Page 81 of Stepbrothers

“Oh my god.” Clarice clasped her hand over her mouth. “That’s what he’s going into.”

Out of the westerly window, a dense plume of smoke was hanging over the skyline. Deadly and dangerous and out of control. She couldn’t hold in a sob.

“Hey, it’s okay.” Parker wrapped her in his arms, burying her face into the crook of his neck. “He’s well trained, and experienced, and he’s got all the right equipment and an ace team.”

Another sob caught in her tight throat. “But he’s running into the danger. What if…?”

“Baby, baby.” He lifted her into his arms and strode to the sofa where he sat with her on his lap. “Don’t even think it.”

“It’s hard not to. I mean, look at it, and now they’re saying it’s spreading faster because the wind is picking up.”

Parker reached for the remote, squeezing her to him, then hit mute. “We don’t need to hear it.”

“But—”

“No, it’s sending your anxiety levels even higher, and after what you’ve been through today, that’s not what you need.”

“I’m sorry, I really am. And to think I made Hugh so cross with me, and now he has to go and do this. Risk his life to save others.”

“You didn’t make him cross, you frightened him. He’ll have likely been more scared at the thought of losing you, of you leaving and not coming back, than he is right now having to run into burning buildings.”

She frowned. “No, I’m sure…”

“I heard what he said, you know.” He paused. “He’s falling in love with you…” he lowered his voice, “the same way I am.”

“Oh, Parker.” She gripped his polo shirt. “I can’t imagine my life without you in it, or Hugh, and I know each day my feelings are stronger for you both, but what Wendy said, the way she said it, how can there be a future for us?”

“Easily.”

“Please, help me understand.”

His jawline tightened, and a muscle flexed beneath the surface of his flesh.

“Parker.” She searched his eyes. “I need to understand what you’re thinking as well as feeling.”

“Hugh and I have a very particular style when it comes to relationships, I’m sure you’ve noticed.”

She nodded. “You mean sharing a woman.”

“Yes.” He smiled, just a little. “It’s true we like to share, we enjoy seeing our woman wholly satisfied and constantly cared for. Like now. Hugh’s been called away from you, that was the last thing he wanted to happen after disciplining you, but he can go knowing I’m here to take care of you. If he didn’t share you, ifwedidn’t share you, where would you both be now?”

“Yes, I’m glad you’re here.” She snuggled closer to him, drawing her legs up into her gown. He was solid and strong and warm and made her feel safe. “And also…” She paused. “You spank me. Have you…is that…did you do that to your last girlfriend?”

“Yes, we did.”

“Tell me why?”

“Do you like it?”

“I don’t know if I do.”

He chuckled. “The redder your bottom gets, the wetter your pussy gets, Clarice. You like it.”

“I don’t know why that happens. Why I get turned on. Getting spanked hurts.”

“It happens because it’s what you need. At this point in your life you need to have a man in control. You need to know your boundaries. You need to feel safe.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “And you feel safe knowing that we’re in charge, we know what’s best for you, we can see the big picture in a way you can’t because you’re too close to it. In return, we expect you to obey us.”

“Obey.”

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