Page 26 of Steps

I follow her gaze and almost melt from thesizzling heat when I see Varen through the windows of the gym. He’s shirtless,dripping sweat, and lifting weights on a bench. I massage my throat, feelingsuddenly parched.

So, he does work out. No wonder he could pick meup easily Thursday night.

“Jesus, girl, your stepbrother’s freaking hot!”She fans herself. “Oh my.”

Of course, he is. I’ve already seen it all by theriver. Still, I snort and act blasé. “He’s… all right.”

Varen sets down the weights and straightens towipe his face with a towel. We pivot quickly when he looks across and sees us.

“Ooh crap,” Kenya mutters. “Yeah, he definitelycaught us checking him out.”

“Let’s just go inside.” I try my best not to lookas we head to the sliding doors, but my emotions get the best of me, and Iglance across again. Varen smirks knowingly. I swivel fast.

As we continue into the family room, he comes upfrom the gym wearing his shirt now. The towel is around his neck. His dark hairlooks damp. He must have been working really hard.

“Hey,” he says, looking at me.

“Hey.” I remember Kenya and introduce them. “Oh,this is my best friend.”

“Ken-ya,” she reminds me, chuckling.

“Right, of course.” I laugh nervously, flusteredin his presence. “This is Varen.”

He steps closer and shakes her hand. “How’s itgoing?”

“Good. Nice to meet you.”

Varen flicks back to me. I cough and lower myhead, unable to keep eye contact.

“Hm,” Kenya murmurs at my side. Not sure whatshe’s insinuating but it sure is something.

“So what are you two up to?” he asks.

“Nothing really, just showing Ken the place.Hanging out.”Shit. I’m seriously struggling to meet his gaze, blinking,and looking away every time.

“Cool. Have fun.” He turns at last. I finally feellike I can breathe in peace, but he halts and shoots a sidelong gaze my way.“Want to go to a party tonight?”

“A party? Definitely,” Kenya answers right away.

I scowl at her. “We’re not into parties, Ken.”

“Cause we’ve never been invited to any,” she jokesunder her breath.

Varen shrugs. “Bunch of kids from school arehaving a party tonight out by Back River. You two should come.”

“I know the location,” she says before I canrefuse. “We’ll check it out.”

He half-smiles, stirring a new and hot sensationbetween my legs.Gawd!

“Cool. Any time after eight.” Varen goes up thestairs, and I hear his footsteps mounting to the top floor. A door closes soonafter.

I bump her arm. “Really, Kenya?”

She sucks her teeth. “What’s the issue? It’s aparty. We’re in the same age group. Might even find boyfriends.” She gigglesafter.

“Thing is,” I groan and release a long sigh,“Varen’s friends are…”

Kenya squints at me. “What?”

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