Page 8 of Stepbrothers

“But—” Clarice frowned.

“Clarice, finally we meet.” Benjamin held out his hand. His smile was genial, and his blue eyes sparkled. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“All good, I hope.”

“Naturally.” He tipped his head and studied her.

What exactly had her mother told him? That she was stuck in a dead-end job with an asshole boss? That her flat was only good for the mouse she suspected lived behind her cooker? That two of her bedposts were so full of notches she’d had to start on a third?

“I’d like to introduce my sons, Parker and Hugh.” Benjamin gestured to the two tall men who now stood at his side.

Both were handsome in a masculine way that didn’t hint at vanity, only good breeding and money.

“Hey, I’m Parker.”

Clarice giggled, slightly taken back by the intensity in Parker’s gaze on her. It was like he was trying to see into her soul. “Nice to meet you, bro.”

He raised his dark eyebrows.

“You know,” she laughed again, “bro, brother. I haven’t had a stepbrother before.”

“You have now.” The man at his side studied her with equal intensity. “I’m Hugh.”

“Please sit, let’s get you a drink, Clarice.” Benjamin gestured to the waiter. “Champagne?”

“Thank you.” Clarice sat, uncomfortably aware of everyone’s attention on her. It made her skin itch, and she longed for a hit of alcohol.

As the waiter poured her drink, she caught her mother’s frown of disapproval. She’d spotted the hickey.

“To our new family.” Benjamin raised his glass. “And getting to know one another.”

Clarice smiled and took a sip. Parker and Hugh were watching her so closely heat rose on her chest. “My mother told me you have three sons, Benjamin.”

“I do.” Benjamin smiled and took her mother’s hand, covering the flashing rock on her ring finger. “Trig couldn’t make it. He asked me to pass on his apologies. He’d have loved to have met you.”

“Trig? Unusual name.”

For a moment no one spoke. Had she been rude? But it was a strange name.

“Trig. Trigger,” Hugh said. “It’s a childhood nickname that stuck.”

“I see.” She had another gulp of champagne. She needed to. Holy hell. There were three hunky men she now got to call brothers. Her friends, Sharon and Wendy, would die when she told them. Jeez, maybe she’d get to introduce them. “And how did Trig get that nickname?”

“Always wanted to be soldier,” Parker said with a shrug. “Started carrying a little wooden gun around, wearing a helmet, smearing black under his eyes. The name Trigger suited him. Even his teachers called him it.”

“And did he become a soldier?” she asked.

“He did,” Hugh said. “He’s in the Regiment. Does all the hard shi…stuff no one else wants to do or can’t do.”

Clarice didn’t know much about the military other than the uniforms were sexy and a year ago she’d had a fun night with a guy in the Navy. He’d been at sea for three months and had well and truly made up for lost time ensuring maximum satisfaction for both of them.

“Which is why he couldn’t join us,” Benjamin said. “He had a sudden call up, he’ll be gone for several weeks.”

“So he’ll miss the wedding next Saturday?” Clarice said.

Benjamin downturned the corners of his mouth. “We are upset, naturally, but Trig serves his country,ourcountry, and that has to take priority.”

“That’s very understanding of you.” Clarice turned to her mother who traditionally became bridezilla before her weddings. “Mom?”

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