Stepbrother: Stepbrother Seduction (Stepbrother Obsessions Book 1) (4 page)

Thanksgiving passed without any circumstance. Because there were so many people around, moments with Danny were few and far between. But there was an awkward moment when their parents asked about Tim and Sarah. They met eyes for a minute, thinking of what to say. She had shrugged and told them that distance was a little harder than she’d expected but that she was trying her best. Danny, thankfully, told them that she was nothing that serious, just another cheerleader which her mother had scowled at him for. She tried not to laugh and give anything away.

Now it was Monday morning and time to go back to school. She was looking at herself in the mirror, hoping that she looked like she wanted to. She hadn’t just bought lingerie at the mall. She had also bought some outfits that were more reminiscent of the popular crowd. Right now she had a white ribbon in her hair, a pink sweater, black tights, and a black ruffled skirt with buckle shoes. Her makeup was more toned down with some natural pinks and browns instead of her usual bold black. She looked a bit like a doll actually.

Quinn walked into the bathroom, and Tanya jumped out of her skin. “Geez, Quinn, you scared the shit out of me.”

“I can say the same about you, my friend. So, who is he?”

“Who is who?” she looked at Quinn, confused.

“The guy that you’re dressing up for. Do you think I’m that naive, Tanya? No way are you changing your image just because you feel like it. This is not you at all.”

“Is it that bad?” Tanya surveyed herself in the mirror again.

“No, it’s not bad; just different. But you have to tell me who!” Quinn screeched, wanting to know all the details about her best friend’s new life.

“Well, it’s supposed to be a secret. He has a girlfriend.” She shrugged. But he’s on the football team and super popular and cute. He’s dating this really annoying cheerleader who hates my guts. I really want to prove to him that he doesn’t have to hide me or date someone else, but I don’t know if it’ll work.”

“Well, whoever he is, he’s got to appreciate the fact that you’re trying, willing to sacrifice who you are to make him happy. And if he doesn’t, then he doesn’t deserve you.” Tanya shot her a look. “Yeah, I know that it’s not as simple as it sounds. But it should be. Just don’t lose who you are, okay?” Tanya nodded and smiled.

“So, I look okay?”

“You look great, for a prep!” The girls laughed as Tanya began to chase Quinn around the room.

***

Tanya looked around the student parking lot for where Danny had parked. As usual, Sarah and the others were standing around his car and worshipping it and him. Since Thanksgiving the wind had really picked up a chill, and there hadn’t been a day since that was above freezing. So, it was either she convinced him to give her a ride home or she was going to have to take the bus. She hadn’t even brought a coat. Her sweater would have to be enough.

She had flaunted her new looks in front of him all day but hadn’t said a word or made a move. She had wanted to build the tension, make him think about her all day. Hopefully it worked, and it was all coming down to this moment as she walked up to all of them, the cold wind blowing her hair back behind her.

Everyone went silent and stared at her as the crowd parted. She felt super confident as she looked straight into his shocked baby blues. But she saw something else there, a pleading as he slightly shook his head. It was too late, though. Her decision had been made. “Would you mind giving me a ride home, Danny? It’s awfully cold out, and I forgot my coat.” She blinked a few times, waiting for some kind of response.

“Well, aren’t you going to say anything to this freak, Danny?” Sarah asked with her hands on her hips, glaring straight at Tanya. How was she still a freak even though she looked like them? Funny how that worked. How did these people decide who were freaks and who were worthy of their time?

Danny got out of the car with an apologetic smile that was slowly turning into a sneer as he approached Tanya. “So you think,” he began, getting right up against her and forcing her to back up. “That you can just come over here with some new clothes and a sweet little voice and instantly become one of us?” She closed her eyes in surprise and fear at the harshness of his voice, the hardness of his face. She couldn’t watch this scene unfold. It hurt too much. “You have lost your mind, and you’re more of a freak then we all thought. Let me make this clear. You are a loser. You don’t fit in here, and you never will. Now go take that shit off. You look ridiculous.”

He went back over to his car, and the crowed whooped and clapped and laughed. She turned on her heel and ran over to Lauren. “C’mon,” Lauren said. I’ll get my mom to give you a ride home.” They walked over to an old Mustang past the buses and got in. Tanya wiped at the tears falling from her eyes and was glad she couldn’t see Danny or his car from where she was sitting.

When she got home she ran straight to her room, acknowledging nothing and no one. Not that it mattered because from the empty driveway it seemed that no one was home yet. She fell down to her bed and curled up in a ball, holding her knees. She knew that she was 18 years old and shouldn’t be reacting that way. Big girls don’t cry and all that, right? But it just hurt after everything she’d done for him. And now he was tearing her down in front of his friends and his girlfriend again. His girlfriend! What had she been thinking, anyway, getting involved with her step brother? What was it about men that made girls act like idiots?

She heard the front door open and close but ignored it, assuming it was her stepfather coming home from work. But as her door knob turned and the door to her room clicked open, she stood up and tried to wipe off her face, causing her makeup to smear. It was Danny. How dare he?

As he came into her room, she ran up to him with her fists clenched, ready to cause harm. But he just grabbed her with all his football player strength and held her to him until she stopped thrashing, shushing her like a baby. She began to cry into his chest all over again, not being able to hold it back anymore.

He pulled her away to look at her and she saw that his eyes had changed again, and he was sorry. But was sorry good enough. “God, you’re so sexy when you cry,” he said pulling her in close to him again, squeezing her tight like he was afraid she would escape. “I hate that I had to do that. I don’t want to do that again.”

“Then don’t,” she whimpered into his chest, shaking her head. “Don’t do that ever again.”

“Okay, Tanya, okay. I’ll break up with Sarah for you. I was going to anyway. She’s too immature for me. I’ll just walk around single, and when we’re alone I’ll be yours. Is that okay?”

She gasped at the thought. Could she trust him to do that, and could they pull it off? She nodded into him, knowing there was no other option for them. She couldn’t handle the pain of seeing them together anymore.

He led her over to the bed, and they lay down, just holding each other. “I’m so sorry, Tanya. How about I make it up to you with a date, a real one. I’m supposed to go out this weekend with some of my buddies that graduated last year. Come with me as my date. Please.”

Tanya heard and felt the apology and desperation in his voice. There was no saying no to that. She couldn’t wait to find out what it felt like to be with him out in the open. “Yes, I’ll go.” She smiled to herself through the tears and closed her eyes, relaxing against his chest.

“I think it’s so nice that the two of you are getting along with each other.” Tanya’s mother smiled down at her, and Tanya rolled her eyes. If only she knew.

“I’m gonna go get ready for the movie, Mom. Don’t wanna be late.” Tanya went into her bedroom and slipped on what she’d set out the night before. The story for her parents was that Danny was taking her and Quinn to the movies with him and his friends. The truth, however, differed. With Danny’s permission, she’d had to fill Quinn in on the situation. It was actually a relief to tell somebody about it, but Quinn had been just a little disappointed. Probably because she had a crush on Danny. But she was pretty supportive considering.

They were actually taking Quinn with them downtown to hang out with his college buddies. Tanya could hardly mask her excitement as she looked at herself in the mirror. She’d kept it simple with some black tights and a black dress. She’d put on her typical black eyeliner but nothing else. She didn’t want to embarrass him in front of his friends, but she also wanted to feel somewhat like herself.

“Wow, you look smoking!” Quinn teased as she bumped her to the side so she could see in the mirror. Quinn had opted for some black leggings and pink leg warmers, looking like the 80s had thrown up all over her. But somehow Quinn always pulled all those crazy looks off.

“Thanks, you don’t look too shabby yourself. So, are you ready to go? You know you don’t have to do this for me. I can tell him we have to wait until you’re home…”

Quinn put her hand up to stop Tanya from talking. “Chill, Tanya. It’s okay. I can tell you really like this guy, and I’m happy for you. In fact, I think it’s a good thing. I know you were really bummed when you had to leave Tim, and I also know he hasn’t exactly been on his best behavior since you left. I never said it before because I didn’t think you could handle hearing it. But I think it’s time to move on from Tim. He was never for you anyway.”

Tanya nodded and slumped a little as she listened to her friend dissing the first boy she’d ever loved. “So, he was with that stupid poser chick, wasn’t he?” she asked with a soft voice.

Quinn pursed her lips and shook her head. “Look, I don’t know all the details, but I know what I saw not just after you left but even before. I don’t think he’s ever been as into you as you were into him. But guess what? It doesn’t matter now. You have this new thing with Danny, and it’s going to be different and exciting. So, you focus on that and not the past. Got it?”

Tanya smiled and hugged Quinn. “Got it! Now let’s get out of here.”

Tanya and Quinn walked out into the living room to see Danny waiting out there with his keys in hand. He looked amazing, like he had stepped out of a dream. He had on a studded jacket and tight black jeans. His hair was slicked back. She looked at him and smiled, trying not to make anything look suspicious to her parents. He gave her a secret wink, and she saw his eyes take a quick drag up and down her body. She couldn’t remember Tim or anyone ever looking at her quite that way, and it felt great.

“You guys ready?” he asked, feigning boredom as they approached. The girls looked at each other and nodded before heading out to the garage with him.

“Have fun, you three!” Tanya heard her mother call after them. She planned on having plenty of fun; that was for sure.

***

“Quinn, can you give Tanya and me a moment, please? Go and introduce yourself, and we’ll be right there.” Danny looked at Quinn through the rearview mirror as Tanya let her out of the car by pulling her seat up. Quinn smiled and nodded, marching over to the group of guys standing outside of the old theatre they had parked in front of.

Danny got out of the car and led Tanya off to the alley on the side of the building and took her hand, pulling her to him for a kiss. “What do you need to talk about?” Tanya smiled up at him as they pulled away, her hands intertwined with his.

“Well, I wanted to ask a favor of you. I know you understand how important it is that Mom and Dad do not find out that we’re together. So, if you could just be somebody else today, think up a new name, I’d appreciate it.” He said it politely, but there was a strange feeling that Tanya had about the suggestion.

“Are you embarrassed or something?” she asked, feeling a little hurt.

“No, of course not.” Danny ran his finger up and down her cheek. “I could never be embarrassed of something I love.” He smiled down at her, and he eyes went wide with surprise.

“Love?” she whispered.

Danny nodded and crashed his lips over hers before continuing. “Yes, and that’s why I can’t let Mom and Dad come between us. Just don’t tell anyone you’re my sister, and don’t use your real name so they won’t put two and two together. No big deal.”

She nodded. “Just call me Lola, then.”

“Oooh, Lola sounds hot. It’s perfect.” She bit her lip as he ran his hand up her leg, just under her dress. “C’mon, let’s go meet my friends,
Lola.
”

She threw back her head in a laugh and let him lead her over to the group of friends who were passing around what appeared to be bottles of soda, but as she got closer, she realized the color was wrong. They were hiding alcohol inside of soda bottles. Quinn had one of them in her hand, taking a few sips.

Tanya shot her friend a look, and Quinn leaned over to whisper in her ear. “I’m only having a few sips, don’t worry. It’s not like I’ve never had a drink before.” Tanya sighed and hoped she was right.

Danny introduced her as his girlfriend, and it felt great to be out in the open like that. But as the night wore on, Tanya felt a little strange. For the most part, Danny was on his best behavior, but his friends were not. They drank the whole time and vandalized at least three different buildings. The whole time Danny was reassuring her that he wouldn’t let her get in trouble, that it was no big deal, just fun. Quinn even seemed to be having a good time; laughing and hanging all over one of the older boys. So, she let it go, not wanting to look like some kind of stiff.

“Hey, I don’t know about you, but I’m up for a little alone time,” Danny whispered into her ear, making her have chills down her spine.

“What about Quinn?” Tanya asked, glancing over at her friend. Quinn was still laughing and going on with the rest of the guys.

“She’ll be fine. We’ll be back before you know it. C’mon.” Danny led her across the street to an old motel, and she watched as he slipped by a guy and grabbed his card from his pocket on his way out. Danny led her to the room number that was on the card and made sure the coast was clear before pulling her inside.

“You’re such a bad boy, Danny,” she teased, and he chuckled. The room was dark, and she could barely see him, but she could feel that he was close as his warm breath tickled her face.

“Yes, I am. Are you going to be my naughty girl?”