid reason for me to leave her without her freaking out," he explains as he leans against the counter next to me while I sit on it.

"I'm glad you left her, she never deserved you."

"Yeah, well, she's old news. Anything new with you?"

"No."

"I see. Do you still like me?" He raises an eyebrow as the tone of his voice shifts in a more seductive direction.

"I might like you a little bit." I melodically whisper against his mouth.

"You know, ever since the wedding, I can't stop thinking about you," his deep voice says.

He stands between my legs, which I open slightly to let him stand between them. His fingers slowly slide up my thigh, making me wish his fingers would stop somewhere else.

"Oh? I smile, trying to act innocent, even though I'm not a saint.

His lips wrap around my neck, his teeth lightly pulling at my sensitive skin. A soft moan escapes me as I imagine he kissing this spot.

He pulls away, before capturing my lips in a deeper kiss. My arms wrap around his neck, pulling him closer to me. He pulls away with trembling eyes.

"What's wrong?" I ask as he moves away from me.

"Sorry, it's a little too soon for this. I wasn't thinking. This can't happen yet, Lola. See you later." He grabs his keys and leaves through my front door before I could contest what was happening.

....

"How was work, darling?" My mother asks Frank as she sits at the head of the table, cutting the steak she made for us for dinner.

"It was long, I'm glad to be home with my girls." He chuckles mischievously and I feel his eyes fixed on me, trying to read my reaction.

"We're happy to have you home too, aren't we, Lola?" My mother turns to me and I gulp nervously.

"Yes," I mAshleyge to say before taking a sip of coke.

"Well, I have an announcement to make. My friends and I are going on a trip to the Bahamas. I didn't want to go, but they insisted," my mother smiles.

"Sounds fun, how long will you be gone, dear?" Frank asks, lighting up my mother's happiness.

"One week."

"Mom, why go on a trip now, you just got married?" I ask, stuffing mashed potatoes into my mouth.

"Because everyone's off next week, so we decided why the heell not.” She laughs. "You two will be fine alone, right?"

"Of course we will. Right, Lola?" Frank nods at me as I bite my lip, nodding my head.

"See, honey, there's nothing to worry about." He laughs and drinks his beer.

"Oh shiit." He randomly says as he gets up from the table.

"Everything alright?" My mother asks as she watches him grab his coat and some files from the counter.

"I have to go back, one of my accountants screwed up a transaction and I have to fix it. I'm sorry, sweetheart, I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"Don't worry about it." She kisses him and he quickly leaves the house.

"Would you mind going to the mall with me and helping me get some things for my trip?"

"Sure." I comply and help clean up dinner, then rush up the stairs to get ready.

Frank

"Good afternoon, Master Evans." Tom greets me as he opens the front door.

"Hello." I smile and enter, the house is empty. Sharon and Lola are out shopping and bonding a little as mother and daughter before Sharon leaves. "You can go home early today, Tom."

"Are you sure, sir?"

"Yes, go ahead. Tell your wife I said hi."

"I will, thank you."

"You're welcome." He bows and leaves the house, leaving me alone. I take off my shoes and go upstairs. I notice Lola left the door open and the fan on. I enter, intending to turn it off, when something catches my attention. I walk over to her desk and find a notebook on the table.The Word: Thoughts. It's engraved on the cover.

Curiously, I turn to the most recent page, which was yesterday.

The subtitle is: Strawberry lipstick. Intrigued, I bite my lip and read the page. Strawberry lipstick, I could taste the touch of your lips on mine as I applied the lipstick to my own lips.

I pretend that your lips are the lipstick, covering my dehydrated lips with the sweet drip of your refreshing strawberry drizzle.

How I sincerely wished he had kissed me then. I imagine your lips as soft and warm as you, beloved lipstick, and savoring your strawberry scent.

I long for your touch on my skin, changing my colors like leaves when the autumn breeze spreads.

Every feeling I have is wrong, I know.

My desire for him is forbidden and would cause such a commotion among those who know us, but I don't care. I would do anything to lay my head on his chest, his heartbeat gently echoing in my ear, telling me how much he loved me.

Oh, Frank, if I could tell you how I feel, if you hadn't married my mother, but me, then it would be easier.

However, this love is not reciprocated. And as painful as it is to say, I know you will never feel the same...

I sit there, on your bed, reading the poem several times. My eyes grow larger with each word.

Darling, if only you knew that I love you too...

Lola

I go to my room, turning everything upside down.

Where is it? Where is it?

Panic covers my whole body like a second layer of skin as I frantically search for my notebook.

"Looking for something?" Frank's voice comes from behind. I find him standing at my door, hands behind his back.

"Oh, I'm just looking for something for one of my classes." I lie, not wanting to tell him that I lost my diary where I had written about him.

"Did you mean this?" A smile covers his face like a mask, while my heart stops beating. In his hands, he holds my notebook, the one I was looking for.

"Um, y"yes." I swallow hard, trying to keep calm and composed.

"You have a talent for writing, Lola." He closes the door behind him, my heart spinning in my body, not knowing what to do.

"I um...” Speechless, I could do nothing but move my trembling hands and look down.

"Lola, whatever feelings you have for me." He pauses, lifting my head by the chin with his gentle fingers. "I... I feel that too..." He whispers, and a small sigh escapes my lips.

"F"Frank..." His name trembles on my lips as I melt in his presence. His smug expression moves closer to me, getting closer to my lips.

"Are you wearing the lipstick I gave you?" He asks softly.

"Yes."

"Can I borrow it? I left my spare one at work."

"Of course." I turn to grab it from my desk, when he takes my hand, pulling me into his solid chest and captures my lips. Shock fills me, but my lips move with the deep, passionate strokes of his. He pulls away, letting me take in some necessary air. He slowly licks his lips, looking at me.

"Delicious." He smiles, his brown orbs narrowing with lust and desire.

My face burns as my shyness surfaces on the surface of my fair skin.

"We must keep this a secret, darling. You mustn't tell anyone, promise?" He extends his pinkie finger and I intertwine mine with his, kissing my thumb along with his.

"I promise." I say softly.

"And next time you write about me, don't put my name. God knows what will happen if your mother finds out you feel something for me." He winks at me and hands me back my notebook. I nod, biting my lip.

"Goodnight, darling." His velvety voice rolls the dark words of his language so perfectly.

"Goodnight, Frank." I speak timidly, and he closes the door behind him. I fall onto my bed, completely speechless.

He just kissed me... My stepfather just kissed me...

I trace my lips with my fingers, closing my eyes trying to feel the ghost of his lips. I could still feel the transparency of the movement of his mouth against mine, making my girlish heart go into a frenzy.

I open my notebook to the page where I wrote about him, to find it still intact. I let out a quick sigh of relief, closing it. Placing the notebook under the bed. Hoping no one sees.

Turning off the lights, I slide into bed. Applying a little lipstick to my lips, blushing at the thought of his lips against mine.

What are we about to start?