The Stepfather

Chapter 14

I feel Ryan crawl into bed next to me. "I'm sorry." I say quietly.

He kisses my forehead. "It's okay, babe. Go to sleep."

Throughout the night, I toss and turn...

"I'm so glad we're finally doing this." I whisper excitedly.

"Me too." Ryan grins.

I sit on the bed across from him, pulling off my shirt. His eyes slowly trail downward, making me slightly blush. Pulling me closer, he lays me down on the bed. I stare up at the ceiling as he takes off his boxers. "Are you sure you want to do this?" He asks.

"Yeah." I nod.

I listen closely as he tears into the condom. Once he has it on, he pushes my panties down, pulling them off. He moves my legs apart, kneeling between them. I take a moment to look him over. He smirks as his lips press against my neck. As our bodies tangle together, a moan escapes my lips. "I love you." I whisper.

"What?" He snaps, pulling away angrily.

I jerk awake, breathing fast. Ryan pulls me against him. "Are you okay?" He asks quietly.

I can't seem to get any words out so I just sit there in his arms. He reaches up and wipes a tear that I hadn't realized was there. I reach up, wiping my eyes. "I have to go to the bathroom." I say quietly.

I climb off the bed and walk to the bathroom sniffling. I remember when I told him I was falling for him and he never said anything. What if he didn't say anything because he doesn't feel the same way? I rub my temples, closing my eyes. After a long moment, I hear the bathroom door open. Opening my eyes, I watch him through the mirror as he walks towards me. I place my hands on the cold granite counter and grip the edge.

Pressing his body against mine, he wraps his arms loosely around my waist. He leans his forehead against my shoulder and my gaze shifts to my face where I see my slightly pink eyes from crying. "I know I'm really stressing you out right now. You're a teenager - you shouldn't have to hide your relationship. I know we've had our arguments and we don't agree on certain things but don't give up on me." He says.

I out my hands on top of his. "I won't." I say quietly, wondering where this is coming from.

"What was your dream about?" He asks.

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"I must've been a real ass." He sighs, peeking at me over my shoulder.

"What do you mean?" I ask, surprised.

"You said my name. Then a little while later you said 'I love you' so I assumed it was about me." I look down at the sink, not wanting to talk about this. "The way I feel about you cannot be put into words." He says. "You're an amazing girl."

"But?" I ask.

"But..." He continues. "I don't want to say those words yet. They're so powerful and it's too soon."

"Are you falling for me?" I ask quietly.

"I fell hard, baby." He says, his voice strained.

I turn around and wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Why can't he just say it then? I feel like crying but I hold it in. He picks me up and I wrap my legs around him. "Let's go to bed." He says, rubbing my back.

We leave the bathroom and he lays me down on the bed, covering me up. Leaning down, his lips lightly press against mine, lingering there for a moment before he pulls away. "Goodnight, beautiful."

He walks around the bed and lays down next to me. I lay on my side, my back to him. His chest presses against my body, forming with mine. When he puts his arm over my waist, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. "I don't know what I'd do without you." I whisper.