The Stepdad affair

TARA

Kohen and I stood side-by-side, washing and drying the dishes from the night's meal.

"So you enjoyed my cooking, huh?" He asks.

"I really did. I'm so full. I feel like I'm nine months pregnant." I joke.

Kohen glances at me with a slight smile.

"I'm glad you liked it." He said in a low voice.

Our hands accidentally brushed against each other as we reached for the same plate, sending a jolt through me. I gasped softly, my grip on the plate slipping. It crashed to the floor, shattering into countless pieces.

"Oh shit I'm so sorry." I stammered, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment. I immediately bent down to gather the shards before he could react.

"Tara, no stop, I'll get the broom," he warned, but it was too late.

With a sharp pain shooting through mypalm, I pulled back, hissing at the sight of the fresh cut that was now welling up with blood.

"Shit." He says.

"I'm fine. It's just a cut."

It actually stings and hurts so bad.

Kohen reached out and pulled me up to my feet. "Let me see," he said, his voice filled with worry.

His touch was gentle as he examined my hand, his thumb brushing against my skin.

My heart raced at the contact, my feelings for him intensifying.

"No, it's fine, really," I tried to say, attempting to dismiss the situation, but he shook his head, his expression determined.

"Don't argue with me, kid. Sit down, I'll get the first aid kit." There was a firmness in his voice that brooked no argument. I nodded, unable to resist his command, and took a seat at the kitchen table.

As I watched him move swiftly, retrieving the first aid kit. He returned to my side, his eyes filled with concern as he prepared to clean and dress my wound.You could've just waited for me to get the broom," he said softly, his voice laced with genuine worry as he gently cleaned the cut.

His touch sent shivers down my spine, and I found it difficult to focus on anything other than his touch.

"I know I just sort of felt bad." I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I looked up at him, met his blue eyes, and saw a flicker of something more than just concern. It made my heart skip a beat.

"For breaking a plate?" He asked.

"I know. I'm sorry. I'll pay for the -"

"You will do no such thing, Tara. It's a plate. You're more important by far." He says.

"Sorry."

"Stop apologizing." He said firmly.

He finished bandaging my hand and took a step back, offering me a reassuring smile. "All done. Just be careful next time, okay?"

I nodded, my gaze still locked with his. "I will. Thank you.""Wanna watch a movie?" He asked.

"With me?" I ask, stunned.

"No, the sky." He teased.

I laughed nervously. "Yeah, sure. I could use a distraction."

Kohen and I make our way to the living room. I stare at him, but he doesn't notice.

I sink into the plush couch, curling up against Kohen. He passes me the remote, and I flip through the HBO horror movies suggestions.

"Why horror?" Kohen asks.

"I don't know. I like it. Its.... relaxing." I answer.

"Seek help."

"Horror movies are the best."

"I'm not a TV person, so you tell me." He says.

"How about Annabelle?" I ask.

"You mean the freaky doll?" He asks.

"Yeah. You'll love it." I say with a grin.The movie starts, and I wrap my arms around myself. Kohen places an arm around me, and I tuck my head into the crook of his arm.

I feel nervous but I don't move. This feels good after the day I've had.

I feel a sudden thud against my cheek. His heart, beating unusually fast.

"Are you okay?" I lift my gaze to look at him, concern etching my features. His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows, nodding in response. His lips press into a thin line, the edge of his lower lip caught nervously between his teeth.

Okay then...

I settle back against his chest, but his heart continues to race, a rapid drum that resonates against my ear. His fingers trace a soft path over my arm, causing a shiver to run down my spine.

I look up at him again. Our faces are now inches apart. His eyes are dark, intense, and filled with emotions I've never seen before.

His hand moves from my arm, cradling my face with a gentleness that makes my heart flutter. His name slips from my lipslike a prayer, a whisper that hangs in the air between us.

"Kohen..."

"Tara..." He replies, his voice barely audible over the hum of the TV. I can hear the struggle in his tone, the war waging within him.

"Kohen... kiss me," I murmur, my eyes searching his. He hesitates, his breath hitching.

I don't know what's gotten into me. All I know is right now I want him to kiss me.

"Tara... if I kiss you.... I won't be able to stop," he whispers back, his fingers tightening against my skin. His eyes are on my lips now, the tension between us palpable.

"I don't care.... kiss me." I whispered.

My eyes closed, and I could feel his hot breath on my lips.

Just as we're about to cross that line, my mother's voice echoes from the steps, shattering the moment. "Kohen?" She calls out, oblivious to the charged atmosphere in the living room. "Can you help me please darling?"I pull away, my heart pounding in my chest as I try to regain my composure. Kohen, too, straightens up, running a hand through his hair as he calls back, "Coming."

And just like that, the moment is over. But the air between us has changed, charged with electricity that wasn't there before.

I felt disappointed but somehow in disbelief. Did I just ask my stepdad to kiss me?

Continue soon...

~♡~