Page 30 of Stepbrothers

“Definitely.”

“Kinky?”

“Yep, that, too.”

“Sounds like you had a great time. What’s his name?”

“Oh, I don’t know…didn’t catch it.”

“Dirty bitch.” Again, Wendy laughed. “Sharon and I had fun, hit the bars down Northcote.”

“Nice. I’d have enjoyed that.”

“Next week, yeah.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Knock. Knock.

“You got company?” Wendy asked.

“Seems like it. I’ll catch you later in the week. Hear all of your news. Take care, yeah.”

“Love ya, hun.”

She set the phone aside and popped a cherry tomato in her mouth. Went down the stairs to the door.

“Hugh? What are you doing here?” She undid the chain and opened it wide. “Again.”

“Just checking in on my little sis.” He held up a bright-orange gift bag withChelsea Peerswritten on the front. “And I brought you a present.”

“Thank you. Come in.” She turned and headed back up to the kitchen.

The door clicked shut and he followed.

Once in the kitchen a small rise of heat rose up her chest to her cheeks. He looked damn hot. Hotter than he should considering who he was to her now. His work-worn LFB t-shirt fitted him to perfection, highlighting his thick muscles and lean torso. And with a sprinkle of stubble, he could easily have graced one of those firefighter calendars she’d seen in the shops.

“Risotto, huh, beats a Pot Noodle.” He nodded at the ingredients for her dinner spread on the counter.

“It’s what I fancied tonight.”

“Much healthier. Well done.” He gestured to the sink. “Can I get a glass of water?”

“Sure.” She poured him one and handed it over. Watched while he drank.

“Have you heard from Benjamin?” she asked.

“Yeah, they made it to Barbados. All rainbows and butterflies by the sound of it.” He set the tumbler to one side. “Jenny been in touch?”

“No, I wasn’t expecting to hear from her. She takes honeymoons very seriously.”

He chuckled. “As she should.”

“So what have you brought me?” She shifted from one foot to the other, still feeling hot. The kitchen was small. Hugh seemed to fill half of the space.

“Summer nightwear.” He nodded at her candy canes. “A bit more suitable. A little more fitting for a grown woman.”

“How very thoughtful.” She couldn’t keep a drip of sarcasm from her voice—typical that he wanted to choose her clothes.

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