Stepbrother Romance Complete Series

by Ava Grace

  “Logan, wait.”

  What the hell was I doing? He needed to get gone. As we stared at one another silently, the tortured expression that slid onto his face like a mask, spoke of a man in agony. He leaned closer to me then took my face in his hands.

  “If I don’t go now, we’re going to do something here that we can’t take back,” he reasoned.

  What if I didn’t want to take it back? I mean, he was right, I knew he was right. He had to leave, but I didn’t want to let him go. Why was life so damned unfair? He was mine, had always been mine, but that future had been taken from us when our parents fell in love. The injustice of it all was a hard pill to swallow.

  Tears prickled behind my eyes.

  “Ave, don’t,” Logan whispered. “Please.”

  “Just go, Logan.”

  His gaze roamed over my face for a few moments more as if he were drinking me in, memorizing every freckle then he dropped his hands, got up from the bed and strode to the door.

  “I’ll pick you up in an hour,” he said over his shoulder. Then he slipped out of the door and closed it quietly behind him.

  A full minute passed before the first tear slid down my cheek.

  Chapter Three

  The restaurant my dad had booked for dinner was pretty damn swank so I knew that Avery would wear something nice, but the little black dress she had on was something else. She looked incredible—even though it was tight enough to show every curve and so short it barely covered her ass. A large part of me was so damn proud to stand at her side, but my caveman half wanted to take off my jacket and wrap it around her like a blanket so that no other asshole could gawk at her. Of course, they did. She’d turned heads all the way down the sidewalk on the short walk from our hotel, but I’d pretended not to notice.

  I led her up to the entrance of the restaurant.

  “By the way, you look amazing,” I said as I opened the door for her to step inside.

  I should have told her that when I’d picked her up at her bedroom door, but I’d taken one look at her in that dress and I’d been too tongue tied to get the words out. The ride down in the elevator had been a testament to my strength when all I’d wanted to do was shove her up against the mirrored wall and slide my tongue into her mouth. I’d wanted to do much more than that actually, things like lift the hem of her dress and push her panties aside. Then I wanted to slide my dick home and fuck her until she screamed out my name. I’d bet the sound of that alone would have had me creaming.

  When my dick started to fill, I tried to get all thoughts of fucking Avery out of my head. Dinner was already going to be torture, just as lying next to her on the bed had been earlier that day. When she’d started staring at my dick, I’d been seconds away from grabbing her roughly and kissing her to within an inch of her life. The sexual tension between us was off the charts and if we weren’t careful, pretty soon one of us was going to break. If Avery continued to dare me with anymore sexual shit, that someone was going to be me.

  At least the ball was in my court now—so to speak. Avery had already had her dare, the next one was mine and I already had in mind how I was going to use it. She wasn’t going to be happy about it, but if that’s the way it had to be, so be it.

  The time for games was over.

  Avery met my gaze and smiled shyly. “Thanks. You look great too.”

  I shrugged. I scrubbed up well I guess. I’d noticed some girls in high school check me out since I started lifting weights, but I wasn’t interested in any girl except the one in front of me. It had only ever been her and she knew it. It was about time I made it clear that it was only ever going to be me for her, too.

  We followed the maitre d’ to a table in the corner of the restaurant then I pulled the chair out for Avery to sit down. I was nervous, but this night had been a long time coming. After I sat down opposite her, the waiter left us with menus. Our corner of the room was dark and cozy. It would have been the perfect setting for a couple enjoying an intimate date and that’s exactly what our dinner was going to be—a date. I’d decided that after our exchange in Avery’s bedroom that afternoon.

  The realization that she wanted me every bit as much as I wanted her had hit me like a punch to the solar plexus. I hadn’t realized it until I saw how choked up she got when I told her I had to leave before we did something we couldn’t take back. Tonight I intended to discover just how deep her feelings ran. If there was a chance that she was in love with me then it was time to do something about that, consequences be damned. I was afraid to hope, but I had to find out one way or the other because dancing around the way I felt about her all the time wasn’t doing either of us any good.

  If she did have feelings for me, then I was going to take the gift I’d been offered and run with it. I wasn’t going to let anyone tell me it was wrong to love her or that she was dirty or sick for wanting me. We were meant for each other—I was sure of it. I wasn’t selfish enough to say that nothing or no one else mattered, but if it was at all possible for us to be together, I was determined to make it work.

  A solitary candle burned in the centre of the little round table and soft jazz music played in the background. It was perfect for what I had in mind. When the waiter returned, I ordered a bottle of chardonnay and some water then he left to fulfill the drinks order while we debated what to eat.

  “Wine?” Avery said, eyeing me questioningly. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

  “Why not? You only need to be eighteen to drink here, remember?”

  She nodded. “I know, but…”

  I cocked my head to the side. “But what?”

  She averted her gaze. It was obvious she had something on her mind, but she didn’t want to tell me what it was. Screw that. I reached across the table and put my hand on top of hers.

  “We’ve been friends since we were four,” I reminded her. “Is this how it’s going to be between us from now on? You used to tell me everything.”

  “Yeah, well, that was before.”

  “Before what?”

  She sighed. “I just don’t think it would be a good idea for us to get drunk, that’s all.”

  I grinned. “What, you think I might get shitfaced then try to have my wicked way with you? Don’t worry, Ave, I promise to keep my hands to myself.” Maybe.

  She peeked at me over the menu, her blue eyes sparkling in the candle light. “What if I can’t keep my hands off you?”

  Well, shit. My dick liked the idea of that very fucking much. There was suddenly no air left in the room. I was two seconds away from dragging her out of the restaurant so that we could find the nearest soft surface when the waiter arrived with the wine. He poured a small amount into a glass for me to taste. Why did they do that? If you didn’t like it would they take it away and bring you another, and keep on bringing them, even after they’d already opened the bottles?

  I nodded to the waiter that it was okay for him to pour, but my main focus and attention remained on Avery. I was dimly aware of him pouring us a glass each then leaving the bottle on the table, but I still hadn’t taken my eyes off my stepsister. Did she really find it so difficult not to touch me? Yee ha.

  “I wouldn’t stop you,” I said, after taking a sip of wine. “You can touch me all you want.”

  She rolled her eyes. “And what would that achieve, Brody, huh? In case you haven’t noticed. Nothing has changed. “You’re still my brother.”

  “Step,” I corrected.

  “Are you ready to order?”

  Our waiter was too damn efficient for my liking. I was about to tell him to take a hike when Avery closed the menu and handed it to him.

  “I’ll have the fettuccine with spinach and porcini mushrooms, please.”

  I passed over my own menu. “Medium rare steak and sautéed potatoes.”

  He left us alone again.

  Throwing etiquette to the wind, I put my elbows on the table and leaned across, getting right up in Avery’s space.

  “Tell me the tr
uth, Ave. Here and now. What do you feel for me?”

  She averted her gaze. “I’m not going to answer that.”

  “I bet I can make you.”

  She shook her head. “There’s nothing you could say that would—“

  “I dare you.”

  She gasped, her gaze swiveling up to meet mine. There was hurt and accusation in her eyes. Now that I came to think about it, I suppose it was wrong of me to ask her that when I hadn’t even declared myself yet.

  She glared at me. “Why would you ask me that? It’s cruel. Is this payback for this afternoon? Because you’ve got to know, I didn’t think that one through. It was a stupid, spur of the moment—“

  “I love you,” I said, interrupting her tirade. “I’ve always loved you and I’m not afraid to say it because it’s not like we don’t both already know it. My feelings are never going to change. But what I need to know is what you feel for me.”

  She snapped her mouth shut and closed her eyes so I leaned back in my chair to give her time to think about her answer. My heart was beating so fast I thought it was about to burst right out of my chest. After a moment that seemed to last for an eternity, she opened her eyes again.

  “What does it matter?” she asked.

  “It matters to me.”

  “It’s not like we can be together.”

  Wanna bet?

  “Tell me anyway. Say it.”

  “I love you,” she said almost defiantly.

  My breath left me in a whoosh.

  I mean, I’d hoped, I’d suspected, but I hadn’t really known, not until that very second.

  “There,” she bit out. “I said it. You said it. But what difference does it make, huh? None, because nothing has changed.”

  Everything had changed. She just didn’t realize it yet.

  “Since when?” I asked.

  Confusion wrinkled her brow. “What?”

  “How long have you known that you love me?”

  A small resigned sigh left her lips. “Since I was six.”

  I sat back, momentarily stunned. “Say that again.”

  She rolled her eyes at me. “I said you’re a dork.”

  I grinned from ear to ear. Then I frowned. “But I spent three years asking you out before we went out on that date. Three years.”

  She met my accusing eyes with a strong, steady stare of her own. “We were twelve when you started asking me out, Logan. I wasn’t ready yet, but that didn’t mean anything. I always knew you were the one.”

  Shit. I forgot how to breathe. She loved me. As in honest to god loved me. No. She’d always loved me. I was the one. Holy crap. That was…I don’t even know what that was. But my pulse was pounding and my breathing was so erratic I thought I might pass out. I opened my mouth to reply, but nothing came out. Then a portly man in a suit appeared at our table.

  “Welcome to my restaurant,” he said with a sweep of his arms.

  “Thanks,” I replied, actually grateful for the interruption this time. “You’ve got a great place.”

  He puffed out his chest proudly, acknowledging my compliment with a nod of his head. “You and your girlfriend make a cute couple, no?”

  Now it was my turn to beam. “Thanks.”

  He nodded to my cell phone. “You want I take a picture of you both?”

  Avery seemed a little shocked by the exchange, but I was loving it. “Sure, if you don’t mind,” I replied. “That would be great.”

  I scooted my chair next to Avery’s then put my arm around her shoulders, pulling her into my side.

  “Smile,” he instructed.

  My grin couldn’t have got any wider.

  He nodded to himself as he took the photo. “Now, one more.” He pursed his lips. “Why don’t you give her a big kiss?”

  I felt Avery’s body stiffen and I couldn’t have that. We were already a done deal and the sooner she realized it, the better. I put my finger on her chin and tilted her face up to mine.

  “Yeah, Avery,” I said. “Why don’t you give me a big kiss?”

  Just as the force of her glare hit me, I leaned down and laid one on her, using her surprised gasp to slide my tongue into her mouth, making it right at home. I kissed her with everything in me and it wasn’t long before she melted into me and kissed me back. This kiss was nothing like our first. It was hot and wild and unrestrained and if it had gone on any longer I’m pretty sure I would have come in my pants, but the loud clearing of a throat brought me to my senses. I reluctantly ended the kiss and leaned back, but the needy look on Avery’s face was nearly my undoing.

  “Uh, your phone,” the owner said, drawing my attention.

  As I took it off him I asked, “Can we have the check, please?”

  He frowned, looking down at our empty table. “But you haven’t eaten dinner yet.”

  I was hungry alright, but it wasn’t for steak and potatoes. I turned to Avery to see if she’d recovered from the kiss and the earlier embarrassment. Her cheeks were flushed, but she didn’t seem upset. She met the restaurant owner’s gaze and I fell in love with her all over again when she asked him, “Can we have the food to go?”

  Chapter Four

  I never thought Logan would have been the one to crack, but he took one look at the restaurant owner’s disappointed face and told him that we’d stay for dinner. That was probably a good thing because the time it took to eat my meal gave me a chance to calm down and think about what had just happened, or more importantly, what had been about to happen.

  This kiss had started some sort of frenzy in me and I’d been ready and willing to throw caution to the wind and go back to the hotel to sleep with Logan. How could I be so stupid? We couldn’t be together openly and I didn’t want to carry out some sordid little affair that we had to hide from everyone we knew, including our parents. I couldn’t live like that.

  We’d barely cleared the front door when Logan grabbed me and pushed me up against the front of the building, his face, inches from mine.

  “Don’t,” he said through clenched teeth.

  I eyed him defiantly. “Don’t what?”

  “Damn it, Avery, you know what I mean. Don’t pull away from me. Not now. That shuttered expression locked into place through dinner and now you won’t even meet my eyes. You want me.” He leaned in closer and said against my lips, “You love me. Don’t have second thoughts about us, please.”

  I couldn’t look at him because he was right. I didn’t want to see the hope in his eyes diminish. I didn’t want to be the cause of his pain. I closed my eyes but that didn’t help. The wine I’d imbibed during dinner had gone to my head and made me feel woozy. Or maybe that was just Logan’s proximity. Either way, I was too hot and he was too close and then he kissed me. Again.

  I tried to resist him, I really did, but as soon as his lips brushed mine, it was game over. I opened for him and as he slid his tongue into my mouth, he ran his hands down my sides and around back until he gripped my ass and pulled me tighter to his body. His dick quickly hardened and when he pressed it against me, all I could think about was how it would feel to have him thrusting deep inside me.

  The kiss turned frenzied and god but I felt it everywhere, in every part of me. Goosebumps ghosted down my spine and my pussy clenched. If Logan were to touch it, he’d find it soaking wet. Did he realize how much he turned me on?

  When we separated, we were both breathing heavily, our chests rising and falling with the same rapid movement. And Jesus, but I wanted him.

  “Let’s go back to the hotel, Ave,” Logan said.

  I’d never heard his voice so low and husky. It turned me on even more.

  “I don’t know, I…”

  He tilted my chin up so that he could see my eyes.

  “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

  “I know. It’s not that. I want to, I do, but…”

  “Then why deny yourself? We’re not hurting anyone. We both want this and it’s not like we’re breaking any laws. I
sn’t it time that we did something that was just for us? I promise if it’s not what you want, I’ll lay off, but Jesus I want to be inside you right now. I want to feel that sweet little cunt of yours wrapped around my cock. And I know you want it too. I’ve see the way you watch me. You want it, don’t you, Ave?”

  His dirty words set me alight. I leaned in and kissed his lips, slowly and deliberately until he was reaching for me again, but I held him back with a hand to his chest.

  “Let’s go,” I whispered.

  He closed his eyes and mouthed, “Thank God.”

  I couldn’t help myself, I threw my head back and laughed out loud. It felt great to get it all out of my system. Things had been too serious between us lately—too intense. A good dose of laughter was just what I’d needed. Soon Logan joined in and we were both giggling like kids. He grabbed my hand then led the way back to the hotel.

  I wasn’t sure what, if anything was going to happen between us when we got back and I don’t think Logan knew, either. Although I’m sure he hoped we’d take that step. I wanted to, I really did. But it was what came after that scared me.

  Logan looked unusually uncomfortable as I let him into my room. I’d never known him to be so unsure of himself. I guess this was a big deal for the both of us. I needed to remember that. However nervous I was, he would be feeling some of those same nerves. Logan could talk the talk, but he was just as inexperienced as I was. He’d waited. Like I had. I guess the truth is we’d been waiting for each other.

  Logan would never have pushed me into doing something I wasn’t ready for which was why I had to take the lead. I needed him to see that this was really what I wanted. I was apprehensive about the future, naturally, but I guess we’d just have to cross that bridge when we came to it.

  I found a music channel on TV and turned the volume down low so that it was little more than background noise. I didn’t want it to be distracting. Taking hold of Logan’s hand, I led him over to the bed. I guess the wine really had gone to my head because as he sat down and stared up at me, his expression filled with anticipation, I felt oddly powerful as if I were the one in control. In all honesty, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, but at least I wasn’t the only one who was new to all this.