Noah glanced at the clock on the wall. It was hours before Brody normally went to bed.No way he’s sleeping.

Noah sat frozen in place. Not long after, another movie began—not that he could truly focus on anything. He hadn’t all day. He tried to pay attention and failed. By the time he saw the credits rolling, he’d already argued with himself a hundred times about joining his stepfather in bed. He fought the urge, realizing it would simply anger the man.

He needed to let go as Brody said. Get over him.

Yet that concept seemed impossible. How did he get over the man he couldn’t stop thinking about every minute of the day and night?

Long minutes passed before Noah could no longer hold himself back. He silently crept into Brody’s bedroom. From the nightlight in the bathroom tossing a hint of illumination, he could see Brody’s bare, muscular back. Shadows and sharp angles broke over the flesh. The crisp white sheets covered his bottom, but Noah was almost sure his stepfather was nude under them.

He quietly disrobed, laying his clothing over the chair where his bathing suit still lay. He’d apparently forgotten to pack it when he left. The memory of the kiss he’d gotten when wearing it whispered through his mind. Brody had laid a claim on him before the entire club. He couldn’t simply turn his back on that now.

Could he?

When he was bare, he tiptoed over to the bed and slipped under the sheets beside his daddy. Brody was hot, almost feverish, against his cool skin. He snuggled close, needing their bodies to be together again.

Brody languidly rolled over and drew him closer—his mouth landing on Noah’s. The kiss took his breath away. Brody’s beard clashed against his stubble, abrading his mouth and cheeks. His daddy feasted on his lips, hungrier than he’d never been before. Fingers slid through his hair, knotting in the strands and tugging him ever closer. He moaned against Brody’s mouth, needing this man to comprehend how much he desired what came next.

His daddy’s hard cock rested against his thigh, the shaft throbbing with the rapid pulse of Brody’s heart. “I need you,daddy.”

Suddenly, Brody was off the bed, panting.

“Wecan’tdo this, Noah.”

“We’re two consenting adults. Not blood related.”

“Noah…no.”He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “There’s another bedroom… or the couch. We’re not sharing a bed.”

“Please, Brody. Ineedyou.”

“No…” Brody gasped in what sounded almost like pain. “No.”

Noah rose from the bed, naked and unashamed. He knew it was dark, but the nightlight would show Brody some of what he was missing. Stroking his hard cock, he smiled. “What am I supposed to do with this?”

“Take care of it yourself,” Brody said, his voice raw.

“I don’t want to take care of it myself,” Noah murmured. “I need help.”

“Get… get out of my room, Noah.”

Noah didn’t move. He continued to caress his cock… and walked a few steps closer.

“Fuck,”Brody cried before grabbing a pillow from the bed and storming past. “Take my bed. I’ll sleep in the spare bedroom.”

Noah frowned as he watched Brody disappear. He heard a door open and close—and perhaps the click of a lock.

Alone, tears burned the backs of Noah’s eyes. His world had gone under, and he was drowning in more emotions than he could handle. He needed someone to be a rock he could cling to. Incorrectly, he thought it could be Brody.

He simply needs to see the light. We’ve donenothingwrong. Fate has kept us together.

It was obvious his daddy was still attracted to him. They were good together once and could be again. No more running away from his problems. It was time to stand up and fight. First, he would make Brody see that they were good together. Then he would make everyone else see it, too.

* * *

Brody fell into the cold spare bed, hating himself. For a brief few minutes, he’d ignored the logical screaming in his mind. Dulled by drink, it had been easier. His body had wanted so desperately that he’d let the play go on longer than it should have. He’d known better. The second Noah had called him ‘daddy’ again—that had been it. He’d had to get up and walk away.

Unable to sleep, he stared up at the ceiling.

Noah’s arguments circled in his clouded mind.He’s eighteen. An adult. Not a blood relation.