by Aria Ford
Ryan sighed and brought our hands to his lips. He kissed my hand and smiled, looking happier than he’d been all night.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Ryan
Jacqueline and I spent the rest of the night talking. We finally admitted our love for each other and talked about our future. Soon the memories of our dinner with her parents faded to the back of our minds. I was just happy to be there with Jacqueline, holding her and listening to the sound of her breathing.
When I heard her say she loved me, my entire world changed. In that moment, I didn’t feel confused or unsure. My anger and pain caused by her parents disappeared. She was the only thing that mattered. Jacqueline.
When we woke up on Sunday morning, Jacqueline stayed in bed for a while. I felt better about things, but her mind was racing. After she confessed our relationship to her parents, they didn’t say anything. We left so fast that no one else had a chance to speak. We both expected them to call her, but they didn’t. Jacqueline was sure they would never speak to her again.
As I stood in the kitchen, making coffee and replaying my night with Jacqueline, there was a light tap on the front door. Before I could take a step, the door opened and Bradley poked his head inside. His eyes found me, and he opened the door wider, stepping inside and closing it behind him.
I couldn’t read his expression. In all the years we’d been friends, I was always able to read his mind. This time, I didn’t have a clue what he was thinking. He moved toward me with a determined expression, and I readied myself for a fight. I felt sure he would hit me, maybe worse.
My jaw tightened when he stopped right in front of me, and my fists were clenched at my side. The last thing I wanted to do was fight with Bradley, but I knew our friendship would never be the same. Now that he knew about me and his sister, I expected him to hate me.
“Can we talk?” he asked, turning and sinking into a chair at my kitchen table.
I nodded and walked over to join him. Sitting across from him, I watched his face closely. He rubbed his hand over it, shaking his head slowly back and forth. I could tell he was confused, more conflicted than he’d ever been before. At least, he didn’t seem angry. I counted myself lucky that all he wanted to do was talk.
“Listen,” I began softly. “I know I should have told you about Jacqueline. It was a mistake to keep it from you, but I didn’t intend for this to happen. Any of it. We just … we just sort of fell into this relationship.”
“I’m not mad,” Bradley said with a soft laugh. “You can relax, man, I’m not here to bust your balls.”
“You’re not?” I asked.
Just then Jacqueline walked out of the bedroom wearing a pair of pajama pants and my navy sweatshirt. She blushed when her eyes fell on Bradley’s face. Slowly, she walked over and sat beside us, her eyes still glued on her brother. I knew she was just as afraid of his reaction as I had been.
“Hey,” he said to her, smiling weakly.
“Hi,” she said back. “I, um, didn’t know you were here.”
“I just stopped by,” he said. “After last night, I wanted to talk to Ryan.”
“About me?” she asked nervously.
“About everything,” Bradley said.
Jacqueline nodded and waited for him to continue. His eyes moved from his face to mine and then back again. She looked nervous, so I took her hand in mine and squeezed it gently.
“I’m sorry we didn’t tell you,” Jacqueline whispered, looking up at her brother. “I wanted to. We both did.”
“Hey,” Bradley said. “I understand, okay? This isn’t exactly an easy conversation to have.”
“We’re still sorry,” I said. I meant it. I never wanted Bradley to find out that way. With his parents in the room, in the middle of a fight. It wasn’t the way we were supposed to tell him.
“Are you okay with this?” Jacqueline asked nervously.
“I’m not going to say it isn’t weird,” Bradley said slowly. “Ryan’s my brother, and you’re my sister, but I get that the two of you don’t have that relationship. I mean, I know you only lived together for three years before Ryan left. Ryan and I were best friends, but you? You barely knew him.”
“That’s true,” I said with a nod.
“Part of me wishes you could see each other as siblings,” Bradley said, sighing. “I just … I always had this image in my mind of us being a family, you know? Now I guess that can’t happen.”
“Why not?” Jacqueline asked.
“What do you mean?” Bradley said.
“Well, we can still be a family,” Jacqueline said, laughing. “Bradley, you’re my brother. We’re blood. Forever. And you and Ryan have this unbreakable bond. You’re brothers. That won’t change. Just because he and I are dating, that doesn’t mean we aren’t still a family.”
“It’s weird,” Bradley said, grinning and shaking his head. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to this.”
“Can you try?” I asked. “I love her. I really do.”
“I’m trying,” Bradley promised. “And I think in time it won’t feel as strange.”
Jacqueline smiled. “I think so too.”
“I’m glad you came by,” I said, patting Bradley’s shoulder. “I was afraid you were never going to speak to me again.”
“Nah,” Bradley said. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You fell in love. I can’t hate you for that.”
“Your parents probably do,” I said softly.
Jacqueline tensed beside me. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and avoided my gaze. I knew she didn’t want to talk about her parents. She was terrified that they would never forgive her for lying about the truck and about our relationship. I tried to reassure her that everything would work out, but she didn’t believe me.
“What did they say?” she finally asked, turning her attention to Bradley. “After we left?”
“They’re mad,” Bradley said bluntly. “They probably will be for a long time, but I think they’ll be okay. You know, your little speech last night really made them think.”
“How?” Jacqueline asked.
“Well, they never really understood what they did to Ryan,” Bradley said, shooting me a sympathetic look. “They just reacted without thinking. After what you said last night, I think they realize their mistake. They aren’t over everything, and they probably won’t be for a long time, but I think they get it now. They get that it wasn’t all Ryan’s fault.”
Jacqueline nodded, and we all fell silent. There wasn’t much else to say. In his own way, Bradley had given us his permission. Things still felt tense between us, but I knew it would get better. Being around us would get easier for him. Eventually, everything would feel comfortable again.
I just wished I could say the same thing about their parents. The idea that I was causing a rift between Jacqueline and her family was hard to bear. No matter what they put me through, they were still her parents. I couldn’t be the reason she didn’t see or talk to them. I just couldn’t.
“Maybe …” I began, looking at Jacqueline. “Maybe we should take some space until everyone gets used to the idea of us being together.”
“No,” Jacqueline said firmly. “That’s crazy.”
“I just don’t want to keep you from your parents,” I said softly.
“You’re not,” Jacqueline insisted. “Ryan, I love you. That’s what matters.”
“I love you too,” I said.
“Listen, I’m gonna get out of here,” Bradley said.
“Sorry,” I said quickly, turning back to face him. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable or anything.”
“No,” he said, “You didn’t. Not at all. I can tell you guys need some time to talk, though. I’m happy for you. I really am. I’m just glad you both found someone who loves you. Jacqueline’s right. That’s what matters.”
“Thank you,” Jacqueline and I said together.
We stood up to say good-bye to Bradley. He hugged his sister first, wrapping her tightly
in his embrace. He held onto her for a few seconds before he let go and turned to me. We looked at each other awkwardly for a few seconds, unsure of what to do. Finally, he stepped forward and pulled me to him. He slapped my back roughly, and we both laughed.
“Take care of her,” he said softly so that only I could hear him. “She’s really something special. Just make her happy, okay?”
We pulled away, and I nodded my silent promise.
EPILOGUE
Two years had passed since that fateful night at the Keeton’s home. Things between Jacqueline and I moved forward quickly and easily. We fell in love in just a matter of weeks, so after two years, I felt more connected to her than ever.
She was my best friend and my biggest supporter. No matter what happened in our lives, we stayed together, happy and in love. I couldn’t bear the thought of ever losing her. In time, I realized I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else.
When I started my career as a mechanic, Jacqueline supported me endlessly. She knew it wasn’t a glamorous job, but she didn’t care. The only thing that mattered to her was my happiness. As long as I enjoyed my job, she insisted I keep it. Even though her father wholeheartedly disagreed with my choice, he kept his opinions silent. Much to my surprise, he even put me in contact with a local auto shop that was looking for a few mechanics. I started work the day of the interview, and I hadn’t left since.
The Keetons and I were doing better. Our relationship would never be the way it was before everything happened, but we were moving forward. They forgave me for all the mistakes I made, and I forgave them for kicking me out.
It wasn’t easy. It took a long time and a lot of support from both Jacqueline and Bradley, but we did it. Eventually, we were able to be together without any tension or discomfort. Family dinners no longer ended in arguments, and most of the time, I truly felt like part of the family again. Mrs. Keeton even put a photo of me and Jacqueline on display in the dining room.
It was harder for Bradley to get used to me being with his sister than he thought. At first he didn’t like to be around us. It made him nervous and uncomfortable. Slowly, things began to return to normal. He saw just how happy Jacqueline and I were to be with each other, and that, more than anything, brought him around. Our friendship remained strong throughout everything.
Despite the tension, we never gave up on each other. Bradley would always be my brother. That much I knew. And now I hoped to make that official by marrying his sister.
The day finally arrived. I climbed in my truck and drove to Jacqueline’s clinic. The office was already closed, but I knew Jacqueline would still be there for at least another hour. She never left work right away, always wanting to finish up one last thing before the day ended. As I drove through town, I pictured her face to keep myself calm. I was nervous, but when I pulled into the parking lot, I knew this was right. Today was the first day of the rest of my life. After this, nothing would ever be the same.
My heart was pounding in my chest as I made my way through Jacqueline’s waiting room. I hurried to the back, knowing I would lose my nerve if I slowed down even a little bit. My feet carried me through the back hallway toward where her office sat. Heidi, the receptionist, was gone for the day, so it was just Jacqueline in the clinic. When I reached her office, I put my hand on the doorknob and froze. I took a few deep, steadying breaths before turning the knob and stepping inside.
“Hey, you,” Jacqueline said with surprise. She jumped out of her chair and moved around her desk to place a soft kiss on my lips. I kissed her back and smiled. “What are you doing here?”
“I missed you,” I said. “I wanted to see you, and I couldn’t wait for tonight.”
She smiled. “That’s sweet.”
After two years, seeing her smile still took my breath away.
My hands were sweating, but I knew now was the perfect time. I couldn’t wait another second. The ring was burning a hole in my pocket.
“Listen,” I said softly, reaching down to hold her hands. “I’m not just here because I missed you. I did, but there’s something else.”
“Okay,” Jacqueline said slowly. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything is amazing,” I said. “More than amazing actually.”
“Then what is it?” she asked nervously.
“Jacqueline,” I said softly. “I know this whole relationship started in kind of a weird way. Your family and I are so intertwined, and it was complicated in the beginning. But then you made everything simple in the best way. I didn’t know who I was until you came back into my life. The day I saw you standing on my front porch changed everything. You woke something buried deep inside me, something I thought I lost.”
I took a deep breath and slowly pulled the ring box from my pocket. Still holding Jacqueline’s hand in mine, I got down on one knee and smiled up at her. I opened the box and let the ring sparkle in the light of her office. Her eyes widened and filled quickly with tears.
“I’m only myself when I’m with you,” I said simply. “Jacqueline, you make me a better man. Without you, I don’t know what my life would be, and I never want to find out. I love you more than I ever knew possible. You’re everything to me: my love, my soulmate, my best friend. Now the only thing left is … my wife.”
Jacqueline’s eyes were brimming, and at my last word, the tears spilled over. She cried earnestly, tears flowing freely down her cheeks.
“Jacqueline, will you marry me?”
I waited while Jacqueline wrapped her mind around everything. This was a huge surprise, just like I wanted. When she could finally speak, she nodded and pulled me to my feet.
“Yes,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around me. “A thousand times, yes.”
We kissed, and everything else melted away. I didn’t think about anything or anyone else. The only thing that was real to me was Jacqueline. Her lips, her body, and her amazing spirit. She’d just agreed to be my wife, and I couldn’t think of a happier moment in my life.
When we broke apart, I slid the diamond ring on her finger, and she stared at in awe. Her eyes were still red from crying, but the smile on her face was brighter than I’d ever seen it.
“Are you happy?” I whispered.
“Happier than I ever thought I could be,” she said with a nod.
We kissed again, and then she broke away, just to stare at her new ring. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from it. I laughed and lifted her chin, so she would meet my gaze.
“I love you,” I said.
“I love you too,” she said. “Do you think my parents will be okay with this? I know things are better between you and them now, but still.”
“Come with me,” I said, grinning with excitement.
Jacqueline frowned, but let me lead her out of her office and down the hall. We stepped into the waiting room and were met with a thunderous round of applause. Jacqueline’s parents, Bradley, and her best friend, Nicole, were standing in the middle of the room. They were all grinning broadly and clapping their hands together again and again.
I looked at Jacqueline to see her face light up even more. She ran forward into her mother’s arms, hugging her tightly and then pulling away to show her the ring. Everyone was so happy for us.
“Glad she said ‘yes,’” Bradley joked. “I was worried there for a second.”
“Shut up,” I said with a laugh.
“I’m happy for you,” Mr. Keeton said, extending his hand to me. We shook, and then he pulled me in for a hug. When Jacqueline moved over to show Nicole the ring, Mrs. Keeton turned to me. She smiled and kissed my cheek, silently expressing her joy.
Things between me and the Keetons were better than ever. I still couldn’t bring myself to call them Mom and Dad, not after everything we went through, but we were close. They approved of me for their daughter, and they were even gracious enough to help me pick out her engagement ring. I knew we still had some progress to make, but I was happy to have them there to celebrate with u
s.
Jacqueline came over to me, wrapping her arms around my waist and standing on her tiptoes to kiss me. The smile never left her face. I stared at her, immediately getting lost in the green of her eyes. It was so easy to forget that anyone else was in the room. When Bradley cleared his throat loudly, both Jacqueline and I jumped.
“Let’s go celebrate,” Bradley suggested. “Everyone in?”
“Hell yes!” Nicole exclaimed.
“Of course,” Mrs. Keeton said.
We all left the clinic, finally together, the way we were always meant to be.
DADDY'S TEMPTATION
Prologue
“Oh! Oh…”
I groaned as he pushed inside me, his hard cock pulsing and shuddering as he came. I arched my back, and my arms drew him against my chest, pressing him against my rounded breasts. I drew him closer, gritting my teeth as he pushed into me.
He shivered in my arms, pumping deep inside me. Each thrust rubbed over my places of pleasure, sending little shivers down to my toes. I had already came twice, but I felt myself almost coming again. Just then he let out a deep, throaty growl. I felt the full force of his release. I sighed and felt a deep satisfaction as he collapsed on top of me. His weight was warm and firm on my body.
When I woke again, he rolled off me. Lying beside me, he gave me a weary grin.
“Oh, baby,” he moaned, “that was fantastic.”
I smiled and nestled against him as he held me close. “Thanks,” I said. “It was.”
Then he turned into a monster.
I screamed. The face looking into mine was hideous. His flesh was ragged and decomposing. He was a terrifying distortion—an awful mask. I could smell the scent of corrupted flesh and feel the wetness of it. He grinned at me, and I screamed.
I sat up, eyes open, still screaming.
I blinked and discovered that I was looking up at my own ceiling and then into my own cupboard-sized bathroom, where I had fortunately left the light on.