Chapter Four
TESS
It’s seven o’clock, and my plans for a sunny morning have been ruined by dark storm clouds. It’s my first day off in over a month, and I’ll have to spend it indoors, when I want to be out by the pool, enjoying the rays with a cocktail in one hand, and a good book in the other.
The first crack of thunder rumbles through the house and gives me a fright.
My mom laughs at my fearful yelp but doesn’t turn away from the stovetop where she’s frying bacon on a griddle pan.
Breakfast in the Christiansen house is a ritual I’ve grown rather fond of, where the family gathers around the table to talk.
Novak’s on my right, applying a thin layer of butter and a thick layer of apricot jam to a slice of toast. His dad, Will, is sitting opposite him, reading the morning newspaper.
“Summer rains, you can never predict them,” Will says from behind the paper. He sips from a cup of coffee, before setting both the cup and newspaper down.
“It came out of the blue,” Mom says, scooping slices of bacon onto a plate. “Looked at the weather last night, and it said we were going to have a beautiful day.”
Novak slides a hand under the table, using the other to bring his toast to his mouth.
“It’s a good thing we’re getting out of here then,” Will chuckles.
“Out of here?” I ask.
Novak seems unfazed by the conversation. His eyes stay fixed ahead, not really looking at his father so much as through him.
“Your mom and I are heading out of town,” Will says. “A little vacation.”
Novak’s hand brushes against my knee, but not in a fleeting way. He rests it there, squeezing softly. From the corner of my eye, I see a smirk forming on his lips.
“We’re going to Florida,” Mom says. She sets the plate full of bacon on the table and takes her seat beside Will.
Novak’s hand glides against my thigh. In the pajama shorts I’m wearing, it’s skin against skin, and his touch tickles. I don’t stop him, and I don’t fight him. The news of our parents’ leaving for a week doesn’t bother me, since it means we’re going to have the house all to ourselves.
Oh God, the fun we’re going to have.
“A spur-of-the-moment vacation.” Will throws an arm around Mom’s shoulders and pulls her in for a kiss. “But, we need it. I booked our flights last night, and we’re set to get outta here after breakfast.”
“It’s going to be lov—” I choke on my words as Novak’s hand slides between my legs without warning. With tactful precision, his fingers find my most sensitive spot, gently yet eagerly, sliding against the damp fabric of my panties. “Lovely.” I finish the sentence.
It’s just like him to make a risky play like this. Even here in the presence of our parents. He’s doing it to taunt me. To tease me. He wants to make me hot with embarrassment, and watch as I squirm under his touch while I struggle to stay in control.
“How long will you be away?” Novak asks. He looks good, dressed in his black two-piece suit, all ready for work. He presses his thumb against my clit, and traces slow, long circles. He moves only one finger while the rest of his body stays perfectly still to avoid suspicion.
It’s not him I’m worried about. I’m on the verge of screaming out in sheer elation from the way he touches me, and I have to fight those noises back.
“A week of sun, fun, and a whole lot of buns,” Will chuckles and winks at my mom.
“Will,” Mom exclaims. She looks mortified at his bad joke.
Novak circles the sensitive bundle of nerves with his thumb. His jaw tenses with a hard swallow and his breathing deepens. I clutch onto the table and bite down on my inner cheek to hide my own emotions.
Screw this. Two can play this game.
In a brief moment of respite, while Novak’s adjusting his wrist between my legs, I tuck a hand under the table and move it over his throbbing cock. It’s practically tearing through the seams of his tailored pants.
He tilts his head towards me with a wicked grin.
“I’m sure you’re going to have a—” I squeeze his cock in a tight fist and jerk downward. He sputters a cough and covers his mouth. “Excuse me.”
“What’s the matter with you, boy? Cat got your tongue?” Will asks. He’s in a great mood with his impending holiday on the horizon.
“Chest’s a little tight,” Novak says with the calm ease of an attorney used to lying under pressure. “But I’m sure you’re going to…”
Another squeeze and he chokes on his words again. I pull away and leave him to clean up the confusion on his dad’s face.
“Have a great time,” Novak finally finishes his sentence. His eyes, however, burn with annoyance over what I’ve just done.
Good, that’ll teach him. Though, I’m sure it’s going to result in some sort of punishment later when we have the house to ourselves. My heart beats faster at the thought.
“Do you need a ride to the airport?” I ask.
I’m expecting an immediate retaliation from Novak, but it doesn’t come. He brings his hands back up over the table and dishes up a plate for himself.
“No, no, we’ve got the ride all sorted,” Will says. “We didn’t want to be a bother on your day off.” He gives me a fatherly smile.
It warms my heart, but it also leaves me incredibly sad. It carries the same warmth that my birth father used to have. The twinkle in his eye. The pride he carries whenever he looks at me.
Novak looks thoroughly unimpressed by the moment.
“Deb, thanks for breakfast, but I oughta be getting on,” Novak rises from his chair, still clutching a piece of bacon between his fingers.
“It’s a pleasure, treasure,” Mom says. “You have a good day at work.”
Novak nods, shoves the whole strip into his mouth, and leaves.
“We oughta get to going ourselves,” Will says.
Will and Mom jump out of their chairs and start making their way through the house, laughing as they go.
Within the hour, I’m alone at home. It’s odd being here on my own. I’m used to being out, either for college or work during the day. I don’t know what to do with myself now. It doesn’t help that the day is so dreary, either.
I change out of my short shorts and comfy shirt into tracksuit pants and a hoodie. Then I fall on the sofa and start flicking through the channels, listening to the rain washing away my day off.