Page 10 of Step Daddy

He tried not to cringe at his too-revealing words.

One side of Gareth’s mouth tugged into a smile. “Can I get that in writing? Most people don’t view me that way. I’d like to have it framed.”

Kit frowned. “Why? You’re so nice.”

Thankfully, it was dark enough in the room that Kit doubted Gareth could see the red that must be staining his cheeks. The stress and exhaustion seemed to have eradicated his brain to mouth filter.

Gareth was rubbing his mouth as if lost in thought. “Would you like some hot chocolate? I make it from scratch.” He favored Kit with another lopsided smile. “It’s pretty damn good, if I do say so myself.”

Excitement bubbled up in Kit, but he tamped it down. He couldn’t come across like an excited puppy every time Gareth wanted to spend a bit of time with him. On the flipside, maybe these precious moments would be few before he was carted off to jail.

Gareth arched his eyebrows. “Or, I could leave you alone. No pressure, I was just going to make myself some because I can’t sleep either.”

Kit was jerked out of his melancholy. “No, I want to. Sorry, just…” He gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Part of me is waiting for the SWAT team to bust down your door at any minute.”

“Jesus.” Gareth snorted. “I hope not. The Homeowner’s Association would be pissed.”

Kit had to laugh. “I guess I’m being overly-dramatic.”

“You have every right to your feelings. Ted’s extreme behavior over the years has surely made an imprint.” Gareth gestured for Kit to follow him. “Come on. Hot chocolate makes everything better.”

Kit waited until Gareth turned around, then flung the comforter back, realizing too late that he hadn’t removed the pillow as it tumbled to the floor. In almost one fluid move, he managed to retrieve the pillow, toss it on the bed and yank on Gareth’s sweats over his tighty-whities.

By the time he made it to the kitchen, Gareth already had the drink ingredients on the counter, and was pouring milk into a small pot.

“I sometimes add a pinch of chili, if you’d like to give that a try.”

It sounded weird, but he wanted to please Gareth for some reason. “Sure. I’ve never had it that way before.”

Kit climbed onto a padded stool with an arched chrome back and propped his chin on his fists. Watching Gareth go through the motions of making the chocolate was helping him relax somehow. After a few minutes of continuous stirring, with them both sharing the moment in silence, Gareth clicked off the burner then poured them each a mug. He peered up at Kit before setting the pot back down.

“Whipped cream?”

“Is it good with the chili?”

Gareth smirked. “Whipped cream is good with anything.”

Kit couldn’t have stopped the heat rising in his face if he tried. “Oh. Uh, sure.”

“Good answer.” Gareth winked.

Kit averted his gaze, thankful that Gareth had turned to put the milk away and, he assumed, to retrieve the cream. He couldn’t watch. Once the mugs had been topped, Gareth cleared his throat and Kit glanced up. Gareth jerked his head toward the living room.

“Let’s get comfortable.”

Kit followed his brother, fighting the urge to start twisting his fingers. He’d been doing that since he was a kid, a nervous habit he’d brought with him to the Ted household that had only gotten worse from existing within the chaos of his new family. Gareth would recognize what the twisting meant.

Once they got settled, they took a moment to each take a sip of their drinks. Kit licked some whipped cream off his lips, regretting the unconscious act the moment Gareth’s eyes widened, his gaze fixing on Kit’s mouth. Surely Gareth wasn’t thinking inappropriate thoughts the way Kit had been?

Kit squirmed on the couch cushion and pretended he hadn’t noticed, blowing on his drink instead to keep himself busy. When he chanced another peek at Gareth, Kit was horrified to discover that Gareth’s eyes hadn’t left Kit’s mouth.

This wasn’t good. Not good at all.

Kit set down his chocolate with trembling hands. “I didn’t think I’d like the chili, but it adds a nice flavor.”

What the hell was he even blathering on about? But he was desperate to steer the moment into safer waters.

“Glad to hear it.” Gareth cleared his throat then set his mug down as well.

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