Page 103 of Steps

“I’m sorry, babe. I couldn’t help it.”

“Ugh. You…” I lightly punch his arm. “What thehell was it, anyway?”

“The one o’clock gun. It’s an attraction.”

“Jesus. That scared me.” I touch my heart, tryingto settle down.

He chuckles softly and tows me into his side.“It’s okay. You’ll always be safe with me, Toya.”

I take a long deep breath, and tell him wholeheartedly,“I believe you, but you’re still a jerk.”

We spend the next three days having fun around theKirby estate. Horse riding with Grandpa Kirby, playing Scottish games, andtrying traditional food prepared by Grandma Kirby.

Alison is still throwing invisible daggerswhenever our eyes lock. On our last Sunday night in the castle, she comes intomy room while I’m packing my suitcase.

Her long hair is damp as if she’s just washed it.She puts her strands behind her ears and folds her arms. “I don’t understand,why are you carrying on like this? Latoya, you’re our stepsister. Lisa ispregnant. You can’t be with Varen. You just can’t.”

I chip at my nails. “Look, Alison, I heareverything you’re saying. But I can’t let him go. We care about each other alot. We know the situation is complicated, but we…”

Varen chooses that time to enter the room. Helooks like a lust-fueled man on a mission.

Alison slants and glares at him. “What are youdoing?”

He doesn’t take his penetrating eyes off me as thebold words spill from his lips, “I’d like to spend tonight with my girlfriendbefore we leave.”

Alison gasps. “What… are you two having sex?” Sheswivels to me, eyes wide open.

Varen scoffs. “Well, we are in a relationship,sis.”

She hisses and throws up her hands. “You knowwhat, if you two insist on this inappropriate behavior, all that’s left is totell Dad and Lisa.” She storms to the door but doesn’t slam it, still mindfulof her grandparents.

I sigh. “Varen, why’d you do that?”

“Because I needed her to leave so I can be withyou before the incoming storm.” His tone is soft, yearning.

As he slowly crosses the room to me, biting hislip, a wave of heat dances across my skin and between my legs.

Varen carries his fingers down my blouse and tugsat the hem. “Let me be with you tonight.”

“Um,” My breath hitches, “what about your grandparents?”

He shakes his head. “Don’t think about anythingelse. Let’s just be together.”

Swallowing, I lift my hands as he hauls my blouseover my head. Then slide down my shorts.

Varen strips out of his clothes. He places hishand at my neck as he moves in for a tender kiss, igniting the familiar flamesin my body.

He unfastens my bra, and I take off my panties ashe hurries out of his boxers. We lower onto the bed. He continues kissing andtouching me. I spread my thighs for him to take his place inside me.

Before he enters, Varen pushes up, looks at me asif mesmerized. “I love you.” No other words sounded sweeter.

A feeling I never knew existed fills my heart,causing it to beat faster. My voice is a near whisper as I tell him in return,“I love you, Varen.”

I’ve never seen him happier. Bliss covers his faceas he kisses me again, and we make long, sweet, and passionate love beforegoing to sleep in each other’s arms.

24

“If only we could stay like this,” Varen murmursinto my ear, “wrapped up in one another for as long as we want.”

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