by S. C. Adams
“You’re welcome.” He gently places a big hand on my arm, sending a wave of tingles throughout my body. “It was great catching up with you, Jenna. If you ever need anything, just remember I’m a little closer to Marymount than your parents, and I wouldn’t mind helping you out if you were ever in a jam.”
He’s right – I’ve never been to his penthouse, but Mom and Dad told me it’s only about ten minutes away from campus. They told me I should call him if I ever have an emergency. It’s good to know that he’s giving me the go ahead to reach out to him if I’m ever in need. Yet I wish this moment didn’t have to end. If only it could last forever.
“It was good catching up with you too, Uncle Drake,” I say, gazing into his eyes one last time.
Am I crazy, or are sparks flying between us? The air around us feels magical; it’s like we’re in our own little world. He gently caresses my arm, sending another wave of tingles through my frame. My body is pleading with him to take me in his arms, but instead, he merely looks deep into my eyes. I wish he didn’t have to let go, but someone could waltz into the kitchen any second now and sense the heat between us.
He releases his grip and then takes another sip of wine before leaving the kitchen. I lean against the counter, my body still reacting to his touch even though he’s gone. I sigh, wishing he would come back and kiss me softly. I couldn’t have been imagining the vibe between us; it had to have been real. The feeling must be mutual, but neither one of us can act on our impulses. Instead, I’ll have to forget about the moment we just shared. After all, it’s what’s best for both of us.
6
Drake
The front door slams behind me as I step into my empty penthouse. I unravel the scarf from around my neck and toss it onto the coat rack along with my jacket. I place my hand on my six-pack abs; my stomach is still full from the dinner I just had with the Millers. I drag my feet down the hallway toward my bedroom. The sound of my footsteps echoes through my home, but it’s better than the silence that usually consumes my abode.
I place my hand on my bedroom door and slowly push it open. The moonlight beams through the large windows, illuminating my empty bed. I lie down on the cold mattress with thoughts of Jenna playing over and over again in my mind. Fuck! How can I be attracted to a woman who’s practically my niece? My late wife is her aunt, for Pete’s sake – not to mention she’s only twenty years old, and a sophomore in college. This is completely wrong, and even though I know it, I can’t get her out of my head.
I keep telling myself she’s off limits, but that doesn’t stop me from thinking about her. In fact, she’s been the only thing on my mind since I laid eyes on her tonight. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted – a beautiful, smart woman who’s kind and gives a damn about other people. I want her badly, but that young woman is innocent and pure, possibly even still a virgin.
Somehow, I managed to fight the urge to kiss her in the kitchen after dinner. I wanted to lock lips with her, but I didn’t want to frighten her. Sparks flew between us as I gazed into her eyes, but I knew not to push the envelope. So far, nothing has happened between us, and nothing will happen as long as I keep my distance from her.
But how do I fight these powerful urges? Jenna’s hips beckoned as they swayed from side to side. She had to have known she was hypnotizing me because I couldn’t take my eyes off of her the entire night. Luckily, no one caught me staring at her. At least, I don’t think so.
I wish I could’ve spent more time with Jenna alone, but I didn’t want to get caught flirting in the kitchen by another family member. The brief moment we shared made me interested in getting to know more about her. I doubt she’ll reach out to me once she gets back to Marymount, but deep inside, I hope she does. She had to have felt the chemistry between us; I couldn’t have been the only one. Our eyes met more than once throughout the night, and each time they did, I could feel sparks flying in the air.
She makes me feel a way I’ve never felt before. I couldn’t stop smiling as she talked about the difference between sociology and anthropology. I love a woman with a mind. She’s got brains and beauty, a combination that drives my libido wild. Most of the women I’ve dealt with lacked intelligence and weren’t nearly as beautiful as Jenna. She’s one of a kind.
Am I wrong for being attracted? I’ve dated young women before, but I haven’t dated someone her age since I was in college myself. She may be young, but she’s still an adult nonetheless. The only real problem with pursuing her is the fact that she’s my niece. I doubt Michael and Leanne would be okay with me courting their daughter, even though there’s no blood relation between us.
Plus, it’s not like I’m some sicko who’s lusted after Jenna for her entire life. The feelings I have for her are all brand new. She’s the woman I’ve been searching for since Naomi passed away. I’m sure my late wife would’ve wanted me to move on by now, but I’m also sure she wouldn’t have wanted me to do so with her younger brother’s adopted daughter. Shit. What do I do?
As I lie in my cold bed all alone, I can’t help wishing Jenna was lying right here beside me. This is nuts! I shouldn’t feel this conflicted inside. Whenever I’m caught in a jam, there’s one person I can call who seems to have the answer to whatever problem I’m facing. I sit up and dig into my pocket, pulling my cell phone out. Scrolling through my contacts, I stop at Liam’s name and dial my confidant’s number.
“What’s up, bro?” Liam asks as he answers the phone, barely giving it time to ring.
“Hey, man. I need your advice on something,” I say.
“Sure, what is it?” he asks.
Like me, Liam is a successful businessman who has womanized a few chicks here in the city as well. It’s a long shot, but he might be able to relate to my current dilemma. I trust him enough to seek his advice, but I know I’ll have to withhold a few details. He’s my buddy, but if I tell him that I’m falling for my niece, he’ll probably think I’m some sick freak that needs psychiatric help.
“I kind of met someone at dinner tonight,” I say. He’s silent at first, but then I can hear him clapping on the other end.
“It’s about time, bro,” he says as he laughs. “I was starting to worry about you, my man.”
“I don’t see you tying the knot anytime soon,” I joke. The truth is, we’ve both had our fair share of women, and although they come a dime a dozen, neither of us can seem to find the woman of our dreams.
“I’m working on it. Some chick invited me to her family’s Thanksgiving dinner tonight, and I actually stayed the entire time,” he says.
“Wow, that’s a major stride for you!” I say.
“Yeah, I hated every damn second of it, but at least I stayed.”
“I applaud you,” I reply. I hear two flicks on the other end of the line, then the sound of Liam exhaling.
“I just got some really great Cuban cigars. You’ve gotta try one the next time you come over to play a game of poker,” he says. “Now, back to this girl. Tell me about her.”
“She’s gorgeous.” I pause. Gorgeous is an understatement. “She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” I clarify.
“Wow. Even hotter than the blonde we met that crazy weekend we spent in Cabo?” He exhales again. “The one with the huge, perky tits?”
“Even hotter than the blonde in Cabo,” I say.
“So, what’s the problem?” he asks. I wish I could tell him, but I can’t, at least not about the fact that she’s my niece.
“She’s young,” I say.
“That’s it? I bang young chicks all of the time. It’s no big deal as long as they’re legal. Besides, I prefer the young ones. They’re not as jaded as women in their forties,” he explains.
Fuck. Jenna isn’t even old enough to drink yet; she’s only twenty. I scratch my head as I try to think of what to say. Should I tell my best buddy that the woman I’m obsessed with is little more than a teenager? My shoulders slump as I realize just how young the college sophomore really is.
“She’s far from jaded,” I finally say. “She’s pure and innocent.”
“That’s exactly how I like them. The less experience, the better. By the time women reach our age, they’ve dated and slept with just about every single guy here in New York City,” he says.
He’s right. Liam and I have even slept with some of the same chicks by mistake because it’s such a fucking carousel here in NYC. But Jenna isn’t that type of woman; I can tell she doesn’t sleep around. She’s just now coming into her own and has probably never had a boyfriend before. I wouldn’t have to worry about whether or not any of my buddies have sampled her because chances are, they’ve never met her before.
“Yeah, you’re right,” I agree.
“Wait, you said you met her at dinner tonight? Dinner with Naomi’s family?” he asks with concern in his voice. I hesitate before answering, feeling a bit ashamed.
“Yeah,” I reply.
“Shit,” he says. He must’ve realized that my mystery woman is somehow related to my late wife. “Did you make a move on her in front of the Millers?”
“I wanted to, but I didn’t. I feel like the biggest douche,” I say as I run my fingers through my hair.
“Don’t beat yourself up. I loved Naomi like a sister, but she’s been dead for ten years now. If you’ve met someone that you think will be good for you, I say go for it. You’ve just gotta be delicate about how you tell the rest of the family. But they should understand, and it’s not like you’re cheating on Naomi.”
I sigh.
“Yeah, there’s that. But irrespective of the Millers, I think this woman would be really good for me,” I say as I picture Jenna’s pearly white smile. “She’s smart and kind and unlike any other woman I’ve ever met.”
“You sound like you’re in love with her,” he remarks.
“No, it’s not that,” I say dismissively.
I can almost hear Liam shrug.
“When the right woman comes, you’ve got to seize the opportunity, bro. But I’m happy for you. Give it a shot and see what happens,” he suggests.
“Thanks, buddy.”
“Anytime. Who knows? By this time next year, wedding bells could be in your future,” he predicts. I laugh, but my heart races imagining Jenna in virginal white. “Let me know how everything goes,” my buddy finishes.
“Will do. Talk to you later,” I say.
“See ya,” he says just before he hangs up.
I place my phone on the nightstand and lie back down. Maybe Liam’s right – maybe I should give it a shot. What’s the worst that could happen? A knot forms in my stomach as I imagine the worst case scenario. The Millers could ban me from every future family function, keeping me as far away from Jenna as possible. They could pull her out of school, and force her to live with her parents again. Shit. Now I feel even more conflicted than before. Should I pursue Jenna or not?
Yet no matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to forget about the sweet brunette. I just keep picturing her lovely smile and those big brown eyes of hers. Just the thought of them makes my heart skip a beat. Damn, it’s wrong to have these thoughts, but I can’t stop myself. Why couldn’t she be the same shy girl that spent every family function locked away in her bedroom? Maybe then, I wouldn’t be going crazy right now trying to figure out what I’m going to do.
I close my eyes and place my hands over them, hoping I won’t be able to see her sweet face anymore, but it pops up in the darkness of my mind. What the hell am I going to do? The beautiful brunette has completely taken over my brain. I can still smell her sweet aroma even though we’re miles apart. This isn’t right! She’s a young college student, and to make matters worse, she’s my damn niece.
There’s only one thing I can do – I’ll have to stay as far away from her as possible. That means no more family functions with the Millers. I’m sure they’ll wonder why after thirteen years, I suddenly stopped attending every celebration they host, but it’s the only way to prevent disaster. Being in the same room as her is far too tempting and borderline torturous. This is what’s best for all of us.
Fuck, this totally sucks. Of course, in due time, I’ll forget all about Jenna. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Yet somehow, I’m not so sure because the sweet college student has managed to seduce me without even trying. Groaning, I let out a roar of frustration before beating the pillow next to me. Life just isn’t fair, and this time, it’s me with the short end of the stick.
7
Drake
A rumbling sound emerges from the coffee maker as the scent of Colombian roasted beans fills the air. I inhale the aroma of freshly brewed java, anticipating the taste of the caffeinated beverage. I grip the coffee pot handle in my palm and pour the hot liquid into a mug, leaving enough room to add cream and sugar.
I walk over toward the refrigerator to take out the cream, but just as I’m reaching for the handle, my phone rings. I’m in a rush for work, and I don’t really have much time to stop and have a conversation, but if someone’s calling me this early in the morning, then it must be an emergency. I dig into my suit jacket pocket and pull out my cell phone. I stare at the screen, a bit surprised to see Leanne’s name.
“Hello?” I answer the phone.
“Hi, Drake. Sorry to call you so early, but I wanted to get in touch with you as soon as possible to ask a favor,” she says. A favor? What could it possibly be?
“Sure, what do you need?” I ask. I should probably use this time to tell her that I won’t be able to make it to Christmas this year, but she’ll probably ask me a million questions why, and I don’t have time to answer them right now.
“I know this is extremely last minute, but this weekend is Parents Weekend at Jenna’s school. I hate missing events for the kids, but it also happens to be the open house weekend at a fashion academy Natalie is interested in,” she explains.
Hearing Jenna’s name makes my heart race. Although it’s only been a week, I thought I’d be over her by now, but I’m not. I dream of her every night, and when I wake up, I reach for her, but she isn’t there. I miss her and would give anything to see her again, but there’s no way I could be in the same room as the beautiful brunette without wanting to kiss her succulent lips.
“I’m so sorry about this,” Leanne apologizes. “Natalie’s being a brat again and demanding that Michael and I take her to the open house. She says she won’t even apply to a school if she can’t go visit it first. I swear, teenage girls are the worst. You’re lucky you don’t have any,” she jokes. I chuckle, wondering where she’s going with this. “Well, needless to say, we can’t be in two places at one time. Since you only live ten minutes away from Marymount, Michael and I were wondering if you could go to Jenna’s Parents Weekend for us?”
I’m in such a state of shock that I’m actually speechless. I just told myself that I have to stay away from Jenna because I can’t control myself around her, but now, Leanne is asking me to spend the weekend with her voluptuous, adopted daughter. What do I say? If I say no, she’ll want to know why, and there’s no way I can tell her that I’m attracted to her daughter.
On the other hand, if I say yes, it opens a can of worms. After all, Leanne’s asking me to go in their place because they trust me, but if they knew the thoughts that have been running through my mind about their daughter, I’m sure they would think twice about this perceived favor.
Fuck. What do I do? I want to be there for Jenna, but I’m not sure this is a good idea. After all, I’m still fantasizing about the woman. Just last night, I stroked myself while imagining Jenna in bed with me, moaning as she took me deep. It was totally wrong, but a man can’t be arrested for what goes on in his head.
“Hello? Drake?” Leanne asks over the phone.
“Sorry, I’m here,” I respond.
“So, do you think you’ll be able to go in our place? Jenna would sure love to have you there. You’ve always been her favorite uncle,” she says.
“I am?” I ask incredulously.
>
“Of course. Her face lights up whenever you’re around. I think it’s because you always send her those novels she loves. I swear, she reads those things in less than a day,” she says.
“I had no idea.”
“She could really use you by her side this weekend, Drake,” Leanne continues persuasively. “I wish there was a way that either Michael or myself could be there, but Natalie insists on having both of us with her.”
I grow silent as I contemplate the request again. I don’t want to let Jenna down, but following closely behind her as she struts around campus is going to drive me insane. My heart throbs inside of my chest just thinking of it. My lustful thoughts are wrong, but a weekend alone with Jenna also sounds like paradise.
Meanwhile, Leanne’s still waiting on the other end of the phone for my response. I open my mouth to say no, but to my surprise, I say yes.
“Sure,” I growl. “No problem.”
“Oh, thank you, Drake! You have no idea how much this means to us,” she babbles, unaware of my true feelings for her adopted daughter. “You’ve really helped us out of a bind.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I reply, trying not to sound too excited for the upcoming weekend.
“You’re a lifesaver. I’m so glad we have you to rely on,” she says. “You’re such a great addition to the family.”
A knot forms in my stomach as she thanks me profusely again. I wish I could change my mind about going, but it’s too late now. I feel like shit because the Millers honestly trust me with their daughter. I would never do anything to hurt Jenna, but I haven’t had a pure thought about her since that fateful Thanksgiving.
“Anytime,” I say, the knot growing bigger inside of my gut.
“I’ll send you all of the information in an email, and I’ll let Jenna know you’re coming. She’s going to be so excited to see you, and don’t worry, there are a lot of fun events. A guide will take you on a tour, then you’ll have a buffet style lunch in the cafeteria, and they’ll have a few activities for the parents to do with the students. The weekend will pretty much fly by,” she says.