Heartbreak Summer

by Starling, Isabella

  "You like?" Susie asks with a pout, squeezing them and wiggling them in my face, making me smile. Her grin is smug as she leans over to explain. "Courtesy of my eighteenth birthday."

  I shake my head, but I can't smiling. Susie grabs my hand and drags me over to a bunch of other modelesque girls who make me feel like an ugly duckling.

  There's a quick round of introductions, and I'm met with appraising looks and sweet words.

  This never would have happened had my mom and I stayed in this town.

  The move to LA gave me a chance to reinvent myself. When I was a kid, I was shy and an introvert. Most kids become even more closed up when their parents divorce, but I went the other way.

  Mom often says how great it is that I've become so outgoing and confident. But she doesn't know the half of it.

  I may put on a good act, but on the inside, I'm the same bookish, naive Cassidy I was when I was a kid. Eternal Daddy's girl, goody-goody-two-shoes. Some things never change.

  But gossiping with these girls as we occupy a bench in the park makes me feel like I belong. I might've spilled the beans to Susie had we been alone. It's a constant worry nagging me in the back of my mind, but in this case, I keep my mouth shut.

  Besides, I bet she'd look at me like I was a different person if she found out I was a virgin.

  I'm eighteen, for fuck's sake!

  And I own a mirror, so I know I'm attractive. I'm a natural redhead, complete with a sprinkling of freckles over my nose, but with skin that is easy to tan. Mom says I have the body of a wasp – curvy boobs and hips, but tiny waist.

  I know I should be confident, because there's no reason for me to shy away from guys. But somehow, I've gotten the reputation of being an ice princess, and no one even dares to approach me. I liked it at first, the fact that they almost feared me. But as the years went on and all my girlfriends got boyfriends and cried over them, I felt like I was excluded.

  No one ever tried to get to know me. I guess they just saw me as something they could never have. No one knew how desperate I was for at least a kiss at that point. I don't have much experience, apart from some clumsy groping and kissing that happened at parties.

  I've gotten pretty good at pleasing myself though. As the thought enters my mind, I blush again and try to focus on what's going on in the real world.

  Looking at the girls around me with their tiny bodies makes me feel huge. I try not to let it show, though, so I put my thoughts in order and begin contributing to the conversation.

  We're chatting about the usual stuff – guys, makeup, clothes. Then, a brunette runs over to us, catching her breath, her eyes burning up with excitement.

  "Oh, Gabbi," Susie snickers. "You saw something? Trouble at the old mill? Bark if it's true!"

  I can't help the smile that makes its way onto my face, but Gabbi just rolls her eyes, catching her breath.

  "Fine, I won't tell you,” she says, offended.

  Susie jumps off the bench and walks over to her. "Tell us," she prompts her, interest starting a spark in her eyes. I'm intrigued, too.

  "Well," Gabbi begins, thrilled with the fact all attention is on her. "Guess who I just saw down on the beach." She looks at us waiting for ideas, but I have nothing to offer – I've only been here for a couple of hours.

  "Usual suspects?" one of the other girls shrugs.

  "Indeed, but with a new addition," Gabbi waggles her eyebrows. "There was such a hot guy there, you wouldn't believe ... Tall, dark, and handsome, the whole package."

  The girls start milling around her, and she definitely has their interest. I'd be lying if I said I didn't care. I wouldn't mind a little summer romance myself.

  "Tell us more," one of the girls demands.

  "He's new around here, but he's friends with Adrian," Gabbi begins. "I saw him with the usual guys, I guess they know each other or are just hanging out. He's the hottest out of all of them. He looked at me…" She looks away, daydreaming. "He winked at me. And he smirked. I almost died!"

  "Did you get a name?" Susie asks, and Gabbi grins.

  "I did!" she says, puffing out her chest. "Dominic."

  Oh no.

  "Dominic?" I repeat, getting my voice back and speaking up. "As in, Dominic Manning? Calls himself Dom? Tattoos covering every hot inch of him?"

  “Damn, I was saving the inked part for last,” Gabbi says, furrowing her brows. "You know him or something?"

  "Oh my God, Cassidy," Susie comes over to me, her interest in Gabbi gone. "Can you set me up?"

  "Yeah, sure," I roll my eyes. "Hope you enjoy fucking my stepbrother."

  Before any of them can react, I run off to the sound of my name being called behind me. But I don't give a crap right now because I came here to escape my stupid family, not be reminded about it.

  And I most definitely don't need to know how hot my new friends think my stepbrother is. Mostly because it makes me jealous as hell.

  I'm also still fuming about what happened back at the house. That prick thinks he can do whatever the hell he likes, and he doesn't give a crap about my opinion. Well, I'm not about to be some bad boy's doormat, even though he's treating me like a tasty dessert he cannot wait to sink his teeth into.

  I grit my teeth as I walk, trying to ignore the memory of being in the pool with him, his hardness pressed against my pussy, the way it made me feel. I try really hard.

  But then my phone beeps with a text, and I look down to see who it is. None of my friends from school have shown an interest in my trip. I would know if they did since I've checked my phone a billion times since I arrived at the beach house. But a quick look at the incoming text tells me it's an unknown number.

  I swipe to see what this is all about.

  Still wet? D

  I stare at the unknown number, my eyes widening. And a moment later, I'm pretty sure who sent the text, managing to taunt and tease me even when we aren't in the same room. Choosing not to reply, I stuff my phone back in my pocket and continue walking, but it keeps buzzing so I look at it again, a heavy sigh on my lips.

  I'm going to assume the worst if you don't answer.

  You know, I could help you with that.

  Gritting my teeth, I type a reply and hit send before I can change my mind about the whole thing getting out of hand.

  You could never make me wet, you prick.

  Why don't you try and see, darlin? You don't have to do all the hard work yourself, you know.

  I blush, and the redness of my cheeks makes me so angry. I hate my skin sometimes. Being unable to hide my true emotions drives me crazy. Once again, I'm replying faster than my mind can change, my fingers typing on the touch screen. My ears are burning up, but for once, I want to go through with something.

  My room, tonight after midnight. You game?

  My heart is pounding fast as I send the reply, already regretting what I did. But then I'm also glancing at my screen, expecting him to agree any moment now.

  My phone pings with a reply.

  I have another obligation, but I'm sure you can take care of it yourself, little sister :)

  …followed by a photo of my bed, Mr. Fuzz sitting atop the largest vibrator I've seen in my entire life. I stare at it in horror, my eyes widening at the thought of him in my room.

  He put a fucking vibrator on my bed. What the hell, what the hell, what the hell?

  My heart and head are both pounding when a voice interrupts my thoughts. I pocket my phone and look over my shoulder with the guiltiest expression.

  "Hey, loser!"

  It's Susie, who has caught up to me after I vanished from the make-out spot. She's got a bright grin on her face, and I keep thinking about the dirty photo on my phone, my cheeks reddening.

  Susie seems oblivious though, grinning at me. "We're going to the beach now. You wanna come?"

  I ponder her question for a little while, but then I let my face break into a smile, giving a careless shrug as I answer. "Why not?" I say, and Susie calls her friends, who come get us wi
th a beat-up truck.

  The beach it is. Anything to get my mind off my goddamned stepbrother.

  Chapter four

  DOM

  She doesn't answer my last text message, which makes me grin more. I look at the display I've left on her bed, feeling pretty pleased with myself. Her teddy bear's smile is innocent. But he's sitting on top of a huge pink vibrator, which is too hilarious to put into words.

  But I have other things on my mind, too.

  I decide to hit up the beach. I'm not about to waste time in this town by sitting in my room all day, that's for sure.

  I put on some swimming shorts and a pair of mirrored aviator sunglasses, skipping the shirt. I just grab a towel and head down to the hot sands.

  There's a lot more people here now. My mind is still on Cassidy, but I don't deny myself the pleasure of checking out the bikini-clad girls on the beach. Several of them giggle and blush when I give them a onceover.

  I spot some people I met in the morning, and a guy calls my name, waving me over.

  "Back so soon?" Adrian asks me with a grin, and I shrug.

  "Had enough of playing happy family," I admit, throwing my towel on the sand. "I thought I'd give you the pleasure of my company instead. Promise to behave."

  Adrian comes a little closer, nudging me in the ribs with his elbow. "Hey, I'm not complaining." He motions towards a group of girls who are observing us closely, their eyes glued to my tattooed biceps.

  I laugh at his words, shaking my head as I check out the crowd. There's definitely a huge number of young people here, and I'm guessing this is the part of the beach they claimed for themselves. Great for me – anything to get my mind off a certain redhead.

  Adrian and I sit down on the sand, and I say hi to some other guys who are playing cards. A few girls are with them as well, and they ogle me, but I ignore their looks. I'm not about to break the bro code with some guys I just met this morning.

  "Hey, so where are you staying?" Adrian asks me, taking a swig out of his beer can. "Up at the hotel, or are you renting?"

  He offers me a cold can from the cooler, and I nod in approval, taking it out of his hand. "Nah, not really," I shake my head, popping the drink open. "My stepdad owns a property here. Renovated it with Mom this year, and now I'm supposed to make friends with my new little stepsister."

  "Anyone we might know?" Adrian wonders.

  "Not sure," I admit. "She was living with her mom back in Cali. Her name is Cassidy."

  "Cassidy?" Adrian repeats, looking at me with a wide grin. "Hell yeah, I remember her. Little bookworm, that red hair. She was such a nerd."

  I furrow my brows. I don't like him speaking about her like that, and I'm not sure where he gets his information. Cassidy does not strike me as a bookworm. Maybe a sexy librarian.

  I'm about to speak up, but Adrian's attention seems to have shifted. He's ogling a group of giggling girls who just arrived at the beach. And wouldn't you know it, right in the middle of the bunch is my little stepsister.

  I groan out loud at the same moment she spots me, rolling her eyes in response. So, I have no idea why she saunters straight towards me the next moment. She’s wearing a flimsy white dress that leaves nothing to the imagination.

  "Hello, brother," she says, crossing her arms in front of her body, which pushes her breasts together and makes my cock stir. I'm pretty sure I know which spot everyone's eyes are glued on now. "Stalk much?"

  "Yes, and I'm so far ahead of you I got here before you did," I tell her, smirking at her pretty face. "Why don't you and your little friends go play with your toys? I think I saw one in your room earlier."

  Her face blushes bright red, and we both know the teddy bear isn't the only thing I'm thinking about. She switches her weight from one foot to another, glaring at me.

  "Yeah? Then you can go somewhere else," she mouths at me. "I know how much you like playing alone."

  "Oh, I'm good right here," I say. "Why don't you move? You're blocking my sun."

  "I'm about to block something else," she retorts, her head motioning to the gaggle of girls who are still staring at me. "How about I tell them what a prick you are?"

  "Works for me," I grin at her. "You know girls like bad boys."

  She looks furious again, but apparently, she's not done yet.

  "I wish you'd just leave me alone," she says, glaring at me like she expects me to move somewhere else on the beach.

  I've pretty much had it with her antics. I get up from the towel and step up to her. She looks stubborn for a moment, and it's driving me insane, but I'm not going to take some kid's shit.

  Before she can react, I grab her tiny waist and toss her over my shoulder to the whooping of my new friends. Cassidy shrieks in horror, and I try to ignore my throbbing cock as I walk to the other side of the beach.

  My rough skin against her soft complexion... I'm afraid I'll lose it, touching her like this. Her silky hair falls like a curtain down my back, and her boobs are pressed into me. Best of all, her dress has ridden up and my hand starts wandering up towards her ass, but I make myself stop just under her cheeks.

  She wriggles in my grip until I deposit her on the dumpy side of the beach, near the showers and the cabinets for getting changed, amidst some trash. "Isn't this better?" I ask her. "You wanted to get as far away from me as possible, if I recall correctly?"

  She glares at me, and I can tell she has a little speech prepared for me already, but I'm not finished yet. I grab her hand and pull her dangerously close, until I'm breathing right down her neck, my exhales hot on her tanned skin.

  "You can mess with your dad, and you can play your little games with my mother. But think twice before you try to work me."

  She gives me an evil look and rips her hand out of mine. "Fuck you," she spits out, and starts heading back to her spot on the beach.

  "Oh, I know you want to – I got your text, you minx," I say to her back. "Too bad I won't fulfill your filthy little daydream. I'm sure you'll have fun with your new toy, though."

  She looks over her shoulder and her face is blushing that pretty shade of strawberry, her eyes burning with fire. I need to stop myself from pulling her back, right into my arms, and crushing my mouth against hers.

  "Dude," Adrian calls at me when I return to the shore a moment after Cassidy. His eyes are glowing, and he's laughing his head off. "That was epic."

  "Glad I could entertain you," I mumble as he slaps me on the back.

  "But seriously," he goes on. "Who is that chick?"

  I look at him with confusion. "My stepsister," I explain. "I told you about her – Cassidy?"

  Adrian's eyes widen. "Dude, that is not Cassidy."

  Both of us look at the group of girls a few feet away, who are all gathered around little sis. And I wish I hadn't looked, because Cassidy's white dress is plastered to her skin. She's wearing a thong under it.

  Holy...

  "That's your sister?" Adrian asks, his mouth gaping so wide open I feel the urge to smack him upside down for looking at Cassidy like that. "Fuck, dude, I'm sorry. Must be hell."

  He licks his lips and the desire to punch him grows bigger. "Mind if I–"

  "Mind if you bang my stepsister?" I ask matter-of-factly and look him right in the eye. "Yeah, I do mind."

  Adrian's a big guy.

  But I'm bigger.

  "You touch her, you're fucked," I tell him, following up with a pleasant smile. "Got it?"

  He stares me down for a moment, but then starts laughing, raising his arms in the air. I decide I like him on the spot. "Got it, dude. Shit, don't lose it, okay?" he says.

  But then his eyes sparkle with mischief, and I know there's something else on his mind.

  "Yes?" I ask, already worried.

  "I might not be allowed," he says, "but what about you?"

  I look at him like he's a moron, trying pretty hard to pretend I haven't thought about it. "We're stepsiblings."

  "Yeah," he says, laughing. "That's the best part. You'r
e not related."

  My silence answers for me.

  "Perfect!" Adrian claps his hands together. "You won't let me have her. I get it, but doesn't mean I won't fight you on it. She's hot as holy hell."

  We both take a moment to stare at Cassidy. Unfortunately, she's all wrapped up in a towel now.

  "Don't you want her?" Adrian wonders.

  And I want to say no. Except that would make me a fucking liar, and I don't like lying. "Hm," I grunt, and he looks triumphant.

  "Do you think you can get her?" There's a challenge in Adrian's voice and I give him a hard look.

  "I can get her," I reply, trying to stay calm.

  "Wanna prove it?" he waggles his eyebrows at me.

  "Don't need to."

  "What if I throw in a bet?"

  My eyebrows shoot up. "What's the bet?"

  "A thousand," he suggests, and I laugh, shaking my head.

  "Do you think I'm made of money?" I ask, thinking of the meager savings I've managed to save in the past year.

  He thinks it through for a moment, looking at Cassidy one more time. "Ah, whatever. You couldn't do it anyway."

  "Okay, I am willing to bet on that." The words come out of my mouth before I can stop them, and Adrian looks at me with a new interest sparking in his eyes.

  We've walked up to the beach parking lot, and Adrian leans against a very nice Lexus. "That yours?" I ask him, motioning towards the white beast.

  He nods. Shit, that's a nice car.

  "Not the Lexus, man," Adrian groans. "I got it from my folks. I am not betting a car."

  “Come on,” I coax, “If I get it on with Cassidy, the car’s mine.”

  “And if you don’t?”

  “You get to keep the car.”

  Adrian laughs. “I get to keep my own car? That’s no bet. I want more than that.”

  I roll my eyes at him. “If I fail to get on the gorgeous Cassidy,” I tell him, “YOU get to have a go yourself.”

  Adrian stares me down, then a smile forms on his lips as the tempting prospect dawns on him. "Hell yeah," he says, the mischievous look back in his eyes. "Let's do it."