by Ana Slash
He leaned forward and teased my cheek.
I didn’t understand what was happening.
He wasn’t just being nice, if anything, he appeared to be coming on to me.
But I quickly shrugged that thought out of my head.
There’s no way my stepfather will do anything that crazy.
. But then when I got up and started cleaning up the dishes, he came around and placed his hands on my shoulders.
I pulled away and said, “oh, I really need to get this shit done so I can go up and study.” He laughed and said, “I understand that you have to do that. But I don’t want you to see any of those boys again, and you must not need the house. I just looked at my stepfather with widened eyes.
I thought, “I want to study with some friends.”
As though reading my mind, he said, “Whatever you’re thinking, forget it, it’s not safe out there.” He drops his hands lower, teasing my arms.
I pulled away.
I said to him, “excuse me, I need to go study now.”
And with that, I hurried up the stairs and into my bedroom.
I studied for an hour and then decided I needed to get out of the house.
I sent Maxim text asking if he was doing anything because I really wanted to know what was going on? He said “Bella, I’m OK, hmm maybe it’s best we don’t talk.”
I asked him what’s going on, but he refused to tell me, instead he stayed silent.
I thought something must have happened.
I walked out of the room and decided I will go visit Maxim. I needed to find out the truth. Why is he suddenly cold all of a sudden?
But then, my stepfather walked out and said to me, “if you really like your guy friends, I suggest you leave them alone, especially Maxim. You know, I might consider dropping the charges against him. Oh yes, I can make it all go away, but if you insist on going to see him, then it’s all on you. Tell me you are not going anywhere tonight?”
I reminded myself that I liked my stepfather, but his actions make things complicated. I don’t like him any other way. Oh well, maybe he cares, it is dangerous out there; I reasoned.
I thought he was trying to keep me safe, but still the way he held my shoulders seemed weird.
He said to me, “Why don’t you go rest tonight? You seem to be going out a lot lately and it’s not good for you. Plus, you need to study and who knows what’s going on out there, it’s only a matter of time”
I said, “well, there isn’t a curfew out there?”
He said, “Be that as it may, I think you should go up to your room now.”
He was stern and firm with his words, ensuring fear fluttered in my belly.
I turned, pretending to head up the stairs, but I stayed watching him as he walked to the study.
When I thought he wasn’t looking, I hurried to the door, but he ran across and blocked my exit.
He said, “you’re not going anywhere.
I threw a fit and said, “No, I need to go.”
He said, “Get back to your room now. Don’t you understand, Bella? It’s for your own good. I care about you.”
I blurted out, “Do you care about my mother, the way you care about me?”
He frowned and then said in a low voice, “You are something special you don’t understand. Your mother and I have something, I can’t explain what it is but for your own good you will stay indoors and not go anywhere.”
I threw a fit and said “no I need to go.”
I said to him, “You can’t keep me here. I refuse to stay here.”
He said, “well, you have no choice. I’ll stay down here until you fall asleep.”
I sighed realizing there was no way around this, I lowered my head and walked away from his presence, up the stairs and into my room.
I laid on my bed trying to figure out how to get out of the house.
I tossed on the bed, lost in my thoughts, trying to figure out my next move when a knock on the door jolted me back to reality.
“Bella, can I come in?” I heard my stepfather’s voice.
I thought what choice do I have? I can’t say no.
So I said, “Yes.”
He opened the door and remarked, “Do you need anything? I was about to order something for us, I don’t think your mom’s cooking dinner tonight?” I told him, “no I’m fine, I need nothing.”
I bit my lip and turned away. I stayed silent and he got the message.
He said, “Suit yourself, if you change your mind you know what to do.”
And with that, he took a step back and closed the door.
I needed to figure out how to step out of the house. My memory flashes before my eyes, I see the clock again but nothing us. I thought about climbing out of the window, but then I didn’t have to do that because about an hour or two later, I heard my snoring in his study. Apparently he drank too much wine.
I quickly walked past him and moved past him and out the door.
I called a shared ride and sent a text to Maxim letting him know I was heading to his place.
“Are you sure, Bella,” he asked.
“Yes.”
“I don’t know but if you are on your way, I guess you can stop by.”
And with that, he signed off.
God — I hope my stopping over at his place wouldn’t get him into more trouble. I felt movement in my belly. I thought nothing of it. I figured it was just indigestion.
15
Matteo
I received a message from Maxim. Apparently Bella was on her way to his place. I figured I could call Killian, we could head over there. He said he had something to tell us about Bella’s step father. I hoped to hear he had dropped the case against Maxim, but then why is Bella over at his place.
I thought she was supposed to stay home after school every day? How did she get past her step father’s watchful eyes? Killian said he will meet us over there.
I really wanted to know what Maxim had to say. I got to his place and knocked on the door.
Maxim opened the door and said, “She should be here soon.” I called you over because her step Dad drove up next to me earlier and asked me to step into his car. He asked me to forget Bella, then he said she’s all his!”
Shocked by his words, I shook my head, wondering why her stepfather would make such a request. It made no sense. Why did he say that to Maxim?
Maxim sighed and said, “If I didn’t. Know better, it appeared Bella was his girlfriend or something, not his stepdaughter.’
“That’s sick!”
“Tell me about it. All I know is we must protect Bella, I will not stay away from her. I can’t. You know the other night, when she stayed with me.”
I can’t lie. I felt a little jealous when he mentioned Bella stopped by, Yes I know we all love Bella but then I couldn’t help but imagine him with her, her legs wrapped around him and her kissing him. No stop it Matteo, you know better than to let thoughts like this fill your mind. It is better to leave things alone. Focus on the issue here, Bella will be here any minute. Why didn’t she call me to pick her up? She must have left in a hurry. I hope her step father didn’t do anything with her, I hope he didn’t put a move on her. That will not be taken lightly from us. He might have all the money in the world to sue us, but we are still the heirs to billionaire fortunes. He has the power to do what he desires, that much we know. He has the judges in the area wrapped around his finger. I am sure what he’s just trying to scare Maxim, after all he won’t want to jeopardize his relationship with Maxims Dad now would he? I mean they have business dealings for crying out loud.
Then again, in this town nothing is certain, especially now with this strange rain dropping repeatedly. I step into Maxim’s home. I asked about his father. He frowned and said who knows, probably off sailing somewhere with his young girlfriend.
“So when will she be here?”
“Any moment now.”
And that’s the moment we heard a knock on the front door, Maxim hu
rried to the door and opened it. Standing there was our beautiful Bella. God I wanted to sweep her into my arms, but then she stopped by to see Maxim so I played it cool. Maxim wrapped his hands around her and there it was again, making me envious.
She said, “How crazy is it out there? Black rain, my step Dad trying his best to keep me at home and….”
That’s the moment her eyes darted towards me.
She smiled, but then she turned back to Maxim and spoke in hushed tones. I acted as though I wasn’t interested in what they talked about, when deep down inside it bothered me. I mean, we all love her the same way.
I listened in as she spoke to Maxim.
“Maxim hmm, I didn’t know everyone would be here but I came to tell you it might be hard seeing you again. My stepfather is adamant about our being apart. I only came here because I think he’s planning something. Plus, I have a feeling he will make us move away. I don’t know why I have this feeling.
I moved closer to them and said, “There’s no way that will happen, Bella. We are here to protect you.”
“Matteo’s right, we’d never let that happen. Nothing will happen to you.”
She smiled and said, “I knew I could count on you guys. Bug boy I wished my memory from that night would return. It’ll make things easier. What’s going on out there. While riding in the shared ride, I noticed a lot of people standing in long lines trying to buy their groceries. It’s crazy.”
“Yeah it is but we have to stay strong and hang out together.”
Bella smiled and stepped into Maxim’s home.
Bella
I couldn’t help it, I felt safe with the guys. I felt loved. Killian turned up too. All three moved around me, letting me know how much they cared about me.
We ordered in and watched the news, trying to figure out what’s happening out there. The rain ruined a lot of things. It was as though we were living in a dystopian world.
It seemed so surreal. I couldn’t have pictured life to turn out this way. As we sat watching the screen, Killian remarked, “this is depressing. Let’s watch something else. How about a movie?”
I thought that was a good idea. Killian said I should pick the movie, I picked a love story of course. Matteo said, “Now this is a great movie but it’s all so wrong.”
I smiled and said, “how?”
“Well, there’s only one guy in the picture. I have to say our movie would be different. It will feature you, Bella, our beautiful and sweet girlfriend.”
I blushed and that’s when Matteo leaned in and kissed me slowly, not to be out done, Maxim turned my face and kissed my lips. Then Killian stood up, reached for my hand and lifted me to my feet. He kissed my lips slowly and wrapped his delicate, kind hands around my body and swayed as we kissed as though locked in an unending lovers dance. A tear rolled down my cheeks.
Maxim turned off the movie and replaced it with a sensual Italian opera. I watched as the guys all gathered around me, taking turns kissing me and slowly unravelling my dress until it cascaded down to the floor. Standing there before all three, I smiled as Matteo stepped forward and remarked, “Can we please you, Bella?” I nodded. Matteo covered my lips with his, making me whisper and plead for more.
“You are beautiful,” Matteo whispered, sliding his lips off mine and slowly nuzzling my neckline. I closed my eyes, pleased with the blissful kiss sensation of their lips teasing my body. Matteo then carried me over to the closest bedroom and placed me on the bed. I watched as Maxim.
Maxim, I cried out in pleasure staring into his eyes as he deepened his thrusts. He crushed his lips on mine, tender at first but harder, his mouth on mine, I leaned up and kissed him deeply as he teased the curves of my breasts, Maxim slid his lips of mine and nuzzled my neck.
“Bella… I love you Bella.” He purred as my intimate walls clamped on his girth urging him further in. Still moving inside of me, he spun me around so that I was now on top. He palmed my breasts teased my nipples and pushed his hips up driving into my core.
He slid his finer delicately on my clit as my body quivered ready to let go. I lowered my head so my hair swept over his face, I couldn’t hold back any longer. I let him know too.
He sat up held my hips ensuring his thrusts moved deeper while being gentle and whispering, “let go Bella. Let go darling let go.”
Little gasps of pleasure escaped my lips as I let go quivering over him.
Overwhelm by pleasure, I watched as Maxim slid up teased my buds with his lips as he whispered, “you are so beautiful Bella being with you is all I need. I can’t imagine a day without you.’
His words drew me over the edge of no return. I couldn’t stop it, I let go oh yes I did.
“You are mine Bella,” He said in a deep dark voice. Then I looked at his face as my walls clamped on him. His face contorted in pleasure. He couldn’t stop the need to release all the pain, we were two souls moving as one making love.
I looked down to see our bodies joined as one and listened as he cried out, as his body shuddered and mine quivered.
I closed my eyes for a moment, but he asked me to open them. And I did, I opened my eyes and stared into his goes eyes both of us feeling the connection between us that could not be denied.
And then unable to stop we held on tight to one another as the sensation of our bodies moving as out overwhelmed us. I cried out and he came with a shuddering cry as we bowed to the passion between us.
We came in mutual surrender, letting go of our inhibitions knowing nothing could stop the bond between us.
Spent yet pleased Maxim leaned up and kissed my lips one final time. He didn’t ease out of me right away instead he slid my. Body to the side and we laid on the bed staring into each other’s eyes!
Maxim whispered, “I could stay inside you forever.”
I bit my lower lip and listened as he became vulnerable, he told me all about his mother and all the dreams she had for him before the horrible plane crash.
He said it has not been proven but he know her death was no accident. He wished he had a way to prove it.
He said if she was still here, she would protect him from all this, he said that’s why his blind is strong with Killian and Matteo because they have been through so much together.
I smiled and laid my head on his chest.
His beating heart’s sounds drummed into my ears.
Oh God—
He was not the elitist bully everyone thought he was, he was a sensitive guy just broken inside and he has proven to me how much he cares.
He teased my cheek and said, “I love you Bella. And I will protect you with my last breath. I will stand by you forever.”
I nodded and Sia, “I wished you could stay in me forever.”
Amused by word he chuckled and said, “I wold love to but we should probably get cleaned up.”
I nodded and with that he eased out of me, held my hand and led me into the shower.
16
Matteo
The plans got underway ready for the grand finale. We took the first of our exams this week. I was pleased with my results, although things have been a little crazy. I headed home to tell my Dad, but when I got there, I noticed my father talking to his banker. He turned and noticed me. He said, “I will call you back.”
I asked, “Dad what’s going on? “ he said, “Nothing to worry about son. How did it go today. You know I have the yacht ready for your party. You will have the best party anyone has seen in the Bay Area.”
“Dad I don’t know things seem to be changing around here.” I knew my father loved sheltering me from reality. He turned to me and said you are still going to have your party. I am just making preparations. We might have to take a trip to our private island to avoid this pandemic.
“Dad maybe I shouldn’t be having a party then?” I said out loud. He turned to me and said, “Nonsense. Your party will go on. You deserve it! You have worked so hard. Listen Henry will get everything you need. This will not stop us from living alright!”
I nodded and wondered if we were not just taking this for granted what happens to people who don’t have what we have what happens then? He patted my shoulders and said you just follow the health guidelines and you should be perfectly fine.
But Dad things look really crazy up there. I said to my father. He said to me, "it might seem crazy but I'm telling you it's all going to work out." My father had a way with words he knew how to diffuse the situation. I knew it wasn't so easy. I started to wonder if it was worth having a party but my Dad was so adamant he called Henrian and then he said, "take Mateo anywhere he wants to go to get what he needs. I need to finish working here." And returned to me and said yes boss are you ready? Sir?"
I nodded and said sounds like a plan.
I received a text as we walked towards the car from Bella.
She said, "I can't believe it I passed my exams."
I had no doubt she would pass the exam.
“Congratulations, now maybe you can lead me?”
She chuckled and wrote, “That could be arranged.”
I smiled at the thought and sent her a reply letting her know I’d speak with her later. I asked if she was okay at home. She said everything is well, she said her step father backed off too.
And with that, I hurried along and Henry said to me, "you're really lucky she's a really nice lady sir." I turned to Henry and said, "that she is, she really is a great girl. I am lucky.
I will get everything you need sir." I said to him, "do you know what Henry let's go together." Henry looked at me and said, "Sir I don't think that's a great idea, I can get everything you need." I turned to him and said, "you do?"
"Yes sir I do."
"Well then I guess things will change today. I am going with you. I'm going to go with you over to the markets in the stores and everything I want to be like a regular guy."
Henry chuckled and said, "but you're not a regular guy sir. You will run this empire, someday and we must protect you at all times."
I said to Henry well if you were trying to protect me Then you might as well come along because I am going to the stores today I figure we could get a few items. I want this to be a grand party as always but you know Bella is such a down-to-earth girl."