I speak before I can think better of it “I can take you home,” but Kaya shakes her head and her voice has a hard edge to it when she speaks next. “No need. I’m sure your date will be really disappointed if you don’t take her home.”
My date? Oh yeah, right. Jasmine.
For a second I totally forgot about her but right now all I want is more time with Kaya and I’ll do just about anything to make sure that she gets home safely.
“Don’t worry about Jasmine. I’ll find her and give her money for a cab fare. Let me help you.”
She turns the tap off and blots her face with a towel. “Do you really want to help me? Then please find Bryce.”
Her words hit me as hard as if she’d slapped me in the face. Is this what’s happening? Is this why she says that Marc isn’t her boyfriend when a couple of weeks ago they seemed joined at the hip? Is she messing around with Bryce?
Just the thought of it ignites such a fury that I nod at her and I have to walk away before I say or do something I’ll regret. “Very well. Wait here.”
I storm out of the master suite, taking a deep breath as I decide to walk back into the sky-lounge using the outer stairs on the deck. I need the fresh air to calm down and to remind myself that whatever Kaya does, whoever she dates, I have no say and no right to say anything. But Bryce? I would’ve taken Marc any day over Bryce.
He’s dangerous because he’s got everything that could make Kaya fall for him. I know because we’ve been best friends since we were five years old. I know that I sound like a real asshole wishing Kaya a loveless relationship just on account of my jealousy, but the heart wants what the heart wants. And I want my stepsister even though I shouldn’t and I know I can never have her. It’s all good because I don’t deserve her anyway if I put my own selfish ego ahead of her happiness.
I sigh as I spot Bryce talking to my dad and Chase inside the sky-lounge. I’m jealous because Bryce is perfect for her: funny, outgoing, athletic, daring. I realize that it’s not just his qualities that make me hate the idea of her dating Bryce.
I’ve seen Parker hover around her a lot too and probably, deep down, I was hoping that if she had to be with one of my besties, it would be Parker and not Bryce.
And the reason is just as stupid as it is selfish: Bryce is more similar to Chase, while Parker and I have more quiet, reserved personalities. I think that if she likes Bryce, it means that between me and Chase, three years ago I would’ve been the loser, had our dad not told us that Kaya was off-limits and we needed to treat her like a sister.
I know it doesn’t matter anyway because she didn’t even get close to having to make such a choice but I can’t help the sense of defeat that I feel at the idea of Bryce and Kaya together.
There’s also something else: I need to make sure to talk to Bryce and tell him clearly that he can only be with Kaya if he’s serious about her. That she can’t be a fling and that if he hurts her, there’ll be hell to pay. Bryce is a loyal and awesome friend but as a boyfriend he hasn’t got the best track record. He’s not been dating for the whole duration of high school and never had a girlfriend until last year.
He’s always the life of the party and hookups have always been easy to come by for him. Well fuck, we’ve all had our fair share of hookups. In high school Chase and I both thought that sex was the best thing ever and I’d be lying if I said that we didn’t enjoy wild parties and any pretty girl who wanted a good time. Parker and Bryce were exactly the same and being football players only helped our popularity and gave us all more opportunities for hookups.
Then my brother and I met Kaya the summer before freshman year in college. We all know how that turned out and as soon as we set foot on campus, we tried to fuck our stepsister out of our hearts and minds but with little to no success. And even that ended the minute we knew that we had no choice but to come here this summer and work with Dad and that we’d see her again.
Just looking at another girl made me feel physically sick and I know exactly why Chase doubled up on his dates since he heard that we’d be back here. He hangs with two girls at a time so that he’s distracted enough and can make each girl believe that he’s gonna make a choice between them, while in reality, it’s all just for show. He wants to look like a player but there’s nothing farther than that when it comes to my twin.
Bryce and Parker are slightly different: they lived our same life of parties and fast and meaningless hookups until they met a girl.
How did they get two-timed and dated the same girl for a whole semester without realizing it? Simple, the girl in question always refused to go to parties or hang out in group settings and because she was an introvert and a bit of a bookworm, she gravitated in different social circles than us.
So they both dated her without knowing, Chase and I haven’t even met her. She had no social media and since Bryce is addicted to pet names, he never even mentioned her name and kept calling her ‘smoochie’, while Parker referred to her as ‘my girl’.
Regardless, I know how hard Georgia’s betrayal hit Bryce, so I need to make sure that if he’s getting involved with Kaya, this is isn’t a rebound thing.
Obviously this isn’t the time to have such a conversation and as soon as I approach them and tell Bryce that Kaya needs to go home, he springs into action.
The worried light in his eyes and the haste with which he asks Chase to get Parker to get the car ready, annoys me and pleases me at the same time. “Where is she? I’ll go get her and walk her off the boat and to the car.” When I tell him that I left Kaya in the master bedroom, my dad immediately cuts in.
“What were you doing in the master bedroom with your sister?” I don’t appreciate his tone but I try to stay as calm as possible: I haven’t done anything wrong but I feel guilty all the same, because while I haven’t even touched Kaya, it’s not for lack of desire to do so.
I explain how she bumped into me while looking for a free bathroom and Dad calms down. “Bryce if you want to stay and enjoy the party, Karen can go take care of Kaya,” Dad offers, immediately worried about her but Bryce shakes his head.
“Don’t worry Dustin, Parker and I got her. We’ll get her to text you as soon as we’re home. You and Karen are the hosts here, while no one will miss me and Parker.”
Dad asks him if one of them stayed sober and Bryce reassures him that Parker volunteered to be the DD tonight. My father seems appeased by his answer and wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Come on Reid, we have my driver on standby so there’s no reason for us not to enjoy another drink.” I follow him quietly to the bar, ready to drown my sorrows in a glass of bourbon.
Kaya
“HEY KIDDO, HOW’S YOUR headache? Your mom and I came to check on you last night when we got home but you were fast asleep and we didn’t want to wake you.”
“I’m much better, thank you,” Dustin offers me a refill of my coffee and I take it gratefully, sipping on it while looking in front of me, my gaze fixed on a bush of jasmine on a trellis outside.
We drink our coffee in comfortable silence, Dustin is reading the local papers that all have photos of his super yacht on the front page.
“Did you drink too much?” He asks after a moment, putting the paper down. I see no accusation in his gaze and I shake my head, meeting his eyes; they’re blue but a shade that’s somewhere in between Chase’s dark blue and Reid’s icy blue.
I can see why Mom fell head over heels for Dustin. He’s handsome in the same way his sons are, athletic, tall, clean cut. And he’s cultured and kind, a real gentleman like I know Chase and Reid can be too but in their case is just an act.
My stepfather on the other hand is a genuinely great guy and I look up to him and love him and respect him more than I do my own father. He’s been there for me and Mom from day one, where my dad has always been absent at best.
So I know his question comes without any malice and I answer calmly. “No, I didn’t. I didn’t want to get caught and embarrass you and Mom. Although I can’t really s
ay the same when it comes to Marc. He tried to put vodka in my drink.”
Dustin sighs. “Yeah, that’s why I asked. Chase told me he confiscated spiked drinks from you two and he thought that Marc might have a flask but couldn’t catch him with it. So forgive me if I assumed that you two might’ve sneaked out of sight to partake in some drinks.”
I confirm that we didn’t and he nods, putting down his mug.
“I have to admit that I’m a little disappointed in Marc for sneaking in that booze and trying to get you to drink. I might’ve misjudged his maturity if he didn’t understand that drinking in private, when it’s just us is something that I don’t mind but that last night it was a formal occasion. I guess I expected more from a cadet. You know, with all those values that I’m sure they try to instill in those boys and girls.”
I agree with him and I can’t keep from telling him that Marc definitely doesn’t abide by the code of honor he was thinking about.
“What do you mean, Kaya? I saw him looking really unhappy by the end of the night. Did he try to put pressure on you to get drunk?”
“No but ...” the whole story comes out. Well, the parts I feel comfortable discussing with my stepfather anyway. So I tell Dustin how Marc wouldn’t accept the fact that I didn’t want to date him and that he basically ambushed me into two dates under the guise of hanging out as friends.
Dustin looks perplexed. “I’m sorry to hear that, Kaya. But why did you go along with being his date last night, if you’d made up your mind? That would confuse any guy. By agreeing to be his date over and over, you’re leading him on.”
I shake my head exasperated and I explain Mom’s role in last night’s debacle. “Marc got Jackie and Richard involved in the whole thing and Mom asked me to play nice until last night to not ruin your big inauguration. I promise that I tried but Marc made me feel too uncomfortable, he kept putting pressure on me and making me feel guilty for not wanting to be with him. I was trying to be polite until I could talk to him at his BBQ later today, but—”
Dustin’s gaze darkens for a second and his question is whispered in a menacing tone, and the barely repressed anger in his voice reminds me so much of Chase.
“Did he try to force himself on you? Because if he did, I don’t care about who said what and social embarrassment, I’m going to kill him.”
I reassure him that he didn’t, not in a physical way at least.
“He was just being annoying and clingy, so I walked away to the opposite side of the deck during the fireworks. He followed me and caught me kissing Bryce. That’s what made him furious and he said some really awful things. He accused me of cheating and he said that he wishes I were dead.”
Dustin’s eyes widen in surprise. “Whoa! Slow down, kiddo. Let’s begin with Marc. I’m sorry that he turned out to be such an unsavory character. Do you want me to speak to Richard about it?”
I shake my head. “No,” I offer “I think a lot of this mess started because parents got in the mix. This whole thing should’ve ended after our second date, when he asked me to be his girlfriend and I told him no. I think that everything has been said between me and Marc at this point and I’d rather let sleeping dogs lie. I don’t think that anything good would come from rehashing what happened.”
Dustin agrees. “You’re right, darling. What about Bryce?”
I try not to squirm under his gaze. “Uhm ... I really like him, Dustin. But I promise that I wasn’t cheating on Marc with Bryce. I never was with Marc and things with Bryce started after I told Marc that I wanted to be just friends. And I was clear about it.”
Dustin remains quiet for a moment, considering my words.
“So are you and Bryce serious?”
I feel myself blushing, I’ve never spoken to Dustin about my love life but I try to answer his question anyway.
“It’s early days. But I really like him. He’s so sweet and kind to me. We just started seeing each other two weeks ago, so we just want to see where things go, you know? We’re taking it slow, especially since we’re gonna go to the same school in the fall. We’re in no hurry and we’re getting to know each other.”
He smiles. “Well kiddo, I think you could do much worse than Bryce as a boyfriend! I’ve known that boy since he went to kindergarten with your brothers and he and Parker are like sons to me too. However, I might want to sit down with the young man and remind him that you’re my daughter in every way but in name and that I expect him to treat you right or there’ll be no place to hide.”
His words make warmth spread in my chest at the obvious love my stepfather has for me but they worry me at the same time. “Look, he’s being really nice. He’s kind, considerate, patient. And you know that I’m no pushover, right?”
He barks out a laugh. “Right. Look, all I’m saying is that I approve but you have to let me be the parent here and look out for you. Even if I know you’re capable of looking after yourself. Bryce comes from a very good family and he’s a great guy but he’s definitely more experienced than you when it comes to ... relationships. I just want to make sure that he knows that you aren’t just a hookup, like you kids say these days.”
I blush, suddenly willing the ground to open up and swallow me whole and I know that Dustin is enjoying this a great deal, because he’s smiling, satisfied to have gotten a rise out of me.
“Don’t worry, kiddo. I won’t make it a crazily embarrassing talk. Just enough to let him know where he stands and what the expectations are when it comes to someone who wants to date my daughter.”
18.
Lies
Kaya
I’VE NEVER FELT PARTICULARLY comfortable being naked, not even when completely alone but lately this is changing thanks to Bryce and Parker.
They make me feel so beautiful and sexy that I love being naked, especially with them.
Like right now: I’m lying on my bed, snuggled against Parker, his hand caressing one side of my body in a languid up and down movement. It’s almost hypnotic. From my outer thigh all the way up, skimming over my hip, the curve of my waist, the side of my breast and then all the way down again.
I giggle, suddenly ticklish and grab his huge hand, bringing it to my lips and kissing each knuckle slowly and softly, staring in his amazing grey eyes.
Mom and Dustin are in LA for the weekend, Chase and Reid are somewhere at a party and Bryce is in his own room, probably asleep or watching a movie.
Parker wanted to take me out on a date, just the two of us but obviously things got complicated by the fact that Bryce and I were caught kissing by Marc and I ended up going along with it, telling my family that I’m dating Bryce.
I’m sure that Marc must’ve told his parents, so it was just a matter of time before the news got out anyway.
I feel bad about the fact that Bryce can now hold my hand in public and stuff, while Parker has to hold back until we’re alone but the guys reassured me that they were prepared for this eventuality. They’re aware that my parents wouldn’t accept our relationship right now and they promised to work together to make things work and to keep things fair between them.
So earlier on, Bryce announced that he was taking me out to dinner and not going to the party and Parker stayed behind feigning a headache. In reality, Parker and I went out for a steak in Shell Cove and Bryce stayed behind, chilling in the house. The twins didn’t seem to care much about it, they actually looked relieved that I wasn’t tagging along as usual.
My first solo date with Parker was awesome: he’s so attentive and romantic and such a gentleman and I love his smart and lively conversation. He isn’t as outgoing as Bryce but his quieter personality hides great depths. Each boy complements me in a different way and I couldn’t feel luckier that they both like me.
One thing both my boys have in common is that they’re very affectionate and very touchy feely and Parker’s constant little touches and light kisses during the whole evening began stoking a fire inside me that turned into a blazing hot moment when we got home.
Parker was determined to show me that Bryce wasn’t the only one who could use his mouth to make me come and while I totally believed his word, it was fucking amazing to have that confirmed ... twice. While Bryce is more playful and teasing, Parker is intense and daring but they’re both equally skilled in giving me pleasure.
Obviously going down on me made him impossibly hard and I was determined that tonight wouldn’t be just about me. I was honest about the fact that I’d never given a blow job and I asked Parker to let me try.
I loved the feeling of having him in my mouth, the idea of being able to give him pleasure was a huge turn on. I was a little nervous at first because I didn’t want to disappoint him but I knew what to do in theory and I also knew from Nic that not every guy likes it exactly the same way, as different people might be sensitive in slightly different areas.
“Hey, were did you go? Suddenly you look so serious,” Parker stops caressing me to look in my eyes. “K, you know that you didn’t have to do what we did, right? I mean, it was fucking awesome and I loved it but if you didn’t feel ready, I would’ve waited.”
I shake my head, touched that he would be more concerned about me than about getting off.
“No, sweetie. I was absolutely more than ready and I wanted to do it. I wanted to make you feel good. I’m just a little worried about Nic.” He tries to lighten the mood, pretending to be hurt. “Dude! Were you thinking about your bestie while you were blowing me?”
I giggle at his goofy expression: Parker is just as funny as Bryce, he just takes longer to feel relaxed enough to show how he feels.
I explain that my thoughts went to Nic because I can’t wait to tell her about my time with him and Bryce and about all the sexy stuff that I’m finally getting to try. “I wasn’t in a hurry to do these things, Parker. I wanted to do them with the right guy, you know? Someone who got me excited, who made me feel the way you and Bryce make me feel. And while Nic understood, she also thought that I was too hung up on the past and that I needed to loosen up. So I know she’ll be proud of me, especially because ...” he seems enthralled by my words and urges me to continue.
Forbidden (Perfect for them Book 1) Page 17