Daddy's Pet

[Rue’s POV] I can feel his stare. Even if he is looking straight ahead while he leads us toward the castle that sits in the middle of the island that we are currently on, I can still feel it. How could I not when I was already overly sensitive to everything he did since earlier? To say that I was surprised when our faces were so close earlier was an understatement. I was completely shaken, and when those dark eyes of his took me in with that strange look, I was certain that maybe, just maybe, he felt something. But even if he did, so what? He was married to my mother and there was no chance that anything could ever happen between us; at least, that was what I kept telling myself while my desires to get to feel his lips, his hands, and his skin against mine kept growing. Oh, what a sinful woman I was, but I was also only human. Sighing, I shake off the thoughts that are consuming me and quicken my pace as I realize that Mr. Owens is a few steps ahead, but before I can reach him, my foot catches a root, and then I’m stumbling and falling. “AH!” I yell as I see myself face-planting right here and now, but as I close my eyes and wait for the impact, I find that it never happens. Opening one eye, I find myself staring at the ground instead of touching it, and when I look down, I find that Mr. Owens’ strong arm is pressed against my stomach. For a moment, I don’t move as many sensations start rushing through me. Oh god, his arm was warm, and even now I could see the veins bulging from the effort it takes to hold me up. “Are you okay?” He asks, making me realize that too much time had passed and that I should have already stood up. “Are you hurt?” “No!” I yelp, straightening up and then stumbling backwards only to hit the same damn root and land smack on my ass. “s**t, that hurts.” Instantly, I find myself wishing that the earth would just open up and swallow me whole as I lift my gaze to Mr. Owens, who is watching me, and when a bark of laughter escapes him, my insides tingle pleasantly. “Sorry,” he manages between chuckles. “I’m sorry.” He continues as he kneels in front of me. “I shouldn’t be laughing, but that was a glorious fall.” Glorious. How the hell could someone call someone falling glorious? Ugh. This was the worst. I was trying to make myself out to be a mature woman in front of this man, but he just kept seeing my embarrassing moments. “Here, let me check you to see if you’re hurt anywhere.” As he speaks, Mr. Owens reaches out, and when his fingers brush my skin, I jump up. “I’m fine,” I snap, my embarrassment getting the best of me. “It was just a fall. How would I not be okay after that? I’m not a damn kid.” Anger taking control, I storm forward, heading toward the castle while listening to the sounds of Mr. Owens rising and then coming to join me. For the rest of our trek, no one speaks, which is good. Because as it was, I was trying my damndest to control my emotions, and when we finally reach the castle and its ancient beauty overtakes me, all other thoughts disappear. “Wow,” I murmur, letting my gaze travel up its brick side to the towers and spires that rest on top of it. “This is amazing.” “Isn’t it?” He agrees, smiling. “It was always my favorite thing about this island.” “Did you grow up near here?” I ask. I knew that my mother said his family owned the resort and such, but that didn’t mean that they lived here all the time, right? “I did,” he confirms. “And why in the world would you decide to leave all of this to move somewhere boring?” If I grew up in such a beautiful place, I was certain that I would never want to leave. So, I couldn’t help but wonder what possessed Mr. Owens to abandon ship. “Love,” he sighs. “I was young and stupid and thought that she was the one, but she lived in the states while I didn’t. Because of that, I gave up everything here and went to her.” “Oh,” I murmur, my heart squeezing as I wish I didn’t ask. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you think of something unpleasant." Although I was curious about Mr. Owens’ past, I didn’t want to make him dig up painful memories. “Don’t give me that look,” he sighs, reaching up and ruffling my hair. “It wasn’t all bad.” “Because in the end you met my mother?” I ask, although I really don’t want the answer. “Amongst other things,” he confirms. “But it isn’t anything really significant.” Nodding, I find myself wanting to ask him what the other things are, but not wanting to dig up more bad memories, I don’t ask. Instead, I head into the castle, and once I’m inside, I look around, taking in the building’s decaying insides that somehow still don’t overshadow its beauty. “Man,” I murmur, taking in the stained-glass windows and grand staircases. “I bet this place was one hell of a view back in the day.” “It was,” Mr. Owens confirms. “I can show you if you want.” “Really?” I ask. “Are there pictures?” “Of course,” he chuckles. “The island’s library has records of its history. Before we leave, I can take you and… No, maybe that wouldn't be…” I wait while he trails off, and when he doesn’t speak again, I realize that that conflicted look from earlier is back, and for some reason, it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. “Never mind,” I mutter. “I’m sure that you want to spend time with my mom. Actually,” I continue, coming up with a split-second decision. “I was planning on heading home early.” It was a lie, but now that I was saying it, it actually felt as though it was the most rational decision. From the start I shouldn't have imposed on their trip anyway. Once we parted ways, I would go back to college, and we wouldn’t see each other again until I graduated and pursued a career at my old high school. “I’ve got a lot of schoolwork to complete.” I continue when he doesn’t speak. “And I know that you and Mom want your alone time.” “Don’t go on my account.” Mr. Owens' voice is soft, and his gaze is a bit sad as he speaks. “What?” I ask. “Of course it isn’t because of that.” “Listen,” he sighs, and I can feel that I’m not going to like his next words. “I know that you aren’t a huge fan of me, and it is understandable. I’m taking your mother from you after it has been just you and her since you were young, but I want you to know that I don’t want you to feel like you’re an outsider in our relationship.” Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue, but I stop myself as a single realization hits me… This is my fault. I was the reason that he was thinking such unpleasant things. “No!” I gasp, shock rushing through me. “Do you really think that that bothers me?” “Of course,” he responds. “Isn’t that the reason that you keep saying that we aren’t family and the reason that you always seem to want to keep some distance?” “i***t,” I grumble. “You’re such an i***t, Mr. Owens! Not only you.” I continue, hating that I was causing him so much grief. "But also me." “i***t,” he repeats, eyes widening. “What are you?” Dammit. I didn’t want to say it. I didn’t want to do it like this, not when he and my mother were freshly married and in their honeymoon phase, but I didn’t want him to pity me like this. “I don’t care that you married my mother!” I snap, deciding that maybe this was the way to stop all these feelings once and for all. “I’m actually thrilled that she finally found someone because I’ve felt pretty damn guilty about leaving her all alone while I was away at college. However, I wish that the one she married was another man.” Stop. The small voice in the back of my head hisses. Stop before you do something that you could regret. I won’t regret this. I tell it, understanding that this was the key to breaking free of this damn one-sided love once and for all. “Any other man would have been okay.” I continue, bracing myself. “But instead you were the man that she married.” “What?” Mr. Owens gasps. “And why on earth am I not the right man?” “BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, YOU i***t!” I scream, my voice echoing around us. “You’re a horrible fit because I love you. I’ve been in love with you since you saved me from the rain that day. Now do you get it? We can’t be family because that would mean that I’ve always been in love with my own dad.”