Page 29 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

In that moment, opposite wasn’t exactly bad. A smile came to his lips. Noah never had to worry about going back to that hell ever again. He’d sleep on the streets before returning to his dad and Abbie Lee.

“What’s got you smiling?”

Noah focused on Brody. “Not what I was expecting, I guess.”

Brody walked toward the kitchen. Noah followed the man’s tight ass as he moved.

“Whatwereyou expecting?”

Noah shrugged. “I don’t know… not this.”

Brody tilted his head a little, contemplating Noah. Heat spread across Noah’s face… and the night’s anticipation swirled faster in his belly.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

“Honestly, I could use a bathroom after all that water.” He’d slurped up two more cups waiting for Brody to finish up. His bladder was screaming.

“Second door on the left,” Brody said, pointing toward a hallway.

Noah deposited his bag on the floor beside a black leather sectional before heading to the bathroom. Along the hall, the walls were bare except for doors. He entered the one he’d been instructed to. The counters appeared to be constructed out of concrete…as did the shower. Again, there was no photos or art on the walls. The counter was bare except for a bar of soap and a rolled-up hand towel.

Quickly taking care of his business, he washed his hands—and was then afraid to use the perfectly white towel hanging near the sink—so he dried his hands on the front of his jeans. He left wet marks all down his thighs and scoffed at his image in the mirror.

Fuck… I look like hell.

After three days on the bus, he was amazed he didn’t stink to high heavens.Jeez… I had sex with Brody with Greyhound stank on me.

He must’ve liked it if he offered you a bed for the night,his inner voice whispered.

But still…

Without another thought, he kicked off his shoes and started to undo his jeans. He started the water in the concrete shower, hoping it was okay. He noticed a couple of small vials of soap and shampoo on one ledge—and borrowed a bit. After quickly washing his hair and body, he jumped out—and dried off, realizing his clean clothes were out in his bag. In the living room.

With Brody.

Tucking the towel around his hips, he headed out into the living room, pile of dirty clothes under one arm and a smile on his lips. Brody lounged on the sectional, a beer in his hand. His stare ate him up as he walked closer. Another beer rested on the coffee table.

“I hope you don’t mind—after three days on a bus, I doubt I smelled all that great.”

“I didn’t notice,” Brody murmured, smiling softly. His gaze drifted down Noah’s towel-clad body. “And I don’t mind.”

After tossing his worn clothes on top of his bag, he stood still for a moment, unsure what to do next. He wasn’t exactly experienced with seduction. Noah eyed his bag, wondering if he should grab some clean clothes… hoping he wouldn’t need them. Nervous, Noah walked over and took a seat beside Brody instead.

“This for me?” he asked, motioning to the bottle.

“Yep,” Brody said, smiling. “You seemed nervous. I thought it might relax you a little.”

“I seem nervous, do I?”

“Justa little.”

How could he not be? He was sitting beside a gorgeous man who’d destroyed him earlier and would hopefully be doing it again. Soon—if he didn’t do or say anything to screw it up. But he’d overplayed his hand, flirting and acting like fucking around was something he did often. In the darkness of the club, it had been easy to be someone else. A stronger version of himself.

Now, there was nothing to hide within. The mask was off.

Noah reached for the beer and drank a too-large sip.

“Don’t drink too fast. We don’t need a repeat of earlier,” Brody said before taking another sip.

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