Getting what the heart wants

Chelsea

It was Dad who snuck in on us. I was relieved that he had not found me in his arms when he opened the door. I was glad he had not continued kissing me and had not left me standing in his arms when he broke the kiss.

Dad was happy we weren't fighting each other. He was pleased at what he considered a small chat as that was a way to help us know each other better. And he was happy that I was not in a bad mood.

I didn't even have the strength to be in a bad mood. When Aldrich broke the kiss, I felt all my anger dissipate and it was not replaced by anything else.

Dad left grumbling something about us not hearing him drive his soundless car into the parking lot.

"I know what I want, Aldrich.", I said the moment dad was out of earshot.

"I didn't ask this time, but I want to hear it.", he said with his usual arrogance which did not repulse me so much anymore.

"What I want is a boyfriend who will take my attention off of you and you will not stand in the way."

He was silent for a while and then he nodded.

"I agree. You want a boyfriend, but what you need is me. I am the most important.", he replied with aplomb.

****

I convinced myself that night as I laid on my bed that what I needed was a boyfriend who did not look anything like the arrogant Step brother who was in the same house with me.

I tossed the night out and made up my mind to take Mark Killian's call the next time he called.

I woke up to his texts and he was asking for nothing more than a date.

There was a new form of urgency now as I replied to the text and assured him that I would be out with him later that day.

Mark had been an admirer since I was eighteen, I just never found a good enough reason to say yes to him and it hurt him, according to what he said.

He wanted to be with me and would do everything within his power to make me say yes to him, but it just never happened.

What was the worst that could happen? There was a step brother who would get in my panties if I did not try to hide my own desires for him and if Mark was the only way to be free from what I felt for Aldrich, then it had to be so.

Later that day, Mark asked me out again like I had known he would and I said yes this time.

"Heard you got salty that the guys at school stopped fawning over you.", he Said as he led me back to the car. I frowned.

"What does that mean?", I demanded.

"What I mean is, there is a big bad guy who's been laying claims on you, Chelsea but I'm showing you all over again that it's you I want and I'd do everything and anything for you. It doesn't matter who else wants you."

I shrugged my shoulders. It seemed he knew a lot more of what was happening in my life than I gave him credit for.

"I've heard that before, Mark.", I said. He grinned as he reached the door of the car and held it open for me to get in. When he came into the car, the grin on his face was gone and in its place was something more serious.

"You know, he kept the guys away from you for good.. maybe you never would have said yes to me if you had all the guys from school dying to have your attention. And this is proof that they don't love you the way they profess it. I do.", he said. He picked my hand up and planted a soft kiss on my palm. I forced a small smile and nodded when he let go of my hand.

"And, you're as beautiful as you have always been. Nothing has diminished.", he said. To the compliment, I nodded.

"Could you stay a bit longer with me this evening?", he asked suddenly. I shook my head.

"You sure you want to go back home to that step brother of yours?", he asked with concern but I was scowling at him. How did he know about my step brother and how I felt about him?

He reached for both my hands and held them together.

"Listen, Chelsea, you can come stay with me for a while if you want to. I'm your boyfriend now and I'll always protect you."

I scoffed.

"You're being extra. There is nothing at all to run away from home for."

I said with calm assurance, but he did not look like he was buying any of it.

"Well, I know the guy would get into your panties if he had a way. I want to protect you from him, you don't know what the bastard is capable of."

Mark was sounding a bit different now and I didn't like it.

"Mark, I already told you, I don't need any protection because I'm not under any threat at all or my dad would have been informed."

"How about your emotions?"

He insisted. I shook my head and patted him on the shoulder.

"Mark, I'm a hundred percent sure I'm not under any threats. Let it be."

He sighed.

"If the bastard tries to touch you, I'll kill him. I know you're desperate to have the protection..."

"For fuck's sake, Mark just drive the damn car and take me home. I don't want to hear any more crap!"

I snapped.

"I'm your boyfriend and I deserve to know things like this, don't you understand that?!"

"No. You won't yell at her like that, whoever the hell you are."

I heard the familiar voice from Mark's side of the window. It was Aldrich!

What was he doing here? Was he spying on me?