Page 132 of Steps

I gnaw at my bottom lip while thinking. “August, Ihope you’re not doing this because you think I’ll go out with you.”

Scowling, he glances up from his phone to meet mygaze. “I don’t want anything, Latoya. Promise. Being friends is fine. And Iguess I’m just a nice guy.”

I nod slowly. “Guess so.”

He sends a text to my phone with the info aboutthe seminar. We talk more about it as well as his third year in college.

As the day winds down, guests start to leave.

Just as they were the first to show up, theCaldwells are the last ones to go, followed by Alison’s boyfriend.

I notice Varen hasn’t come back outside and feelsad that he might’ve left.

While helping Alison clean up, I ask, “Did Varenleave?”

“Went to his room. Dad asked him to move backhome, but he said no.” She flashes me a knowing look. “It’s hard for him topretend.”

I gulp. “Alison…”

“Don’t, Toya,” she hisses. “I’m staying out ofit.”

She treads off, carrying the rest of the food.Daniel and my mom are standing by the rose garden, talking and laughing.They’re in their own world. He touches her belly while beaming at her withlove.

Flicking away from them, I amble inside the houseand peek at Alison in the kitchen. She’s busy packing containers to bring backto her dorm.

Seeing that no one is watching, I climb the stairsas quietly as possible until reaching Varen’s room. He isn’t there.

I find him in the guestroom turned nursery. He standswith his back against the wall staring at the work-in-progress.

“What are you doing?” I whisper, remaining in thedoorway.

He smirks. “Remember what happened the night youasked me that in the movie room?”

I gulp as the sweet memory fills my head. “Hm.”

“I fucking hate how he stares at you,” he says ina stern tone. “Don’t talk to him again.”

My brows shoot up. “Wow. Jealous much.”

Varen combs a hand through his tousled hair. “Ihad no idea I was capable of being this possessive until you came into my life.”

“That sounds unhealthy but okay.”

My heart leaps when his sharp gaze locks withmine. The intensity within is mesmerizing. I tremble as he edges closer.

“Varen,” I whisper, looking out at the stairs.

“Sorry, but I can’t do it, Toya. Can’t pretend,and I definitely won’t move back and torture myself just to lessen your guilt.”

My body shivers as he lifts his hand to touch myface.

“They’ll see us,” I utter on a nervous breath.

Varen clutches my waist and tows me against thewall. He presses into me. “I want the world to see that you’re mine.” He putshis hand under my dress and carries it up between my thighs.

“Uhh…” Sexual whimpers ooze out as he fondles methrough my panties. I almost let him continue, but something twists in my headwhen I peer around the nursery for our future sibling. “Not in here.”

I move his hand and shuffle away from him,stepping into the passage. I clear my throat and compose myself beforedescending the stairs. Varen follows me.

---