Page 52 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

And keeping the shadows at bay.

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Sunday mornings were Brody’s favorites. The bar was closed on Sundays, so it was his only true free day. After an intense morning of sex, he and Chris were still in bed. Once he’d started a pot of coffee and returned to bed, he’d lent his laptop to Chris, so his boy could attempt to contact the friend who’d dropped him off at the bus station. While his boy was busy, he used the time productively, drinking coffee and browsing a site one of his regulars had suggested he check out on his iPad.

“Look what I found.” He tilted the screen to show it off.

Chris glanced at the iPad, eyes widening. It was a lovely young man wearing lingerie. “Oh wow… that’s hot.”

Brody’s grin grew wider. “A regular told me to check this out Friday night. Said they had the best men’s lingerie around. I thought we could buy you some.”

Instead of enthusiasm, he sensed the opposite. Chris seemed downtrodden. Disappointment filled Brody.

“I thought you’d be excited?” He paused, giving his boy a closer peek. “You okay?”

Chris forced a smile. “Yeah. Iamexcited.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” Brody said before leaning closer and brushing a hand through Chris’ mop of hair. He pressed a kiss to his boy’s forehead. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I didn’t sleep well. That’s all.”

He’d heard that excuse the last few days. What was eating his boy? Brody cupped Chris’ cheek and forced his attention up. Searching his boy’s troubled expression, he sensed there was more to it. “Demons haunting you?”

Chris’ stare lowered. “Something like that.”

“You know you’re safe here, right?”

Chris’ gaze fluttered back up… there were mixed emotions swirling in his eyes. Brody couldn’t tell what was going on in his boy’s head. The smile that played at his lips was a little more convincing than the last. “So you say.”

“I may not comprehend what you’re running from—and I’m not pushing you to tell me anything you don’t want to. But I can’t help you fight against an enemy I don’t understand.”

Chris lowered his chin, pressing his forehead on Brody’s shoulder. “I can’t… Brody… I can’t… I don’t want you to send me away.”

Brody captured Chris’ chin again. “Why would I send you away?”

Tears shone in Chris’ eyes, and Brody felt terrible for putting them there. He drew his boy close, hugging him tight. “Shhh, baby. You don’t have to tell me anything right now. I realize I have to earn your trust… andI will.” He pressed a kiss to Chris’ head. “Just know youaresafe here. No one’s getting past me.”

Chris’ arms wrapped around him, and his boy trembled in fear. He ran a palm over Chris’ back, trying to soothe away the pain of the past. Whatever his boy had gone through, it had apparently been horrendous.

That boy is hiding something.

Lex’s words came back to haunt him. He frowned, wondering if Lex was right. He should’ve pushed for more, but he hoped Chris would open to him.

In time.

Once Chris calmed against him, he leaned back against the padded headboard and surveyed that incredibly handsome face, wondering what those secrets might be. He hoped like hell they wouldn’t put an end to whatever wild and wonderful thing was blossoming between them.

“Better?”

Chris nodded, smiling.

Brody caressed his boy’s cheek. “Good.” He reached for his coffee and took a sip. When he turned back, he saw Chris scrolling a finger over the surface of the iPad. When he scanned the surface, he saw a man wearing a sexy black lace garter belt with a set of black stockings over a pair of lace manties.“That,”he croaked, nearly dropping the cup from his hand. “Orderthat.”

Chris scrolled a little farther. “I actually like these better.”

Brody clenched his jaw, imagining Chris in either set. His cock grew, tenting his pajama pants. “Both.Bothis good.”

Chris cast a glance over one shoulder. “I’m not buying both.”

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