I grab my dress shirt that I’d worn to her graduation and slide it over her, covering up the too-small bathing suit.
“You don’t wear shit like this when other people are around,” I tell her.
“I only wore it for you.”
“That’s good, sweetheart. Keep it that way, but only wear it for me when I’m the only person around.”
She grabs my arm. “I only dressed like this to get your attention. I promise. I only want you looking at me.”
Her little nose scrunches, and I can tell she’s thinking about something. Her eyes go to my chest.
“What is it?” I ask. She drops her head like she’s embarrassed. “No secrets. I want you to always be honest with me.” I put my finger under her chin, making her look up at me.
“I don’t like people looking at you either,” she admits.
“You’re it for me. Have been since I laid eyes on you,” I tell her. I don’t want her to have a question in her mind about this. I know I’m older than her. People might see this as taking advantage of her, but I don’t fucking care what others think anymore. I’d always known in the back of my mind she’d be mine one day. I knew it was wrong to want her back then, so I’d always kept it secret. But nothing else mattered now except being with her. I just don’t want her to ever think that I took advantage of her. I want her to always be sure about us. To never question my intentions with her.
Her eyes look so hopeful, and I hate that she’s questioning it. What happened in her bedroom was like nothing I’d ever felt before. I didn’t know a person could snap like that and lose all control. But that’s what happened. I needed her right then like I’d never needed anything in my life. The moment I made her mine was like nothing I’d ever experienced. It was like I was finally coming home.
“There’s no one else in your life?” she asks. This time I cup her face, leaning in so my eyes are level with hers. So much innocence shines there. I can see her trust in me, and I want to keep that safe. Never break it.
“No, sweetheart. I can’t remember another woman before you. And trust me, there hasn’t been one who has entered my mind since you jumped into my world.”
She closes the small distance between us, her mouth landing on mine as she wraps her body around me. I pull her close as she starts to place kisses all over my face. I laugh at her sweet innocence, which is getting me hard all over again, like I hadn't just taken her twice and filled her up nice and good.
“All right. I have to get you out of here now, or I’m going to end up taking you again.”
“That’s okay.” She rubs against me, and I wonder if I’ve made her into a little sex addict.
“No, the next time I take you will be in our home, where I can take my time. I want to kiss and touch every part of you. Worship you like I should have the first time. Show you how it will be between us.”
She moans at my words and keeps wiggling against me, testing my control. It’s something only she can do.
But when John walks in with look of pure anger on his face, it’s like cold water being dumped on me. I peel Eden from around me and place her behind me. I feel her hands come to rest on my back.
“Eden, come here,” John says. I just stand there. I can’t believe he just tried to call her over. She doesn’t move. The idea that she’d go to him is ridiculous, but John can’t see that.
“Speak to her again and I’ll fucking end you.”
“You’ll end me? You know who I am. I’ll—”
I cut him off, I don’t care that he’s a fucking senator. The higher he is, the harder the fall. He should remember that.
“I know that you want to fuck your daughter.”
“Stepdaughter,” he corrects. He doesn’t deny wanting to fuck her.
“She’s nothing to you,” I tell him, taking a step towards him and letting him know I’m not fucking around. I’m leaving with her one way or another. Not a fucking thing is going to stop me.
His eyes narrow on me. I know what he’s thinking. He’s wondering why it’s okay for me to have her and not him. The difference is, I actually care about her. I love and want to be with her. He just wants to use her and will most likely toss her aside when he’s done.
Everyone around town knows the Senator goes though women just as fast as his wife seems to go through men. Both have reputations for their affairs, but I never thought he’d zone in on little Eden. If I had, I would have taken her from here sooner. He’s fucking lucky he never acted on that shit or he would have found himself with a bullet in his head. Fuck, he’ll still be lucky if he doesn’t.
“I’m giving you one last chance to move the fuck out of our way, or I’ll spread your shit far and wide for everyone to know. They’ll know that the good old Senator is trying to get a taste of his stepdaughter, and his wife doesn’t care,” I lie. I’d never do that. I’d die before I let that taint sweet Eden. But I know where to hit him right now to make him question what he’s doing.
“What about you? What will people say?” he tries.
“The difference between me and you is, I don’t care what people might say. I’d take anything to have her,” I tell him. It’s the truth. But she’s eighteen: young but still legal. If people start talking and it bothers Eden, we’ll move. Leave everything behind and start somewhere new. Maybe we will anyway. Go somewhere I can have a house on the beach where I can see her in this swimsuit every day for the rest of my life.