Just Between Us Read online

  “You look hot.” She smiled.

  “As do you.” I nodded, holding my glass up to her again. She wore a fitted white dress that had a fitted corset at the top that accentuated her curvy figure. Her dark hair was poker straight, and her eyes were shining.

  “We all do,” Ashley cackled, “God help Vinnie when he sees me in this outfit, and I’m going to turn him down cold tonight.” I almost choked on my wine, and Kathryn burst out laughing.

  “You couldn’t turn that boy down if he was riddled with syphilis and one of his ears had dropped off,” Kathryn said through a giggle.

  “Oh I could,” Ashley smiled, “I have a no syphilis rule.”

  We all grinned. I loved my friends so much. We cranked up the Robbie Williams album that we were listening to and poured more wine.

  “Right, I’ll just go and brush my teeth, and then we can set off,” I said. “I’ll call a taxi,” Ashley said, making her way to my bedroom phone.

  I sidled into my bathroom and just as I turned to close the door, Kyle walked through his. In all the years we had shared this bathroom, this had never happened. I saw him first, and he looked up as he entered and saw me. My heart dropped as he looked up straight into my eyes. His mouth popped open a little, and then his eyes roved over me, down to my red, high stilettos back up to my newly straightened hair. I stood still with my back to my door, my breathing a little laboured, and my heart pounding. He smiled and closed his door quietly, locking it behind him whilst still facing me. I don’t know why I did it, but I locked my door, too, my eyes still firmly fixed on him. He looked amazing as usual, dark jeans, a black-fitted, collared shirt, and his dark hair gelled into a style. He stepped towards me tentatively, and I watched him approach like a lion stalking its prey, wanting exactly what he was about to give me, but desperately wishing I didn’t.

  He reached me in three strides and leaned into me against the door that led to my bedroom. Not a word was spoken as he began to kiss me. His hands started on my hips, and then moved round to grab my bum, pulling me into him. It started slow and then became almost desperate. His breath tasted of mint and beer, he smelled deliciously sweet, yet masculine, and his lips were so soft they urged me not to stop. His hands roamed to the bottom of my skirt where he ran one hand up the back of my bare leg, ever so slowly. I couldn’t help but groan quietly. He made his way up to my bottom and gave it a gentle squeeze making my body respond. I ached for his touch.

  “Jesus Sophie,” he whispered into my mouth. “You can’t go out like this.” I kissed him again to stop the words. I couldn’t bear to hear any words. I didn’t want to face the fact that I was locked in my bathroom kissing my out of bounds step-brother who I hated, whilst my friends were in the next room.

  Eventually someone knocked lightly on my bathroom door. Kyle jumped back instantly, and the spell was broken. I pulled my skirt back down and he walked to his sink, looking at himself in the mirror.

  “You Okay in there?” Ashley shouted. “Or have you had too much to drink already?” She laughed.

  “I’m fine,” I croaked, a little too quickly. “Just a minute,” I said in a more normal voice. Kyle looked at me through the mirror and his face was so serious that I wondered if he was going to say something that may upset me. I couldn’t say a thing, but he needed to leave if I was going to open this door to my friends.

  I stepped towards him and meant to grab his door to open it so he could leave, but instead he stepped into my path and kissed me again. I was shocked. I pulled back a little. “I need to go, and you need to get out of here so I can open my door,” I said, staring into his eyes.

  He nodded, “No other boys tonight, Soph,” he whispered, his face so close to mine that I could almost taste his lips again.

  “What?” I snapped, he stepped around me and unlocked his door.

  “You heard me.”

  I locked his door behind him, my hands shaking slightly. This was getting out of control. It was as if we couldn’t stay away from each other. I didn’t want to be attracted to him, hell I hadn’t been until he kissed me. He had forced me to want him. I groaned. I was such an idiot. Just like all the other girls at school who hung on his every word. He was the epitome of the type of guy that I should stay away from, and he was my flaming step-brother to boot. I needed to snap out of it, and who did he think he was telling me to stay away from other boys? He could never have me, and we could never do this again. Even though we had said that before, more than once. I brushed my teeth and patted my cheeks with some cold water.

  “Shit, are you Okay?” Ashley asked as I made my way back into my room.

  “Just tummy ache,” I lied, “fine now, let’s party!” I downed the rest of my drink and Ashley cheered.

  “Taxi is on its way,” Kathryn said, pulling my arm towards the door, looking at me suspiciously. “Let me fix your eyes,” she said as an afterthought, grabbing mascara from her little bag.

  We huddled out into the hall and made our way downstairs. My parents were entertaining tonight, and so we could hear the muffled chatter coming from the conservatory where they were eating.

  “I better say night,” I said, “you two wait for the taxi.” They nodded and slipped out front, and I walked to the back of the house.

  Mick sat at the head of the table in the enormous dining room, commanding the conversation, laughing. It was a long, wide room of brown and cream, dark wooden floor, and a long, dark polished oak table with ten fabric chairs.

  “Ah Soph.” He smiled. I nodded to them and smiled at the wider table, not really speaking to anyone. “Our beautiful daughter.”

  “Bye,” I said quietly.

  “Bye sweetheart,” Mum said, squeezing my hand, “have a good night.”

  “See you in the morning,” I chirped turning to leave, straight into Kyle.

  He looked down at me with no expression and just said, “See you later,” to our parents.

  “Wait.” I stood facing Kyle, as Mick jumped up behind me, he walked to us and ushered us back into the kitchen. “Here.” He handed us both a wad of cash each. “Now try and get a taxi back together Okay? No taxi’s alone.”

  “Okay,” I squeaked, making my way around Kyle as he nodded.

  Outside Ashley and Kathryn were already in the taxi, and David sat in his shiny, silver Volkswagen Golf awaiting Kyle.

  Later that night we had moved from a few different bars into the most popular club, everyone from school tended to go to the same bars and always ended the night at this club. It was huge, had three floors, lots of different music, and was always packed full of people. We hadn’t bumped into Vinnie along the way, but that wasn’t surprising considering the volume of people and bars available in this town. Despite that, I could see Ashley craning her neck every time we moved to a new place. We pushed through the crowds to get to the large bar that spanned the back of the club on the ground floor and ordered three vodka and cokes.

  “I’ll get those,” a familiar voice from my right said. It was Tim. I smiled to him, and he grinned back. “Looking good girls,” he said, getting a drink and paying for ours.

  “Hi Tim,” Ashley slurred, she was much drunker than Kathryn and I, but we were all extremely giggly.

  “Come on.” He motioned with his elbow to where his group stood and we made our way over. They stood by the dance floor, four boys and two girls from school. Kathryn easily fell into the crowd, laughing with the girls. Claire and Jane and I stood with Tim. Ashley scanned the crowd.

  “I’m going for a walk!” she shouted into my ear.

  “No you’re not!” I shouted back, grabbing her arm, “you’re looking for Vinnie, and that is not why we’re out. Also, you’re pissed and not walking around this club alone.”

  “I’ll be fine,” she snapped.

  “Drink that drink, then I’ll come,” I compromised.

  “Fine,” she snapped and fell back to stand next to Kathryn.

  “What’s up with her?” Tim leaned in to shout to me.
r />   “She’s drunk,” I said, rolling my eyes to him.

  “So,” he leaned in, “You seeing anyone, Sophie?”

  I looked up into his eyes and scrunched my nose with a surprised smile, “No.” I shook my head and sipped my drink, looking up at him through my eyelashes.

  “Maybe you should let me see you then.”

  “Oh yeah?” I flirted. “What’s to see?”

  “Anything you want.” He moved closer to me and pushed some hair from my face.

  “Soph,” Ashley said from behind, knocking us out of our flirt. “I’ve finished my drink.”

  “Okay,” I widened my eyes and grinned at Tim turning to Ashley. “Get Kath then.” I motioned to Kathryn, and she shook her head.

  “I’ll stay here,” she mouthed over our friends, “come back for me.”

  I nodded.

  Ashley and I circled the ground floor and then headed to the stairs, we moved through the crowded stair well and up to the first floor that played only dance music. We circled that floor, and I begged her to stop for a drink before we went on. We compromised on a shot of tequila and then kept moving.

  “He’s not worth this,” I said as we headed up to the second floor that was playing older music from decades gone by.

  “I know,” she sighed, “but I’m addicted. So when we see him, make it look like a co-incidence.” We weren’t even sure he was out tonight, but if he were, this would be the club for him, Kyle, and his buddies. We fought the crowds and started our circle. He was nowhere to be seen. Ashley was crestfallen, and just as we were finished, heading to the stairs, up walked Vinnie. He stepped right in front of Ashley, and his head tipped up to see her standing in his way. His face spread into a huge grin, he took in her little outfit, and licked his lips.

  “Damn, woman,” he barked stepping to her and engulfing her in his arms and into a deep kiss. I stood there behind Ashley and suddenly felt like a spare part. Then, as I stepped back to walk around them, Kyle appeared from behind Vinnie up the stairs, pushing his friend out of the way. He took my breath away, and I had to tell myself not to react, it was just Kyle Hanson. I had known him most of my life. He saw me, but his face didn’t carry a grin, instead he wore a frown, and his mouth was tight. He walked briskly towards me and took my wrist, pulling me behind him.

  We got to the bar, and he ordered two drinks, passing one to me without saying a word. I sniffed it, Jack Daniels and coke, I was sure of it. I looked up to him, and his eyes blazed into me, but he still didn’t seem happy.

  “What?” I asked, leaning into him and sipping my drink.

  “Not here,” he said, it was busy at the bar, and he drank his drink, looking around him. “Come on.” He nodded for me to follow and led me down some steps to where the toilets were. Beyond the bathroom was a door that read “Staff Only”. He took my hand as he pushed the door, and it opened easily into a lofty grey corridor, quiet, away from the music, and deserted. I was overly conscious of his hand holding mine, but followed him calmly with the drink in my other hand. When we were out of sight of anyone walking through the door, he turned quickly and leaned into me against the wall.

  “I saw you with Tim,” he said, staring at me, and I winced.

  “So?”

  “So you were all over each other.”

  “We weren’t.” I pushed him back from me, but he crowded me straight away again.

  “You were.”

  “So what?” I glared at him and sipped my drink. “You have a girlfriend.”

  “Who?”

  “Jennie,” I said, trying to back him up again. He laughed and threw his head back.

  “She’s not my girlfriend.” He shook his head.

  “Well I’m certainly not,” I said boldly, “I’m your step-sister, and I can do what the hell I want.”

  He leaned in and kissed me, my stomach was in knots, and my body turned to jelly. I was getting so used to the taste of Kyle, and his lips on mine were instantly turning me on. He pulled back. “You’re right, you’re not my girlfriend but …” He sighed. “I don’t want you with anyone else.”

  “What does that even mean?” I squeaked. “We. Can’t. Do. This.” I said clearly, my hand on his shoulder, attempting to push him away but without much force. My brain knew what to do but my body wouldn’t co-operate, it would only co-operate for him.

  “I want you, Sophie.” He kissed me again. “Fuck!” he groaned. “I want you so fucking much,” He ran his hands over my hips and squeezed me gently. “I can’t get your tight little body out of my head, and all I want to do is barge into your room and …” He stopped and took a deep breath.

  “It’s because I’m the only girl you can’t have. It’s making you crazy,” I stuttered, “you’re too used to getting exactly what you want.”

  “No, it’s you. I want you.”

  “I …” His lips were on mine again.

  “I want you, Soph, just once, just one time, and then I won’t try again. I need to have you, Soph; it’s killing me. Just give me one night, one night, and you can date who you fucking want.”

  I was struggling to breathe, his closeness was making me pant, and his hands were moving under my skirt. He leaned down to kiss me again and then grazed his fingers on the outside of my underwear. I gasped, and he smiled into my lips.

  “You want me, too.” He sighed. “I can feel it under these pants.”

  “We can’t,” I whined.

  “Just tonight.” He breathed as his fingers ran across the edge of my underwear and roamed inside. He found my wet centre and tickled me lightly before dipping a finger inside.

  “Oh my God,” I gasped.

  “Just tonight,” he said again, and this time I kissed him furiously, and agreed.

  Eight – Just irresistible

  Now

  The next morning I woke up with another evil hangover, which I had come to expect from my new life with Kyle. However, surprisingly not with the usual overwhelming feeling of dread that had consumed me since I left Simon. It wasn’t him I missed; it was being in control and having a plan. Being with Kyle for the summer made me realise that maybe I didn’t need one after all. I was enjoying my time with Kyle, and it was helping me forget. I hadn’t cried since I got there.

  That morning as I was snoozing in my bed, Kyle gently knocked on the door. “Soph?” he said quietly, assessing if I was awake.

  “Yes. I’m awake.” I said.

  He came in fully dressed in his usual uniform of jeans and t shirt. He sat on the edge of my bed. “I’ve got to go into the studio today, meet with Geraldine, and make a few calls.”

  “Okay.” I smiled, sitting up. “I can entertain myself.”

  “Okay, you can go for a walk, or watch TV, or whatever you want. I’ve left you a key and the code for the lift on the kitchen table. There’s plenty of food in the fridge.”

  “Okay, don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

  “I’ll be back about three, and we can go to my gym and then have a quiet night in if you like?”

  “The gym?” I scoffed, laughing.

  “Hey, it’ll help you relax and make you feel good, I promise.” He winked. “I’ve only got one rule whilst I’m gone.”

  “And what’s that?” I smiled. “No snooping?”

  “No,” he leaned into me, “snoop all you like, but no moping, and no crying. Deal?”

  “Deal.” A genuine smile spread across my face, and looking at Kyle on the edge of my bed, so effortlessly handsome, I had no idea what I was upset about in the first place. I didn’t need to be married, have a plan, and a comfortable life. I could be me, and I used to be fun.

  “You’ve got my mobile number, so call me for anything, Okay?”

  I nodded, “Get to work, and don’t worry about me.”

  “Okay.” He looked at me for a second and then patted my leg through the bed covers.

  I got up a few minutes after I heard the front door close and started to unpack a little. I looked through my new clothes an
d discarded some old ones in a pile for a charity shop that I might find on a walk in a bit. I made my way into the kitchen and made myself some breakfast and a cup of tea. I leisurely sat on Kyle’s huge, grey, linen sofa, sinking back into it and putting the huge television on. It was then that my mobile rang; it was Ashley. I sighed. She would not be happy.

  “Hi Ash,” I answered breezily.

  “Oh you sound good,” she said perkily, “just wondered if you were free for lunch today? This foetus is constantly hungry, and I need to indulge it.”

  “Erm.” I stuttered, “I’m not in Lytham.”

  “What?” She sounded shocked. “Where are you?”

  “Well …” I began, “I … Kyle came to visit and I sort of … came home with him.” I sighed.

  “Are you crazy?” she squeaked, “Kyle? Oh my God, what were you thinking? You’re in no position …”

  “Ash,” I cut her off, “look it’s not like you’re thinking, there is nothing going on.”

  “There is always something going on there …”

  “No, honestly, it’s not like that, he came home and saw me in a mope, and offered me a break away from home. It’s nothing, nothing is going on, and we’re friends. It’s fine.”

  “People who have shagged cannot go back to just friends,” she said in a monotone voice. “This is all my fault,” she groaned.

  “Oh Ashley, honestly …”

  “No, I backed off and let you have your days in bed when I should have been making you get out there. He’s swooped in, and now he’s going to break your heart all over again.”

  “Oh God no, it’s really not like that. We’re just having fun, and he’s helping me forget.”

  She sighed. “Don’t sleep with him Soph, just don’t, Okay? You won’t survive him again, men like him are dangerous.”

  “Men like him?” I scoffed, “He’s not a gangster, Ash.”

  “No, he’s even more dangerous. He’s a player.”