Tug of War Read online

  Jake

  Hearing my name screamed from her lips, sends my heart slamming in my chest. Turning around, I find her head bobbing just beneath the water before she disappears beneath it.

  Fuck no! I’m coming Steph.

  Immediately, I rush over to her. Darting my head beneath the blue liquid, I can see her leg is curled up, and a visible look of pure agony is on her face.

  I swim beneath the water, pulling her up and out, scooping her into my arms. She drapes her arms around me and leans on my shoulder, gasping for air. I pull her backwards in the pool.

  This was not how this day was supposed to go.

  “Jake, it hurts,” Stephanie whimpers.

  “I got you, sugar,” I whisper. Sugar? What the fuck? “Steph…I mean Steph.”

  “Next time, we should play Tug of War to win a drink,” she says with a small smile.

  “Yeah, maybe I won’t kill you with that one.”

  I make our way over to the edge of the pool, and I guide her to the edge where there’s a set of stairs. Clambering out first, I use all my strength to pull her out.

  She collapses into my arms at the water’s edge, breathing tense, and I hear light sobs coming from her. A lifeguard runs over.

  “Is everything okay?” he asks.

  Stephanie nods. “Yes. I just have a cramp in my leg.”

  I throw a look at the guy. “I’ve got this.”

  “Sir, we’re trained medics, we can help your girlfriend.”

  “I’m an army medical doctor. I think I know what I’m doing,” I say through gritted teeth. He backs away.

  Damn fucking right mate. The only person touching her today is me.

  I force Stephanie to look at me. “I’m going to work out all the cramp, but how about we get somewhere a little more private first.”

  “Jake, I can’t go into the men’s changing rooms.”

  I chuckle. “You don’t need to. They have family ones here; that’s where we will go. First, though, I’m going to work the cramp out of your foot because I can’t carry you with slippery feet. We’ll both end up hurt.”

  I reach for her foot and begin to rub. Balling my fist, I dig it into the arch, and she whimpers as I continue to stretch, dig, and push out the cramp.

  “Jake…please stop! It hurts too much.”

  Ignoring her pleas, no matter how much my heart aches at her suffering, I continue my movement, and suddenly, I feel the muscle release, and she breathes a sigh of relief.

  “See. That part is done. Do you think you can stand so we can hobble over to get our stuff?” I ask.

  She nods, and I help her stand. We struggle to walk together to the edge of the pool, so once we get to a semi-dry section, I hoist her into my arms bridal style and carry her through to the changing rooms.

  “What bag am I looking for?” I ask her as I lower her down onto the seat.

  “Would’ve thought you’d guessed that one. It’s the Disney princess one with Ariel on it.”

  I shake my head. “No wonder you and Aria are best friends. You both love Disney.”

  I walk out of the room, making sure to close the door behind me and head to the cubby holes to grab our things. Once back in the changing room, I lock the door behind me, place our bags on the seat beside her and start getting the remainder of the cramp out by working my way up her calf muscle, then her thigh. The higher I reach, the more she moans.

  “I didn’t realise getting a massage felt this good,” I murmur.

  Glancing up for a moment, I see her head is tipped back, and her breathing is shallow. She’s so sexy. I wonder what she would look like riding my dick until she found her release. I shouldn’t be thinking like this about her. It’s Stephanie. She should be like a kid sister to me like it has been for so many years. Yet, this bikini is doing nothing to help my hormones now that I’ve only recently started seeing her in a different light.

  I turn my attention back to focusing on her leg. It’s either that or else I’m going to tear that swimsuit off her and fuck her all over this room. It’s not the most hygienic place to have sex either, nor is it the place I want to take her our first time. The woman deserves romance, a bed, and some orgasms to leave her sore the next day.

  Moving my hands higher onto her thigh, her next moan comes out louder, huskier and full of lust.

  “Shh Steph...or people are going to think we’re doing more in here than rubbing out a cramp.”

  “Can’t help it. Your hands are like magic.”

  I grin. She should see what else I can do with them. “It feels less tense. How does it feel for you?”

  “Much better. Thanks. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you here.”

  I shrug. “It was nothing.”

  “You still want that coffee?” she asks as she gingerly moves off the bench and I sense she wasn’t telling me the truth.

  “Yes, please, but I’ll pay.”

  “You said loser buys and that’s me.”

  “You didn’t lose. You got injured.” She starts to pull her stuff out of her bag and begins drying herself down. I turn on the shower in the room just to rinse my body off, but I know that as soon as I get home tonight, I’m jumping into the shower to jerk off to thoughts of her.

  “Don’t look, okay,” she whispers, and I immediately spin around to drench myself in the water. I can’t help myself and stare despite her warning. She removes the bikini top, and it drops to the ground with a wet slap. She wipes her back down with her towel and then bends over. Before I know it, she’s naked beneath the towel. I gulp.

  “Jake, you’re staring.”

  “Can’t help it,” I reply. I really can’t. I want her. All of her. I need her naked, so I can show her I’m the man for her.

  Stephanie

  Without warning, Jake snakes his arms around me and slams me against the tile wall.

  “Hey! What are you doing? That’s cold!” I yelp.

  “Shh…” he whispers as he presses his nose to mine. “I couldn’t help but look. I need to touch too.”

  “Jake… We–” I whisper.

  “What? Shouldn’t?”

  “Exactly.”

  He sighs heavily as I slide my hands up his biceps. He closes his eyes as if my touch burns his skin.

  “Steph…” It’s a warning to stop even though he doesn’t want me to. If he did, he wouldn’t have pushed me up against this wall. Seems Aria was right when she said he has feelings for me too, but I need to know if it’s a sexual thing or more because, for me, it’s definitely more than a simple physical attraction.

  He slides one hand onto my waist and pulls me closer whilst sliding the other one up around my neck. I gulp as he leans down towards me. This is it, the moment he kisses me, and we live happily ever after.

  As I close my eyes, waiting for his impending kiss, we’re interrupted by a buzzing noise quickly followed by a quack.

  His face breaks out into a smile. “Who the hell’s text alert is that?”

  “Aria’s.”

  “Does she know? That’s the funniest shit I’ve heard in a long time.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Let’s get dressed before we get cold. I don’t want to be responsible for you catching a cold on top of that cramp.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  He shrugs but doesn’t say another word. His eyes hold sadness as he steps away from me, leaving me feeling empty and colder than when he pressed me against the wall. I don’t want him to move away from me. It felt so good being in his arms; like I belong there.

  He begins pulling items from his bag. I’ll admit, I feel a little lonely even though we’re in the same room. Damn Aria for interrupting us. I watch as he dresses.

  “I didn’t know you had that tattoo,” I comment as he slides his t-shirt on.

  “The birds?”

  “Yeah.”

  “They represent our parents. Aria and Toby have the same one.”

  That’s sweet. I knew they had
lost their parents when they were younger, so it’s nice to hear them speak of them.

  “Do you need a lift home?” Jake asks.

  “No, I should be fine to drive.”

  “Just remember to keep that leg stretched, and if you need to, get yourself to a doctor, okay?”

  “I will, but there’s no doctor like you.”

  He smiles as we exit the room and make our way to our respective cars. My leg is still aching, but I’ll go home and turn my shower up blistering hot to ease the ache. I’ll probably spend this afternoon reading with a heat pack tucked beneath my leg. I get cramps in my foot now and again, but nothing like that. Thank heavens Jake had been there. I don’t know what I would’ve done without his presence.

  I should get him something small to say thank you. He didn’t need to come to my rescue, but he did, and for that, I will be forever grateful. I definitely need to break things off with Ben and have some time being single before I start anything or even tell Jake how I feel. I don’t want him to be a rebound or to think that of himself either. I want the forever thing: the fairy tale, the happily ever after. I want it all.

  He’s my Prince Charming.

  Chapter Three

  Stephanie

  I’m sitting on my couch with my glass of wine, trying to make the final few drops of it last longer. It’s not that I don’t have more wine, but rather I can’t be bothered getting off my bum to go pour another glass.

  It’s been a week since the swimming incident with Jake. A week of the most deliciously dirty dreams about him; dreaming about all the things I want him to do to me and vice versa. I’m awakened most mornings with my heart thumping, pulse racing wildly, body alive with desire, and my vagina demanding release.

  Greedy bitch.

  I’m crazy to have this crush. He won’t look twice at me and yet, there was a spark between us at the pool—a connection I can’t explain. It felt perfect and right. The sizzle between us was off the charts. I wanted him to take me right then and there, not caring where we were or even who heard us. I’m damn sure he felt what I did. There was no mistaking the lust in his eyes.

  Leaning back on the couch, I take a deep breath. I need to make sense of everything in my mind. Right now, it’s a scrambled mess, and I’m not sure if I’m coming or going.

  Picking up my phone, I unlock the screen and open my message app. I hover over Ben’s name. We need to talk and sooner rather than later. I’ve let him be for the last week because he just got home from Australia and has been busy ever since, and so have I. But now, it’s time to tell him everything and end things; for his sake rather than my own. He texted me earlier in the week, telling me he loves me, proving his feelings are stronger for me than mine are for him. I didn’t reply to that message because I didn’t know how. I don’t feel the way he does.

  Re-reading my words, I hit send.

  Me: Hey, we need to talk when you are free next.

  Short and simple. I cast my gaze to my empty wine glass.

  One more can’t hurt.

  I stand, pick up my glass and head into the kitchen. As I’m pouring my drink, I hear the sound of my front door opening, followed by the delighted squeals of my adorable twin nieces Skylar and Hazel. It’s a surprise to see them today. I didn’t think we were having a family dinner until next week. Their squeals echo down the hall until they appear in the room, spinning around like two pink and purple tornados.

  My parents are away on holiday, cruising somewhere around Europe. My dad is a builder, and Mum, a midwife. Paula met her husband Bryan when he became Dad’s apprentice when they were both in their early twenties. Paula actually knocked Bryan out with a big piece of timber. It was love at first sight. Well, it was, when Bryan finally woke up in hospital with my sister hovering over him, crying because she thought she’d killed him.

  “Girls stop, or you’re going to break something,” my sister Paula calls. It doesn’t stop them; in fact, I think it only makes them go faster. “They’re terrors, I’m sure of it.” She sighs.

  “But they’re adorable and cute,” I croon, turning to grab another wine glass down from the cupboard.

  “You’re welcome to keep them Steph, then maybe Paula and I can get a good night’s sleep,” Paula’s husband Bryan chuckles as he places two containers into the fridge.

  “Did you bring dessert?” I ask Paula.

  “Tiramisu and chocolate mousse.”

  “Did I ever tell you you’re my favourite sibling?” I laugh, pouring her a drink.

  “I’m your only sibling, but I’ll take that compliment.” She takes the glass from me, and we settle on the couch in my living room beneath the window. The girls have already pulled the toys out from where I keep them and are already fighting over one doll. I should’ve bought two of the same.

  “What brings you by? Not that I don’t want to see you, but I’m curious.”

  Paula swallows her mouthful. “Well, actually, we were wondering if you would design the girls Christmas dresses for our family photo this year?”

  “You’re organised, but sure I can do that. Just tell me what you need or want, and I’ll do it.”

  “Will you make them too?” she asks. I throw her a look as if to say who else is going to make them if I don’t? “Alright, I’ll take that to mean yes.”

  “How have you been?” I ask her.

  “Great. Business is going fantastic. We’re getting a few new clients which is great. How about you?”

  “Not too bad. I’m hoping to check out a few empty spaces to be able to open my own shop this week, but from what I’ve viewed so far, it’s not looking great.”

  “That’s fantastic. How’s the love life? Are you still seeing that guy?”

  “Ben. I’m going to break up with him.”

  “What? Why?” Paula blurts out.

  “Like I told Aria. The spark isn’t there. I don’t feel a connection between us. I don’t want to string him along when my heart isn’t in it.”

  “You have to have that spark. Bryan and I still do. We still have our nights away from the girls to connect as a couple because being parents is hard work.”

  Bryan looks at her. “That’s sweet honey, but are you sure that’s what she’s looking for? You know fairy tales don’t happen in real life.”

  Paula looks at him and smiles. “I’m just saying that she needs to feel head over heels in love with her man.”

  “So, you found your Prince Charming when we met?” he asks.

  “I did, and I couldn’t be happier.”

  He chuckles. “I’m putting another baby in you tonight.”

  Her eyes light up. “You want to put another baby in me?”

  “You did just sweet talk your way into bed.” He laughs.

  “Mummy, are you having a baby?” Skylar pipes up.

  “No, sweetheart, not yet.” Paula winks at me. I know she’ll get her way tonight and he will put another baby or two in her. I will laugh if she has twins again.

  “Mummy, I don’t want another sister,” Skylar says, pouting. She’s cute and has about as much sass as I do. “I want a brother.”

  “You don’t get a choice, sweetie,” Bryan says, kneeling beside his girls, hiding something behind his back.

  “But Daddy,” Skylar whines. Of the two, she’s the most outgoing.

  “How about dessert?” He produces two bowls of mousse from behind his back. They squeal so loudly; I think my eardrums might explode.

  “You really want another one?” I ask as the room goes silent.

  “What can I say? My man is sexy being a daddy. I can’t resist him.”

  I take a sip of my drink as I watch them interact like a couple of teenagers. Ten years together and they’re still madly in love. Maybe if I can find the courage to tell Jake how I feel, I hope we can be this happy someday.

  Jake

  “One freshly dry-cleaned army uniform for you, and two uniforms for Toby,” Aria announces as she enters the house. She places her bag over the cou
ch and carries the uniforms over to the dining room table to lay them flat on it. She’s also carrying a six-pack of beer.

  Best sister ever.

  “Did I ever tell you you’re my favourite sibling?” I chuckle.

  “You only like me because I do all the jobs you don’t want to do yourself.”

  “Not true. You also bring me beer.”

  Aria rolls her eyes at me. “Are you going to make me a coffee or do I have to do it myself?”

  I huff. “I’ll do it.” I get off the couch and head into the kitchen. I flick on the jug and grab two cups down from the cupboard, slamming the door shut in the process.

  “What crawled up your butt and died?” Aria asks, plonking herself down on the couch.

  “Nothing.”

  “Could’ve fooled me.”

  There is something on my mind, but my sister does not need to know about the dirty thoughts I’ve been having about her best friend. Since the day at the pool, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Stephanie.

  I’m dreaming of her wearing some sexy lingerie, tied in ropes to my headboard while I pleasure her beyond her wildest dreams. I can see it now in my mind’s eye. Her, writhing in pleasure against my tongue while she pulls on the ropes trying to reach her release.

  The thought has my cock straining against the fabric of my jeans. She’d look so fucking sexy tied to my bed; or with her hands bound behind her back while she sucked my cock.

  I need to stop this shit. I shouldn’t be thinking about Stephanie like this.

  “Earth to Jake,” Aria’s voice calls in my ear, making me jump a little. I turn around to find her right behind me.

  “Don’t do that, would you! It’s creepy.”

  “What were you thinking about?” she asks.

  “Nothing you need to know.” I continue making her drink and decide to open a beer for myself instead. I try to move to the fridge without Aria noticing the situation I’m in. My cock is demanding release, and to get it, I want to go bang down Stephanie’s door and fuck the living hell out of her, ruining her for anyone else, and then I might get to call her mine.