Hello everyone. Here is my new story. This story is a romantic story and a SLOW BURN. If you are looking for a stroker story, you may need to move on to someplace else. I want to thank Navaura and JR for their help and encouragement. It is self-edited, so any mistakes are min and mine alone. Please read and enjoy. Also vote and share your thoughts with me.
Troy stepped into the foyer of his childhood home feeling a sense of normalcy engulf him. When he left for school, he never intended to stay away for so long. But once he got there and became so engrossed in his studies, staying away was pretty easy. Besides, she had moved to the ranch and he'd do anything he could to avoid her, his stepsister, Iesha.
Troy couldn't stand Iesha. He often wondered,
How could a woman as wonderful as his stepmother produce such a bitch of a daughter?
He recalled meeting his stepsister for the first time.
"Son, we're having dinner at a fancy restaurant tonight. Mary is bringing her little girl. I want you to be mindful and show your manners." Trent told his eighteen year old son.
Troy was always respectful. This trait had been driven into him by his Mom years before. He missed his Mom, but she was gone. Cancer had taken her and his dad had finally moved on. Mary was nice and Troy really liked her.
Why was Dad telling him this? He always minded his manners.
Troy thought.
He considered himself a good son. He had just turned seventeen when his Dad met Mary, and at first he was apprehensive; But as he got to know her, he developed a great deal of respect for the quiet spoken woman.
She was beautiful and he hoped to meet a girl just like her one day. Troy was not the most handsome guy, but Mary made him feel like he was. She always called him handsome, kind, and strong. Eventually, he started believing her. In fact, since she'd come into their lives, his confidence had grown and he'd even started dating.
The few girls he'd dated loved him, but often they'd want someone a little rougher. They told Troy he was just too nice.
He asked Mary about her daughter once, and saw sadness creep into her eyes. She explained the custody arrangements her ex-husband had with her. Troy couldn't believe that. Mary was perfect. How could anyone say she was not? He wanted to meet her ex-husband and tell him that his daughter was lucky to have Mary as a Mom.
Well soon he'd meet them. And he'd get to speak his mind. He was an adult now, and this was a free country. He didn't have to hold back.
"Son, I've heard quite a bit about her ex-husband and their daughter. The girl can be a handful and her Dad, well..., so please, son. We have to make a good impression on them for Mary's sake. She's already nervous, so I'm counting on you to be a gentleman like I raised you to be." Trent told his son.
They left the ranch a little after four pm, to drive miles away to the city. Troy didn't understand it, but his Dad was very excited and nervous.
Mary would normally meet them at the ranch and cook something. Why were they driving over one hundred miles away from home to meet her? Meeting some guy and her daughter wasn't that big of a deal.
They arrived in Carson and were at Avon's Restaurant within minutes. Dad pulled up front and one of the valets took the keys to the truck to park it. Troy and Trent entered the restaurant. Dressed in their Sunday best, they barely blended in with the upscale crowd.
As soon as they entered, the hostess greeted them and led them to their table where Mary was sitting with a gentleman waiting for them to arrive. When she saw them walk in, she looked relieved. The gentleman that was sitting with her saw them approaching and stood to shake both Trent and Troy's hands.
"Hello Trent, Troy. I'm Walter Michaels, Mary's ex-husband." He greeted, shaking their hands. "I'm so glad to meet you both. Trent, I know this was out of the way for you, but I'm only in the area for business tonight. Mary informed me that she was seeing someone and wanted our daughter to meet you. I hope you understand. I wanted to be here to make sure she's comfortable with you before allowing her to visit with Mary."
Trent looked at Mary whose face was dejected. He suspected that Walter had a few harsh words for her. He was instantly irritated. When he first met Mary, she was so withdrawn that it took six months of him teasing her to get her to open up to him. She needed a job, and he offered her a position of housekeeper at his ranch. Soon after, she met Troy. Under Mary's love and guidance, Troy had blossomed into a well outspoken, outgoing young man.
Trent knew that her ex-husband had obtained full custody of their daughter and only allowed limited visitation to Mary. He lorded his right over her at every opportunity. As the father of Mary's child, he also felt he had the right to screen her suitors.
Trent was about to let Mr. High and Mighty, Walter Michaels, know what he thought of him when he heard the softest sound.
A lovely young woman walked in. She was absolutely stunning. Creamy brown skin, lovely heart-shaped face with dimples, beautiful big brown eye, and long curly locks topped her short but sturdy frame. Troy, who was rendered speechless, was dumbfounded by her beauty. She was the spitting image of her mother.
"Ah, sweetheart, Come. Sit. This is your mother's friend Trent and his son," Walter stopped.
"Troy," Trent interjected. He didn't like Michaels. Mary was so quiet, as if she was afraid to speak.
"Right, Troy." Walter concluded as he held out his daughter's seat and she sat down.
Iesha glared at the two people who had joined them. She disliked them instantly. She hated when her parents dated others; it made it less likely that she'd get her wish. She watched that guy, Trent, look at her Mom, and even she could tell her really liked her. Then she looked at his son. Man he was cute, but he was the enemy. She'd treat them accordingly and then see if they still wanted to be around her mother.
Trent and Troy looked at the young lady that joined them and felt the waves of hostility towards them roll off of her. She didn't like them. Trent figured she wouldn't like any man that wasn't her father. Troy, on the other hand, was floored for a second by her natural beauty. With flawless skin, a creamy brown complexion, shoulder length black hair and the brightest brown eyes, he'd never seen a more beautiful girl. Then she opened her mouth and the illusion was shattered.
Mary, who saw Troy sitting and looking uncomfortable, finally spoke smiling. "Troy, you look so handsome tonight. I almost didn't recognize you." It was obvious her daughter was at her worse, but he shouldn't have to bear the brunt of her ill-manners. Troy beamed. Mary was always encouraging him. Always telling him how wonderful and special he was.
"Thank you, Mary. I'm glad you like what I'm wearing." Troy replied shyly.
Trent sat beside her and squeezed her hand. She returned the gesture and lifted her head. Iesha not one to be left out, made herself known.
"Momma, why did you wear that ugly dress? You should have let daddy buy you something nice to wear." She interjected rudely.
