Stepbrother's Secrets (A New Adult Forbidden Romance) by Stephanie Brother Page B

spider to the fly," Lace replies as she drops from her bunk to the floor then climbs onto my bed.
    "We just ... kissed."
    "Uh huh, kissed and?"
    "That's it Lace, jeez how fast do you think I move anyway?"
    "Well I know how fast I'd be moving with a piece of man meat that fine," she laughs.
    "We kissed, that's it."
    Lace stares at me for a long moment and I see her debating whether I'm telling her everything or not. A devilish grin spreads across her face then she's shaking her head.
    "No, that's not all, what are you not telling me?"
    I pull the book back up in front of me not wanting to tell her more but she pulls it down and leans in close so that she's staring into my eyes.
    "Nothing, okay?" She doesn't move so I fold. "It's just ... I ... I really liked it okay? I mean, like a lot."
    "Oh you liked it? That's what it is?" She smiles and continues staring me down.
    "Yeah, a lot. I really-"
    "You're still dreaming of him aren't you?"
    "MAN ON THE FLOOR!" echoes through the door from outside our room.
    Lace looks aside and I use it as an opportunity to pull the book back up between us. She doesn't stand for it though pushing it down again as soon as she turns back.
    "Yes, okay. I liked him, he was nice."
    "I don't think he's 'nice' I think he's bad in all the right ways," she laughs.
    There's a knock on our door and we both turn to look at it then back at each other. No one comes to our room, like ever. It's an unspoken rule between us we don't bring dates here, well Lace doesn't, and we don't have friends here we always meet them somewhere else. This is our private study space. I shrug and Lace does too then she climbs off the bunk and goes to the door opening it just wide enough to look out. I see her body stiffen but I can't see what she's seeing.
    "I'm looking for Sheila," the voice is deep and resonating. I know that voice.
    "Oh?" Lace says.
    "Uh, yeah. I understand this is her dorm? I'm pretty sure I saw you with her last night," he says.
    "Well, that could be, yes could be," Lace says. "But I'll have to ask you, what are your ... intentions if there is a Sheila here?"
    Butterflies fill my stomach to fight with the absolute embarrassment of what Lace is saying. I climb out of my bunk and practically run to the door pushing her aside as I pull it open.
    It's him.
    His hair is still that perfect mess, he's wearing dress slacks, polished shoes, his shirt is open one button too many, and his suit jacket looks slightly wrinkled like he slept in it.
    He smiles as soon as he sees me and my heart skips a beat. I look at Lace who stands now with her arms crossed over her chest tapping one foot as she puts on a motherly air.
    "Now, young lady, what have I told you about having boys here to your room?" Lace says struggling to hold a straight face as she plays with me.
    "Lace, seriously," I say. "Uhm, hey, what can I do for you?" I say turning towards him.
    "I'd like to ask you out on a date," he says.
    My heart skipped a beat before, now it stops. I can't inhale oxygen and the edges of my vision fade to gray. I blink several times rapidly to keep tears from welling up in my eyes. Lace snorts loudly breaking the moment.
    "I don't," I inhale deeply that sounds more like a massive gasp making me want to crawl under a rock.
    "She'd be delighted," Lace interjects.
    "Know your name," I finish lamely now that Lace has jumped in.
    He looks back and forth between Lace and I as a slow smile spreads across his face.
    "Jake," he says sticking his hand out in front of me. "Jake Benito."
    I reach for his hand feeling like I'm pushing through massive resistance just to close the small distance between us. He grips my hand in return with a firm strength that feels nice.
    "I don't usually go out with guys I just met," I say.
    "We didn't just meet, we met last night, and we were getting along quite well," he smiles as he finishes.
    "Oh did you now?" Lace says from the side.
    I glance at her and roll my eyes. "Well still ... I don't date people,