Page 73 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

Brody closed his eyes, hating himself. “I knew better.”Why did I drinksofucking much?Yet he realized he couldn’t blame it on the alcohol. Noah was right. He’d wanted, and all else be damned. Had the drinking simply been to give him an excuse? Had he done it on purpose—allowing them to reach that point?

Was he really that depraved?

He closed the jar of ointment and rested it on the floor. “Thiswasthe last time,” Brody murmured.

“More lies,” Noah said. “I thought we were finally at a point where we could tell the truth?”

Brody rose from the bed. “We’re not.”

He left the loft when all he wanted to do was go back in there and scoop Noah into his arms. To forget the outside world and the things against them continuing what they shared. He padded down the stairs and returned to the guest room. After cleaning himself in the adjoining bathroom, he slid under the cool sheets and tried to sleep.

And failed.

* * *

Noah lay back on the bed they’d shared and curled into himself. He’d laid it all out on the line for Brody, yet the man still refused to see the truth. Theyweregood together.

Theycouldhave a future.

He would keep proving it, over and over again, if he had to.

One day, his daddy would see.

He drifted off to sleep, alone in the loft… until he awoke shivering. After climbing down the stairs, he used the restroom before sliding into Brody’s bed.Alone.Noah inhaled the pillow, filling his nose with his daddy’s scent before curling up again and drifting off to sleep.

11

The following morning was tough. Without sleep and feeling like a jackass, Brody was in a dark, foul mood. After his morning rituals, done in the guest bath and not his own, he headed for the kitchen for something to ease his queasy stomach and aching head. Of course, Noah was there, cooking breakfast, wearing only his red lacemantiesand an apron.

Along with one hint of a handprint on one of the round globes.

Fuck.

Noah turned to see Brody staring.

“Oh, good morning,” he said with a wicked grin. “Or afternoon, rather. I was wondering if you’d ever get up.”

“I’m a night owl. You’re aware of that,” Brody muttered before heading to the coffee machine. Luckily, there was a pot already brewed, so he poured himself a cup.

“I’m making bacon and eggs, if you’re interested?”

Brody’s stare was dragged to those red lace thongs. He took a sip from his mug without taking his gaze from them. “You’re playing dirty.”

Noah spun to face him. “I’m using the ammo I have available.”

“Put some pants on.”

“Makeme,” Noah challenged.

Brody stepped closer, aware he wouldn’t follow through with any threat that might fall from his lips. “I don’t have to stand here looking at this. I can get my breakfast at Gracie’s.” After taking another sip from his mug, he abandoned it on the counter and headed for the door.

“That’s right. Leave. That’s what you’re good at.”

Brody spun, anger raging within. “I cannot help that we’re in this situation! What Icando is the right thing and stay away from you. Especially if you’re doing your damnedest to seduce me.”

“I can’t help it if you’re denying yourself and makingmesuffer because of it.”

“Suffer? Darlin’, you don’t know the first thing about suffering.”

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