Climb on My Stepfather (Ashley and Alex)

2: Georgina.

This is it. I'm finally free.

I get a running start and slide across the hood of Aleksei's black Mercedes, my butt making a long squeaking sound. Sticking the landing on the other side, I throw back my hands like I've just dismounted the uneven bars at the Olympics.

Watching me through broody, slate - gray eyes, Aleksei tosses my final suitcase into the trunk without cracking a smile.

What is his deal today?

Most times, he would at least give me a little lip tilt action.

"Aw. Are you going to miss me, Uncle Aleksei?" I saunter closer and prop my hip against one of the rear car doors. "Is that why you're so quiet?"

His gaze tracks down to my jean skirt, probably finding it too short to be decent. "Nyet."noveldrama

Hurt swamps my belly knowing he's eager to get rid of me, but I don't let him see it. Some days I think he likes caring for me. He does it so well. When my father checked out emotionally after my mother was killed, Aleksei became the only constant in my life. He's stayed that way for five years. Would a hardened man like Aleksei do anything he didn't want to do? I have no idea.

Then again, this is part of the reason I'm going so far away from home for school, isn't it? The confusing way Aleksei makes me feel?

My hormones officially went bananas right after I turned sixteen and walked in on Aleksei in the shower. Through the water -- speckled glass, I saw his naked, six foot eight frame covered in jet-black ink, water coasting down that handsome face — so frustratingly made of stone — splashing on his hard packs of ruthless muscle. He didn't see me in the bathroom. No, he couldn't have. Or he wouldn't have continued stroking that huge, heavy trunk of flesh between his legs, muttering curses in Russian.

Aleksei being none the wiser about my accidental peep show is the only reason I can still call him Uncle with a straight face. Because I'm pretty sure girls aren't supposed to have sweaty fever dreams about their uncles. Even if they're not actual blood relations. And even if the dreams are against a girl's will.

Oh, who are you kidding? You beg your subconscious for those dreams.

My nipples turn to spikes beneath my tank top just thinking about the last one. When I joined Aleksei inside that foggy shower and he forced that hard part of himself between my lips, grunting my name and wrapping my hair in fists. Thrusting.

Have I been crazy thinking he could crave that crave me in real life?

Sometimes I swear I sense torment and restraint in him, but he locks it down so fast I think I imagined it. Well, I've had quite enough of living in such close quarters with the man haunting my dreams and turning me into a walking, talking horn dog. It hurts. Physically and mentally. Not to mention, the second-guessing of my own sanity is starting to drive me crazy.

Not that I'd let him know that.

Memories of Aleksei's rough hands tying my bathing suit strings yesterday makes my movements provocative as I sway closer to him, inserting myself between him and the trunk, letting my fingers walk up the center of his formidable chest. "You won't miss me even a little bit?"

Eyes flaring, he catches my wrist. "Do not play games with me, Georgina."

The breath catches in my lungs, heat rushing to my cheeks. Rushing to every part of me. What if I never get another chance to figure out if imagined the pull between us? I'm going to college today. Even if he tells me I'm crazy and he could never be attracted to a girl he raised from such a young age — a girl he taught to drive, taught to throw a punch I won't have to see him every day while living with the knowledge.

The reality of not seeing him sends panic and pain slicing into my middle.

And it's the pain that knocks the words free of my mouth. "I've tried to play games,” I blurt out, thinking of all my silly attempts to tempt him. "You won't play them back."

Gray eyes narrow, and I sense a debate taking place. I'm so focused on watching him for a sign of what he's thinking, I suck in a breath when he releases my wrist...and steps forward, pressing me back against the trunk.

Traps me there. My neck is forced to crane to keep eye contact, and he looms, So massive and unmoving above me, but his dominance only makes my nerve endings go wilder. "Nothing about us, little angel, is a game. I will not miss you, because I never intend to leave you? His hand slides beneath my skirt and cups my right cheek, kneading it, stealing the power from my knees. Making my mind reel. “This is mine. Now go put it in the passenger seat, before your father sees me defiling you from the window. It wouldn't stop my plans, but it might delay us." He slaps my backside, growling deep in his throat. "And you know I hate being late."

I'm left with my mouth agape, staring into space as Aleksei rounds the car and

climbs into the driver's side, starting the engine.

What in the world just happened?