Page 48 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

Other than the straying hands, the night was good. Chris was a quick study and a hard worker. He was doing an outstanding job for his first night.

“That boy is hiding something.”

Brody gazed to his side to see Lex standing there. “Not much inthatbathing suit.”

“Joke, if you must, but you didn’t see the look on his face earlier. He’s hiding something, and you’d better find out before it blows up in your face.”

“Oh come on,” Brody said. “He’s just left a terrible situation. One he’s not really shared with me. That’s likely all it is.”

“What of this ex? He dangerous? Could he come after Chris and you get hurt in the process?”

Brody frowned. He hadn’t really imagined that possibility. He should have. “Chris said he never told anyone where he was going. Not even the relative he has here.”

“You meet this relative yet?”

Brody shook his head. “No.”

“I’m glad someone managed to make it to day two with you, but be sure this onedeservesthat spot. Please.”

Brody eyed Lex. “I will.”

“Good,” Lex muttered before an argument exploded on the other side of the club. “Later.”

He watched as Lex and another bouncer got between the two old friends and calmed the situation down. Before it was over, his attention got pulled back toward Chris and that tiny bikini. A new song came over the PA, and he smirked.

It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini…

Brody stiffened as he saw another hand snake out and pinch Chris on the ass. Shoving himself through the crowd, he yanked the man’s hand off and glared at the dude. Stan. The same guy who’d danced with Chris the night before. “Hands off,” Brody spat.

Stan’s eyes widened before a smile played over his lips. “Then you shouldn’t let him dress like that.”

Brody snarled. “How he dresses isourbusiness. Keep your motherfucking hands off.”

Stan’s hand went up in mock surrender. “Message received.”

Brody relaxed some and then noticed multiple regulars were staring his way.

As was Chris.

One of his boy’s eyebrows rose an inch, and a smirk spread over his lips. The sudden need to wipe that smile off his face overcame Brody. He marched toward his boy, grabbed Chris by the back of the head, and planted a big, fat, wet kiss on the guy.

Making his claim public.

After one fucking day. I’ve gone crazy.

He stepped back and regarded Chris’ kiss-addled face. His eyes were narrowed. His lips open and swollen. Nothing would’ve made him happier than to take Chris upstairs and leave the club behind for the night. But if he did, it might lead to more—and his boy needed a break. “Get back to work,” he snarled instead, before returning to the bar.

When he got there, a bemused and slightly amused Chris still stood where he’d left him, wearing a hint of a smile on his lips. Brody forced himself to focus on work and took a customer’s drink order, trying to ignore that luscious ass for the rest of the night.

* * *

Noah trailed behind Brody, exhausted, after a very long night. All he wanted was a shower and then bed, though there was a hint of longing within since that kiss Brody had planted on him in the middle of the club. Since then, Brody had barely paid him much attention—although he had felt the burning of the man’s gaze all night. Or so he thought.

Brody opened the apartment door and herded him inside. “Want something to drink?”

“Shower and then bed. That’s all I can think of right now.”

Brody headed for the kitchen. “Have at it. I need a drink.”

---