I’m on my way back there now from my office. I can pick you up, he offers.
Perfect. How long?
Be there in twenty.
K. See you then.
I put on some jewelry and collect my things so I can leave. I lock the door on the way out and go down to the lobby to wait for Jayson.
Just about twenty minutes after his text, I notice a black town car pulling up and smile. Only one day has passed since we’ve seen each other, but it feels like so much longer. The car stops at my entrance and Jayson steps out of the back.
As usual. he looks amazing. Today he’s wearing gray slacks and a white button-down top. It’s similar to his usual outfit, but more official-looking for the office, I suppose. His hair is perfectly groomed and his eyes are shaded by dark sunglasses. A huge smile crosses his lips when he sees me on the sidewalk.
“Hello, beautiful.”
“Hello, handsome,” I reply, stepping toward him. He reaches out a hand and takes one of mine, pulling me closer to him. He gives me a soft kiss.
“I missed you,” he says.
I smile. “I missed you, too.”
Jayson holds the door open and I get into the back of the car. He follows behind me and the car starts making its way toward his building.
“So, are you ready?” he asks.
“Yes. And no. I don’t know,” I sigh.
“Well, it doesn’t matter much, because it’s happening whether you’re ready or not.”
“True. I’m ready. I just don’t want to fight. I wish my mother wasn’t making such a big deal out of everything.”
“Me too, but she is. Don’t worry, we’ll all be best friends by the time lunch is over,” he assures me with a smile.
“We’ll see,” I mutter in reply.
“Come on, Ashley. Just think positive,” Jayson says as we pull up to his building.
We get out of the car and walk through the lobby. Seconds after we enter Jayson’s apartment, the intercom rings. Fortunately, it’s just the lunch delivery. I’m not ready for Tom and my mother yet.
Jayson lets the two delivery guys from the gourmet sandwich shop down the block inside. They don’t just leave the food—they set up a small buffet on the kitchen island counter. Much different than the kind of food deliveries I’m used to.
“Wow, fancy,” I comment after they leave.
“Only the best for the best,” Jayson replies. “How about a little wine before the parents arrive?” Now that’s an offer I’ll happily accept.
He removes a bottle of white wine from the wine cooler under the counter. He pours each of us a glass and raises his to toast.
“Here’s to a bright future and a happy future stepmother and mother-in-law,” Jayson jokes.
“Ha. Ha. Can you not refer to her as that from now on? And who says she’s going to be your mother-in-law, anyway?”
“She will be. You’re mine, remember? You have no choice now,” he teases me. I laugh in response.
“You’re crazy,” I reply.
The intercom rings again and I know this time it has to be my mother and Tom. Jayson answers, and when he hangs up, he walks back over to me. He holds my chin in his hand and tilts my head up so we are looking into each other’s eyes.
“Don’t worry. We got this,” he says quietly.
Jayson kisses me on the lips for assurance. Even though it’s just a short kiss, it feels soft and sweet and full of love. He backs up and holds his palm up, waiting for a high-five.
“Let’s do this!” he says, switching gears to lighten the mood and making me laugh again.
I high-five him and he walks to the door to open it for our awaiting guests. I hear the ding of the elevator and the sound of Mom and Tom coming out of the elevator toward Jayson’s apartment. This is it.
“Hey, Dad! Hello, Cynthia,” Jayson greets them. He shakes his father’s hand and gives my mother a hug as they come in the door.
I’m a few feet behind Jayson. I put on my best smile and greet them next.
“Hi, Tom. Hey, Mom,” I say, giving each of them a hug.
“You look so pretty, Ashley,” my mother says after taking a step back.
“Thanks,” I reply. Maybe this won’t be so bad, after all.
We all find our way to the kitchen island. Jayson pours another two glasses of wine and hands them to Tom and Cynthia. We are awkwardly standing around, trying to get comfortable with each other. We all know why we are here, but I don’t think anyone wants to dive into a serious discussion.
Jayson takes a seat on a stool and helps himself to cheese and crackers. We all follow suit, picking on a couple of the appetizers from the small spread.
We make some small talk and try to ease the tension. It seems to work as we are all comfortably talking to each other about anything other than the topic at hand. Then Tom decides it’s time to get down to business.
“Well, I don’t know where to start, but let’s get this over with so we can sit down and eat some lunch. It looks delicious.”
“Way to be subtle, Dad,” Jayson says with a chuckle.
“You should know how I operate by now,” Tom replies. “As we’re obviously all aware, I’ve asked Cynthia to be my bride. And for some crazy reason, she said yes,” he continues, looking at my mother with reverence. “We don’t want to begin our new life together with any unnecessary strain or hard feelings. So I would like everyone to just lay it all out on the table. Let’s just say whatever it is that is on our minds so we can address it and move on.”
Jayson takes a sip of his drink and replies first. “I don’t think there’s too much to say. Ashley and I are dating. We didn’t mean for it to happen, but it did. It’s an unfortunate coincidence that our parents are marrying each other, but we’re adults and it really shouldn’t make a difference.”
“It is an unfortunate coincidence,” my mother replies. “I don’t think dating someone that you will be considered related to is appropriate.”
“I don’t think it matters. We are adults, not children. We also won’t all be living together under one roof. It’s not like we grew up together, or anything. The fact that you and my father will be married is only a technicality,” Jayson retorts and sips his wine again.
“It’s just not right. Would I call you my stepson, or my daughter’s boyfriend? Or God forbid, both?” she says sarcastically.
“Really, Mom? Why does it matter? Call him whatever you want. What’s the difference?” I chime in.
“It just doesn’t make sense. How many people do you know who date their relatives?” she answers.
“He’s not my relative!” I hiss. “So he’ll be my stepbrother. So what? All you care about is what other people think. You don’t even have a real reason.”
“I will always support you, Cynthia, but I have to agree on this point. They’re grown and can make their own choices. Our relationship shouldn’t and doesn’t make a difference in theirs,” Tom agrees. I silently cheer.
“I’m not going to fight about it, Tom. Maybe it’s just my own opinion or insecurities about what people think, but I can’t help how I feel,” my mom concedes. “If it weren’t for the age difference or Jayson’s…” She pauses, trying to think of the least offensive word. “…past, it wouldn’t concern me so much. But adding those to the equation, I just see disaster in the future. For all of us.”
“I can’t help my age,” Jayson replies calmly. “Maybe I’m immature, maybe Ashley is more mature, I don’t know. I wasn’t looking for some young girl to manipulate. We’re just attracted to each other.”
My mother snorts. “What could you possibly have in common with a college girl? You’ve been out of college for years. You’re a grown man with a career and a future. You’re an adult. Ashley still doesn’t have a major and her father pays her rent.”
“I don’t care what she studies or that she can’t afford an apartment in Manhattan yet,” Jayson bites back. “Ashley is beautiful. She’s also interesting, intelligent, and funny.
She makes me smile and we enjoy each other’s company. I care for her very deeply.” He’s staring at me. “Why should anything else matter?”
“How many women have you said cared for in the past? How many have you led on just to drop for the next one that comes along? How long can a girl hold your interest?” Mom snaps back.
“My past is exactly that—my past.” Jayson says more sternly. “It has no effect on my feelings for Ashley. I’ve never cared for a woman the way I care for her, nor have I pretended I did.”
“Cynthia, my son may be many things. but he has never been dishonest. I know he may not have the best reputation, but he’s a man who stands by his word. I don’t believe he would lie about his feelings or do something that he knows would jeopardize our happiness.” Tom says. I see my mother’s face soften slightly.
“My age doesn’t make a difference. You were my age when you married Dad! Jayson and I care for each other. and I’m happy. Isn’t that all that should matter?” I ask my mother.
“Yes, you’re the same age as when I married your father,” she says, “and look how well that turned out. What makes you think Jayson will be any different? You’re going to get older and he’s going to want a replacement. Just like your father.”
“Don’t compare him to Dad!” I yell. “Even if he is like my father, you loved him once, for many years. He wasn’t always the terrible person you make him out to be.” I stand up. I’m too wound up to sit down anymore. Jayson gets up and stands behind me. He places his hands on my shoulders. I see tears well in my mother’s eyes.
“I just don’t believe that a womanizer like that is going to change his ways. He will get bored and find someone else. Then where will you be? I’ll tell you—you will be hurt, and sad. I will wind up with hard feelings toward Jayson and Tom and I will be arguing about our children over something we could have put a stop to before it got to that point. All of us will be hurt.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Jayson replies in a loud but calm voice. “I am not your ex-husband. I can’t predict the future, but I know in my heart I will never hurt Ashley. I have never felt this way about another woman, ever. I love her.”
I look at him in shock. I feel like I’m going to cry now. Not only has Jayson told me he loves me, but he said it in front of my mother and Tom. Jayson brushes the hair away from my face and puts his hands on my shoulders.
“I love you, Ashley. I really do. I wish I could have told you under different circumstances,” he says softly.
“I love you too, Jayson.” I reply. We continue to look at each other for a few moments and then snap back into reality. My mother has tears streaming down her face as she watches us.
“I waited so long for my second chance at love,” my mother starts. “I realize now how selfish I have been. I’m sorry, Ashley. Sometimes it’s hard for me to remember you’re a woman. I can’t treat you like a child anymore. I have to let you live your life and make your own choices. I can see now that Jayson truly cares for you and I can’t stand in the way of that.”
Mom gets up from her seat and hugs me. “I’m so sorry. I love you,” she quietly tells me while we embrace.
“I love you too, Mom,” I reply. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
“Thank you for listening with an open ear, Cynthia,” Jayson says, giving my mother a hug. “I’m glad we got everything out in the open and squared away. I meant every word I said.”
“Now that we all love each other, can we eat lunch?” Tom interrupts.
“I see where you get your sense of humor now.” I whisper to Jayson, smiling.
We each make a plate and sit at the table. Everyone is talking and laughing like nothing was ever wrong. I’m reminded of the first night we all got together at my mother’s house and I smile. Jayson was right—everything is going to be okay.
ONE YEAR LATER
The weather is perfect and the backyard looks beautiful. Of all the parties my mother has hosted at her home, this one is by far the most amazing.
The florist has decorated a trellis with flowers and laid a roll of white fabric out to look like an aisle. There are white chairs set up on either side facing the archway and the bay beyond it. The handful of people that were invited are all seated patiently and talking quietly amongst themselves.
Tom and the minister stand in front waiting, flanked by Jayson and Matt on one side and me on the other. I see Eric and Mom begin to make their way down the aisle. She looks stunning and glowing with happiness. I glance at Tom and he is beaming. There is so much love between the two of them. Everyone here can see it.
As my mother approaches Tom, he gives her his elbow and she releases Eric with a kiss and takes Tom’s arm. As the minister begins his speech about love, Jayson and I look at each other and smile. Since moving in together and sharing our lives and our home, we know it will be our turn next, and I can’t wait.
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STEPBROTHER FIXATION
Madison
I can’t be doing this… Not now… Not with him.
Preston Harvey is a wealthy asshole. He’s the living symbol of everything I hate in this world. I wouldn’t sleep with him if he were the last person on Earth.
Except… I just did.
I have a sickness… A fixation.
Preston
We are so fucked.
Our parents are engaged for Christ’s sake. Somebody is going to find out we’re doing this and there will be hell to pay...
When I gave Madison a job as my personal assistant, this was not the position I had in mind for my soon-to-be-step…
And now I can’t stop. I can’t ever stop…
I want this… And a billionaire always gets what he wants.
Published by the Ashwood Publishing
Copyright © 2015 by Ashwood Publishing
This book is a work of fiction, any names, places, and situations portrayed within are products of the author’s imagination.
“I can’t do this,” I told her. “I can’t pretend like last night never happened. I need you, Madison, and not in the way that a brother needs his stepsister.”
I began lifting up the hem, revealing the creamy white tops of her thighs inch by inch until finally, I caught a glimpse of her underwear. I pulled my cock out and nestled it against her crotch. I felt my balls seize and I snarled in her ear. “I could blow my load right here, Maddy. I could soak these panties before dinner, and your mother and my father wouldn’t know a thing. You’d spend the whole night with my cum staining your panties... That’s what you do to me. You make me want to do the nastiest fucking things to you.”
Maddy shivered and looked up at me with hooded eyes. “Preston… Jesus, we can’t. What we did last night was wrong. I wanted it… We wanted it… But you know it can’t happen again.”
I pulled her panties open, letting the tip of my dick violate the space between them and her sweet, soaking wet lips. I thrust, overwhelmed by the sensation of being so near to her, of feeling my bulging head slip around in her honeyed nectar. “It has to,” I whispered. “Every time I look at you, al
l I want to do is get inside you again.”
I was so close. But Madison gently, yet firmly took me by the wrist. I could see lust in her eyes, but there was something else too. Maybe it was self-restraint…
“We can’t,” she repeated, and this time there was no “maybe” in her tone. I withdrew and she let her fingers brush mine. “I’m sorry, Preston, but think of what could happen if we got caught…”
I nodded. As frustrated as I was, she made sense. But dammit, I didn’t want her to make sense! All I wanted was to throw caution to the wind and bury myself in my darling little stepsister.
She fixed her skirt and helped tuck my cock back inside my pants, her hand lingering on its straining girth longer than she needed to.
Stepbrother Forever: A Stepbrother Romance Page 33