Stephan (3 page)

I had a plan and it didn’t involve a man or
boy. I was going to study and graduate school, go to university and
get my diploma in childcare, and then either I was going to become
a kindergarten teacher or a group leader at a childcare center. I
loved children. No matter what mood or how bad your day was they
could always make you smile. My best friend, Jess, at the place I
lived with my mother, had a little brother who was six and he was
the cutest and funniest kid. He always made me laugh and was so
adorable. I’d done some work experience in a childcare center and
loved it. I’d come home every day feeling light and happy.

I didn’t see the wanker again. It may be
because it was raining and we, Cassie and the girls she’d
introduced me to, stayed inside, or because I hid in the library. I
wasn’t ready to see the crazy guy again even to give him his jumper
back. I kind of liked the jumper and he did give it to me. It was
thick and warm.

My last period was a free one, so I told
Cassie I would go home and gather some clothes and meet her at her
house later. Also, I wanted to make sure grandpa had enough food
made up while I was gone. Cassie told me to stay and her brother
would take me home so I could get some things, but I was adamant I
was fine and would see her later. Cassie was great, but not only
hadn’t I told her I was only seventeen, I also didn’t want her to
see how I lived. Grandpa had given me a room, but it barely fit the
single bed and my clothes were still stored in two garbage
bags.

The bus dropped me in front of my
grandfather’s pub. There were cars and a couple of motor bikes
parked out front. Walking past them, I went to the back and up the
stairs to my grandpa’s apartment. Going straight to my room I
emptied my school bag on my bed and went to my bags of clothes. I
got out two pairs of underwear and bras, three tops, jeans, and an
old baggy shirt for a nighty, I shoved them all in my bag, picked
up my wallet and my phone and put them in the front pocket. Getting
down on the floor I dug into the bags for something to wear, Reed
Creek was colder than the city. It got the coastal breeze. I didn’t
own many clothes—a couple of pair of jeans, skirts, tights and most
of my tops were short sleeves. I wanted to make a good first
impression on Cassie’s parents. I had a problem with shirts and
blouses, I’m small, but my breasts weren’t, they have been the bane
of my existence since I started growing them at twelve. I couldn’t
get tops to fit. I always showed way too much cleavage. Sighing, I
gave up trying to find a top that didn’t show too much and put it
on.

Putting my now packed bag on the end of the
bed, I went to the kitchen and rummaged through the cupboards and
fridge. My apron hung on a hook at the side of the fridge, I put it
on. Gathering what I needed, I started making meals for Grandpa. I
knew I didn’t need to do this. He hadn’t had this before I moved
in, but I liked to know I wasn’t such a burden on him. I figured if
I cooked and cleaned for him, he wouldn’t get mad like my mum had
told me he always was, and he might not mind as much I was staying
with him until I could leave for university.

After I’d made my grandpa lasagna, a chicken
pie, and chocolate slice, I cleaned up making sure I put everything
back where I found it. I washed my hands and went back to my room,
picking up my bag, and then left the apartment.

I went into the back of the pub and knocked
on my grandpa’s office door. He didn’t open. I leaned in closer to
hear if he was in there. “The next shipment is big and high quality
stuff.”

I stepped away from the door, not wanting to
hear any more. The voice on the other side of the door talking, I
assumed to my grandpa, I had never heard before. I didn’t want to
hear or even know who it was. My grandpa’s business wasn’t
something I wanted to be involved in any way or form. Stepping
back, I looked around and saw the hall empty, which was unusual for
the pub, it may be on the small side and shabby but it was
busy.

Going back to the door, I knocked again a
couple of times and louder, the door still didn’t open and I was
grateful. I called through the door. “Grandpa, I’m going to stay at
a new friend of mine, Cassie’s, this weekend. I’ll be back on
Sunday.” I turned to walk away.

The door opened and my grandpa stood in the
doorway, his potbelly sticking out from his shirt, his receding
white hair slicked back with gel, and his lips thinned in
annoyance. I caught a glimpse of a man in his late thirties or
early forties, with muddy hair color in a short ponytail, dark
brown eyes that looked almost black, a long pointed nose and lips I
could barely see. Grandpa grabbed my arm, gripping it tight until
his nails dug into my skin and I backed away from the door and the
man. “Make sure you’re home by Sunday night. I don’t want no
trouble either. I don’t need no eyes on what goes on here. Got it,
girl?” he said as he shook me.

Snatching my arm out of his hold, I backed
away as grandpa’s skin turned red, and I nodded. I needed to get
out of there now. Not saying anything in case I said the wrong
thing, I turned tail and ran out of there as fast as I could.

Walking to the bus stop in front of the pub I
prayed a bus would come soon. I didn’t think my grandpa would do
anything out in the open for people to see, but he hadn’t looked
very happy when I fled from him, and I didn’t know the man he’d
been talking to.

My phone beeped to tell me I had a
message.

Coming to pick you up. My bro has football
practice, not far from you.

Thanking whoever was listening, I messaged
back.

Sure. Out front at bus stop.

I didn’t have to wait long before a white
Toyota Land Cruiser stopped and Cassie got out of the passenger
seat. I followed her back to the car and got into the backseat.

Scott, Cassie’s brother, turned and smiled.
“Hi, Jade.” With him and Cassie together I could tell they were
twins, they looked so much alike. Except Scott was a big boy, and
it was all muscle. What were they putting in the water around
here?

“Hi, Scott. Thanks for picking me up.”

“No problem. I hope you don’t mind coming and
watching practice before I take you two home.”

“I don’t. I’m grateful for the lift.” I was.
I needed every cent I had to buy food for school this week, my
grandpa may have food in his house to eat, but it wasn’t easy to
pack food.

*****

Stephan

I was fucking pissed off, I couldn’t find
Jade at recess or lunch and I found out she went home early, which
made me even angrier. Why hadn’t she stayed or found me? I’d never
had to chase a woman, let alone a girl. Members of the other sex
threw themselves at me. It was partly because my last name was
Silverman and my family had their hands into a bit of everything. I
had a trust fund I could live off and still never spend it in this
lifetime.

I’d been called a spoiled little rich kid
many times in my life. But I didn’t give a fuck what people thought
of me. None of my family sat around all day and happily spent their
fortune; they all worked, and worked damn hard. I planned to do the
same. From a young age I knew I wanted to work with my father, be
by his side learning and eventually take over. I intended to
graduate and go to university to study business and economics.

“Move ya arse, bro, or we’ll be late for
rugby practice.” I turned from the game I was losing and saw Derick
with his head peeking in my door.

I didn’t want to go out tonight. “I’m waiting
on a call from Zeck.”

“You’ve been acting strange all day. Does
this call you’re waiting on from Zeck have to do with it? If so I
think you should come to keep your mind off it.”

Fuck, he was right. I ran my fingers through
my hair trying to think of my next move. “Fine.” I got up. “I’m
coming. Let’s go to practice.”

I changed into running shorts and a
wife-beater, chucked on my joggers and went down to meet Derick in
the garage. There was no point in taking two cars so I got into
Derick’s Rover.

“You gonna tell me what’s stuck up your arse
today?”

I looked out the window at the passing
scenery. I had no idea why I hadn’t told Derick, I shared
everything but women with him. We didn’t have secrets from each
other. I guess I wanted to find out more about Jade first. I wanted
to see her again before I told my brother or my parents what she
was to me. I knew Derick would think it was hilarious, he knew how
I felt about soul mates and turning into a possessive arsehole over
a woman like our dad or uncles and cousins. “Not yet.”

All Derick did was nod. He drove to the oval
and parked the car. We weren’t the last there, but for once we
weren’t the first. We got out of the car and walked to the group
who was stretching and joined in.

I was running laps when I heard the musical
laugh. I turned around gravitating toward the sound. Anger shot
through me at the sight I saw, my Jade was laughing and trying to
get some items off Scott who held them high in his hand and stared
down at her chest as it bounced.

Breaking from my laps, I jogged over to them.
Scott smiled at me, but I narrowed my gaze on him before I pulled
my girl to me. Leaning down I whispered, “You’re in trouble.”

She gasped and spun. “Wanker, what are you
doing?”

I hadn’t noticed her before but Scott’s
sister gasped. “This is the wanker who pushed you over and gave you
his jumper?”

“Um…yeah.” Jade wiggled to get out of my
embrace but I wasn’t giving her up…ever. She was mine.

Derick came up next to me. “What’s all the
fuss? Why are you holding Jade?” He looked at me and Derick’s eyes
widened, his mouth opened and closed for a moment before he shook
his head. “Mother fucker, of course you‘re so friggin' lucky. Mum’s
gonna freak. Finally another girl in the house.”

Jade struggled to get out of my arms.
“Derick. You know the wanker?” I didn’t like that my little bit
knew my brother and was asking him about me.

Derick laughed his arse off. I really didn’t
find this shit funny. “Oh this is priceless. I love you already,
little sis.” Derick yanked her out of my arms and kissed her cheek
but before his lips could touch hers, I pulled her back against
me.

“Do it and you fucking die, brother. Keep
your hands, and especially your mouth, away from my woman.”

There was a gasp from Cassie and Scott’s eyes
widened, but Jade’s reaction had Derick doubling over with laugher.
Jade shoved on my arms and turned to me her big brown eyes flaring
with anger. She was so cute.

“You’re crazy. I don’t know who the hell you
are but I know one thing. I am not nor will I ever be your
woman.”

I didn’t even think about what to do next, I
just picked my woman up and threw her over my shoulder. She
screamed but I patted her arse. “Shush now, little bit.” She
screeched and I looked over to my brother. “Tell coach I have
family shit to deal with. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Jade screamed and yelled for help all the way
to the car where I put her down. Crap. I didn’t have the keys.
“Stay.”

“Oh. My. God. You did not just tell me to
stay like I’m some dog. I have no idea who you are… You have no
right to treat me like this. And why the hell aren’t my friends
helping me?” Jade threw her hands up in the air.

“You’re cute all worked up like this.”

“Uh-huh, and you’re crazy. Who are you?”

I knew I should have introduced myself
earlier today. Hell, I should have done it a couple of minutes ago,
but anytime I was in Jade’s presence, I went all caveman. It was
the curse. She was my one. My soul mate. Taking a deep breath to
calm myself, I slowly let it out. “Hi, Jade. I’m Stephan
Silverman.”

“You can’t be. Derick told me he was a
twin…”

Chuckling, I smiled at her.

Jade backed up muttering, “Damn, those are
lethal.”

I smirked because I now knew my girl liked my
dimples.

“Derick and I are twins, just not identical.”
I needed to go back and get the car keys from my brother. “Will you
stay here while I go get the car keys?”

“No. I don’t know you. I’m not going anywhere
with you. I don’t care if you’re Stephan Silverman, you could be
Santa for all I care, I still wouldn’t go with you.” She pushed on
my chest and stomped back to the oval.

I couldn’t help my grin as I followed her,
watching her arse in the tight jeans. My girl was feisty. I liked
that.

*****

Jade

I was fuming mad. I now knew wanker was
Derick’s twin brother, Stephan, and he was a controlling bossy
arsehole. How dare he think he could tell me what to do? How dare
he pick me up and manhandle me. I ignored the heat flowing through
my body from his touch and told myself I must be coming down with
something. I walked over to my traitorous new friend, Cassie, who
sat on the bench grinning like a loon. Before I could reach her, I
felt Stephan’s arms circle my waist and bring me against him.

Squirming, I turned and gazed up at him.
“Will you let me go? I didn’t give you permission to touch me.”

“I don’t need permission. You’re mine.”

“Argh,” I growled. “How many times do I have
to tell you? I don’t know you and I don’t belong to you.”

His blue eyes seemed to darken as they
narrowed on me and I took a couple of steps back. He followed my
retreat, stopping me. He tilted my head and leaned down. “I think I
need to show you you’re mine.”

Before I could reply his lips brushed mine
and his hands moved up to grip my hair. Tingles shot from my lips
to my stomach where butterflies danced. His mouth opened and his
tongue came out to trace the seam of my lips.

“Open,” he whispered.

When I didn’t open fast enough he tugged on
my hair causing me to gasp. Stephan’s tongue slid in and found
mine, and they tangled and danced together. He took my breath away
and more. By the time he pulled away, my body was hot and aching.
I’d never felt like this before, and I wasn’t sure I liked it.