Page 16 of My Shining Stepbrother

“Dad, I need to find her. I kissed her tonight and then fucked it all up. She thought I regretted it, and I saw the pain in her eyes as she ran away from me.” I run my hands down my face reliving the moment.

“I will check the park, and you go check the bridge. We will find her.” I hear the jingle of his keys before a door opens and shuts.

“I am about five minutes from the bridge.” The only thought crossing my mind is that I have to find her. I have to know she is okay.

“I will call you as soon as I get there and let you know if I find her.” He agrees and hangs up the phone. I drop it down onto my passenger seat and start going to the bridge.

I pull up and see her petite frame sitting on the edge of the bridge with her face buried in her hands. Her body shakes, and she takes deep breaths telling me she is crying. I fucked up…. The one person I didn’t want to hurt was the one I ruined. I caused pain in both of us, and I need to fix it.

I quietly leave my car and begin walking to where she is. I hope I can fix this. I hope she will listen to me. Now that her lips are engraved in my memory, I won’t be able to move on past her. Fixing this is the only option I have for us.

- Rose -

The tears won’t stop. I have tried so many times, but they just won’t stop. My mother was right. I screwed everything up. I should have listened, and I wouldn’t be living with this pain now. I care about him, though. He creates butterflies in my stomach and makes me feel like a goddess. How does a man like him exist in this world?

I rub my eyes and turn around as I hear leaves crunching behind me. I see Reese getting out of his car before he begins walking to me. I should run away again, find a new spot to clear my head, and maybe a new life. Instead, I stay where I am and wait for him. I turn my gaze back to the water and stare out.

“Hey…” He says quietly as he takes a seat next to me.

“Hi…” I say, almost so silent that neither of us hear it.

He takes a deep breath to compose himself. “I didn't mean to make you feel like we made a mistake. I don’t regret it, and I can tell you it was not a mistake for me.” He runs a hand down his face.

I relax my shoulders and turn my head to face him. “It’s not your fault, Reese. I'm sorry I proved she was right about me. I should never have thrown myself at you. She was right to call me a slut.” I feel the tears welling inside of my eyes again.

He places two fingers under my chin and tilts my face so he can look into my eyes. “You are not a slut, and you didn’t throw yourself at me. I initiated the kiss and made the first move. I would do it all over again, though, without hesitation.” The shock takes over as my mouth drops open and my eyes widen.

I turn my face away from him and look to the sky. A tingling feeling erupts through my body, causing me to smile. “You know nobody has cared about me in my life. Why do I get this feeling that you do?” I ask him confidently.

“That’s because I do, Rose. I wish I could explain it, but since I first saw you at the club, I couldn’t take my eyes off you.” He explains the feelings, but my mind starts to think back.

“That was eight months ago.” I point out the fact and look back at him. He starts to fidget his hands, and I see the shaking of his nerves as they tremble.

“I know when it was. There is something about you that pulls me to you. I can’t stop this feeling even if I wanted to.” He says matter of factly.

“I know the feeling you are talking about because it is the same for me. The moment I saw you, everyone around me faded. I don’t know if it is okay to let these feelings bloom into something more.” My voice shakes with an unknown fear.

“We don’t know unless we try. I’m willing to try for you.” He takes my hand in his, gripping it tightly as if afraid to let go. “My dad will support us in our decision, Rose. He doesn’t care which path we choose in life as long as we are both happy.” He lifts my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles, reminding me of his lips pressed against mine.

My breathing pauses, and realization kicks in as I think of my mom. I pull my hand back slightly and drop my head again. “My mom won’t accept this.”

“Who cares what she wants? This situation is between us, Rose, so my question is, what do you want?” I feel his eyes burn into me as I try to think for a second. What do I want?

A stinging feeling of uncertainty hits me. Am I allowed to want something for myself? Is it okay to live my own life?

“The only thing that matters to me is what you want. So tell me, Rose, what do you want between us?” He turns my face to look him in the eyes.

“I want you… I want us… I want to give this feeling between us a chance. I want to ignite the candles and let them burn.” My nerves suddenly wash away allowing me to decide for myself finally.

He quickly stands and lifts me to my feet. He pulls my body into his and crashes his lips to mine in a bruising passion. Everything around us fades into the abyss as it becomes just us. Two people in the heat of passion and lust. His hand tangles in my hair as he pushes his lips deeper into mine.

The moment breaks the second someone screams my name. “Rose Elizabeth!” The voice shattered my hopes and dreams, making my reality a fear. My mother's voice called out my name.

“MOM?!” I pull back from Reese quickly, looking for a way out or a direction to run.

“Reese?!” She turns her pointed gaze and eyes to him.

“Hi, Anita.” He says calmly but never takes his eyes off me. I know if I run, he will follow.

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