Page 59 of The Step Don't

My stepbrother stands in the hall, smirking as his muscles flex in my favorite shirt of his—a sleeveless navy-blue shirt that hugs that chest and torso, emphasizing those impressive biceps. It’s the shirt I’ve told him to wear when he’s trying to impress a girl.

“You dork,” I say. “Like I don’t know why you wore that.”

Colin’s smirk spreads into a smile. “What are youwearing?”

“Nothing.”

“Perfect. That’s what I’d prefer.”

I chuckle as I open the door and unzip my jacket so he can get a better view.

Colin’s eyes light up, and he checks down the hallway before slipping into my room.

As he steals a kiss, I rest my hands against his cheeks. He squats down and hooks his arms around my thighs, hoisting me in the air like I’m fucking weightless before pushing me up against the wall.

His lips are firm against mine. I didn’t realize how much I missed his mouth until it was slammed up against mine again.

Fuck, what his body does to me… It didn’t use to be like this at all.

When he touched me, my skin didn’t come alive.

I didn’t ache with hunger for more licks and kisses.

I didn’t think about him taking me out and fucking me in front of strangers.

As Colin pulls away, his gaze shifts to my shirt again. “We’re so fucking cheesy.”

“You like when we’re cheesy.”

Colin’s gaze wavers. “Well, we didn’t specify when we made plans, but considering what we’ve been doing, is this a da—”

“Don’t youfucking say it.”

We both know this is date-y, but do we have to say the fucking word?

He’s smiling as he opens his mouth like he’s about to.

“If you say it, it’s definitely not one.”

“One what?” His eyebrows tug closer, really bringing the drama in his feigned confusion.

“You know damn well what you were gonna say.”

“I don’t think I do. Maybe you should tell me.”

Why is my face so hot right now? But he’s being so fucking adorable, my body can barely handle it.

“You were gonna say the D-word.”

“D-word?” Colin says, searching around. “Wait, did you think tonight was a…a date?” He’s really hamming up his performance.

And I give him a good tease. “Now I know why you didn’t get the lead in that Arthur Miller play senior year.”

“Oh, this is so embarrassing. You thought when we said hibachi and ice cream and a movie… Fuck, I never know when I’m sending the wrong signals. I don’t know how to break this to you, but I’m just here for the Ash-hole.”

I snicker; I can’t fucking help myself. I know he’s just joking around, and I fucking love it.

“I guess I’m an agent of chaos.” Colin moves close, his lips millimeters from mine. “That must be so hard onyou to have thought you were gonna get a date with all this and find out all you are is my naughty plaything.”

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