Garden of Sins

27. Uninhibited, Caden

Alayna

I sit next to you, Caden.

At some point during the last four weeks, I ended up almost living with you. I hardly ever go home anymore and sometimes, I feel guilty about Dad. I check in on him occasionally, but it not enough.

Still, I can’t tear myself away because you, Caden, were with your grandpa for two weeks and I saw you far too seldom. That’s why I haven’t left your side in the last four weeks and all the concerns I had have vanished into thin air because nothing irritating has happened lately. I fall asleep beside you and I wake up beside you. No ominous trips to Carter’s garage, only your games vary. Sometimes, you change gears so quickly I can hardly keep up.

But I can’t get you out from under my skin and I don’t want to. I don’t want to leave here or you.

Even your parents have gotten used to me and practically adopted me.

Ava is talking about some stupid cow from her school that’s been bugging her. Emilia does everything she can to appear interested, but she doesn’t really listen to her. Across from me, Carter is stoned again. He should stop because college is about to start again. Meanwhile, we talk from time to time and don’t hate each other that much anymore. He is only occasionally a parasite, but I haven’t warmed up to him yet.

I’m about to cut my steak when I suddenly feel your hand between my legs. Caden! No careful caressing, no groping, you are right where you want to be because it’s yours. Roughly, you push my legs apart. I flinch so violently that I bump my knee against the tabletop and rise.

“Is something wrong, Alayna?” Carter asks with his mouth full, naturally, and I shake my head with my lips pursed. Holy shit, does it have to be now?

“You appear to be a little red, baby girl. Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?” you ask and press your fingers against the seam of my jeans so that it rubs against me and my throbbing spots. While doing so, you shove a potato between your perfect lips. This is you: One touch and I am aroused and on the cusp of an orgasm. Caden. What are you doing? Huh?

You never take long. As you bend over to grab the ketchup with your left hand, you whisper in my ear, “Keep still and be quiet, Alayna, or I won’t let you come for a week.” As long as your games are limited to this, I’m fine with it, Caden.

Finally, you grab the ketchup and lean back as if nothing has happened. I’m about to burst, Caden, honestly. To keep your parents from noticing us, I grit my teeth as you start to slowly brush up and down while you eat with the other hand. God, Caden, honestly, now? Your mother is sitting at this table. I mean, what the hell is this? God, that feels good. My eyes are about to close. Fuck!

“Don’t you like it, Alayna?” Carter asks from across the table, who seems to know exactly what you’re doing. I don’t like it. I press my eyes shut, I don’t want him to see this.

“Oh, no, isn’t it well done? Let me see,” Emilia says, wanting to get up and take my plate, but I wave my fork and knife in the air to stop her.

“No, no, no, everything is fine, everything is perfect. Totally perfect,” I gasp breathlessly and you intensify your finger strokes. I. Die. Momentarily.

Emilia looks at me with a wrinkled brow. “Okay.”

Mason narrows his eyes.

Ava continues babbling on about that stupid bitch.

“Should we study for your next exam, baby girl?” you ask softly and rub a little harder. The firm fabric of the jeans continues pressing against my throbbing center, which grows increasingly sensitive.

“YES!” I almost moan and try with all my strength not to lift my butt from the chair. “Please.”

“You’re euphoric when you’re learning,” Carter says drily and Mason exclaims,

“It wouldn’t hurt you either, Carter!” With his fork, he points at his son.

“And what do you need to study?” Your most outstanding quality is never letting up, no matter what it is about.

After some consideration, I changed my subject — from literature to media design.

“Something with illustration,” I gasp as my heart beats faster and faster and my pelvis twitches.

“Are you not feeling well, Alayna?” Ava asks with a frown. “You look a bit strange, almost as if ...” She falls silent when you look at her and roll your eyes.

“I’m great!” I hiss more aggressively than pla

“Okay,” Ava says, irritated, and looks back at her plate, shaking her head as if she no longer understands the world and mutters something.

“I need a beer,” Mason says and stands up with raised eyebrows, mumbling something about “fucking toads” and “stupid girl.” I can’t disagree with him. I’d love to bury my face in your shoulder because I am actually coming in the middle of the family di

“Do you need a drink, baby? Are you choking?” Like nothing happened. You really are the spawn of the devil. The devil is returning to the table with a beer, by the way.

“Yes, I’d love one,” I say, breathing heavily and nodding like crazy.

“Ava, water!” you command as if she is a maid.

“Whoa,” she groans. “Mom, let him get his own water. He is much closer than I am.” She seems uncomprehending and indignant. You stare at her and silently, so your father doesn’t see, lift your index finger and form the word “ONE” with your lips. I flinch, even though it is not directed at me, while I try to control my breathing and calm my heartbeat.

Ava jumps up immediately and almost sprints to the water.

“Fuck,” she whispers to herself. “Fucking psycho.”

“No swearing, missy,” your mom calls after her.

Mason bends over to Emilia’s ear. “Oh, she should speak, baby.”

“Shit, Mason, can’t you back me up for once? They wouldn’t be the way they are if you and I pulled together,” Emilia explains diplomatically.

“You are welcome to pull on something else, Emilia.” Mason grins broadly and invitingly at his wife.

“EW, DAD!” Carter cries out wide-eyed and Mason directs his gaze to you as if you were a disruptive factor in his life.

“You two better shut up. I have eyes in my head, so just be quiet.” I want to sink into the ground and lean my head on the palm of my hand, still clutching the knife and fork.

“Is something wrong, Alayna?” Emilia asks softly and I groan.

“No, no, it’s nothing, really nothing. I’m merely exhausted,” I whine.

“You should lie down. Why don’t you go up to Caden’s room and rest? I’m sure the three of you are not used to getting up so early after spring break.”

I jump up the minute she says it. God bless Emilia.

“Yeah, that is a good idea, Emilia. Thanks for di

With that, you let go of me and I go to do exactly what you said because my head is completely muddled and I can’t do anything else now.