Page 80 of Stepbrothers

“I think you’re right. I think she wants you and I think she’d want Hugh as well.”

“I am right. About everything.”

“Here.”

Fleecy soft warmth spread over her shoulders.

“Put your arms in,” Hugh said, holding out the right side of her dressing gown. “Warm up now.”

“Thank you.” She snuggled into her gown, relieved to have her nakedness covered and to be cozy. “I really am sorry, you know.” She looked up at him.

“I believe you.” His jaw tensed. “But don’t do it again, okay.”

She shook her head. “I won’t.”

“Is that your phone ringing?” Parker said to Hugh. “I can hear buzzing.”

Hugh listened for a moment. “Yeah, it is.” He dashed into his room then quickly reappeared holding his iPhone. “Damn, I’ve missed four calls from the station.” He jabbed at the screen.

“Four calls?” Parker frowned and reached for the remote control. He flicked the TV on. “Why? What’s going on?”

“Sorry, boss,” Hugh said, “I didn’t have my phone by my side and it was on silent.” Pause. “Shit. Yes, of course. I’ll be there in fifteen.”

“Oh fuck.” Parker nodded at the TV screen.

He’d flicked on the news, and a ticker tape running along the base of a flaming image read‘Warehouse Fire in Central London Threatens to Spread to Nearby Gas Depot’.

“Bloody hell.” Hugh ended the call. “I need to get myself to the station. It’s all hands on deck. This is too close for comfort to that gas plant.” He stepped up close to Clarice and cupped her face. “I’m sorry, this isn’t how I wanted to leave you.”

“I’ll take care of her,” Parker said.

“I know you will.” Hugh brought his lips to the tip of her nose and set a gentle kiss there that was so at odds with the harshness of his hands on her ass earlier. “But I wanted to do it. I wanted to care for you, Clarice, hold you, talk to you about this.”

“I want to put it in the past.” She stared up at his handsome face. “I want it to go back to how it was with us. Wendy not knowing. Us not having to explain to the outside world.”

“That’s right, we don’t need to explain anything.”

“Does that mean we’re doing something wrong, though?” She frowned.

“No.” He shook his head. “It means we can’t be bothered with their opinions.” He dropped a kiss to her lips. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

She glanced at the TV screen. Bright-red flames licked at a vast building. Several fire engines were lined up outside. The smoke was thick and black; the sky had turned to night. “Be careful.” She cupped his cheek. “Please. I couldn’t bear it if…”

“I’ll be careful. I always am.” He leaned his face into her touch, cradling her hand with his. “But I really have to go.” He closed his eyes, his lashes casting small shadows. “I’m…”

“What?”

“I’m falling in love with you,” he whispered. “Having to leave you now, it’s shown me that. I don’t want to go…but I know I have to. Now.”

“Hugh.” The L-word made her heart squeeze, and a sense of joy rushed into her bloodstream.

“Ireallyhave to go.” Suddenly, he released her and rushed into his bedroom.

She stared after him. Mouth open. He was falling in love with her? Even though he’d been so cross, spanked her so soundly and made her suffer her humiliation for so long—he was falling for her.

She was falling for him, too, she knew she was. There was no denying it. He was what she needed. His way of loving her was new and brought out emotions in her she didn’t know she had—a longing to please, to satisfy, to be the best person she could be and fulfil her dreams.

He reappeared in his uniform. He nodded at Parker, his expression serious, glanced at Clarice, then jogged to the door and was gone.

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