Resisting Temptation

Chapter 18

That frosty Monday morning, I was sitting in the school courtyard with a scaulding hot coffee in my hands from Starbucks. Mid November totally sucks, it get's cold, everything's covered in frost particles, and the tip of my nose always goes red. At least my scarf covers the atrocious tie I have to wear.

"Heard Mr. Vance was late to your Friday night date." Sandy said. She took a seat next to me on the concrete bench, with a toque pulled over her brunette hair and her hands shoved deep into her coat pockets. "Did he stand you up?"

"Why are you talking to me?" I asked her.

"Listen Moose Girl, I understand that you and I haven't exactly been seeing eye-to-eye, but I know what it's like to be stood up on a date. I thought you could use a little advice, from cheerleader-to-cheerleader." she replied. I only continued to stare at her as she had a smug grin plastered on her face.

"Why do I get the feeling that Lucas was only late because of you?" I asked her. Sandy chuckled and shook her head.

"Oh please, you don't really believe that cock-and-bull story he gave you about his parents' divorce? How juvenile." she chuckled. Wow, I knew Sandy was cold, but I didn't know she could be so cold about heartbreak!

"Divorce is a terrible thing. It not only hurts the married couple, but everybody who's involved! That's not funny!" I sapped.

"I didn't say it was. I only that we only did it once, it lacked fireworks. Honestly, it's not worth the stress. The Vance family is incredibly charming, but Lucas is prone to being what some would call a womanizer." she replied.

"Womanizer? Really?" I said.

"You want my advice? Make him work for you. If there's one thing Lucas Vance can't stand, it's that he can't get what he wants...and believe me baby, he wants you." then after that, she stood up and strutted away. I don't know what was weirder, the fact that Sandy wanted to talk to me? Or the fact that she was being nice?

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"My parents are in a law firm right now, they're deciding what they're going to split down the middle. You  know: china, furniture...me." Lucas said. We were taking a walk through Central Park, hand-in-hand, as he told me about his parent's divorce.

"Wait -- they're going to cut you apart?" I asked. He looked at me like I was crazy, then started laughing.

"No, no I mean they're going to split the time they get with me. Mom's my soul guardian, Dad moves out, I hang out with him every second week." he replied.

"After my parents finalized their divorce; unless it's holiday like Christmas, my dad can't see me. Not like I want to see him anyway." I said as I looked down, my boots kicked at some loose gravel on the pathway.

"You think you'll ever get over being mad at him?" he asked me.

"No," I said. "No I don't think I ever will. He betrayed my mother, I can't ever forgive him for that." I replied.

"Everyone can be forgiven, you just shouldn't forget the mistakes they've made." he said.

"Are you mad at your parents?" I asked.

"At first I was, I thought they were being incredibly selfish. My mom wanted one thing, my dad another. They couldn't agree on much. At the end...it wasn't worth the anger. I just started living like it was another ordinary day. Nothing I could do in the end." he replied.

"Wow, you are...impressive. You're wise and...kind and...you're like a prince. Except you're not stuck up and you don't have an accent." I said.

"So, I'm an American Prince?...I can't imagine that without thinking about some dramatic and stupid reality show." he replied.

"Don't take it as a bad thing, many girls in this day and age would kill to be with a guy like you." I said.

"How about you?" he asked me, taking a strand of my hair and twirling it in his fingers. "Would you kill for me?" I took a minute to think before answering.

"Yes, if you were being threatened than totally." I replied. He smiled at me and pecked my lips.

"Good. I would do the same for you." he said.

"Good."

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Mom and Howard had gone out for dinner tonight, leaving me and Zac alone. Well...he hadn't come home yet, I was making stir fry for dinner. My head was somewhere else, floating through space, while my body subconciously continued to push noodles and broccolli in the wok. I didn't even hear the elevtor door ding, then Zac's footsteps echoing though the penthouse and making his way into the kitchen. I knew he was staring at me, he's been doing that a lot lately.

"Smells good." he said.

"You hungry?" I asked in a dull tone. He didn't answer, all he did was place his hand on my waist and spin me around to face him. His eyes turned dark, like he was staring into my soul. My gaze switched between his own and his lips, the close presence was daunting. Then he grabbed me and did the unthinkable.

He kissed me.

It was surprising, my head was spinning, but I eagerly kissed him back. Zac picked me up and placed me on the island, the kiss continued to get more passionate. My fingers got tangled into his hair, then my whole body began to tingle as he slightly grabbed onto my shirt. Most girls like me would be afraid in a situation like this, feeling like they were being raped, or violated. But not me, this felt...right...

~:~

I shot out of bed in a cold sweat, realizing that it was all dream. My head shot to the side to check my clock, 2:43 in the morning. What is wrong with me? Why would I be having dreams about making out with Zac? He's my step brother! And Lucas is my boyfriend! That should've been him in the dream, not...Zac?

What is wrong with me?