Step Brother: Off Limits

by King, Jayna

  Stanford looked down at the counter, clearly uncomfortable making eye contact. “Did he tell you he enjoyed hanging out?”

  I waited to answer until Stanford looked up at me. “Yes. He did.” I decided I’d done enough. “So tell me your idea while we wait.”

  Stanford opened a bottle of pinot grigio while he talked. “So Tina has a couple of weaknesses we’ve discussed. She’s an attention whore, for one. She’s sensitive about her poor background, and she’d go to great lengths—I think—to conceal her past.” He poured me a glass of wine. “With me so far?”

  “Yeah. But what are we going to do with that?”

  “I have a friend who works for a little independent webzine. They mostly cover fluff about celebrities in town, but he’s been wanting to branch out into more serious news. I’m thinking if I tip him off that there’s dirt in Tina’s past, he’d jump at the chance to dig into it.”

  “Wait a minute. We can’t just torpedo my dad’s campaign, though. If your guy digs up dirt on Tina, that’s just going to hurt Dad.”

  “Here’s the deal, Tatum. There’s never going to be an article. The guy owes me a favor, and he’s going to do some research and just pretend that he’s interviewing her for the article. I’ll point him in the right direction, tell him that she has things she’d rather people not know about—past and present—and then I’ll invite him to an event where he can corner Tina. I bet if we pour a few drinks down her throat, she’ll flip out and make a scene in public.”

  “I don’t know. I don’t think that’ll be enough for Dad to divorce her.”

  “It will if we can get her to offer to pay the guy off. Imagine that—a recording of Tina offering to bribe a journalist? It’s gold. Donald will have to cut her loose or watch his campaign tank.”

  “But what if she doesn’t go there? Doesn’t try to bribe him, I mean.”

  Stanford put his hands on his hips. “Okay, I know it’s not a perfect plan, but it’s all I’ve got. I don’t hear you coming up with something brilliant and foolproof.”

  I took a sip of wine. “Fair enough.” I turned as I heard the front door open. “Let me think it over, and we’ll talk about it over dinner.”

  “Tatum?” Garrett called.

  “In the kitchen,” I called back. “We held dinner for you.”

  “Um, look what the cat dragged in.” He walked through the door and into the kitchen, followed by the last person I expected to see.

  “Reed?” I couldn’t manage to say anything else. I’m sure I looked like a fool, standing there with my mouth hanging open, but there wasn’t anything else I could do.

  Garrett came in, smooth as always. “Stanford, I don’t think you’ve met Reed Randolph yet. This is Tina’s son, Tatum’s stepbrother.” He looked at me to see if I’d recovered from my shock yet.

  Stanford stepped forward and held out his hand, polite as always. “Nice to meet you, Reed. I’ve heard a lot about you, both from your mother and from Tatum.”

  “But,” I said, finally finding my tongue, “you’re supposed to be in Paris.”

  I looked him over, head to toe, and even though he looked a little tired, I swear to God I’d never seen a sexier sight in my entire life. He hadn’t shaved in a few days, by the look of it, and his clothes were wrinkled from his travels, but I knew the body beneath those clothes, and I instantly felt the pull of the magnetic attraction that Reed had always had for me.

  I needed to calm myself down before I started acting like a bitch in heat. I was pissed at Reed, I reminded myself. He’d spent the last few weeks fondling porn stars, while I’d been trying to handle real life at home.

  But those blue eyes just made me melt.

  “I came home. To you.”

  He took a couple of steps toward me, and when I realized he planned to wrap me up in those strong arms of his, I held up a hand and retreated.

  “Wait a minute. You think you can just walk in here after being gone so long and act like nothing happened?”

  Stanford and Garrett looked at one another, clearly uncomfortable.

  Garrett was the first to speak. “I hate to interrupt this happy reunion, but I’m starving. Shall we sit down and eat while Reed fills us in?”

  Reed smiled at Garrett. “Thanks, man. I’m starving. I came straight here from the airport.”

  “Whoa. I’m not going to sit down to dinner with you and act like nothing’s wrong.”

  Garrett shook his head. “Suit yourself. I’m going to eat. Who’s with me?”

  Stanford raised his hand like a little boy in school, and Reed nodded. The three of them started filling their plates while I stood in silence, hardly able to believe what was happening.

  Finally, when it became clear that no one was going to address what I wanted to talk about—namely the fact that it appeared Reed should be able to whore his way across Europe and then waltz back into my life without so much as a phone call to let me know he was coming—I turned on my heel and left the room. I walked down the hall to my bedroom, expecting Reed to follow me, but when I closed the bedroom door, I was all alone.

  I flopped onto my bed, feeling exactly like a sulky teenager. Who the hell did Reed Randolph think he was? Did he really think I was some stupid little whore he could crook his finger toward and who would drop her pants? I decided to ignore the delicious thoughts that threatened to invade my head when I contemplated pants dropping and Reed. Tired and travel stained, he was still the hottest man I’d ever met.

  I could hear conversation and even laughter from the kitchen, which pissed me off even more. How could those assholes act like nothing was wrong? Couldn’t they see I deserved a world-class apology?

  I finally took a deep breath and shook myself out of my adolescent pity party. Stanford and Garrett had nothing to do with the unfinished business between Reed and me, and I wasn’t going to act like a spoiled brat for another second. I stood up, put my shoulders back, and walked out to get some dinner.

  Reed thought he was so cool? Two could play at that game.

  9 -- Reed

  When Tatum walked back out into the kitchen it took every bit of willpower I had not to pick her up, tear off her clothes, and make love to her right then and there. Even in a ripped up sweatshirt she was gorgeous. Having spent the last few weeks with beautiful women who spent all their time and money trying to look like every man’s fantasy, I realized the true beauty of a woman who looked gorgeous right out of the shower. Tatum didn’t have to do anything to make herself pretty. She radiated health and intelligence, and I was absolutely crazy about her.

  She was clearly pissed at me, but I was determined to figure out a way to set things straight between us.

  “Hungry?” I asked.

  “Starving.”

  She didn’t make eye contact, but she wasn’t attacking me. That was a step in the right direction, at least.

  She got another plate from the cabinet and motioned Stanford to scoot over so she could sit next to him. The open chair next to me was clearly not where she wanted to be.

  Garrett handed one of the carryout containers to Tatum. “So, Stanford and I were thinking about going to a movie after dinner. That’ll give you and Reed a little privacy.”

  I looked over at Tatum, who refused to look back at me.

  “I figure we have some things to talk about, huh?” I asked, with a little laugh.

  “Actually, a movie sounds good to me. What are you going to see?”

  So she wasn’t going to make it easy for me. That was okay. I was up for the challenge.

  I reached over and put my hand on her arm. “Tatum, if you don’t mind sitting the movie out, I’d like to talk to you.”

  She finally met my gaze, not saying a word for a long while, like she was trying to decide what to say.

  “Okay,” she answered, her voice sounding like it took a lot of self-control to keep it even. “But you’re not the only one who has things to say, and I’ll warn you right now that you may not like what you’re
going to hear.”

  “Fair enough.” I turned to Garrett. “Will you pass the naan?”

  “As long as you keep it over there. I may as well just staple those to my abs. Lethal stuff, carbs,” he said as he handed me the flatbread.

  I laughed, and a sound like a giggle emerged from Stanford’s direction. He hadn’t said a whole lot, and I couldn’t quite figure out the dynamic going on between him and Garrett. They were clearly interested in one another, but Stanford was like a skittish little bird, getting up constantly, not following the conversation. I’d have to ask Tatum what the hell was going on. If she’d speak to me, that was.

  “Have you seen Mom lately?” I asked Tatum, hoping to start a conversation on neutral ground.

  She looked over at Stanford before she answered. “Yeah.”

  I waited, and when it became clear she wasn’t going to volunteer anything else, I decided to press the issue. “And?”

  “You’ve missed a lot while you’ve been living it up on the other side of the world.”

  Goddamn. She really was pissed.

  “Well, I’d like for you to fill me in at some point, if you don’t mind.” I was being far more polite than I felt like, but I wasn’t about to look like an asshole for walking in and picking a fight with Tatum after having been gone so long.

  “We’ll see,” she said, digging in to her dinner.

  “So how’s the campaign going?” I asked Stanford, figuring he was the least likely person to bite my head off.

  He launched into a passionate answer that I really didn’t care a whole lot about. I let him prattle on while I studied Tatum. Her blonde hair drying in its natural waves was a far cry from the teased, colored, and shellacked hairstyles of the women I’d been hanging with on the tour. The light golden color of her skin didn’t come from a tanning bed, but from the sun. Without a trace of makeup, she was one of the most naturally beautiful women I’d ever laid eyes on. All the porn stars in the world couldn’t surpass her.

  The rest of dinner passed in conversation among Tatum, Stanford, and Garrett. Any attempts by the guys to bring me into the discussion were quashed by her, and I was patient enough to let things play out slowly.

  She and I were going to have it out, one way or another.

  “You sure you don’t mind doing the dishes?” Garrett asked on his way out the door.

  “My pleasure. Anything to get this lovely lady alone for a while. Thanks for letting me crash your dinner, by the way.”

  “Anytime,” he answered, ignoring Tatum’s glare.

  “So,” I said, turning to her. “You mind drying?” I tossed her a dish towel.

  She let it fall to the floor, making no attempt to catch it. “What the hell, Reed?” she asked.

  For a second, I thought she was going to cry, but she didn’t. “Tatum, you have no idea how good it is to see you. I really did miss you.”

  “Yeah, I got your text. Shortly after I saw the pictures of you and the whores you were with in Paris. You didn’t exactly look miserable.”

  I looked at her and did my best to smother a laugh. “I wasn’t miserable, until I realized how much I missed you and how much I would rather be right here with you than at the craziest club parties in the world.”

  Tatum snorted and turned to clear the table.

  I reached out and grabbed her arm. “Listen to me, Tatum. I’m here because I want to be with you. Whatever that means, and whatever it takes, you’re the only woman in the world I want.”

  “Really?” she asked, trying to pull away from me. “How can you say that? I saw you laughing and drinking. You looked like you were having the time of your life.”

  I pulled her close to me. “None of that meant anything without you. I left. Gave back the money, canceled all my appointments, and just left.”

  “And now I’m supposed to drop everything and fall into bed with you? Just because you show up at my door? Who the fuck do you think you are?”

  I was starting to get pissed, and I wanted her desperately. I leaned down and kissed her hard, holding her in place even though she tried to back up. “I’m the man who’s in love with you. That’s who I am.”

  “Jesus Fucking Christ,” she yelled, finally managing to get free. “You’re in love with me. Shall I take off my clothes and suck your dick now?”

  I laughed out loud. “You have no idea how much I want you to suck my dick, Tatum. I want to tear those clothes off you and take you to bed for the next week straight. I want to fuck you so hard you can’t even think about walking straight, and then I want to do it again.” I walked toward her and took her hand. “But this isn’t just about sex, babe. This is about me telling you I love you. I will do whatever it takes for us to be together.”

  “How can you say you love me when there are all those pictures of you and those women?” She had actually started to cry.

  “Tatum, those were publicity pics. Yes, I hung out with a lot of women. Yes, I could have fucked any number of them, but I didn’t. I told you I wouldn’t have sex with anyone else, and I didn’t.” I pulled her closer, glad she didn’t resist this time. I slid my hands around her hips and pulled her close enough that I was certain she could feel my erection through my jeans. “Tatum, you’re the only one I want.”

  I bent to kiss her, and she let me. I kissed her harder, surprised when her mouth opened and she began to kiss me back. I couldn’t help myself. I grabbed her ass, kissed her neck, and could feel myself starting to lose what little control I had left.

  “God, I missed you, Tatum,” I whispered, sliding my hand up beneath her sweatshirt to discover she wasn’t wearing a bra. I let my fingers skim over her nipples, and I could hear her gasp at the sensation.

  She wound her arms around my neck and lifted her lips to mine. “Take me to bed.”

  She didn’t have to tell me twice. I picked her up, threw her over my shoulder, and carried her to the bedroom while she laughed at her ridiculous position. I set her down and started to pull her sweatshirt over her head, but she stopped me with a hand on my chest.

  “We are not finished with this discussion, by the way.”

  “Understood.” I pulled her sweatshirt off and slid her pants over her hips. “You naughty girl. You weren’t wearing any underwear.”

  “I might have put something a little prettier on if I’d known I was having company.”

  I took a step back and looked at her, completely naked and gorgeous. “I love you exactly the way you are.” I kicked off my shoes and started to unbutton my shirt. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are, Tatum?” I managed to get out of my clothes, wrapping her up in my arms before I lowered her to the bed. “I want to put my mouth on every inch of your skin.”

  “Well, you better get started.”

  I kissed her lips, her jawline, and her throat before making my way down to suck her perfect pink nipples into my mouth. I was rewarded with her moans of pleasure, as I moved further. I knelt between her knees, pushing her legs apart. The sight of her blonde hair spread over her pillow, perfect, natural tits, and her pussy right in front of my face made me realize she was everything I wanted. I bent to lick her clit, sliding my finger inside her, pleased to discover she was soaking wet. She wanted me as much as I did her.

  “Tatum.”

  When she opened her eyes to meet mine, it was like I was pulling her out of a fog of pleasure. “Yes?”

  “I love you.”

  She looked at me kneeling between her legs, and she shook her head, as if she didn’t know what to say.

  “You don’t need to say a word. I just wanted you to know.”

  I bent back down and resumed my exploration of her pussy, probing with my fingers and licking and sucking on her clit until I could tell she was close to an orgasm.

  I lifted my head. “I’m going to make you come for me, Tatum.”

  “Oh my God, yes,” she whispered.

  “But not yet.” I stood up and left the room, coming back in with a handful of condoms
I’d grabbed from my bag. I threw all but one on the nightstand and rolled that one over my cock. “First, I’m going to fuck you.”

  “Do it, Reed,” she said, knees spread wide. “I can’t wait to feel you inside me.”

  I bent down and kissed her as I positioned myself. I wanted to see her face when I entered her, and as I slid my hard cock into her slick opening, she held my gaze with hers. Even though there were unresolved issues between us, we both knew what this moment meant. I started slow, going in only halfway, and I watched her close her eyes as she enjoyed my intrusion. I pulled all the way out and bent to kiss her again, tangling my fingers in her hair for a moment, until I could stand it no longer.

  I buried my cock deep inside her, hard and quick, and her eyes flew open as she called out my name.

  “Fuck me, Reed,” she cried, as I pounded into her.

  I had to slow down, or I was going to come right away. I bent, slid my arm around her, and rolled over so she was on top. “I want to watch you fuck me, Tatum. I want to see your face when you come on my cock.”

  She started to ride me, and I could tell by the slickness between us she wasn’t far away. I reached up and put my hands on her full tits, squeezing her nipples, soft at first, but harder as she rode me faster. She moaned as I pinched even harder, and she threw back her head as her orgasm started. The first clench of her muscles around my cock made me climax with her, and I held onto her hips as she bucked on top of me, blonde hair swinging back and forth as she rode me hard. Her pussy was still tightening on my cock as she slowed her movement, and I knew she’d milked my cock dry … at least for a few minutes.

  I reached up to pull her down for a kiss, but she shook my hand off and rolled off me to her side of the bed.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She just shook her head. “Nothing.” Silence stretched out between us. “Everything.”

  She turned onto her side toward me, and I could barely resist taking one of her reddened nipples in my mouth again, but I sensed I should let her talk if she was so inclined.