My mind is in a state of euphoric shock. I can’t believe that I just had sex with Matthew Pierce. My pussy feels sore, but good. It’s still tingling after the rough pounding from his meaty cock and I lay beside him, reveling in these amazing sensations. I’ve not felt so good in such a long time and I’m so afraid it’s going to end, that he’s going to push me away now that he’s gotten what he wanted.

To my surprise, he stays beside me, holding me against his chest in a delicate manner that’s so unlike the way he just fucked me. I’m not sure what it means, if he wants to be with me or if he’s still coming down after what seemed to be one hell of an orgasm. I briefly consider asking him, but I don’t want to spoil the moment. I want this night to last forever, to never fade away.

When he finally shifts, my heart freezes. This is it, I tell myself, he’s going to climb out of bed and go get in his own. He’ll probably never look at me again and I’ll be left wanting, needing. I thought I could use him for a quick lay, but the truth is, I want something more. I want to be his woman.

My fear is irrational. At least for now. He just adjusts so that he can look at my face. I’m not sure, but I see something tender in his gaze, but also a bit of confusion. “What’s wrong?” I ask, my voice sounding far more timid than I’d like.

He smiles, reaching up to brush his fingers through my hair. “Nothing,” is all he says at first. He just keeps staring at me, like he can’t bear to look away. It makes me blush, which causes him to grin. “I never forgot how pretty you are,” he tells me, his tone almost wistful.

My blush only deepens. “Stop it, you’re just saying that…”

“But I’m not,” he insists, leaning in to kiss the end of my nose. “You’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever met, Piper.” He kisses my lips, saving me from having to think up something intelligent to say. He surprised me again, first by not leaving and second by complimenting me. Does he maybe have feelings for me too? Or am I just imagining things?

He pulls away just a little bit. “I have to say. I’m a little curious about something though.” I can still feel his breath on my mouth. “Why did you stop dancing? I remember seeing you at school functions, you were great.”

That’s the last thing I expected him to ask and it takes me a few minutes to formulate a proper response. At first I consider shrugging it off like I did at dinner, but he seems to genuinely want to know. Lucky for him I’m still floating up on a cloud or else I would never consider telling me no matter how much he begged. I’ve never told the truth to anybody, but Matthew is the one person I’ve always been comfortable telling secrets to, he’s the one person I want to bear my soul to.

“The truth?” I have to make sure he really wants to know before I divulge my biggest secret.

“Of course,” he answers gently.

I bite my lip, taking my time to find the words. “My mother made me start ballet when I was little,” that seems like a fine place to start. “When I started high school I wanted to do something I was more interested in, but my mother got really angry with me. She said it wasn’t appropriate for young ladies and insisted that I continue ballet.” I remember just how furious she was when I told her I wanted to take shop and learn to fix cars like my Dad. I’d seen her get angry before, but in that moment she was more pissed off than I’ve ever seen her, even to this day. “When she left, I could have done anything I wanted, but a part of me really hoped that if I danced well she might be proud of me and come home…”

It sounds ridiculous, but it’s exactly how I felt. I was always so disappointed when she never showed up to my recitals or performances. Now it’s been years since I’ve seen her (she does send me gifts for Christmas and my birthday) and though I don’t miss having her around telling me how to live my life and what to wear and what to say, I do wish she could have been a better parent. Of course if she had been, my father wouldn’t have found Vanessa and he’s been happier with her than he ever was with my nightmare of a mother.

Matthew startles me out of my thoughts as he pulls me closer, kissing my cheek. I rub his back, grateful for the unspoken comfort. I had no idea that he was so cuddly, but I’m definitely loving every second of it.

“Well,” he says after a few minutes of silence, “aren’t you going to tell me what it was? The thing you wanted to do instead of dance?”

“Oh,” I hesitate again, this time turning red. “It’s silly.”

He props himself up on his elbow, seeming even more interested than before. “I’m sure it’s not. Tell me. I really want to know.”

I chew on my bottom lip, still not quite sure. “You promise you won’t make fun of me?”

He brushes his lips against my cheek and neck, trailing soft kisses over my skin. “I promise, just tell me.”

Knowing I can’t hold out any longer, I finally confess. “I wanted to go to shop class so I could learn to be a mechanic like my Dad…” I pause, “that’s stupid isn’t it?”

“No!” He answers quickly, his mouth close to my ear. “Piper that’s not stupid at all. In fact,” he moves so he can kiss my lips. “I think it’s great. If you still want that, you can have it. Your Dad would let you work at the shop, hell he’d even teach you the way he taught me. Or,” he gives me a gentle squeeze, “I could teach you, too…”

This was not the response I expected. Is he really encouraging me to do this? I really thought that he wouldn’t understand, that he’d be like my mother and tell me I was dumb. But offering to teach me, supporting me, is the best reaction he could have had. Could it be that Matthew really does care about me?

In an effort to show my appreciation I take him by surprise, rolling him onto his back and straddling his waist before he can stop me or even protest. “That’s enough talking,” I declare huskily, “time to earn your keep, stud.” I press my lips against his mouth, firmly grinding my bare pussy against him. I can already feel his cock stirring, belying his eagerness to fuck me again. I’m glad he’s not too warn out for a second round, because I’m nowhere near done with him!

Needless to say we barely get any sleep all night. The next morning I’m sore and tired, but I’ve never felt so alive. Or so horny. Even after all the fucking we did during the night, I’m hungry for more, longing to feel Matthew stretch my pussy with his hung dick. Somehow, despite all the overpowering lust between us, we manage to make it into the shower. Of course, that’s as far as our self control gets us.

While he has me pushed up against the wall, unwittingly living out my fantasy from yesterday morning, I don’t consider at all how wrong it is that I’m fucking my stepbrother. Or that he’s invaded by greedy womanhood over half a dozen times since last night. All I can think about is how good and right it feels, how lucky I am to experience this euphoria of completion. Like part of my soul was missing until Matthew held me in his arms.

The shame didn’t set in until we were faced with our parents over breakfast. It was hard to look either of them in the eye, but deep down, no matter what happens, I know the night was worth it. Even if it doesn’t last, even if it causes nothing but problems. We needed each other. Truth be told, I still need him, but I’m afraid to think that maybe he’s done, that he got everything he wanted and he no longer has a use for me.

This nagging fear stays in the back of my mind all day, whispering and mocking every time he smiles or laughs with me. “He’s faking because Dad and Vanessa are right here,” he tells me cruelly, “he got what he wanted, don’t expect anything else.” I try to shake it off and enjoy our hike, for the most part I’m successful, but it never fully goes away.

At least, not until just after lunch when I slip off to change out of my socks that got wet trudging through the snow. Matthew catches up to me when we’re both out of sight and puts his arm around me, grinning from ear to ear. His cheeks and nose are rosy from the cold, making him look so adorable.

“Thought I’d tag along so we can maybe sneak a quickie,” he whispers in my ear.

I bark a laugh and shake my head. “I don’t think we should risk it. They might get suspicious of us both disappearing and come looking. The last thing I want is to be caught bent over the furniture with you fucking me.”

He grumbles at first, his hand sneaking down my back so he can squeeze my ass. “Mm, that’s a hot image. Can’t wait to try it out.”

Seeing a chance to test the waters without appearing to I roll my eyes and say in a dubious tone, “sure, first thing when we get home.” I hope he can’t feel me tense up, like my whole body is eagerly awaiting his reaction. It only takes him a heartbeat, but for me, that heartbeat feels like a lifetime.

“I’m gonna hold you to that,” he kisses my cheek and then pulls away. “I’ll wait with the parents, but do me a favor…” he flashes me an impish grin, “while you’re in the room grope yourself for me, I’ve been dying to put my hands on your tits all day!”

“Get out of here!” I laugh, flushing pink. He steps back really fast to kiss me again, then darts off to rejoin Vanessa and Dad.

I’m very relieved that he wants to keep having sex at least. That’s a good place to start, especially since we seem to do a lot of talking in between our frenzied romps. I had no idea just how much I missed having this sort of connection with somebody or how badly I need to be with Matthew. If fate will finally be kind to us, maybe this could be the start to something truly wonderful.

There’s a smile on my face when I step into our room. Housekeeping has long since cleaned up after us, straightening the sheets on the bed we wrecked and taking away the soggy towels from the water that got outside of the shower. The poor gals had to know what was going on in here, I’m sure that at least the bedding smelled like sex, if not the whole damn room!

I retrieve clean socks from my bag and then move to sit on the bed to swap the wet ones out. That’s when I catch sight of my phone still sitting on the untouched comforter where Matthew dropped it last night. With everything that’s happened I completely forgot about Stew freaking out. After being hung up on he’s bound to be in an even pissier mood. The morning and afternoon have been great so far, the last thing I want to do is pick up that phone and deal with my ex. But I know I can’t run from it. I’m gonna have to deal with him sooner or later and the sooner I do, the easier it’ll be to smooth his feathers.

Plopping onto the edge of the bed, I change out my socks first. Then I pick up the phone and turn it back on. The number of missed calls and messages has doubled overnight. I can just imagine what sort of mean and nasty things Stew has said. I take a deep breath and go to spread out my wet socks so they’ll be dry by the time we leave in a couple hours. Only when this is done do I finally check the texts.

The last one came in about fifteen minutes ago. What it says causes my stomach to lurch.

At the Lodge. Where the fuck are you?

I glance around the room as though I expect him to pop out of nowhere, jumping back to my feet as I try to frantically decide how to handle this. I need to do something and make sure that Stew and Matthew are kept apart. That’s the last thing I need right now is my ex boyfriend picking a fight with my… whatever Matthew is to me. He sure as hell a lot more than just my stepbrother!

It takes me a few minutes of careful consideration before I come to a decision. I send Stew back a text and let him know where to meet me, then I put my boots back on, gather up my coat and gloves and step out of the room. I sneak back to the lobby to check that my family is still there, but mostly to be sure Matthew hasn’t wandered off. When I spot them talking to one of the other families who were with us on the hike I relax and slip away again. I really hope that I have enough time to appease Stew and send him packing for good. I may not know what’s going to happen with Matthew, but I’ve known for quite a while now that I want absolutely nothing to do with Stew. The only problem has been getting him to realize that.

Weaving my way through the hallways, I come to the vending machine alcove where I told Stew to meet me, not the least bit surprised he got here first. With a single glance I can tell right away just how livid he is. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this upset and honestly, the way he’s looking at me makes me really wish I hadn’t agreed to a face to face meeting. Unfortunately it’s too late to back out now.

“Hey Stew,” I start to say, but he interrupts me before I can add anything else.

“No, I’ll do the talking!” He grabs my arm and tugs me to him roughly, his fingers pinching into my flesh even through the thick layer of my winter coat. I try to yank my arm free, but his grip is like iron. Ignoring my attempt he presses on, his voice grating and each percussive syllable flinging a light mist of spittle into my face. “Where the fuck have you been? Why haven’t you answered my calls?!” He demands.

“Let go!” I hiss, tugging my arm back again. “Don’t cause a scene for fuck’s sake!”

Grinding his teeth together he squeezes me even tighter. I struggle to keep the pain off my face until he finally lets me go, allowing me to take a step back.

“I left my phone in the room, Stew,” I tell him truthfully. “I was going to call you back when I got home.”

He nods, his expression turning more ugly as his rage burns hotter. “Left it in the room, huh? You mean the room you’re sharing with your stepbrother?” He lets out a disgusted snort. “I can’t believe you, I thought you had some decency, but then I catch you out here, cheating on me!”

I let out a bark of mocking laughter. “We broke up a year ago, Stew, I’m not cheating on you, we’re not a couple!”

I didn’t think it was possible for his face to get anymore twisted or red, but as I speak it does both. “So you are fucking him. That’s sick, Piper, whoring around with your own stepbrother, I don’t even have words for how sick that is! I knew you were a nasty bitch, but I wanted to think you were better than this at least!”

“I’m sick?!” My voice goes up an octave as I start to lose my temper. It’s not like Matthew and I are actually related. We weren’t raised as siblings, our parents got married when he wasn’t even around. Besides, not that anyone knows this, but we fucked long before we became steps! “You’re the jealous asshole that drove four hours to yell at your ex-girlfriend! And all because you suspect me of having sex with someone else. Get a grip!”

“If I’m wrong here, then maybe you should just prove it,” he taunts back, grinning smugly. “Prove you didn’t let that arrogant asshole pork you and I’ll back off. But you can’t, can you?”

Now justifiably mad, I throw up my hands and shake my head. I know it’s not worth it, but I’m sick of his bull shit and I don’t know how else to get the point across that his opinion doesn’t mean dick to me anymore.

“Fuck you, Stewart.” The words come out in an exasperated, snarling sigh. There’s not much else to be said. He’s right that I can’t prove anything, but I shouldn’t have to, not to anyone, especially not to my ex. I’m tired of answering to other people, to hanging around and waiting for my life to start. All of that ends now.

Unfortunately, Stew does not take this well.

When I turn to walk off he grabs me by the arm again, spinning me back around. I expect him to yell or cuss me out, but instead I’m met with a backhanded slap that sends me reeling backward. My ear is pounding as the flare of impact stings all the way there from my cheek. The only reason I don’t end up a heap on the floor isn’t because there wasn’t enough force behind the blow, but because I stagger into something solid and strong.

It takes me a few seconds to regain myself and figure out that the thing I’ve bumped into, the person that’s holding me up, is none other than Matthew. I look up at his face and see a dark, terrifying rage burning in his gaze. It makes me glad that Stew is on the one fixed with that death stare and not me. I have no doubt that if he could, Matthew would fry him with that glare alone.

Gently, protectively he pushes me behind him, then says in a tone that is dangerously calm, “now it’s my turn, asshole.”