My Future Step Brother by Tina Gayle

by Owner

  Considering the importance of the meeting, he searched the room for his T-shirt, keeping his distance so as not to be tempted into drawing her back into his arms. The image of her in the slinky dress she had on last night filled his head. He automatically fell into the lawyer-client mode of suggesting the best way to arrive at a sensitive negotiation. “Have you decided what you’re going to wear?”

  Her head whipped around and she cocked an eyebrow. “Well, girlfriend, I haven’t given it much thought.”

  Frowning at her snide comment, he strolled behind the couch to search for his shirt and found it on the floor. “Don’t take offense. We both know you have to dress for success.”

  She acted as if she hadn’t heard him, zipped her jeans and ambled off in the opposite direction to retrieve her sweatshirt. After slipping it on, she turned. “And you want to help me choose something appropriate?”

  He smiled, pleased by the offer. “If you want?”

  She stretched her arms over her head and yawned. “Nope, I’ve got it covered. But I will show you to the door.”

  “So now, you’re kicking me out because I was trying to be helpful?” He stalked forward and grabbed her by the waist before she had a chance to reach for the door handle.

  Slapping her hands on his chest, she scowled at him. “Hey, Mr. Grumpy, I’m not the one who put an end to our fun. You said it wasn’t on the agenda.”

  Suddenly realizing, she didn’t want him to leave, he stifled a grin and studied her expression. Eyes narrow, mouth in a straight line, the cute crinkle of her nose didn’t look very threatening. Add in a crown of golden locks and soft brown eyes that held the heat of anger-induced lust, he imagined some might question his desire to go home. Granted, he was tempted but not enough to risk making a misstep this late in the game. He’d planned from the beginning to take it slow, knowing instinctively she’d bolt if he rushed her. Her wild streak was a bitch.

  Drawing her deeper into his arms, he nuzzled her neck to hide his pleasure. “You’re right, I should leave. We both have to work tomorrow, and then we’re having dinner with your father tomorrow night.”

  He didn’t concern himself with the outcome of the evening. Either way, he intended to spend the weekend making love to her.

  “Then you should probably let me go.” Her long exhalation revealed her rebellious nature as well as her desire for him to stay.

  After one more little nip at the soft hollow behind her ear, he released his hold and stepped back.

  She unlocked the door and offered him a smile over her shoulder. “Do you want another kiss goodnight before you leave?”

  Chapter Three

  With a slight frown, Lyndsey pulled into a parking space. All the ones’ in front of her apartment door were of course, occupied. Those coveted spot grabbed by people who had gotten home at a decent time.

  “But no, on the one day I need to get out of work early, my boss insists I stay late,” she grumbled and glanced at the clock on the dashboard. She cut the engine and withdrew her keys from the ignition. “Travis and Dad will be here in less than twenty minutes.”

  A cold breeze hit her, the moment she opened the car door. She shivered, grabbed her stuff and hurried across the parking lot. Old man winter appeared to have arrived early in Nebraska this year. “Damn, I should have elected to go to college in Florida instead of sticking around here.”

  Suddenly, her thoughts turned to why she’d stayed. If she were cold, Travis Clark, with his rock-hard body and sexy smile, set on fire with his hungry kisses and heated glances. Sadly, he wanted to take it slow. Even though they had made a little progress last night, she wanted so much more. However, tonight might change things.

  He’d suggested they invite her dad to have dinner with them. Why?

  Did he think it’d change--her heel caught in a crack in the parking lot. She paused, gave a light tug and continued forward while scanning the surface ahead. The cracked concrete had more jagged lines than her grandfather had wrinkles. On more than one occasion, she’d nearly lost a heel to the devious minefield.

  “Lyndsey?”

  The whispered word drew her attention. She glanced around, searching the area for the speaker. Her sense of direction thrown off by the wind, she finally spotted an older woman standing on the sidewalk. Dressed in a tailored jacket and dark pants, Marianne Clark looked ready to meet the board of director at a highbrow executive meeting. Her hair styled to perfection and her makeup applied with precision, she had an air of class that surrounded her like a second skin. Why, oh, why did she have to be Travis’ mother?

  Forcing a smile, Lyndsey worked to hide the irritation she felt at the interruption to her already overtaxed schedule for the evening. After all, Marianne had made it clear from the beginning she didn’t like Lyndsey dating Travis.

  She could relate. She didn’t particularly like Marianne dating her father either. “Mrs.

  Clark, what are you doing here?”

  The woman adjusted the strap of her purse and stepped forward. “I’m, uh...”

  The slight stutter to the normally overconfident matriarch of the executive wives’ club put Lyndsey instantly on alert. What the hell was up?

  “Just came by to see if you’d help me?” Marianne finished.

  Their gaze met, held. Lyndsey noticed an unfamiliar spark of uncertainty, possibly even fear in the depths of the other woman’s eyes.

  A wave of unease washed through Lyndsey. “Sure, why don’t we head inside and get out of this crisp wind?”

  Leading the way, she hurried to her apartment and slid her key into the deadbolt. She pushed the door open, walked inside, and turned to hold the door for Marianne.

  The silent elegance resonating around the woman hit Lyndsey again. A sense of

  inadequacy swept through her. She glanced quickly at the partially empty room and rushed to explain the lack of furnishing. “I know it’s not much, but I call it home.”

  Her gaze jumped to the couch. As the largest piece in the place, it served as a divider between the living area and the small dining room. The space held two chrome stools which sat next to the bar leading into the kitchen. “Dad offered to buy me more furniture, but I didn’t want to rush into getting things I’d later regret purchasing.”

  Marianne nodded and scanned the open area. “I agree. Small apartments don’t need

  much. And it makes it easier when you move.”

  “Exactly.” Lyndsey shut and locked the door, then dumped her things on the nearby tree bench. As the most expensive piece of furniture she’d bought so far, she loved the convenience of having a place to stash her coat, purse and other items she’d need before leaving home.

  Uncertain what Marianne wanted to talk about, Lyndsey drew in a fortifying breath and turned. The picture didn’t match the image she always had of the older woman. Instead of being relaxed and poised in her normally regal way, Marianne sat with her hands wrapped tightly around her purse. The death grip had her knuckles glowing white.

  Baffled by the change, Lyndsey stepped forward. “Can I take your coat or get you

  something to drink? I have water, tea, lemonade and a few beers. I’m trying to stay away from sodas because they’re empty calories and cause my acne to flare up.”

  “No thanks, I’m fine.” Marianne straightened her shoulders as if gathering her courage. “I know you have plans for the evening. I just want to see if I could talk to you for a minute about your father.”

  Lyndsey strolled around the coffee table position in front of the couch and sat at the opposite end. Had her dad finally popped the question? For months now, he’d tried to predict Marianne’s answer to a proposal and had delayed because she kept putting him off with references to the difference in their ages. Was she here looking for Lyndsey’s consent?

  “Okay, what do you want to know?” She crossed her legs and settled into the corner.

  Marianne drew in a deep breath and adjusted her purse on her lap. “I was wondering if you could tell
me how your father handled the news of your mother having cancer.”

  Of all the things the woman could’ve asked, that one stood at the very bottom of the list.

  “What? Why would you want to know that?”

  “I...” Marianne dropped her gaze and muttered, “I just need to know.”

  Unease fluttered through Lyndsey. She opened her mouth to answer and then closed it.

  Determined to ignore the idea of anything being wrong, she tried to remember the day her mother received the news she had cancer. After being sick for weeks, her mother had finally been admitted to the hospital so her doctor could run some test. “If I remember correctly, he approached it the same way he does everything else with a desire to beat the disease into submission. Why?”

  Marianne blinked. Tears filled her eyes and leaked from the corners. With a slight

  stiffening of her spine, she opened her mouth—.

  A loud knock cut off her words.

  “Hang on a second. Let me get that.” Lyndsey hurried across the room, hoping against the odds of her father being on the other side of the door. Travis, as her son, could console the woman. On the other hand, her father would blame Lyndsey for making the woman cry.

  Opening the door, she stared into the familiar face of her dad.

  He spoke before she even managed to say hello. “Did you invite Marianne to go with us tonight? If not, she’s here visiting someone else because that’s her car right there.”

  “Dad, I don’t think now is a good time. Why don’t you go sit in your car for a few

  minutes while I talk to Mrs. Clark?” She stood in the doorway, blocking his view of her apartment. Some six sense told her Marianne shouldn’t have to deal with him at the moment.

  “What?” His eyes narrowed. He marched forward, crowding closer and shoved his way

  inside. “I’m not waiting outside...”

  Lyndsey had to step back or risk him bowling her over.

  Once across the threshold, he paused and stared at Marianne. The few seconds Lyndsey had allotted the woman hadn’t helped. Instead, tears ran down her cheeks. Pure misery deepened the lines on her face and her weepy gray eyes reflected her distress.

  “Holy shit, what’s wrong?” He spun on Lyndsey and fired off. “What the hell did you say to her?”

  “I...”

  “She didn’t say anything,” Marianne offered in a strained voice and then buried her face in her hands.

  Lyndsey stood root to the spot. The shock of seeing the woman’s agony held her

  immobile. Her father didn’t suffer from the same problem.

  He bolted across the room, shoved the coffee table out of his way and dropped to his knees. He caught hold of Marianne’s wrists and wrenched her hands free from her face. “Please sweetheart, don’t cry. Whatever is wrong, I’ll make it right.”

  Mascara running in dark streaks down her face, she cupped her palms around his face.

  The love shining through her tears punched a hole in Lyndsey’s gut and she couldn’t look away.

  For months now, she’d harbor the belief that Marianne Clark couldn’t love anyone. Yes, she was kind and helped people, but love? Lyndsey had doubted the woman’s ability at such an emotional task.

  “Knox, I don’t want to hurt you. Not after what you’ve been through with Mary. You

  deserve so much more.” Marianne’s whispered words echoed across the room.

  Lyndsey tightened her hold on the doorknob and shivered. What would her dad do if he found out Marianne had some type of health issue? Because Lyndsey knew without a doubt, that something bad had prompted Marianne’s visit tonight.

  “Honey, please tell me what’s wrong,” her father pleaded, his tone holding a note of desperation.

  She closed her eyes and choked out, “My doctor thinks I may have cancer.”

  “What?” The loud exclamation next to Lyndsey had her turning.

  Travis stood in the doorway. His mouth open in shock, he blinked several times before he rushed forward. “Is that why you haven’t returned my calls? Because you didn’t want to tell me your doctor found a problem.”

  Lyndsey felt as if she’d landed on a Hollywood set with actors playing out a dramatic scene. Only she knew these people. She swallowed the lump forming in her throat and shut the door. Why did this have to be happening? Her dad was just beginning to recover from the loss of her mother. Travis had finally come to terms with his father’s fatal wreck. She’d discovered a new career and had started dating an incredible guy.

  Damn it! Now this.

  “Mom, what exactly did the doctor say?” Travis demanded.

  The scene across the room continued to play out. Lyndsey half-listened and watched as her father shifted to the couch next to Marianne. Travis eased down onto the arm.

  Memories flashed through Lyndsey’s head painful, agonizing moments of her mother

  lying on her deathbed in the hospital. Several thinly crusted scabs tore open inside Lyndsey. Her heartbeat hammered in her ears. Tears blurred her vision. She blinked and brushed the back of her hand across her cheek before she shifted her focus to the other occupants in the room.

  Somehow, her perspective of the woman sitting on the couch changed in that instant.

  Instead of seeing a heartless matriarch with an impenetrable air of control, Marianne appeared broken, shattered by the unforeseen prognosis in her life.

  “I’m sorry, Lyndsey.”

  The words broke through the fog, clouding her thoughts. She blinked, stunned by the apology and glanced at the three people staring directly at her.

  “I shouldn’t have come here. I’ll leave.” Marianne released her son’s hand to clamp it around her purse and eased forward.

  Lyndsey marveled at how both men shifted as if to keep her on the couch.

  “No, we...” Travis turned, his gaze beseeching Lyndsey to forfeit the evening they had planned.

  She glanced at her father and noticed how he had tightened his hold on the woman beside him.

  If Marianne left, so would her father and Travis.

  Seeing as they didn’t have reservations anywhere, Lyndsey shrugged and yielded to

  Travis’ silent plea. “Personally, after the day I’ve had, I can’t say I have any real desire to go out.

  Though, I am hungry.”

  She strolled forward. “Anybody interested in a pizza, Chinese, or even a quick run to a sandwich shop would suit me just fine, too?”

  Travis straightened and held out a hand to draw her closer. “Why don’t we order a pizza and have it delivered?”

  “Great. I have a few coupons on the refrigerator.” Lyndsey ducked under his outstretched arm and guided a hand around his waist.

  He’d removed his overcoat and suit jacket while she’d been dealing with the front door.

  The heat from his body and the sexy scent of his cologne hit at the same time. Need sparked along her nerve endings. She rubbed his back, silently admiring his muscular frame.

  He smiled, his eyes lighting with pleasure, which she took to mean he enjoyed having her close. After drawing her to his side, he turned to the couple on the couch. “What are you two hungry for?”

  Marianne shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Anything you guys want is okay with me.” Her dad looked more interested in holding Marianne than he did in what they might have for dinner.

  Knowing he needed a few minutes alone with her, Lyndsey stepped out of Travis’

  embrace and turned to retrieve the coupons from the kitchen. “Then it looks like we’ll go with the special. Buy a large specialty pizza and get a two topping medium for free.”

  Chapter Four

  Travis followed Lyndsey into the kitchen. He appreciated her willingness to change their plans. With his mother’s unexpected arrival and her news, he didn’t feel up to dealing with a formal dinner with Knox.

  Pausing behind Lyndsey, he kept his gaze on her when she stopped in front of the

&
nbsp; refrigerator. The French knot at the back of her head tempted him. His palms itched with the desire to pull out the pins. He envisioned the silky mass falling down around her baby-pink blouse. His scan dipped lower to her black skirt, which covered the flare of her hips and led to the long length of her legs. The sensual fantasy ended with her standing in front of him like a wet dream in four-inch patent-leather heels.

  His mouth watered, and he caught her around the waist. Drawing her back against his chest, he folded his arms around her. “Thanks for the quick change of plans for the evening, I didn’t want to leave mom alone.”

  He nibbled on her ear and whispered, “You look gorgeous by the way.”

  She twisted around in his embrace and cocked an eyebrow. “Was there ever any doubt?”

  He smiled and nudged her backward. When her hips hit the refrigerator, he edged even closer, letting the hard line of his body rest against hers. “No, you’re one sexy lady in or out of your clothes.”

  She tilted her head and rubbed her hands over his chest. “And when have you ever seen me naked?”

  He read the subtle reminder that last night had ended because of him and by no fault of hers. Unwilling to debate the point with their parents in the other room, he brushed a kiss over her lips. “Starting tomorrow night and for the rest of the weekend, I plan to have...”

  The light click of high heels hitting the tile floor alerted him. He paused before nibbling on her mouth again.

  “Travis.” His mother’s voice carried a note of desperation.

  He captured a hand from his chest and stepped back to look into the living room.

  “What?”

  Knox and his mother had moved to the center of the room as if they were preparing to leave. She had her arms wrapped around her purse while he buttoned his coat. “I think it’d be better if we just left.

  “But you have to eat?” He released Lyndsey’s hand and stepped forward. He did not

  intend to let her leave, not now, not when she needed him and his brother to offer her their support. “And afterward, I thought I’d head over with you to Brie and Jason’s. You haven’t told them yet, have you?”