Licking my suddenly dry lips, I don’t dare look at him.
Dinner is a wonderful affair. Mom and Frank talk about what they have planned, the town, people within it, and it feels right somehow. This is what I love about coming home. Everyone has a place here, and there is love wherever I turn.
Mom brings out a chocolate cake. I have a nice big slice, and then of course, it’s cleaning up. By the time the dishes are done, it’s late, and I see Myron wearing a jacket and with four leashes in his hands.
Duncan, James, Huwie, and Bernice are all yapping around his feet.
I laugh.
“Why don’t you join him?” my mom says.
“What?”
“It’s Christmas. It’s cold, and you know he hates dealing with the cold.”
“He doesn’t mind.” Being alone with Myron seems like a giant mistake. One I shouldn’t be making. I have to … no, there’s no way.
“I’d love the company. It’s Christmas. No one should be alone at Christmas.” Myron smiles at me. Those perfect blue eyes make it impossible for me to deny.
“Of course then. No one should ever be alone on Christmas.” Getting to my feet, I follow Myron toward the front door. He already has my coat in his hands and is giving me that smile, which told me he knew he’d won this one. I don’t like to see any smugness on his face. In fact, I want to wipe it off and not look at him again, but I can’t.
Taking the coat, I slide my arms inside as he refuses to let it go. I go for the zipper, but he is already there, zipping me up. Next, a nice little hat, followed by some gloves and a scarf.
“There. You’re all set. I wouldn’t want you to get cold.”
I couldn’t get cold, not with the way he is touching and making me feel. Forcing a smile to my lips, I have to hide all feelings, all reactions. It isn’t good for me to even allow myself to think about what I want from him, or how we really shouldn’t. We’re not real siblings. It shouldn’t matter that I desire him. If he’d been my actual brother, gross. For the most part, Myron and I had lived apart. Having the biggest crush on him and finding out he would be my stepbrother, that was in fact the worst thing in the world. There was nothing I could do, no way to stop these feelings. I had to control myself.
Girls and women were always falling all over themselves in an attempt to impress him. I wouldn’t do that. I refused to do that.
With the dogs all secured on leashes, we step out into the cold, and fuck, it is freezing. So cold, and the snow; I love snow, and it crunches beneath my boots.
Walking beside Myron, I take the leash for Bernice, hoping she’ll slow down so I don’t have to walk beside him, but even the dog has it in for me. We’re both females, so she should be on my side.
Traitor.
“You can try and ignore me.”
“What kind of game are you playing?” I ask.
“I’m not playing a game.”
“You want me?” I lick my lips and wince. It is too cold to do anything.
Myron stops and the dogs do as well, even Bernice.
“Look at me, Kate.”
I want to be a child and deny him the chance to look into my eyes, but it is so stupid to even do that.
Looking at him, it isn’t hard. He is a good-looking guy, but … I want him. Pressing my lips together, I wait.
“I know you want me too.”
“This is never going to happen.”
He steps closer. Leans in. I hold my breath as my nipples tighten.
“Yes, it is, but you’re too afraid right now. Don’t worry. I will show to you that you’ve nothing to be afraid of.”
“You’re a little sure of yourself, aren’t you?” I ask.
He smirks. That look makes me all wet because it holds so many promises. I’m so curious about all of them and know I shouldn’t be.
“I know it’s a done deal.”
****
Myron
Kate can fight this all she wants, but I see the need in her eyes. I’ve seen it in them for a long time. She’s wanted me for so long, and now that I know she’s old enough, living her dream, I’m going to take my shot. This Christmas, she will belong to me, and I will never give her back.
She jogs to keep up with me. Bernice is a little firecracker, and even though she’s the smallest of all the dogs, she refuses to fall behind, even once. Thatta girl.
“I can’t believe you. Our parents won’t like this, no matter what you think.”
I stop and turn toward her.
God, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and I want her. The ache deep inside me keeps on growing and all I ever want is her. I love her so damn much. I don’t care what the town or the world thinks because I love her. She is the love of my fucking life!