Page 38 of Stepbrother Mine

He has tears sliding down his cheeks as he whispers back. “And you’re mine.”

I start to shake, and he grips my cheeks this time. “What if they don’t approve, Sebastian? What if they hate us? I feel like I just got my dad back in a sense. What if we have to choose? I want my dad in my life, but god, I need you. More than my next breath.”

He kisses me, and it calms me instantly. “Look at me, big brother,” he says, and I do.

“We don’t have to say anything until you’re ready,” he assures me. “And there’s no sense worrying about something we can’t control. We’ll deal with their reaction when it happens. But I can tell you this, Rome Mckenna. Anyone who doesn’t understand how much I need you and what you mean to me, doesn’t get a place in my life. Whether that’s our parents or Mel or anyone else. I will ruin every relationship I have to be with you, if that’s what it takes.”

I blink, my eyes wide. “Every single one,” he repeats, and I kiss him fiercely.

Chapter Eighteen

SEBASTIAN

PRESENT DAY

“Let’s play a game,” I say as we lie in bed that night after another round of fucking. Our parents are asleep downstairs and I’m resting with my feet facing the headboard, dressed in my pajamas. Rome lies opposite me in just his underwear.

I stare out the window at the sparkling night sky, my hands under my head. It really is beautiful out here, away from all the light pollution and the noise of traffic. It’s so still and peaceful. It reminds me of the camping trip Rome took me on before he left for college. I remember how amazing it was, and my chest ached the entire time, knowing how much I would miss him. God, those two years apart seemed like an eternity, even if he was home every couple of months, after spending a year attached at the hip, it was painful to let go.

He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. The first person other than my mom I felt I could be completely me around. He gave me such an incredible gift and he doesn’t even realize it. He saw me, and I think in turn, I saw him. The boy who wanted friendship and affection no matter how much he pretended otherwise.

“Is it sexual?” he says with a grin, sliding his hand over my foot.

“Very,” I say, and his smile widens. “I get to ask you questions and for every one that you answer, you get to give me a spanking when we get back home.”

“Okay,” he says reluctantly, arching an eyebrow.

“Good. What’s your favorite color?” He smirks.

“Blue.”

“Favorite band?”

He laughs. “Nickelback.”

“What’s your middle name?”

“Tyler.” He raises a hand. “Hold up. Why are you only asking me questions you already know the answers to?”

“I didn’t say they had to be new. More spankings that way, and I can’t think of anything I don’t know.” He laughs and kisses my foot.

“Oh, I’ve got one. What’s one of your favorite memories with your mom?”

He gets quieter and I hear him blow out a breath. “We used to go to Denny’s every Sunday morning as a family. The waiters and waitresses all knew us by name and we’d sit in the same booth and order the same things every time. Dad got bacon and eggs, Mom got french toast, and I always went for the strawberry pancakes. My mom would ask what the best and worst parts of our week were and we’d take turns sharing. It was our way of bonding and catching up as a family, and the highlight of my week.”

“I love that,” I tell him. “It sounds wonderful.” I move up the bed so that my head is resting on his chest.

“Favorite superhero?”

“Dr. Strange.” I grin.

“You?”

“Black Widow. She's a badass without any superpowers.” I think a minute before I ask my next question.

“What’s something you’ve never done but want to do?”

“Take you with an audience.”

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