Page 50 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

A wall had gone up between them. Noah hated it.

Brody helped him into the tub and started washing him with a soapy cloth.

“I can wash myself.”

“But I’m your…” Brody sighed and dropped the cloth into the water.

The pause killed Noah. The word unspoken. He’d just lost the best thing in the world, though it was right there in front of him. “You’re right. I can’t have it both ways.” He rose and eyed Noah. “Soak for a while… it’ll help with the soreness you must be experiencing.”

Alone, he closed his eyes.

He’d allowed himself to get wrapped up in some fantasy that wouldn’t have lasted, truth or not. Noah lowered some in the warm water and stayed in until he’d nearly drifted off. Forcing his eyes open, he crawled out and dried off. When he entered the bedroom, he saw Brody was already in bed, appearing asleep.

After another trip back to the bathroom to use the cream he’d been given and a good wash of his hands and teeth, he slipped into bed beside Brody. More than anything, he wanted to curl up into Brody’s strong arms and revel in the safety he’d enjoyed the night before. Instead, he lay on his side, back to the man.

Dragged over, he was tucked into Brody’s embrace.

A smile played over his lips, but it didn’t last. His lies, the reality, and what he had to do kept him awake. He stared up at the ceiling, the shadows threatening.

Go! Leave now, before you start having feelings for this man… before you hurt him and you both,his inner voice screamed.

Start having feelings? Too late for that.

Noah closed his eyes, surrounded by Brody’s heat, scent, and protection. He’d never had such an immediate connection to anyone. One look, one touch—and he’d become Brody’s. He gently rolled until he was facing his sleeping daddy. With one hand, he caressed the handsome man’s face. So much promise lingered between them.

But it was all based on lies.

He lay there for a long while. Tears burned the backs of his eyes. Once he was sure Brody was asleep, he quietly slipped from the bed. He tossed a few of his things into the duffel and headed for the door.

Noah eyed the knob, a war raging inside him.

He turned his attention toward Brody’s bedroom, unsure.

What the hell should I do?

8

Sunshine filled the bedroom when Brody awoke. He breathed deep before reaching beside him in the bed… only to find the other side empty. Lifting one lid, he saw he was alone.I’ve pushed him away.He sat up, searching the bedroom. There were no signs of Chris.

His chest ached. His stomach flipped.

No… he can’t be gone.

It was hard to breathe as he jumped out of the bed and headed for the main living space. The second he saw Chris in the kitchen, pouring a cup of coffee, he was able to truly breathe.

Chris turned, searching his face. “Something wrong?”

I thought you’d left me.“No… I was… only wondering where you’d run off to.”

Chris’ stare dipped to Brody’s naked body, and there was a twitch to his lips before his gaze lifted. Brody’s cock was semi-hard—as it often was in the morning.

Chris lifted a cup. “I made coffee.” A half-assed smile hinted at his lips. “I think. I’ve never made it before.”

Brody padded over and snagged a mug from the cabinet. After tossing in a spoonful of sugar, he gave it a sip. “Not bad.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I thought you weren’t a coffee drinker?”

Chris shrugged. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”

He spun and rested his hip on the counter. Searching Chris’ face, he could tell his boy was worried. “About last night…”

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