Stephan

by Hazel Gower

  Cassie and I now sat among four university guys in their early twenties. I tried not to be nervous or show how uncomfortable I was because I knew Cassie loved the attention. Cassie called Patricia, Renee, Stacy, and Racheal and they were on their way. I hoped when they arrived I could fade into the background.

  Cassie’s phone rang and she rushed to answer it. “Hello. Nope. Jade and I are at the beach. Aha. Okay. See ya.” She hung up.

  “Who was that?”

  “Scott, he wanted to know where we were. He probably wants the car.”

  I nodded. One of the Uni guys, Brent, was trying to talk to me. I just wasn’t interested. The guys were nice to look at but I didn’t feel any real attraction to them. An image of Stephan, the wanker, flashed before me and my body heated. I touched my lips as memories of the kiss assaulted me. I’d never been kissed like Stephan had kissed me. My mother’s ‘friends’ had kissed me but they had been sloppy and I always felt sick in the stomach when they were doing it. I hadn’t felt like that with Stephan, I felt the opposite. I inwardly sighed with happiness, because I’d been worried after what all those men tried to do I’d never be able to feel anything for someone of the opposite sex. I worried I was broken.

  Closing my eyes, I let the image of Stephan surface, his big ocean blue eyes, and thick jet-black hair that fell just past his eyes. It made me want to reach up and brush it to the side. His killer dimples were lethal and I knew they could get him out of any situation with a woman, all he would have to do was smile and they would damn near swoon at his feet. I’d almost given in to him, to the temptation he was to me, but I knew I had to be strong. I heard about the Silverman brothers at school and what I’d heard about Stephan made me know he wasn’t for me. He would use me and break my heart. Oh, I knew I could get sucked in and fall for him. He was every teenager’s dream—at least most I knew.

  I opened my eyes and sighed. I was new. He was a pretty rich boy who had never heard the word no. He was only interested in me because I’d said no. I needed to stop thinking about him and forget about the kiss and the way he acted. Boys like Stephan were not for girls like me. Oh they may use us, but they never stayed with people like me.

  The sun beamed down and the afternoon heat was rising, I needed to stop thinking about him. I needed to relax.

  “Cassie, I’m going for a swim. You coming or staying here?” I hoped she’d come. I didn’t want to leave her with the Uni guys by herself. I slipped out of my shorts and yanked my tank top off placing them on my towel. As I stood in only my tiny bikini I wished I’d had a bigger budget for a swim suit, because the one I had didn’t cover much. It was hard to find swimmers to fit me with my large bust. You had to spend a fortune to get them in big boobs' size.

  “Sure. It’s getting hotter. Let’s cool off.”

  I sighed in relief as Cassie shed her clothes and linked her arm in mine and we walked into the water. The ocean was cold and we both squealed as it hit us. Once we had gotten deep enough to enjoy the water, I relaxed.

  “Are they making you that uncomfortable?”

  I felt bad. I didn’t realize I was showing my discomfort so easily. “I’m sorry, Cassie. I’m just not used to letting my guard down, especially around men.”

  “Ah, Jade. No it’s me. I’m sorry. I’m just being horny. I only wanted to have some fun.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “You know, live a little.”

  I laughed and glanced back at the shore to see the Uni guys getting into the water. They looked harmless enough. I was a teenager. I should be like Cassie and want to have fun. Rolling my shoulders, I winked at Cassie. “You’re right. Let’s go live a little.”

  *****

  Stephan

  I followed Scott, Brad, and Derick onto the beach. Scott had rung and said to meet him at the beach so Derick and I now followed him and Brad toward the water. The beach was busy and the sand between my toes was nice and warm.

  I needed to get out of the house. I’d been in the gym all morning letting off steam to keep myself calm. I wanted so badly to go find all three men Jade had restraining orders on and strangle them.

  “Oh fuck. Scott, you’re an idiot.”

  I glanced up to see why my brother was talking to Scott like that, only to still, my whole body hardened at the sight. My Jade was in an itty-bitty bikini and running in the water. Her breasts bounced and threatened to flee their confinement. When arms wrapped around her and she squealed then giggled, I saw red.

  “Holy shit, grab him, Brad.” I hadn’t realized I’d been storming forward until I was tackled.

  “Scott, go help Brad while I get Jade, otherwise we’ll have bloodshed.”

  I fought to get my two dead friends off me. Well they would be if they didn’t get off me. I took Brad down and stood as Scott came at me. I dodged and kicked and had him face planting into the sand. I gazed at my prey in time to see my brother arguing with the guy I was going to kill. The guy let Jade go and Derick placed her behind him. I marched down to the water yanking my shirt off.

  Jade’s eyes widened as soon as she saw me. “Stephan.” Even her breathless voice didn’t squash my burning anger. I’d been so angry about what happened in her life that I’d spent my morning working it off. Now I see her playing with a man in a barely there bikini and all my morning’s hard work vanished. Pulling her to me, I lifted her arms and placed my shirt over her body covering her up.

  “What the hell are you wearing?”

  “I was wearing a bikini, but now I’m wearing your shirt. What are you doing here, wanker?”

  “Looking out for you.”

  Jade placed her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowed on me. “Well I didn’t ask you to.”

  She looked hot standing there at the shoreline with her eyes flaring with annoyance. She came to just above my nipple. She was a little thing, but full of fire. My anger slipped away and filled with a fluttering of something new. Something I hadn’t felt for a woman outside of my family. I reached out and stroked her cheek. “Someone has to, little bit.” I gathered her hand in mine and walked to the towels, she had to run to keep up. I saw my brother fixing the towels away from the guys. Derick held out a towel and I wrapped it around Jade, rubbing her arms to get her warm. I was surprised that she didn’t say anything; she just stared at me.

  I sat down on a towel and pulled her down onto my lap. I took deep breaths to calm myself as I held her, trying to ignore my body as heated up with need. I needed to slow down.

  “You’re crazy. You know that right? I don’t know you and you’re acting all caveman.” Jade wiggled back and gazed up at me. “Are you on something?”

  I rested my forehead on hers, needing more contact. “I’m not on anything. This is all what you do to me. Only you can do this to me.”

  “I didn’t do anything to you. This isn’t why you’re crazy. I don’t understand why you’re being like this with me. We have only just met. I haven’t encouraged you in any way.”

  I debated for a moment what to say. She already thought me crazy, so if I told her the truth I think I would just double her belief. Easing away, I cupped her face then stroked her smooth skin. “I know what I want, and from the moment I laid eyes on you, I wanted you.”

  “So you want to have sex with me?” Jade shook her head. “You can’t have me. I won’t have sex with you.” She backed off my lap and kneeled on the sand. “Ever.” She looked me up and down. “Besides, you’re not my type.”

  I laughed; I couldn’t help it. She was the worst liar. “Is that right?” I gathered her back to me and sat her so she straddled me. “So if I did this—” I captured her mouth to mine and wrapped my arms around her back holding her closer to my body. My whole body came awake as soon as I kissed her lips. When her body came against mine, tension like I’d never felt before made my entire body stiffen with aching need.

  Jade remained stiff against me and I could tell she was fighting to stay in control. I ran my hands down her back and squeezed her well-rounded arse. She jumped agai
nst me and her mouth opened on a gasp. I slid my tongue in and found hers, tangling them together. Her body became soft against my hard one and I almost tore my mouth from hers to cheer in triumph.

  My cock throbbed and I didn’t know if I could continue and keep my cool. When Jade’s hands slowly trailed up my chest and circled my neck before running through my hair, I knew if I didn’t stop I’d be a goner. I prided myself on control. I’d been fucking women since the age of thirteen. I knew I had stamina. I could hold off coming for hours. But my girl had my control shot to shit and I felt like I was gonna come with only a kiss and her touch.

  Tearing my mouth from hers, I looked into her face and groaned. She looked like a sex kitten ready to pounce on her prey. Her eyes were bright with passion and her lips plump and swollen from our kiss and just slightly parted as she panted, trying to catch her breath as her body heaved with lust.

  “So much for taking it slow, bro.”

  I shot a glare at Derick telling him without using words to shut up.

  He raised his hands in surrender. “I was just coming over to say the rest of your girlfriends are here, Jade.”

  Jade blinked a couple of times and scrambled off my lap.

  “That didn’t mean anything. I’m sure my body would have given the same response to anyone.”

  “I don’t think so, little bit.” I narrowed my gaze at her. “Don’t get any ideas about checking out the theory either, not unless you want my hands wrapped around that guy’s neck.”

  “You’re an arrogant jerk, aren’t you? I don’t want to play the game you’re playing.”

  “I’m not playing a game with you. I promise you that.” I stood and she backed up.

  Jade looked over at his brother who was pretending to talk to their friends. “Derick, help please. I want him to leave me alone.”

  Clenching my fist, I stared at Derick daring him to side with her. My chest felt tight and I tried not to get jealous she trusted my brother more than me.

  “He’s not lying to you, Jade.”

  Jade studied my brother for a while before she glanced at me. She straightened her shoulders and I honed in as she nibbled on her bottom lip. “We’ll see,” she mumbled.

  I grinned as she scurried over to her friends. The university guys nowhere to be seen.

  Chapter Four

  Jade

  I really didn’t want to go to the party, especially after what happened with Stephan at the beach. He wasn’t good for me. Stephan turned me inside out. He made me unsure of what I wanted. He made me want to take a chance. I told myself I was a teenager and most teenagers dated, but I’d never felt the need before now. I didn’t like the control he had over me even when he wasn’t around. I’d barely known him for twenty-four hours and he was constantly on my mind.

  I stared out the window and gripped my skirt. Renee sat next to me babbling on about how excited she was to go to a Silverman party. After the beach fiasco I’d stayed clear of Stephan. We girls had all gone back to Cassie’s house to get ready for tonight. The girls had bugged me all afternoon about Stephan. They wanted to know every detail about me and him. I’d told them over and over there was no Stephan and me. They’d all laughed and thought I was joking.

  After a while they just nodded to my disagreement. When we got ready Stacy and Cassie had gotten a wicked gleam in their eyes and I felt uneasy. I should have listened to my gut feeling because now I sat in the back seat of the car in a black mini skirt and pink shiny top showing so much cleavage I thought my boobs were about to fall out. My hair was styled so it flowed in waves down my back and my face was covered in make-up, and lastly was the deadly black strappy high heels. Personally I thought I looked like a high-class hooker, but when I looked at the other girls I noticed they wore similar outfits.

  Shaking my head out of my daze, I heard Cassie giggle. “I bet a twenty as soon as she gets in, he will either put his shirt on her or throw her over his shoulder and take her to his room, maybe even both.”

  I told myself Cassie wasn’t talking about me, she was my friend, but deep down I knew. I groaned when Scott chuckled.

  “No way, Cassie. I have known Stephan most of his life and I’ve never seen him like this, and I’ve seen him with a lot of women. I’ve heard him talk about them too. He’s never like this. I bet she won’t even make it in the door without him doing those things.”

  I glared at Scott as he drove the car. I knew he couldn’t see me, but I hoped he could feel my daggers searing his back. They were all arseholes laughing at my expense. I hated it. I tried to tell myself they were only playing, but it didn’t help my feelings of humiliation. I bit my tongue to stop tears from falling and hardened my heart.

  Ignoring them, I stared out the window and my eyes widened at what I saw. The car slowed and we came up to massive gates, they were open and the guards looked in to the car and waved at Scott. The fences around the gate were high and security cameras were clear to see. Scott drove down a winding driveway with beautiful lavish gardens on either side. He slowed down even more when a sprawling mansion came into view. It was three stories high with huge windows everywhere and balconies on the upper two levels. Two huge marble columns with a patio led to the four-door entry. Cars were parked everywhere around the circular driveway.

  “We’re late because you girls took so long to get ready.” I rolled my eyes at Scott’s sulky voice. He’d taken almost as long as us. “Now we’ll have to park down the driveway.”

  “Can’t you let us out here?” Renee asked.

  “I could, but then I wouldn’t see Stephan when he sees what you’ve done with Jade.” He drove down the driveway.

  “I hate your brother, Cassie.” The bitch laughed. I harrumphed and crossed my arms sulking. “I thought you were my friend.”

  Cassie turned and frowned. “I am. That’s why this is so funny and going to be so much fun.”

  Groaning, because I knew if the shoe was on the other foot I’d probably be enjoying this.

  Scott parked the car and everyone got out. I gripped the seat not eager to move. Cassie got in and dragged me out.

  “Don’t be like that. You look amazing. We are just teasing you because we all know how hot you look. Stephan won’t be able to resist you.”

  “Um, that’s not what I wanted,” I mumbled.

  Renee linked her arm with mine. “Sure it is.”

  I dug my heels in and looked around for an escape, but with Renee on one side and Cassie on the other, I knew there was nowhere to run. Well not like I could run in the heels anyway. I was surprised I could even walk in them.

  Feeling like a sacrificial lamb, I walked in awe to the mansion. I’d never seen anything like this up close. I could hear the music pumping the closer we got. Entering the house and I almost stumbled at the sight around me. A huge open entry living area with stairs at each side, white tiles with cream walls, huge paintings hung on the walls and expensive leather sofas and other extravagant furniture decorated the home. There were people everywhere and the house still looked almost empty.

  Scott went and picked up some wine from the waiters. He passed them to us. “I don’t drink. I’m not old enough.”

  “I won’t tell if you don’t.” He winked.

  Glancing around, I felt so out of place. Holding the glass tighter I took a sip.

  “Kitchen’s at the back along with the games room. Come on.” Scott motioned for us to follow. “Most people will be back there.”

  Renee and Cassie pulled me along. I gazed around in wonder. I was way out of my element. When we reached the kitchen I detangled myself from the girls and went into the huge space, it was like a dream. I loved cooking and this kitchen was amazing Black marble bench tops with dark mahogany wooden doors on all the cabinets. All the appliances were top of the line stainless steel. I put down my empty glass and grabbed another two glasses of wine as a waiter came by. I gingerly touched the cabinets and bench tops. Cups, glasses, and plates marked all the surfaces but it didn’t take
away the beauty.

  I gazed around and noticed I couldn’t see my friends, and my two glasses of wine were finished. Crap. Where had they gone? I’d left them to see the kitchen. All of a sudden there seemed to be a lot more people around than before. I reached for another two wines as a waitress went by. I debated if I should go and look for Cassie, or see if I could find one of the other girls I knew.

  “Hello. I haven’t seen you before.”

  I stared up into a face vaguely familiar. The man and I was sure he was a man, and not a boy or close to, had blond hair and ocean blue eyes. He was tall and built like most of the spoiled rich guys around here. He was handsome, with a five o’clock shadow like he forgot to shave for a day or two and high masculine cheekbones.

  “That’s because I haven’t been here.” I leaned against the kitchen island and placed one empty wine glass down.

  “I thought so. I would have noticed a beauty like you.” He smiled showing perfect white teeth and his left cheek had a dimple. Before I’d seen Stephan’s I probably would have sighed, but he’d ruined me.

  I snorted, because really. I raised my eyebrow and took a sip. “That line usually work for you?”

  He chuckled and held out his hand, I put down my now empty wine and took his hand in mine hesitantly. His hand engulfed mine and held it captive. “Obviously not. I’m Richard, Richard Silverman.

  I snatched my hand out of his like it was on fire. “Shit. You guys are everywhere.” My eyes darted around the room like I was waiting for more Silverman men to pop out.

  He laughed and it was a laugh I’m sure if I wasn’t on edge would cause me to sigh and bat my eyelashes at him. A waiter came past and I snatched a wine off his tray. “I see you’ve met either my brothers or cousins.”

  “Holy shit, how many of you are there?” I backed away from Richard and I swear the arse was about to fall over with laughter.

  “I like you.” He came to me and his arm came around my waist.