It was her turn to be angry with herself. What was she thinking? How could she have ever thought that them having sex would mean anything other than him wanting her body and then regretting later? She picked up her t-shirt and wriggled into it as she heard him zip up his tent behind her.
She looked over to the lake and bit down on her lip. She wanted to throw something at it, break her father’s bone-china cup. Her teenage crush had led to this, but why did she feel so miserable? It was an accomplishment, her wildest fantasy had come true. She had lost her virginity to Noel Harper, but why did she continue to care what he thought of her?
*****
Rebecca returned from her walk to find her father and Noel sitting on the log again, drinking cans of beer. She hadn’t seen her father in nearly six hours and Noel for over four.
“Hey honey, where have you been? I’ve been back for quite a while. Want something to eat?” her father greeted her with a warm smile and she simply nodded.
“Not hungry yet, thanks dad” she said and made towards her tent.
“Where are you going? Aren’t you joining us? We’re going fishing” John said, he looked concerned. He knew his daughter, she would not be this quiet, especially during the daytime.
“You guys go ahead. I’m not in the mood” she said and went into her tent anyway.
Once inside, she sank to the floor and opened up her book. She needed to be as far away from the present situation as possible.
“Becky?” she heard her father outside her tent.
“Open up honey. What’s wrong?” he implored and she tsk’d and stood up. The last thing she wanted was her father trying to get her to talk.
“Whatsup dad? I just want some alone time” she said as she undid the zipper a slight bit and poked her head out.
“You’ve head plenty of hours of alone time. Why do you need more?” he was being especially nosey. Perhaps he knew something was on. Could he sense the sexual tension? Rebecca wondered as she shook her head at him.
“Don’t shake your head at me. Talk!” he tried to sound authoritative and she couldn’t help but smile.
“Will you relax dad? I’m not a child anymore. I like some alone time now and again” she said and tried to sound casual. She could see Noel, staring at them from where he was sitting. She didn’t want to look at him directly. Her father shrugged his shoulders and walked away from her.
She zipped up the tent again and sat down with her book. Not a few minutes had passed before she heard Noel’s voice outside.
“Rebecca, can we talk please?” he was whispering.
“What about?” she asked, without getting up.
“Not like this. Will you please step outside?” he sounded truly distressed.
“What about my dad?”
“He’s gone fishing by himself” he said and she finally stood up.
Once she had unzipped the tent and stepped out, she laid eyes upon the man of her dreams, fully clothed this time. Something inside her cracked as she watched him trying to meekly meet her eyes. His plaid shirt hung loose out of his light blue jeans and he was stroking his beard pensively.
“What did you want to talk about?” she asked him and he finally looked at her. His green eyes were tired, like he had been thinking about her for ages.
“I’m truly sorry for what happened. I should have known better. That this would hurt you” he said after clearing his voice. It seemed like he made a strong resolve to look directly at her when he spoke, even though he was struggling against looking away.
“Oh Noel. Please stop” she knew she sounded irritated. “Stop treating me like a teenager you took advantage of” she pushed past him and towards the dead fire.
“No. But you are young” he turned to look at her.
“Is that what it is then? Did you take advantage of me?” she glared at him and she was aware of her lip quivering.
“No. I gave in to my desire for you” he said solemnly. He was looking at her now, his thin lips were grimly set and he had stopped stroking his beard.
“Ditto. So that is all it was. No harm done” she said and crossed her arms across the thin white spaghetti strap blouse she had put on a few hours ago.
“Clearly that is not all it was. Or you wouldn’t be acting this way” he moved towards her and she inched away.
“Acting what way? Why can’t you or my dad just give me some space when I need it?” she gritted her teeth and jerked her head away from him.
“Don’t play with me Rebecca. You’re not a child and I’m not treating you like one. Which also means you need to be honest about how you’re feeling” he said. He had crossed his arms as well as he stood across her, on the other side of where the fire had been lit the previous night.
“Honest about how I feel? And what good would that do?”
“We’d be on the same page” he said, his voice was raised to match hers.
“We would never be on the same page. My reasons for seducing you were entirely different from your reasons for having sex with me?”she threw the words at him but he remained silent. She didn’t know what he was thinking as he continued to stare at her.
“I don’t know what you’re implying but you shouldn’t assume to know how I feel” he said after several seconds of silence. Rebecca could feel the color rising in her cheeks as they glared at each other.
“Fine I won’t”
“Which is why I want you to be honest about yours.”
“Fine. You want honesty? I’ve been in love with you since I was fifteen years old. How’s that for crazy?” she spat out the words and jerked her head away from him again. She couldn’t bear to look at him. She didn’t want to know how he took the news.
“That isn’t crazy” he said quietly. Even though she hadn’t expected those words to escape his lips, she didn’t want him to patronize her.
“That’s not all. My silly teenage feelings for you messed up all my adult relationships. And now, now that I’ve slept with you…” she couldn’t continue without breaking into tears and he rushed towards her, taking her face in his hands.
“Look at me Rebecca. Please” he said and with quivering lips and tears threatening to burst down her cheeks, she turned towards him.
“That is not crazy at all. I may not have had harbored these feelings for you for as long as you have, but since I met you yesterday, I have not been able to stop thinking about you” he said and she raised her eyebrow.
“and not just because I’ve wanted to make love to you” he added and tilted his head towards her.
“What are you saying Noel?” her voice was shaky.
“That we are more similar than anybody else I have met, no matter the fact that you’re half my age” he said and she smiled weakly at him. She couldn’t believe what he was saying.
“I’ve been thinking about it Rebecca. Nothing matters. You’re right, I shouldn’t feel guilty or ashamed about my feelings for you” he continued and she couldn’t control herself anymore, she leaned forward and placed her head on his chest.
“I don’t know what to say Noel. I just want you…” her voice was muffled by his chest while he stroked her head gently.
“You don’t have to say anything Rebecca. I hear you, I hear your soul” he said, while still stroking her head.
“Noel. I love you. I’ve always loved you” she blurted the words out and wondered how he would react. He remained silent while cradling her head.
“I don’t want to jump the guns, but I’m falling in love with you too” he said and their eyes met as she moved her head to look at him
“What’s happening here!” her father’s voice tore through the air.
“John. We need to talk” Noel pulled away from her and walked over to her father. She watched as the two men walked away, towards the lake and her father turned to look at her. She smiled at him, as if to say that she was finally happy and he should be happy too.
*****
Rebecca stood up from her chair and went to st
and by the full french windows in her corner office. She could see the city skyline from the 30th floor and she gazed across the sky which was now building up with clouds. Despite the fact that it had been more than a month of working out of swanky new office space, she was yet to get used to it.
Her only requests to Noel had been that she be given her own space and be allowed creative freedom and he had awarded her with both. She turned to look at her workspace which was scattered with easels and pallets of paint. Even though she had been given an office space in the same building, she was working on a prospective art exhibition. All she needed to do was finish twelve pieces in time and then Noel would arrange for her to meet with the connections he had at the Galleries in the city. If everything went well, she’d have her first exhibition by age twenty two, not something she could have achieved without the help of Noel, without the help of the love of her life. It felt strange even thinking about it, that the man she had spent so many years dreaming about was now the man she went to bed with every night and woke up next to every morning. She knew she couldn’t ever ask for more.
While looking at her unfinished art, she felt a sudden urge to throw up and she clutched her mouth. She was going to be sick. She rushed over to the private toilet attached to her office and sank to the floor, clutching her curls away from her face as she spat into the toilet bowl.
This had never happened before, the paint fumes had never made her this sick. She stood up and washed her face, popping open a bottle of mints that she had in the pocket of her jeans.
She heard the knock on the door outside and knew it was him.
“Hey there gorgeous. Thought I’d just stop by before heading out for my five o clock” he greeted her with a wide smile as she stepped out of the toilet and shut the door behind her. She couldn’t stop herself from admiring how utterly delicious he looked. His beard was freshly trimmed and his eyes shone like emeralds.
“Hey there” she greeted him with a long kiss on the lips before stepping away from him.
“What’s wrong?” he knew instantly that she wasn’t feeling herself.
“I’m not sure but I was just sick. I hope it’s not the paint fumes because that will just be a complete disaster” she said and rolled her eyes. He was silent for a few minutes and then reached for her hand.
“I’m not so sure it’s the paint” he said, a soft smile started creeping up on his face and she crossed her brows, confused. It took her a few seconds to comprehend what he was hinting at before her hands flew to her mouth. He laughed at her reaction. The same way with his shoulders shaking, the way she loved him best.
“Noel!” she shrieked and ran into his arms, burying her face in his chest.
“Let’s not get too excited now. It could be a false alarm” he said and was stroking her head. He knew how to calm her down, bring her down from her high.
“It appears you need to talk to my dad for longer this time” she said and they both broke into laughter.
“It appears so indeed” he said and she pulled away from him. He looked delighted, like he was getting a new lease on life. She was just beginning but she was happy to begin with him.
“What are we going to do Noel?” she asked him, unable to contain her excitement any longer.
“For starters, I have a very important question to you” he said and she watched in absolute shock as he bent down on one knee.
My Stepbrother, The Football Star
Summer was over and Tracey was back home. She pulled her suitcase along the cobbled stones of their short driveway as she walked up to the front door. Before she could knock her mother had opened the door.
“Tracey! You’re home! I have so much to tell you” her mother hugged her tight and Tracey squeezed past her into the house. It’s not that she didn’t love her mom, but it was usually hard to tell who the parent and who the daughter was. Which is why, every summer vacation for the past ten years was such a blessing. With her father, who lived in Alaska, there was peace and quiet and no unnecessary drama.
“How is your father?” her mom asked, more as a formality than actually being interested in the answer. Tracey had plonked her suitcase in the middle of the living room and was walking over to the kitchen.
“He’s well mom. He sends his regards” Tracey said and watched as her mother rolled her eyes.
“Anyway, I have so much to tell you Trace. Do you want to make us some sandwiches?” she pulled up a chair and sat herself at the counter as Tracey poured some orange juice into a glass.
“I’m not hungry mom and I have to go to campus. I received an email from them a few days ago and I have to go meet the captain” Tracey said as she gulped down nearly all the juice in one go.
“Received an email from whom? Your cheerleading Captain? But you only just got here” she said pouting her lips.
“I can’t help it mom. Responsibilities” Tracey said and walked back into the living room where her mother followed her.
“Trace. You only have a few more months here with me and then you’ll be gone, out of college, out of home. Don’t you think you should spend some precious time with your mother?” she was pleading and pulled the folds of her silk robe tight around her body. Tracey smiled indulgently and shook her head.
“You are such a cry baby mom” she said and gave her a quick hug before walking over to the door.
“But you haven’t even heard the big news” she could hear her mother yell out to her. Within seconds Tracey was on her bike, which she hadn’t ridden in more than four weeks. It felt good to be riding it again. The wind caught the wisps of her short straight blonde hair and she licked her lips. It felt strange to not be bundled up in warm clothes and windproof jackets after spending several weeks in Alaska. In fact the jeans and gray cotton t-shirt she was wearing were almost too warm for here. It took her fifteen minutes to get to campus and by the time she reached the main gym, she wasn’t sure if Melissa, their team captain would still be around.
She hurried up the steps and pushed the swinging doors of the building and slammed into someone. Tracey jerked her head up to find the obnoxiously smiling face of Aron Clarkson staring down at her. He seemed to be at least a foot taller than her.
“Watch where you’re going” Tracey snapped at him and pushed past.
“Thanks for the advice” she heard him say but didn’t turn around to look at him. Aron Clarkson was obviously the least of her problems, but she could never stop herself from sniggering at him if they did cross each others’ paths. He was the poster-child of the kind of person she despised. Glassy blue eyes, dark hair that fell in bangs over his eyes, dimples on both his cheeks when he smiled - just the most good looking guy she could have set her eyes on. The worst part, Tracey believed, was that he knew exactly what he looked like. There was no mistaking that he was well aware of the effect his bulging biceps had on girls around him, or the fact that his selection of plain white Tees outlined the exact tapering shape of his torso. The fact that he was the captain of the football team might be making matters worse.
“Tracey, thank God you made it today!” she heard Melissa’s voice which brought her out of her unkind thoughts about Aron Clarkson.
“Hey Melissa, I got your email. What’sup?” Tracey and she half-hugged.
“You know the big game is next Thursday right?” Melissa looked worried.
“Yeah. I told you I’d be here on time for that. Relax” Tracey was quite tired of everybody being this dramatic all the time. She wanted to run back to Alaska again and spend her days fishing.
“Yeah I knew that. The thing is that I have to go for a last minute interview to Sandtryne” Melissa said and clapped her hands excitedly.
“You got in?” Tracey would not have expected Melissa to be one of the first people to get the job that nearly half the people from her class coveted.
“Well, I got an interview” Melissa flicked a strand of hair away from her face.
“That’s something. Congratulations Melissa!” Tracey me
ant it. They weren’t exactly the best of friends but that didn’t mean that she couldn’t be happy for somebody, especially since there was no competition there. All Tracey wanted after college was to go away to Alaska for a few years and help her father with his fishing business. She didn’t have the same aspirations as the others. She didn’t want a high-flying corporate job in a big city crunching numbers.
“Which means that I won’t be here to captain the team” Melissa interrupted her thoughts again. Tracey stared at her blankly, wondering what the implications of that might be.
“Which means….Tracey help me out here!” Melissa punched her lightly on her arm.
“You want me to do it? Are you nuts?” Tracey threw her hands up in the air.
“You are the only one I trust” Melissa pleaded with her. Too many people were pleading with her these days and it was making her claustrophobic.
“Looks like you and I will get to work more closely” Tracey heard that dreaded voice. She didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.
“Be nice, Aron!” Melissa scolded and Tracey finally moved her head to look at him. He was standing a few inches away from her, his hands in his pockets and that same grin on his face.
“Didn’t you just leave?” Tracey grimaced, while he smiled at her with perfectly white even teeth.
“You’re awfully interested in my daily schedule. Are you stalking me Tracey Reese?” Aron winked at her and she turned to Melissa immediately.
“Melissa I can’t work with him, or in fact deal with the team as a whole. Please find somebody else to do it” it was Tracey’s turn to beg but Melissa was already shaking her head.
“You have more than a week to figure it out and iron out the creases. Our team needs you Tracey. You really want to let the team down just because you can’t communicate with the football team?” Melissa looked distressed again and Tracey sighed.
“Yeah Tracey. You’re turning out to be a disappointment” Aron chimed in. His very voice annoyed her and she flared her nostrils while shrugging her shoulders.
Sucker for the Boss Page 33