Did he just smirk at me? And what was the point of his question? It was as if he wanted to test my knowledge about his bed life with my mother. Tsk, I wasn't that innocent, even though people thought I was an innocent girl, because I had never dated anyone.

“Umm… My mother might be exhausted taking care of the house alone while I’m busy with my college projects.”

“Yeah, maybe she is. Let’s sit over there while we wait for boarding. You’ll love the view.”

“Okay. How long until boarding?”

“About an hour.”

This was the first time I had a conversation this close with Raviel. Usually we only had short chats at the dining table during breakfast or dinner. Our respective busy schedules made it impossible for us to talk. Raviel was even busier because sometimes he had to go abroad to take care of his businesses.

“How’s your college so far?”

My body stiffened. Raviel’s palm pressed against my lower spine as he guided me to a table for two near the large window that directly faced the runway. Again, this was the first time we had any physical contact other than a handshake and a brief hug after he officially married my mother a year ago. As a stepdaughter, I knew my limits in not getting close to him because my mother showed displeasure when I got too close to her handsome and rich young husband. Sometimes, she acted absurdly, viewing me as a rival out to steal her husband away.

“All good. Thank you for the support you have given me so far. I was able to attend several workshops and seminars because of your help.”

“Never mind. You are a smart girl. Shame, your mother wasted your intelligence by not giving you a proper education.”

“Yeah, I can understand our economic situation. Especially since her second husband ran off with our money. It was a real blow to us, especially my mother.”

“That bastard is in jail.”

I was shocked. I was about to ask him how it happened, but a waitress came to interrupt us.

“What can I get you something, sir?”

“A dirty martini for me and champagne for her.”

“Anything else? Maybe you’d like some breakfast or sweets before your flight?”

Raviel stared at me with his blue eyes that made me feel like I was going to melt in my seat right now. Dammit. Was he trying to give me a heart attack at a young age?

-00-

“Since my stepdaughter just had breakfast at home and I don’t feel like eating anything, you can bring her some raspberry mousse cake. I’m sure it won’t fill her up.”

“Yes, sir. Please wait a moment.”

Raviel looked at me and smiled.

“I hope you like the raspberry mousse cake. I admit we haven’t been very close lately because of my busy schedule. I don’t even know what your favorite food is.”

“I’ll definitely like it. I’m not picky about food,” I assured him.

“Mom said you have several businesses. May I know what they are?”

“I can’t name them one by one, but one of them is an internet café. My business network spans the Americas and Europe.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. No wonder you’re so rich.”

A silence settled between us. Raviel was busy watching the planes landing and taking off. It was amazing, but I had a question that was bothering me about my mother’s second husband, Borris Smith.

“Just say it. I know you have something you want to ask me.”

Wow, he was amazing. He knew exactly what I was thinking without even turning to look at me.

“About Borris Smith, how do you know he’s in jail now?”

“I know because I was the one who put him in jail.”

Raviel turned to me, and suddenly he squeezed my palm that was lying on the table.

“Don’t worry, he will be punished for his crimes. Even though the money he stole from you won’t be returned, since he gambled it all away, I guarantee he’ll suffer in prison.”

“T-thank you,” I stuttered.

My gaze remained fixed on my hand, still held by my stepdad. It felt warm and comforting. I felt safe with him. All this time, I had never felt at ease or secure around any man. That was why I’d never entered into a romantic relationship. I had been traumatized by witnessing the failed relationships my mother had with her ex-husbands and her countless lovers. Yet, I hoped that one day I might find a man as wonderful as Raviel to be my boyfriend, or, if I were lucky, my husband.

“I hope this trip will allow us to get to know each other better. Maybe after we get back from Hawaii, I will know what your favorite food is, and things I never knew about you before.”

“I can’t wait to get to know you better. You don’t seem like the cold, stiff stepfather I always thought you were.”

“So, that’s what you thought of me all this time?”

I raised my eyebrows and gave a slight shrug.

“What did you expect? We only saw each other for a few minutes at breakfast. We didn’t always see each other at dinner because of your work and my college assignments.”

“Well, we really do need a vacation to bond. I’m not who you imagined.”

“Yeah, I get the feeling you’re someone who’s fun to talk to and hang out with.”

“Don’t worry, we’re going to have a great two weeks in Hawaii. I hear there are lots of fun things to do there.”

The waitress came over with our order. I was amazed by the beautiful raspberry mousse cake. It was beyond my expectations. I had imagined a simple layered cake with raspberry cream, but I was wrong. The raspberry mousse cake actually looked like a real raspberry.

“Wow, this is a beautiful cake.”

“Try it. It tastes good.”

“I assume you’ve had it before.”

The cake was too beautiful to eat. I couldn't even bring myself to cut it with a fork.

“A few times when I had a business trip.”

“Your job sounds fun. I wish I had a job like yours, traveling abroad a few times a month. It must be exciting to meet new people every day.”

“Not really.”

I was too focused on the beautiful cake in front of me and didn’t pay much attention to Raviel’s expression.

“Here you are.”

The smile on my face faded. My mother came in with an annoyed face and her hands on her hips. She was clearly not happy to see me with her husband.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere, Raviel.”

See, my mother was only worried about Raviel, and not the least bit worried about me. She treated Raviel like a precious diamond that had to be taken care of. Meanwhile, my mother treated me like I was just a worthless rock that was found on the street.

“I’m enjoying a martini while watching the planes.”

“And Claire, haven’t you had breakfast at home? That cake will make you fat. No wonder no man asks you out. You’re fat and ugly.”

The raspberry mousse cake suddenly tasted bland in my mouth. I lowered my head deeply, feeling both ashamed and angry at my mother’s hurtful words. She had not only embarrassed me in front of Raviel, but also in front of the waiters in this lounge and several other passengers about to board the plane.

“Karina, don’t ruin our vacation with your anger. That cake won’t make Claire fat. She’s not dating because she’s unattractive, but because she wants to focus on her studies. She’s an excellent student.”

“Don’t try to defend her in front of me. I’m teaching her to be an attractive woman. What’s the point of being smart if no guy wants to date her, huh?”

“Karina, you better—”

“You don’t have to defend me. Mom’s right, I’m ugly and fat. No man will ever want to date me.”

I grabbed my sling bag and ran to the gate. I couldn’t stand being humiliated by my mother any longer in that place. Luckily, the flight attendant had allowed the first class passengers to board the plane. I’d better keep my distance from my mother if I didn’t want my first vacation to Hawaii to be ruined by her anger.

“This is your seat, Ms, as written on your ticket.”

“Thank you.”

“What would you like for a welcome drink?”

“I’m fine.”

“Okay. If you need anything, press this button. I am the flight attendant on duty to serve you on this flight.”

“Okay, thanks.”

Thirty minutes after takeoff, I began to feel restless because I needed to use the lavatory. I glanced back. Everyone was sitting quietly in their seats. My mother was watching a movie and seemed completely engrossed. She was wearing a headset.

I quickly unfastened my seatbelt and stepped out of my pod. Raviel looked up at me, as he was seated right behind my pod. I smiled at him and signaled with my fingers that I was heading to the lavatory. Raviel put his phone in the console, then looked back.

“Go ahead. There’s no one in the lavatory.”

“How did you know?”

“The indicator light.”

I nodded slowly.

“Okay.”

Everything was fine at first, then the plane shook quite hard. I was the only one standing in the aisle and halfway to the bathroom. I let out a yelp of surprise when the plane shook again. This time it shook harder. My body was thrown back and hit Raviel's pod. I groaned in pain before straightening my back. The plane continued to shake, and I started to panic.

Suddenly, Raviel's arms wrapped around my waist, and pulled me towards him. My butt landed right on his thigh. My breath hitched. He hugged my waist tightly. His eyes were locked on mine.

"It's okay, it's just turbulence."

"I-I'll go back to my pod," I squirmed uncomfortably on his lap.

"It's too dangerous to walk down the aisle during turbulence. You could get thrown against the ceiling and hurt."

Raviel was right. I had to wait until the turbulence stopped before going back to my place. But how could I possibly be calm when I was sitting on my stepdad's lap?!

My skirt had ridden up, and my inner thighs brushed against Raviel's jeans every time the plane shook. Oh God, the feeling was indescribable. It was so pleasurable, yet felt so naughty. I nearly let out a moan right in his face. My body trembled under his intense gaze. He must have known what I was thinking, because my face was flushing. This was the first time I’d ever shared such intimate physical contact with a man.

"How are you feeling, Claire?"

Raviel’s warm breath brushed against my ear. A shiver ran through me. My whole body felt hot from the intensity of the sensations stirring deep within me. His hand was no longer on my waist. It had moved to my thigh, stroking up and down.

"Do you like your new seat?"

“S-sorry. The turbulence made it impossible for me to go to the bathroom or get back to my pod.”

My hands were shaking as I pushed Raviel’s palms off my thighs. I smoothed my skirt and tried to sit still on his lap, which felt searingly hot. I hoped Raviel wouldn't notice the wetness in my panties. I might just explode right there in his lap if the shaking didn't stop soon.

“Relax. You’re so tense, Claire.”

“Is-is this plane going to crash? Why is the turbulence taking so long?”

“Relax. We’re just passing through a storm cloud. Everything will be fine.”

Nothing will be fine as long as I’m sitting on your lap!

I wanted to tell him that so badly, but I felt like I had mud in my throat. My ass was grinding against something hard, but I didn’t know what it was. It felt so good. I ground it once more, and it pressed right into my sensitive spot. I let out a soft moan involuntarily. This was a pleasurable torture. I couldn’t stop. I kept grinding, and grinding. Raviel didn’t say anything as I did it. Maybe he enjoyed it as much as I did.

“We’ve passed the storm cloud.”

Suddenly Raviel lifted me up. My cheeks flushed as I struggled to steady myself on my slightly unsteady legs. I glanced down at Raviel's thigh and was surprised to see a prominent bulge there.

So, that was his….

God! That was embarrassing. I did something indecent to my stepdad.

I stole a glance at Mother. Fortunately, her attention was still fixed on the movie she was watching, and she was completely unaware of what her daughter had just done to her husband.

“It's ok, Claire. Go to the lavatory now. The turbulence has stopped.”

“Th-thanks.”

“For what?”

“For…” I bit my lip nervously. I was sure Raviel had felt it too, yet he appeared so composed, as if nothing had happened between us.

“For keeping me safe during the turbulence.”

“My pleasure. It is my duty to ensure my stepdaughter’s safety.”

I didn’t know what Raviel thought of me after that incident. It made me feel incredibly embarrassed. For the rest of the flight, I sat motionless in my pod, like a statue. I tried to take my mind off things by watching Despicable Me, but instead of making me feel better, the Minions only reminded me of the bulge between Raviel’s thighs.

God, please help me!