Page 10 of Stepbrother For Christmas

She shakes her head and smiles. “Gosh, you’ll make a great dad one day.”

I blink, surprised. “To who?”

“To a little one…someday. And I’m going to be the best aunt they’ve ever had.”

Or you’ll be the mom to our baby.

WAIT. What am I thinking?!

“Oh my goodness, it’s so warm in here,” she says, changing the subject. “Hm. I think that they make malls hot on purpose.”

I laugh. “What would be the business advantage of melting their customers?”

“They want you to get thirsty and buy their expensive soft drinks,” Emma says, mid-laugh. Then she takes her coat off and I suddenly notice some men watching her. Her sexy body is so tempting that they can’t help but look in her direction. Grrr…When one particular asshole stares at her for too long, I put the bagged teddy bear down on the floor and hug her to me.

Mine, mine, MINE! I inwardly shout.

Emma blinks up at me. “What’s wrong?” she whispers, her heart-shaped face just a few inches away from mine. Then she lifts her arms, hugging me back.

My gaze settles on her glossy pink lips. “What do you say we go home now? I’ll make you some hot cocoa and we’ll watch a Christmas movie like Die Hard.”

“That’s not a Christmas movie,” she comments, her eyelashes fluttering and her plump lips parting slightly.

“What are you talking about?” I say before nudging her nose with mine. Then, unable to resist, my lips lean in toward hers. “That’s my favorite Christmas movie.”

“There’s no Christmas magic nor kissing in that one,” she points out.

“We’ll add our own in its place.”

“Wow. I think you two look great posing just like that,” a mall photographer calls out to us. “Would you lovebirds like a holiday photo taken to create greeting cards to send out?”

“No. NO photo, thank you,” I say, quickly snapping out of my trance. I really shouldn’t be holding my stepsister like this in front of everyone.

With wide eyes, Emma stares down at the bulging tent in my pants. “Um, you’re—” her words stop short.

“Don’t look at it,” I grumble.

“I can’t help it. It’s kind of hard to miss,” she jokes, blushing. “Should I stand in front of you and hide it like I did last night?”

Hide it, huh? “Honestly, the best place to hide it would be deep inside you. Don’t you agree?”

Her mouth falls open and then she blushes again.

Fuck. I inwardly curse at my lack inability to keep my filthy thoughts to myself.

CHAPTER 6

Emma

I’m in my bedroom later that night when the room suddenly feels cold, and I begin to shiver.

Is the heat not working in this place anymore?

I pull a big sweater on over my head, and then I start to pace, wringing my hands.

It’s late at night and I don’t want to wake anyone up to ask about the heat. Tomorrow is a big day for cooking and we’re going to need our strength up. Also, with so many guests arriving at one time, it puts a lot of pressure on mom and Jim.

Is Chase asleep? I’d rather ask him about checking the thermostat instead of waking up my mom.

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