Page 16 of Hot Stepbrother Daddy

“Come on, let me introduce you to some people. They’re dying to meet you.”

I let her lead me to her circle, and she starts rattling off names I’ll never remember. There’s Olivia, who’s recently returned from Paris, and James, whose family owns a large amount of the waterfront property in Charleston. Then there’s Danny.

Danny is tall, tan, and has the kind of easy smile that’s probably charmed half the women here. He’s wearing a white linen shirt unbuttoned just enough to show off his sculpted chest, and his dark blond hair curls artfully around his temples.

“Laurie, this is Danny,” Elise says, her voice conspiratorial in the way she always uses when she’s matchmaking.

“Pleasure to meet you, Laurie,” Danny says, his voice smooth, but there's a trace of oiliness to it. Like he's more slick than charming. He takes my hand, holding it just a second longer than necessary, his eyes lingering on mine.

Okay,I think,this is where a normal single 25-year-old would flirt.Except ... I don't want to. In fact, the idea makes me feel disgusted.

I smile, but it feels mechanical. Every time I try to muster up the energy to toss my hair or laugh at something he says, my mind drifts elsewhere. To a certain brooding man back at the house. To the way Adam’s jaw tightened when he saw me tonight. The way I yearned for him to grab me, to put his mouth on mine and give me a reason to stay home.

“So, Laurie,” Danny says, stepping closer, his smile widening. “Elise tells me you’re back in town for a while. How long are you staying?”

“A year,” I say automatically, taking a sip of my champagne to avoid saying more.

His smile doesn’t waver. “Good. That’s plenty of time for me to convince you to stay longer.”

I blink at him, caught off guard by his confidence. Normally, I’d laugh, maybe play along. But all I manage is a polite smile.

“Excuse me,” I murmur, stepping back. “I need to grab another drink.”

As I walk away, I feel Danny’s eyes on me, but I don’t look back. I make my way to the bar, trying to shake the feeling that’s settled over me like a fog.

What's wrong with me? Isn't this what I wanted, a distraction?

I don't get a refill, but instead get a glass of water and lean against a high-top table. Olivia makes her way over without Elise, but she frowns when she spots me. Apparently, I'm wearing my emotions on my face more than I intend.

“You okay, Laurie?”

“Yeah,” I say, forcing a smile. “Just a little tired.”

I’m about to excuse myself entirely when I feel someone at my side. I don’t need to look to know who it is. Danny’s cologne gives him away—too heavy and too sharp. It makes me want to sneeze.

“There you are,” Danny says, flashing his perfect smile as he steps closer. “I was wondering where you’d disappeared to.”

“Just catching up with some friends,” I say lightly, hoping he’ll get the hint.

But Danny doesn’t take hints, apparently. He shifts closer, invading my personal space. “Well, I was hoping we could continue our conversation from earlier. You seem like someone who knows how to have a good time, and I’d hate to waste the chance to get to know you better.”

I glance at Olivia, hoping she’ll intervene, but she just raises her brows and steps back, leaving me to fend for myself. Dammit, where is Elise?

“Actually, I was just about to?—”

“Laurie,” a deep voice interrupts, cutting through Danny’s smooth chatter like a blade.

My heart stops and then leaps in excitement. I turn, and there he is.

Adam.

He’s standing just behind Danny, towering over him, his eyes locked on mine beneath his heavy brows. His presence sucks all the air out of space around us, quiets all the other noise that was overwhelming just minutes ago.

Adam is gorgeous, of course, wearing a fitted button-down and jeans, looking entirely out of place at the stuffy party but commanding attention all the same.

“Who’s this?” Danny sneers, looking over his shoulder.

“I’m Adam,” he says simply, barely giving Danny an ounce of attention. “Laurie, we need to talk.”

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