All Nathan was interested in was giving me leg-shaking orgasms.
"Okay, fine. Let's at least be civil at this lunch."
He stepped closer to me, practically inches away from my lips. "I'm always civil."
"Yeah, right. You're more like a wild animal."
"I think I like that. I think you like it, too."
"No, thanks. I don't want to get dirty."
I slipped passed him and he laughed, following me down the steps. I could feel his eyes burning a hole in my ass, a second asshole built from his intense lust, but I just ignored it.
Downstairs, I found Dad and Lucille sitting out on the veranda while the kitchen staff served plates of food. I took a seat across from my dad, and Nate obnoxiously sat right next to me.
"We thought you kids weren't coming," Dad said.
"Sorry about that, sir. Had to wake this lazy bones up," Nate replied, giving him a knowing smile.
"Please, Nathan, call me Jonathan."
"Jonathan. Your daughter sure can sleep."
"Yes, well, it's one of her biggest talents."
I rolled my eyes. "I'm sitting right here."
Suddenly, I felt Nate's rough hand land on my thigh, inches away from my pussy. I felt heat flare up through my legs immediately, and I had to wrestle with myself not to jump out of my skin.
"Oh, we know," he said, looking at me.
"Okay, guys," I managed to say.
"Just teasing you, dear."
I felt my face turn red as Nate's hand slowly moved closer to my spot. I had to throw a napkin over my lap for fear that our parents would notice. Nathan laughed to himself as he pulled his hand away just before he touched me. I felt a strange sense of relief mixed with disappointment.
"Such a lovely day," Lucille said.
"It really is," Nathan replied, digging into his food.
I picked at mine idly. What was he playing at here? I could tell he barely got along with his mom just from being in the same room as them for two minutes. There was no way a guy like him was interested in staying in the same house as his mother, let alone an absurd mansion like my dad's place.
And yet on the surface, he was playing the perfect gentleman. I could tell Dad was eating up the "sir" bullshit, since it probably made him feel powerful and respected. Nate had to know that, but what was he aiming for?
"Did you guys have fun last night?" my dad asked me, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Oh, uh, yeah. We had lots of fun."
"What did you do?" Nate asked me innocently.
"Went to one of my dad's clubs with a friend. We had fun until some asshole ruined it."
Dad frowned. "Did a man give you trouble?"
"No, not really. He was just some obnoxious guy."
"I can have a word with the management, make sure they don't allow any riffraff inside in the future."
I smiled sweetly, looking right at Nate. "That would be wonderful, Dad."
"Very good. Nathan, have you been to any of my restaurants?"
"Not yet, Jonathan. There's only one thing of yours that I want to eat."
My eyes widened and I felt a thrill run through me.
"What's that?" Dad asked, confused.
"This delicious lobster. It's absolutely incredible," Nate replied. He cracked the tail loudly.
Dad nodded. "It sure is. I will tell the cook you enjoyed it."
I let out a breath and took another bite to eat. I couldn't believe he was pushing so hard. My dad could be totally oblivious sometimes, but there were limits to what he could get away with. The prick was going to say something too crazy and get himself kicked out.
Then again, maybe that wouldn't be so bad.
We began to eat in silence, and I noticed Lucille hadn't said much. She was busy working on a Bloody Mary and looking out at the ocean, barely pretending to care about the people in front of her. I could see where Nathan got his wonderful manners from.
"Nathan," Dad said suddenly, "you're a Navy man."
"That's right."
"How would you like to come out on my yacht?"
Nathan smiled sweetly. "I would love nothing more."
I wanted to gag.
"Wonderful. Claire, dear, why don't you join us?"
"I don't know, Dad. I'm not a huge fan of the open ocean."
"Are you sure?" Nathan asked. "There's nothing more exciting. I could teach you a thing or two out there."
"Yes, that would be wonderful, Nathan. You should absolutely teach my daughter some nautical tricks of the trade."
He nodded. "I can teach her some knots, how to properly tie up. I won't get you too wet, I promise."
I blushed again, clenching my jaw. "No, thanks, Nathan. I think I'd rather drown myself in the tub instead."
"Claire!" Dad snapped, his eyes narrowing. "What's the matter with you?"
"It's okay, Jonathan. She must still be annoyed from getting her nap interrupted."
Dad sighed and shook his head. "Women can be so moody sometimes."
I wanted to smack both of them. Dad was such a boring, stuck-up, old-school sexist, and Nate was clearly just playing along to annoy me.
"That's enough, boys," Lucille cut in suddenly. "No need to gang up on poor Claire."
I started to eat again, eager for the conversation to move on.
"Speaking of that," Lucille went on. "What are your plans for this summer, Nathan?"
"I'm on leave, Mother. I plan on relaxing until my next deployment."
She nodded, sipping her drink. "I was hoping you'd maybe get a job, do something a little less . . . barbaric."
I could feel Nate tense beside me.
"I have a job. It's protecting ungrateful civilians like you."
"Nathan, your mother is just looking out for you. I have plenty of businesses that you could work at, if you wanted to make an extra buck," Dad cut in, trying to placate the situation.
"Oh, he certainly needs an extra buck," Lucille continued. "The Army doesn't exactly pay much, does it, Nate?"
"The Navy," he said through clenched teeth, "pays just fine."
"Oh, maybe, but you're always traveling, running around the world shooting your guns like wild men. Why don't you give something more respectable a shot, Nathan?"
I thought, for just a second, that Nathan was going to throw something at her. I saw a twitch in his face, but suddenly he took a deep breath and composed himself. I guessed that was his military discipline taking over.
"No, thank you, Lucille." He pushed his chair out and stood up. "My job is enough for me." Without another word, he turned and walked away from the house, down toward the beach.
I watched him disappear for a moment as an awkward silence descended on the table. His strong body walked calmly and confidently toward the beach. He kicked off his shoes and continued on, following the water line, out of sight.
"Well," Lucille said, "that was awkward."
Dad looked at me. "Claire, honey, why don't you take him out on the boat tomorrow?"
I sighed. "Why would I do that, Dad?"
"Because I want him to feel welcome, and I want you two to become friends. You're siblings now."
"Stepsiblings," I mumbled.
"Is that a yes?"
"I don't know. He doesn't seem that interested."
"He sure seemed interested when I brought it up. Please, honey, I'm asking you nicely."
I knew I couldn't say no. Dad did so much for me, and I was his perfect little princess, after all. I couldn't possibly disappoint him.
Even though I wanted to. I desperately wanted to rebel against everything he said and did, which was probably part of why I was so excited every time Nate said something sexual right in front of him. I loved how cocky and confident Nate was, even if it was completely over the top and embarrassing. It excited me, and I craved some excitement in my life.
But I couldn't imagine a day alone with him on a boat. I knew that he would try to get in my pants, or I guess in my swimsuit, all day long. And I wasn't sure I could keep him off me. Now that we were stepsiblings, though, maybe he would start to back off.
"Okay," I said reluctantly. "I'll take him."
Dad beamed. "That's my girl. Well, this was delicious, but I have some work to do." He stood up. "Ladies."
Lucille blew him a kiss, and I smiled as he left. I took another bite of my lunch and then quickly stood up to follow.
"Be nice to that boy," Lucille said suddenly.
"Excuse me?"
"Nathan. He doesn't understand people like us. He's always been a problem."
I frowned at her. "He seems like he has it together. He's a Navy SEAL. That's a huge deal."
She shrugged her shoulders and looked out at the ocean. "Maybe in some circles it is. But to me, he's just one big disappointment."
I stared at her, shocked that she'd outright admit to that, before turning and walking away without another word.
"Okay, so where's this thick hunk of sexy-ass muscles at? I want a quick peek at what he's packing."
"Come on, Lydie," I said, giggling. "Calm it with that."
"I can't calm myself. I know there's a hunk nearby. I need to at least see what we're working with before I can get myself under control."