Daddy Issues

Chapter 14

Sue was finding it hard to breathe. A couple things were running through her mind in an instant. 1. The lake was so large and deep that you couldn't see the bottom. Although it was beautiful Sue found it also nerve wrecking because between the abuse and her career, she never found the time to learn to swim. 2. The lake obviously had fish in it that ate meat. The statues holding fishing rods with worms on them proved that point. Sue was not about to have a chuck taken from her exposed ass. And lastly, Sue hardly went to the beach so the outrageous two pieces that occupied her closet were never supposed to see the light of day. She had only bought them to keep Samantha from hounding her. Something about never knowing when she needed to pick up a husband on short notice.

Of all the thoughts that preoccupied her mind however, the thought that Vlad might not like her suit was the one that stuck out. It was very high school of her, but Sue was tired of scolding herself on behalf of her Vladimir infested thoughts. It was time she let her mind wonder.

"Stop being a scaredy cat, Sue." Lilith scolded her as they stood where the trees covered them, just at the entrance to the lake. "He's going to pass out when he sees how smoking you look."

"Mother!" Sue was as red as a chemically induced ripe tomato.

"Don't mother me, hurry up." Lilith went on ahead to meet the men.

Steeling her nerves Sue sucked in a breath of the lakes cool air and stepped out into view. Immediately she could feel eyes on her. She held her head high and strutted over to where everyone else stood.

She stopped just in front of Vlad. "How's the catch?" She queried. He blatantly looked her over. She could feel the squirms coming on, but she forced herself to remain still and attempt exude the confidence that she always had.

He didn't comment on her suit but instead answered her question. "We did quite well actually. I think we have enough for lunch. " Sue tried her best to keep the disappointment off of her face and smiled.

"That's great. "

"I think we can take a break now. How bout we go for a swim?" Everyone sounded their approval. Sue and Lilith went in first since they already had their suits on. The guys had their swim trunks under. Vlad was the last to get undressed. He ducked his head and turned red as a rose. Was he embarrassed? Sue tilted her head in confusion. She came to the conclusion that she liked this look. It was different from his usual confident smile. She wasn't blind, she could admit that Vlad was a very handsome man but, he may be even more beautiful than usual if that were even possible.

Vladimir Mikealson was a sight to behold. Sue, as much as she tried, couldn't keep her eyes from wondering along the hundred percent rock solid muscle of that Greek god. Everything was in slow motion. He unbuttoned his pants and Sue's eyes followed his hands as they slid the waist over his smooth hips, firm cherry shaped ass and muscular legs.

Sue was almost certain she drooled a little. Now she sees why he was embarrassed.

"I forgot my swim trunks." Vlad scratched the nap of his neck sheepishly. He should be anything but embarrassed. My oh my... The Lord almighty had blessed this treasure of a man with more than just good looks.

Sue whipped around at lightning speed to face the water as Vlad began to walk—no, strut—in. In, out, in....out. She took deep breaths to calm her libido. The wetness pooling between her legs had little to do with the surrounding water.

She was so consumed in thought that the image of Vlad swimming up to her hadn't come into focus until his head popped up right in front of her.

"Ahhh!" Probably the girliest scream since she was 10, escaped her lips as Sue stumbled back into the cold water.

She rose up with a huff, wiping her now soaked curls away from her face. Vlad threw his head back and let out soul clenching guffaw. Sue squeezed her legs together beneath the water.

It was another day filled with laughter and joy and again Sue won't deny that Vlad was the culprit. They enjoyed the warm—the longer they stayed in the less it felt cold—water, played Marco Polo, and chicken wars—Joe was a lot tougher for his age than you'd think. They tired themselves out before they laid back on the dock enjoying the sun.

Sue laid with her eyes closed and arms open. Her guard was completely down. Her golden strands sprawled across the wood under the spotlight of the sun. It wasn't too hot nor too cold. It felt just right.

"You get more beautiful every time I look at you, it almost hurts." Sue kept her eyes closed but the corner of her mouth twitched as she attempted to withhold a smile.

"I thought I wasn't your type." She retorted.

"Doesn't mean I'm blind to your beauty." Vlad sat next to her and hovered. Blocking out the sun on her face. Sue opened her eyes slowly and sighed at the halo the light created around his handsome face.

"Neither am I." She spoke matter of factly.

"What?" He tilled his head with child-like confusion.

"Blind," she stated. " My gosh, you're ugly." Vlad narrowed his eyes.

"You'll pay for that." The mischievous glint in his eyes almost made her not ask.

"What are you going to do about it?"

Vlad swept his strong arms under her legs and back and swiftly lifted her as he stood. Sue squealed at the sudden movement. He stepped closer to the dock's edge and it dawned on her what he was about to do.

Sue's eyes widened in panic and she reached for his neck, but he had already thrown her. "I can't sw—." The plunge into the water swallowed her words.

Sue flayed beneath the water. Panic overtook any rational thoughts as she sank. Her arms stretched above trying to gasp at something, anything that could save her but all she found was water slipping through her fingers.

Help! Someone please, help!

"Help! Help! Someone please! Mama!" The water flooded her lungs as she screamed. Giant hands kept her submerged and she struggled for the surface. Her lungs hurt so much. Susie remembered when she drank her apple juice too fast that one time and she got the same sensation. This was a hundred times worse.

Her eyes burned as she stared up at the blurry monster hovering above. Little Susie clawed at the arms holding her down, but she was too weak to do anything. She was always too weak. She could no longer see the white of the ceiling or the bathtub around her as her lids fell close and darkness consumed her as the water did.

Suddenly the monster's hands were gone, and smaller gentler hands pulled her above the surface. She could hear the sobs of her mother and faintly feel the gentle hands pressing against her chest but the water in her lungs kept her under.

"Susie please wake up. Please baby girl."

"You can't die baby, open your eyes." She could feel the water rising in her throat. She was choking again. Sue flew up and over as she heaved the lake water out of her body. She gasped for air and clutched her chest.

"Sue, I'm so sorry I didn't know." Vlad reached for her, but she flinched and crawled back, eyes wide.

"Don't touch me!" Her bottom lip quivered. She told herself it was from the cold but deep down she knew it was fear. Horrid fear that she'd kept locked away for so long rearing its ugly head. She could see the undeniable hurt in Vlad's beautiful brown eyes but she couldn't bring herself to apologize.

He triggered memories that Sue fought all her life to suppress. Once again, she was reminded why she kept cutting him off. The happiness he brought was all well and dandy, but Sue was doing just fine without it before he came along. She wasn't quite certain if it was worth reliving her fucked up life. It was either she protected herself and cut him off for good or let him continue tearing down her walls for his own egotistical benefit.

"Come on sis," Mark came and wrapped his arms around her shivering frame. "Let's get you back to the cabin." He picked her up and cradled her to his protective frame.

They packed up and everyone made their way silently back to the cabin.