Page 49 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

Noah paused near the door. “Did I do something to piss you off tonight?”

Brody turned from the open refrigerator, beer bottle in hand. “No. Why?”

“You seemed almost mad when you kissed me earlier.” Mixed messages was an understatement.

“Iwasn’tmad,” Brody spat a little forcefully.

“Oh, sure,” Noah responded.

Brody had a long drink from the longneck bottle before sighing. “All those guys touching you. It bothered me more than it should have.”

“I warned you when we bought this scrap of material that this would happen.”

“I’m not one of those jealous assholes,” Brody cried before his shoulders dropped. “I’veneverbeen one. There’s no reason I should feel like this aftera day. I don’t like it.”

Noah crossed the space between them, closing the gap. He pressed his hand onto Brody’s nearly bare chest—there was only a leather harness there. It didn’t exactly match the short swim trunks he wore, but his daddy wore leather, it seemed. The closet was full of the stuff. He’d yet to see Brodynotwear something leather.

“I’d be jealous if I saw someone all over you.”

Brody captured his hand. “We just met, Chris. It’s been a little over twenty-four hours, at this point. I shouldn’t feel like that. Nor should you.”

Noah was beginning to hate the name Chris. He sidled closer, ignoring the lie between them. “It feels right… you and I. Doesn’t it?”

Brody squeezed his hand slightly. “I don’t believe in love at first sight.”

“How about lust at first sight?” Noah asked. “Love is…suffocating.”

Brody released his hand and captured his chin. “He really fucked you up, didn’t he?”

Noah pulled out of Brody’s arms, the guilt caused his stomach to roil. Turning his back, he weighed his options.

“You got out of a bad relationship—days ago, right? You’re clinging to the first decent guy in your path. That’s all it is, Chris.”

Noah spun to face Brody. “That explains whyIfeel like this. What about you?”

Brody opened his mouth, but no words fell. He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. Regardless, we need to throw on the brakes.”

Noah winced. “Is that my notice to get out?”

“No.I offered you a place to stay. I wouldn’t kick you out in the middle of the night. But maybe I should take you to see that relative of yours sooner than later… maybe then we can slow this whole thing down.”

Noah inhaled deeply. “Okay. The job?”

“It’s yours if you want it. You did well for your first night.”

Noah nodded.

Brody dragged him closer. “I said slow. Not stop.”

Noah lifted his gaze to Brody, unsure. “Then why does it feel like an ending?”

Brody rubbed his shoulders and upper arms. “I’ll draw you a bath so you can soak those sore muscles of yours. Then we go to bed. Tomorrow, we can take a trip so you can see your family and at least make them aware that you’re safe and in one piece.”

Noah stiffened, worry filling him.

“I’ll go get you that bath started.”

Brody left him. Soon, he heard the water flowing from the bathroom. He stole a long sip from Brody’s leftover beer before heading toward that sound. Slowly, he stripped in the bedroom, leaving his tiny bikini on the bare, wood floor. He padded barefoot into the bathroom. Brody’s stare washed over him, but there was something different about it.

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