Writing Prompt: Family Friend, Clandestine Sex
Mr. Steve was practically family. He always came over for holidays and celebrations. He used to pick me up from school when my folks got held up at work. He was like an honorary uncle. He'd always been a comforting and steady presence in my life. But lately he felt different.
His usual greeting and departing hugs felt a beat longer and whenever I looked at him he was already watching and smiling at me. It wasn't anything rude or troubling, just different. He wasn't the way he was before but it felt like only I noticed a difference.
I didn't mind really. His hugs always felt good. He would squeeze just enough for me to feel his strength but not enough to hurt and he always smelled nice. Like cedar and dark rum. And catching each other's eyes turned into a sort of game. Sometimes he'd make a face that let me know he saw what I just did if I pinched some food from someone's plate or moved with the music and thought no one saw. A few times when a raunchy joke was told or some saucy innuendo floated through the conversation we caught eyes and he'd wink. It was our secret language. He saw me even when no one else did and he kept my secrets. He knew when I poured a nip of Jack into my cup. Everyone else only saw the coke. He knew when I understood the reason why my cousin "couldn't sit for a week" after a fun night with her new boyfriend. No one else saw my giggle.
Everyone was at my aunts house for the Fourth of July. There were people in the back yard tossing bean bags, people in the basement playing pool, most of the kids in the back den watching something or other on the big screen. And then there was me. Milling about, not really fitting into any of the groups. Too young to hang with the older cousins, too old to stay with the youngsters. At 18 I lived in the in-between. The kitchen and hallway spaces. One of the aunties or tired parents would ask for a refill of this or go tell so-n-so to get something out the car. I was a helpful runner. If people came in the kitchen looking for something I was on it. 'Big spoons are in the middle drawer.' When the doorbell rang I opened, smiled and said my hello how've you beens, took whatever covered dish needed to be put up and went back to wandering.
*ding dong ding dong*
Me and my red solo cup headed for the door ready with a smile for whatever family member was arriving. Mr. Steve smiled back brightly.
"Hey Mr. Steve." My face felt hot. I waited awkwardly while he came through the threshold so I could close up the front door behind him. The space felt tight. He turned to face me with a big warm smile.
"Hey little girl."
Ugh, why did he still call me that. It was cute when I was younger but now it chafed at me. I'm sure he read the annoyance on my face. His smile dimmed as he arched a brow at my coolness.
"Oh, you're mad so I don't get my hug."
His chuckle bothered me but for some reason it was also endearing. I leaned in to hug him and he wrapped his arms around me. With the door behind me and him blocking the rest of the entryway in front of me I felt cocooned. He leaned in close to my ear and whispered, "That's what I thought." I didn't know what he meant but he felt and smelled good. He squeezed me harder to him and I felt the length of him press into my hip. I was shocked and I'm sure he felt my startle but he didn't move. He just hugged me in the vestibule. I smelled his cologne and spread the fingers of my free hand across his back. He felt solid against my palm. My heart was starting to beat kinda hard. He pulled back abruptly but smiled down at me. His eyes were heavily lidded and his expressions felt exciting. He winked and turned to head into the house. I was left in the entryway trying to sort out what just happened.
Was he hard just now. Did he know I felt that. I should have said something or angled away or something. A million thoughts flitted through my head but I couldn't focus on them over the feeling of warmth pooling in my panties. Dude cool it. Mr. Steve was attractive yes, and I guess I liked him but I was not about to start something with a grown man let alone one who was practically family.
I went back to my in-between. But for the next few hours while people visited and then later when everyone made their plates and ate, I could not stop looking at Mr. Steve. I really tried to focus on looking normal. I'd just need to go to the backyard to the cooler get a pop and head back into the kitchen. But my eyes, like magnets, would stop on Mr. Steve, who was laughing and relaxing in the middle of the guys out back, but still would catch me looking. This happened over and over. I'd come to visit with the elder ladies, to see if anyone wanted anything and there was Mr. Steve's gaze. I'd come to take one of the babies for a walk around to give their mother's arms a break and there was Mr. Steve smirking. I was coming up the stairs after visiting with the card and pool players in the basement and there was Mr. Steve winking as he walked past.
I decided to stay put in the kitchen. This game of 'I see you' didn't used to rattle me so much. I can hear the house is starting to settle down. People are full and sitting around drinking and talking quietly with the occasional peels of laughter while people reminisce. I'm on autopilot, drying some dishes at the sink. My mind drifting back to the vestibule. I was pretty lost in reliving the memory and didn't notice anyone else's presence.
"Hey little girl."
His voice from right behind me startled me, but I didn't turn around. No more eyes.
"Why do you keep calling me that." I huff, trying to chase him off with prickliness.
"Because that's what you are." He chuckles in his chest which annoys me. I decide I'll just ignore him. You don't feed the trolls. He's quiet for a while. A long while. A really long while. Just as I'm thinking I should maybe turn around to confirm he's still actually there, I feel him press against my back.