VULTURE (a Stepbrother Romance) (7 page)

I
was dreaming
.

I knew it the moment it started, but I was unable to pull myself out from under the spell. A cloud of fog cleared a path in front of me, and I blinked through my blurry eyes. I tried to make sense of my surroundings, of the black emptiness that seemed to dominate the room. My ears pricked up. A faint voice called my name. It was close, but I couldn’t see the owner. Scared, my feet locked together, unable to move.

The fog transformed into a pitch-black mist that swirled around me, making it almost impossible to figure out where the sound was coming from. My palms were damp.

“Sara.”

I turned my head towards the sound, spinning; he was close, but I saw nothing.

“Sara.” There it was again. The thudding in my chest picked up speed. He was going to hurt me. But I wouldn’t let him touch me like that ever again. I thrashed my head around as the voice continued to plague me.

All of sudden my limbs were no longer within my control. My wrists were pinned by an invisible force, and I felt hot breath against my neck. Eric’s cologne, thick and overpowering, raped my senses.

He was going to hurt me again, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I wasn’t strong enough. But then another voice joined the chorus, this one encouraging me to fight, to not give up.

Harvey?

I gritted my teeth and pulled at the non-existent restraints. To my surprise my arms flew apart. My mouth parted in shock. I tried to take a deep breath and nothing came, but this was my chance. I turned on my heel and started to run, my legs pumping wildly into the abyss.

With a jolt, I awoke. My body shook with spasms, and I was gasping for air. I sat up and buried my head between my knees, drawing in breath, telling myself I was OK.

The sound of my alarm on the bedside table cut through the panic, bringing me back to the real world. I turned it off and waited till my breathing returned to normal before getting up on shaky legs and going to the bathroom.

I walked over to the mirror above the sink and gazed at my reflection. Dark circles outlined my tired green eyes, but at least my face had lost a bit of its chubbiness, a diet of air and desperation filling my belly instead. I stepped away and took a hot shower. Soaking in the scalding water, feeling it cascading down my bare back, washing away the last traces of the haunting dream.

Afterwards, I threw on a decent pair of black trousers, grabbed my uniform blouse from the closet and slipped it on. I was a part of the working masses after managing to win over the owner of the new café. And today was my first day. In the car I turned the heater up full blast and made my way through the quiet snow-covered streets to the coffee shop. I stepped inside as a tiny bell above the door announced my arrival, and I closed my eyes to revel in the warm scent of coffee.

There was no one manning the bespoke counter, and I grabbed a chair to wait. There were no customers yet to speak of, but I knew from my first visit it would get busy soon enough. I examined the chestnut-brown walls that gave the interior a soothing, welcoming feeling. Little artificial plants were dotted around for extra colour. I studied the location of each section, noting the placement of the tables. I wasn’t sure I’d be waitressing as well as serving, but it didn’t do any harm to get the lay of the land.

A silhouette passed behind a curtain at the back of the store, and a woman in her late fifties greeted me, enveloping my fingers in her chubby ones as I stood to greet her.

“You must be Sara Chambers,” her voice came out as a hoarse whisper.

“Yes,” I answered.

The older woman smiled and said, “I’m Jodie-Ann, but you can call me Jo. I think you met my husband the other day?”

I smiled back. “That’s right. I hope I still have the job?”

“Oh, yes, dear. Don’t worry about that.” She beckoned me toward the curtain, and I followed her deep into the storage room.

“Well, there’s no time like the present. Let’s get you started. Everything you’ll need will mostly likely be in here, and if you’ll follow me, I’ll show you how to work the machines. They can be a bit finicky, but you’ll get the hang of it. You just gotta show ‘em who’s boss.”

I nodded and watched as she took me through each procedure, pointing out the functions of the machines as she went. It was fascinating to see her wrinkly fingers settle on each mechanism, light but firm, twisting and turning here and there and making an awful lot of noise in the process. I nodded my head as we went along, showing my understanding.

“Did you get all that?” Jo asked, cutting through my reverie.

“I think so, yes.” I answered, though I cursed myself for not bringing a notebook and pen to write it all down.

No sooner had Jo finished showing me how the other appliances behind the counter worked, that customers started to stream in. I stood anxiously, waiting to take their orders and praying I didn’t screw up the only job I could get.

“
T
his is harder
than I thought,” I said a few hours later, after the lunch rush. I flopped down on a chair, my arms resting on the table’s surface as I buried my head into them. My feet protested the hours of standing up, screaming for me to stop, and my back ached.

“And it’s just your first day,” Jo said, her voice croaky as she laughed at me and patted my back sympathetically. “But you’ll get used to it.”

I groaned inwardly as beads of sweat trickled down my forehead.

“Sara?”

I looked up and saw Harvey striding towards me. “Thought that was you.” His steps were quick and efficient, his long legs clad in a blue pinstripe. His hair was wet, slicked back, but it hadn’t been raining, and I wondered where he’d been. It wouldn’t have surprised me if he’d just come from a woman’s apartment, his hair wet from a shower he’d had to take to get the smell of sex off him.

“Harvey,” I said, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same question,” he said, staring at my black and white uniform.

“I got a job, what does it look like?” I said, the edges of a smile making an appearance on my face. It was good to see him again; I hated how much of a bitch I’d been the last time we spoke. He’d only been trying to help. “Gotta make ends meet.”

I tried to make light of the situation, to reassure him that I was doing OK, but his questioning eyes had the undesired of effect of making me think twice about trying to fool him.

He frowned at me. “But what about your work at the animal shelter? You loved it there didn’t you?”

“They couldn’t take me on full-time, let alone pay me. So I had to take the first thing I could get. Eric isn’t here to look after me anymore. I had to get off my fat arse and work.”

“Sara,” he warned, “don’t say things like that about yourself. You are far from fat.” He took the chair opposite me; his hands reached out, taking my hands in his larger ones, sending a domino effect of delicious ripples up my arms. “But all things aside, are you OK?”

I decided to put on a brave face and said nonchalantly, “I’m a big girl, Harvey. You don’t have to worry about me.”

He scoffed. “That ship has already sailed.”

I forced a smile. “I’m doing great. And to prove it, how about you come around tonight, and I’ll cook you a meal as my way of apologising for being a horrible cow towards you the other day?”

His face broke into a grin.

“That sounds great. What time do you want me?”

“Anytime,” I replied, enjoying the way my hands fit comfortably in his.

“
T
here’s
no way I’m going out with her,” I said after a minute.

“Oh, come on. It’s not like you to turn down a sure thing. Stop being picky and text her. I told her you would,” said Sadie.

I leaned back against my swivelling leather executive’s chair, my spine protesting as I stretched the muscles of my back. They were still aching after the lunchtime workout of front and back squats I’d managed to squeeze into my day. The ache was nice; I revelled in it, loving the way my body felt after a punishing set of heavy weights. It was almost akin to the feeling I got after pounding my cock into the sweetest pussy—almost, but not quite. A bit like the other night, I thought, remembering the cute little bartender who I’d used as a distraction. She hadn’t a tattoo or wayward piercing in sight. I’d worked my magic and been able to persuade her to drop her panties and let me take her up against the bar after closing. She’d squealed and held on tight, clutching the old-fashioned beer taps, occasionally grabbing too hard and letting the beer flow onto the sticky floor as I fucked her cunt.

I’d let my imagination run wild. She was the same height as Sara, the same heart shaped bottom… but the bartender wasn’t the real McCoy, and as much as I tried to pretend that the breasts I squeezed belonged to another, it was all just an illusion, a means to an end. A way to fulfil my fantasy without fucking up the growing relationship I had with my stepsister. And even thought we weren’t exactly on speaking terms at the moment, I couldn’t get her out of my head. It was probably best we’d had that fight; it had made me stay away. It should have given me the chance to cool down… but it was having the opposite effect.

Sadie tapped her pen against the pad she was holding, cutting through my train of thought and bringing me back. I groaned, my cock stiff beneath my desk from the memory. “David, put the girl out of her misery.”

“Let me look at her again,” I said and pulled up the dating site Sadie had insisted that I sign up to. She was determined to get me slice of the normal life, paired up and locked into a relationship forever. But I was happy as I was—what man wouldn’t be? Wasn’t I? Well, at least until the perfect specimen came along. Even then, would I ever consider giving up my bachelorhood?

“So, how long have you known this girl?”

“A few years. We went to uni together. Look if you don’t like her, all you have to do is tell her you’re busy. I’ll get shit from her, but what else is new? But she’s cute, no?”

I stared down at the woman’s picture and studied her slightly crooked nose, hooded lids and broad forehead. Definitely not my type, even if she was willing to spread her legs wide at my command. Freckles plagued her face, small and large, strewn over the curves of her cheekbones. My lip curled; even if I was looking for my everlasting mate right now, the woman on the screen was definitely not her. I had standards. I wanted someone perfect.

“You and I have very different definitions of cute.”

“I’d fuck her,” Sadie said sighing, her smile broadening as she recalled her college days. “But even after several shots and a couple pitchers of beer, she only ever had eyes for the lads, unfortunately.”

“She’s got freckles,” I said and shook my head. “She’s not my type, and I don’t want to waste my time dating her.”

“Fuck’s sake, Harvey, you’re not getting any younger, you know?”

I’d have fired anyone else on the spot for talking to me like that, but Sadie wasn’t just my assistant, she was practically my best friend and confidante. She meant well, and I wouldn’t trade her for the world.

With Sadie everything was easy. For over a decade she’d been by my side through thick and thin, and if it weren’t for her preference for woman, we would no doubt have fucked… and I would’ve probably ruined it all. No, even though sometimes I tell myself different, the kind of relationship I have with Sadie - the no fucking kind - was how it was supposed to be.

Finally giving up, Sadie got up from her chair and loomed over me, and if it weren’t for the determined look on her face, I would have laughed and pointed out that she couldn’t intimidate me. But I decided to keep my mouth shut and indulge her for a little longer.

“How about I set you up on a blind date instead? It worked out the last time,” she said.

“Barely,” I remarked. “The girl almost choked to death on my cock. And she wouldn’t swallow!”

“There’s more to life than getting your dick sucked.”

“How would you know? You don’t have one.”

“I bet my strap-on is bigger than yours!” she said with her hands upon her slim hips.

I almost spluttered out the coffee I’d just taken a sip of, but I recovered and got it down.

“Jesus, Sadie, keep saying shit like that and you’ll give me no choice but to bend you over this desk and punish you,” I said, watching her chuckle, her beautiful eyes full of mischief. My cock pulsed at the thought; she’d look beautiful riding the end of my dick.

She threw her head back and laughed, “Ah, Harvey, you’re just not my type.”

“Don’t you have work to do, anyway?” I said, eager for her to leave me; I had business to take care of. No point wasting a good hard on, I thought.

That got me a sigh.

“Yeah, fine. But tell me this, when are you going to settle down?” she challenged me.

I grinned. That was an easy question. “When I find the right woman. The perfect woman.”

“Suppose that mythical creature is not out there? What are you going to do?” Sadie continued.

“Easy. I’ll just keep fucking till I find her.”

She rolled her eyes and threw her hands up into the air in mock submission. “Have it your way; I give up.”

“Ah, but these little matchmaking sessions of ours are so much fun,” I said with a hint of sarcasm.

She turned solemn. “You’ll have to settle down one day, have a couple of little Harveys of your very own running around. It’s not like you’re not getting any younger.”

If only it were that easy.

“You make it sound like I’m ancient. But enough now,” my tone warned. I did not like the new direction this conversation was taking.

Sadie paused and studied my face. I averted my eyes and grabbed up a stack of papers that needed to be signed. She thought twice about continuing and made her way to my office door.

“Don’t forget you have a three o’clock meeting with Dave.”

I nodded, and Sadie left to go back to her desk. A beep sounded in the room. I stared down at my phone and reached for it. When I saw who the message was from, I quickly slid my finger across the screen to read it.

Sara:
Is fish OK?

A smile broke out upon my face, and I typed my reply. It was actually quite sickening how much I was looking forward to seeing her again. Earlier today at the cafe it’d been good to see her with a happy glow and a smidgen more confidence. After our little fight I’d been furious. The things she’d said—and didn’t say—had gotten under my skin. She was holding onto something that had cut her deeply. I could tell by the haunting look in her eyes. And I knew I’d be there for her when the truth eventually tumbled out, but she had to make the first step. I didn’t even mind if I wasn’t me she told, but there didn’t seem to be anyone else, anyway. Anita was a useless excuse for a human being, and her mother… But she had to get rid of the poison she held onto before it rotted her from the inside.

Harvey:
Fish sounds good. See you tonight.

And as an afterthought I added:

Harvey:
Want me to bring anything?

A few seconds later Sara’s reply popped up onto my screen.

Sara: Just yourself x

I tucked my phone in my pocket and grabbed my jacket, ready for my meeting down the hall. I had to look at least somewhat professional, as I suspected another fat contract was about to land in my lap.

As I was about to pass Sadie’s desk she called out to me. “Harvey, what do you want me to do with this monstrosity?” Her thumb pointed back towards a smooth but ugly-ass crystal on a black plinth, the size of a grown man’s arm. It sat glinting on a desk next to the floor-to-ceiling windows behind Sadie.

“That’s the award?” I said in disbelief.

“Mhmm. Horrible, ain’t it?”

“You would’ve thought the Businessman of the Year deserved better than that ugly piece of shit.”

“Well? What do you want me to do with it?”

“Bin it, or take it home and use it as a dildo for all I care,” I said and walked away as Sadie let out the most unladylike bark of laughter.

“I might just do that!” she called after me.

T
he meeting went
as I expected. David, my business partner, reluctantly handed over another hotel chain contract to me. He was pissed, but the client wanted me and my magic touch… so that’s what they got. He knew his time was nearly up, and someday soon I’d either buy him out or the board would get rid of him. But I kept him on, holding off on pulling his legs out from under him, as I liked our current setup. I got to do the fun stuff, organising the redesigns of the hotels, showing them how to run their business efficiently, visiting them and shagging the occasional maid while I was there. And David was chained to his desk, up to his eyeballs in the nitty-gritty. It was perfect.

With a bounce in my step I left the office early and walked to the parking lot. A few vehicles were scattered around the area, and cold wind lashed at my cheeks. I popped my collar and braced myself against the promise of snow.

Before arriving at Sara’s I stopped to grab a bottle of wine, something fancy and extraordinarily expensive. She was making me dinner; it was only right I let her experience a heavenly bottle of red, and I secretly hoped the rich liquid would stain her lips crimson.

I approached the house, going around the back instead of knocking on the front door. A window was propped open, and the delicious scent of a home-cooked meal filled the air. I inhaled the aroma deeply. It’d been a while since anyone had cooked for me. I normally relied on Sadie to grab me occasional food supplies, the majority of them requiring little to no effort—maybe some boiling water in a cup of dried noodles, or the protein bars I snacked on. I made small work of the porch steps and pushed open the unlocked back door.

“Sara, it’s me,” I said, loud enough for her to hear.

Footsteps padded against the upstairs floorboards as I heard her make her way towards the landing. I put the bottle onto the kitchen counter and waited for her to come down the hallway.

“You should really lock your back door, you know. Anyone could walk—” I took a sharp intake of breath as I saw her again for the second time that day. She wore a pair of faded indigo jeans that made her short legs look amazing and a simple white shirt that stretched tightly over her ample chest. Her outfit was a far cry from the thick woollen sweaters and shapeless trousers she used to wear.

As I looked from her bare feet, my eyes skimming over her thighs and shapely body and up to her messy bun, it puzzled me how it had taken me so long to really see her. Her figure was full of arcing curves that cinched in at her waist, a top-heavy hourglass that I couldn’t help but wish to see naked. I conceded, though, I’d settle to see her bend over in those jeans.

“You look nice,” I said. “Got a fancy date?”

She chuckled and pushed a hand at my chest, then reached up to pat at her hair as if embarrassed. “Don’t be silly, I look a mess. I just nipped up to get changed out of my work clothes. You don’t mind that I didn’t dress up?”

“Not at all, I meant it when I said that you looked nice.”

“Oh,” she replied and turned away from me, but I caught the pink colouring on her cheeks before she did.

“Sorry, I thought you were teasing me.” A slight hint of— what was it, embarrassment? No, more like apprehension—had entered her voice. Was she not used to compliments? Or perhaps she didn’t know one when she heard it. Eric surely would’ve showered her with loving pet names and whispered plenty of sweet nothings in her ear. Had she simply gone too long without one after his death?

“Well, I can do that, too, if you want,” I said to her back, admiring the roundness of her arse as she collected a tea towel from a bottom drawer.

“No, that’s OK. I’d rather you not.”

“Fair enough. You’re enjoying your new job, then?” I asked.

She came close. An intoxicating cloud of vanilla and coconut drifted up from her body and around my head. The delicious smell made all my receptors stand up and take notice.

Fuck, they weren’t the only thing standing up,
I thought as my cock thickened, straining against the tight confinement of my suit trousers. I only hoped to god she didn’t notice. If she were any other woman, I’d gladly be wanting her to dip her gaze down to my crotch, enjoying the moment when her eyes inevitably widened with lust and excitement as she saw the outline of my need for her. But this was Sara, my stepsister, and though it would no doubt turn me on to have her looking at me like that, well, it wasn’t ever going to happen, so why even think it? I’d have to make do with lookalike bartenders instead.

Her mouth opened again. She’d said something, and I’d completely zoned out.

“Harvey,” she smiled and nudged me back to life, “I need to you move, you’re in the way. I gotta get the knives and forks.”

I gladly strode away, coughed, and took the opportunity to readjust myself as Sara busied herself behind me in the kitchen.

I heard the oven door open and resisted turning back around, not wanting to give myself any more impure thoughts of her perfectly shaped bottom filing out those jeans. I almost groaned. I needed to distract myself.

“Need any help?”

I risked a glimpse back into the kitchen, and Sara was thankfully back at the countertop. She smiled and shook her head. “Thanks, but not tonight. Just go sit down on the couch and relax. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”

I nodded, walked into the living room and let out a huge, pent-up breath.