Unspoken Pleasures

Karl and I have been step-siblings for three years, ever since our parents' whirlwind marriage. Growing up under the same roof, we've both developed a love-hate relationship, constantly bickering and competing for attention. But beneath the surface, I never knew I had secretly harboured feelings for Karl, and I was in for a darn surprise.

It was the night of our parents' anniversary, while we all ate solemnly admist our parents' persuasions that I discovered his little secret. None of us spoke a word until Karl spoke up after a while. He snorted, insulting the way I ate.

"You don't have to be so snarky about the way I eat," I remarked, getting pissed as he mimicked me.

"You're not a kid anymore, you're twenty, Jennifer," his tone held so much contempt.

I bit down on my lower lip, threw my cutlery at him to which he dodged. "You think I'm pleased to have this dinner with you here?" I stood up, ignoring my stepfather's alarmed look.

"Sit down," Donald, my stepdad intoned.

Mother was simply suppressing a worried and tired expression, she was tired of all of our bickerings. This should be her happy day not a day that my stupid brother and I gnawed at each other's neck.

"I'm done, I've lost my appetite," I gathered enough courage to voice out my suppressed words.

"We're all having this dinner as one big happy family," Donald said, his brows knotted in a creased frown.

I looked back at Karl, who simply felt pleased. His brows arched high while he dug into his cereals. The room couldn't contain us both anymore, not while he was in my space.

"I'm sorry, dad," I mumbled then raced out to the balcony where the evening air welcomed me. Donald, my stepdad always sided me, but this night, he sided with Karl.

I wiped the running tear that ran down my cheek, how long do I have to endure Karl?

He was unbearable and annoying as fuck. The breeze blew in mildly, caressing my naked arms as time ticked slowly by.

Mum and stepdad wouldn't understand me, they never seem to understand me, especially mother. I heard approaching footsteps towards me. Quickly, I brushed off the rest of my tears and faked a smile.

"I didn't realize you'll take that personally," his familiar voice hushed as he drew near.

I turned to face the intruder, my eyes met that of Karl's and my heart lurched out frantically. His eyes were surprisingly dark yet calm. Karl was almost 6 feet tall, dressed in black, he looked dangerous like a night walker.

When we first met in school, I'd felt struck by his wild, untamed eyes and fine, strong jaw. Realizing that he would be my stepbrother was disastrous to say the least, all forms of likeness for him faded into thin air.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"I repeat, I prefer the other you who protested against my very own whims," he held my gaze while he walked close to me.

He had so much effect on me, his struts, his strides, his sensual lips... what was wrong with me? what was happening to me?

"I'm done with all of your excesses, you ....,"

"Really?"

I could hear my heart hammering heavily, and wondered if he could hear my heartbeat as well. I thought I hated this boy right here, why was my heart proving me wrong?

His fine, manicured fingers trailed down slow trails up my naked arms, I held my breath, waiting to see the effect of his tantalizing fingers on me. Yet, he never took his eyes off me, and that made me feel visibly naked in front of him. Inwardly, I fought the raveling sensations that seem to tear me apart.

"What are you doing?" My wavering voice gave me away.

"I've always wondered what you are behind the layers," his voice had become like music to my ears. "When I saw you biting down on your lower lip earlier on, I'd wanted to be the one doing that to you."

"If I may, allow me," he inched close, leaning in to kiss me. My breath was caught in-between, visibly stunned and shaken by his confession. His lips which were full and sensuous seemed more appealing as they moved in slow motion towards mine.

What was happening right here?

"Hey kiddos!" the voice of Donald interrupted, and Karl and I drifted apart like two scrambling rats.

Donald eyed us carefully, "you kids okay?" He asked, studying us, throwing a jacket over his shoulders.

Mum stepped into view, she was beautiful, she had changed into a cotton flowery dress. "I told you they would make up," mum laughed, flipping her long hair to the side.

Karl's voice resurrected while his massive frame stepped in before me. "Don't tell me you had other plans?" He asked grinning, throwing darting glances across mum and dad.

Mum laughed for awhile, then she paused when she noticed how frozen I was, "Jenny, you're okay?"

"Yeah, she is, we were just going over what had transpired at dinner," Karl spoke up quickly, saving me an embarrassment of my croaked voice.

"I'm glad you guys have that settled already. I might as well steal your mum for the night, just Leila and I," Donald said, pulling mum close while she giggled like a little girl.

And in minutes, mum and stepdad's voices faded out gradually until all I could hear was my wild heart beat thumping and screaming how dangerous it was to be alone with Karl. I mean, I'd known what it was like to be alone with Karl but this!

This enthralling, intoxicating, new emotions was entirely something different for me. Karl had wanted to kiss me, yes! He visibly wanted to, had he felt what I had felt as well?

I looked at his back, my insides begging him to spin around and explain his previous act to me. Or was I stupid for wanting an explanation?