I was shocked and perplexed. "Explains what?" I spluttered.
"Why you aren't wearing a bra," he explained coolly, leaning on the table. "You must have been naked when I knocked."
The heat returned to my cheeks this time with a vengeance. "How could you tell I wasn't wearing a bra?" I inquired, struggling to keep my voice steady as I spooned sugar into his coffee.
"I could feel your nipples, and the way your tits spread right into me," he explained nonchalantly and shook his head. "Wow!"
"Adam, you really need to stop using those obscene words," I said crossly. "You add not to direct them at me."
A dark chuckle tore through his throat. "Obscene?" he scoffed. "Tits, boobs, breasts...those aren't obscene. They are in the dictionary. Check it up."
I sighed exasperatedly. "Well, just 'cause they're in the dictionary doesn't mean you should say them."
I could swear I saw a cold glint in his eyes just before I turned round. Then he remarked, "You've never been so prudish. Yeah, yeah, you were pretty uptight even as kids, but..."
I gave him a pointed look and stood arms akinbo. "But, what?"
He shrugged. "Well, I guess marriage did change you."
I returned the shrug. "Well, I also don't know remember you being so...."
"Vulgar?" he completed.
"Vulgar...yes," I asserted.
I could see him through the little glass mirror in the kitchen, and nearly shuddered at the animalistic glint in his eyes as he let them sweep down my back to my ass.
He quirked his brows. "Does Jace ever use words like that?"
I gave him a look. "No. At least not with me."
"Oh," he said simply, but I felt the underlying sarcasm. "So how do you talk when you're in bed? Do you say 'Darling please put your penis into my vagina?'" He broke into a laugh.
I plugged in the percolator with an angry flourish, but my cheeks continued to glow. "Adam, I don't want to talk about sex with you. It...it isn't decent for brothers and sisters to talk about such things."
"Okay. Don't get ticked off." He raised his hands in mock surrender, cold laughter bursting through his throat. "Besides, we are step siblings. Remember that, now and for the future."
"Just what are your plans?" I asked coolly though my cheeks still felt warm.
"My plans? You mean about school?"
I got down a bowl and a box of cereals. "That. And where you're going to live."
"I want to stay here in Boston. As for school, I don't dare go back. I'm screwed, maybe unless I get into another college."
I quirked my eyebrow at his use of 'screwed' but I guess that fell into the category of common slangs. So l let it slide. For now, my main concern was his problem.
"Have you told Mom and Dad about your problem?"
"Seriously, Steph? You gotta be kidding me."
"So, they think you're still in school?"
He shrugged. "Probably. I guess so."
"But isn't the school likely to notify them?" I asked, stepping to the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of milk.
"That's why I have to hide over, lie low till it all blows over."
"But, Adam, you'll have to tell mom and Dad where you are," I stressed. "They're going to worry about you."
"Quit bugging me, Steph, will you?" he snapped, the sharpness in his tone paralysing me for a second. Then he flashed me a grin, his tone softening. "Besides things are bad enough without my stepsister bugging me."
"I'm sorry," I said with a small voice.
I didn't say anything else and I ate in silence, feeling his hot gaze burn a hole into me. As soon as I was done eating, I served him his coffee.
I sneaked a glance at him as he raised the mug to his lips. There was something wrong, it gnawed at the pit of my stomach.
He looked up and I quickly averted my gaze, but not quick enough not to notice the glint in his eyes. I felt my cheek burn, and worse, I was beginning to feel a trickle in my pussy.
This was the first time we would be alone together since I married Jace, and it made me uneasy.
...
"This is a nice place," Adam commented, looking around my living room. "You and I will get along just fine."
I quirked my brows. What did he mean get along? Is it just what I think he meant? Did he mean– I shook my head violently to abort the thought.
"Adam, I'll like to have you stay here...I'll really do," I said, my tone taking a trained seriousness. "But don't you think you'll be more comfortable somewhere else...you know where you can have more space?"
He grinned. "I figure I can have all the space I need here. It's good Jace is not around, so...extra space. Plus, I don't have any money, and you won't be so cruel to leave me stranded..." He reached out and picked the hair on my face, tucking it behind my ear. "Will you?" he slurred.
The hairs on my body stood on edge, my breath hitched in my throat, and I suddenly felt giddy. "I can help you out until you get a job."
He blew raspberry. "I don't want a job, sis. Hell, I'm looking to get into another college. If I can make it, I'll only be here until then...maybe a couple of weeks."
A lump formed in my throat and I swallowed hard.
"Come on," he said and drew me into a loose embrace. "You know you'll love having me around."
I drew a breath.
He moved his hand slowly up and down my arms, the mere touch making my skin tingle. I dared to look into his eyes. He was big and handsome, not at all like the roughneck little boy I used to know.
I began to feel a little giddy as I stood close to him, my nipples hardening beneath my dress again.
"What's the matter with you?" a voice in my head demanded. "He's your brother!"
"Stepbrother," another voice chipped in.
I couldn't take it anymore. I lost it.
In the blink of an eye, panic seized me and I pushed him away. His eyes narrowed into slits, a grin dancing on his firm, alluring lips.
"You're going to let me stay, Stephanie," he said softly. "I know you want me to. I promise I'll be good company."
"Adam..."
He pressed his lips on mine softly, shutting me off. I closed my eyes, slowly losing myself in the tempting taste of his lips. I almost grumbled when he disengaged.
"Now, you're going to let me stay, or I'll take you across my knees and give you a good spanking," he chuckled.
I blew a slow breath. This was the moment of truth, a big decision.
"Alright, Adam. You can stay."