Forbidden Steps: A Stepbrother Romance (10 page)

The doorknob turned and he let out a sigh of relief. And planted a stiff smile on his lips, prepared for a tongue-lashing.

The door opened to reveal a man. “Colin?”

Colin blinked. What the hell was Joey doing there?

Joey gave him a sheepish smile when Colin just stared at him. “Sorry, man. I swung by yesterday to see if you wanted to hang out.”

Opening his mouth, closing it, Colin shook his head. “How did you—”

“Your sister, Stephanie…well, she let me in and…” Joey winced and took a big step back. He put his hands up. “She was upset. I didn’t do anything she didn’t want me—”

Rage tore through Colin. He lunged. A hand slapped his chest.

“You lay one finger on him, Colin, and I swear to God I will tell everyone.” Stephanie stepped between them and Colin stopped short a breath from slamming into her. She arched a brow and adjusted her towel over her breasts. “You had your fun, I had mine. There’s no need to make an issue of it.”

“No need to make an issue?” Colin threw his hands up and roared out a laugh. “Bullshit, Steph. If you didn’t want issues, you wouldn’t have fucked him in my hotel room.” He paced to the hall, then back. “Yesterday, I might have understood—you reacted in the heat of the moment—but it’s been long enough for you to reconsider. This was fucking calculating, even for you.”

Steph studied her perfect nails. “Whatever would I be reacting to?”

“You heard me and Ashley—maybe even saw us. It finally occurred to you that you weren’t getting the damned love nest you’ve been pushing for.”

“Whoa. Wait a second. I’m confused.” Joey’s brow furrowed as his gaze jumped from Colin to Steph. “Or at least I hope I’m confused.”

Still looking at her nails, Steph appeared so unfazed Colin wanted to shake her, to yell at her until he got a reaction, and then hold her while she cried. The Ice Queen act aggravated him more than anything she ever did. But by the pallor of her cheeks, the composure was an act.

Colin turned to his friend, a man he’d willingly trusted with his life for years. “Joey, it’s…complicated.”

“Shit.” Joey shook his head and tripped away from Steph when she reached out to him. “This was all to make him jealous?”

“Joey, I can—” Stephanie grabbed Joey’s arm.

Lips curled in disgust, Joey shook her off. “You’ve had sex with your own brother. That’s—” He froze and looked at Colin, eyes wide. “Ashley, your little sister . . .”

Not good. Joey was so worked up, he’d probably tell the next person he spoke to everything.

“Calm down, Joey,” Colin said.

Joey shook his head, then glanced towards the hall. “I’m outta here, man. I don’t need this sick shit.” He stepped forward and moved to squeeze past Colin. “I’m sorry I fucked your sister. I—”

Colin shoved Joey away from the door, then closed and locked it. Jaw set, he glared at the other man. “You’re not going anywhere.”

Ashley pressed her hand over her mouth, staring at the closed door. Thankfully, she was the only one in the hallway, because if anyone else had heard what she just did, they’d think…

They’d think exactly what the man, Joey, thought. That there was some kind of incestuous relationship going on between her, Colin, and Steph.

Her jaw hardened as she stepped up to the door. She rapped her knuckles on it firmly, so fucking done with all the drama. Not just now, but ever since she woke up. Her family was a damn mess, and maybe her getting hurt had something to do with it, but if she was part of the cause, she’d damn well be part of the solution.

Colin opened the door, cringing when his eyes met hers. “Ashley—”

“Shut up and let me in.” She hiked her chin up when he hesitated and he let her pass. When the door closed behind her, she faced Joey, taking in the soldier and having no trouble understanding what Steph saw in him. “Nice to meet you, Joey. I’m Ashley.”

Jaw clenched, Joey inclined his head. “Hi.”

“Go sit.” She pointed toward the sofa and chair on the far side of the room. Then glanced over at Colin and Steph. “All of you.”

Folding his arms over his chest, Joey glared at Colin, who simply shrugged and went to sit in the middle of the sofa. Steph followed him, and after a moment, so did Joey.

Being the center of attention wasn’t on Ashley’s list of favorites, but she was tired of seeing the people she loved most in the world hurting because of her. They’re done most of this to themselves, but the addition of Joey made things even more complicated.

So she started with him, narrowing her eyes when he moved like he was ready to get up and leave. “I’m not sure if you’re feeling guilty about fucking our
step
sister, but whatever the reason, you’ve got to stop freaking out.”

He frowned, then licked his lips. “I’m not—”

“You were. We’re all adults here, so let’s avoid the bullshit. Yes, some people might think it’s messed up that we’re all sleeping together. Who fucking cares?” She folded her arms over her chest, her cheeks heating as his brows rose and his lips slanted slightly. “This is between us. Can we trust you to keep it that way?”

Nodding slowly, Joey rubbed his hand over his mouth. “Yeah. And I guess I overreacted a bit. You have to admit, it’s kinda twisted, you all growing up together, then…” He motioned from her to Colin to Steph. Then he gave her a crooked smile. “If I promise to keep your little secret, will you let me leave?”

Off to the other side of the sofa, Ashley saw Steph take Colin’s hand and whisper something to him. Colin smiled and pulled Steph close, which sent a stab of pain into Ashley’s chest. What she’d shared with Colin might be special, but it was nothing compared to what he’d built with Steph over the past couple of years.

She had a feeling them dragging her into their illicit relationship had been meant as a way to protect her. To show they loved her just as much as they loved one another. And after being in Colin’s arms, she couldn’t say she regretted giving in.

Only, they couldn’t continue this way. Steph and Colin were in love and she was standing in their way.

Swallowing against the tightness in her throat, Ashley moved closer Joey. “We’ll both keep your secret. I’m gonna get out of here and figure out…hell, figure out what I’m going to do with my life. I appreciate all you tried to do, but we can’t keep going like this. It’s gonna fuck up our family.”

Colin’s brow shot up. It looked like he was trying hard not to laugh, which made her want to hit him. “Ashley, our family is already fucked up. As far as I’m concerned, nothing matters but the three of us.” He paused, studying Joey’s face. “Actually, let’s make that four. Joey is like a brother to me, so—”

“Please don’t finish that sentence, Colin. Apparently considering someone family gets you off.” Joey shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans, red spreading across his strong jaw, all the way up to his sharply cut hairline. “I’m not surprised you’re a kinky fucker, but…just stop.”

“The only thing I’m going to stop is lying to everyone.” Colin rested his arm on Steph’s shoulder and idly ran a finger up and down the length of her throat. “This woman is mine, and it’s long past time I claim her.”

Steph snorted. “Could you be any more old-fashioned?”

“What about this plan is old-fashioned? People learning that the four of us are together can do a lot more damage than anyone learning I’m with you.”

All right, it was official. Her stepsiblings were completely insane. Ashley exchanged a look with Joey, grateful for his presence, because he seemed just as confused as she was.

“You can’t have everything, Colin. It’s not fair to Steph. Or to me.” Ashley squared her shoulders and lifted her chin, struggling to keep her lip from trembling as she realized this would be the end to everything she’d thought she could have. Family. Love. Experiences she’d missed out on because she’d been stupid enough to get in that car. “This ends now. Before anyone else gets hurt.”

Before she could make her exit with some of her pride intact, a soft hand caught her wrist. She swallowed as she met Steph’s eyes.

Steph cupped Ashley’s cheek, moving close to her. “Neither of them will be here much longer, Ashley. The reason things got so messy was because I tried to be sneaky, rather than honest. I was afraid to be alone, afraid you’d find someone else who couldn’t take care of you the way Colin and I can. I should have told you before, but all that matters is I’m telling you now.”

This time, Ashley couldn’t fight the tears. Her brother would be deployed again. Most people would probably think Steph was crazy, trying to use her own stepsister to fill the hole he’d leave, but in a twisted way, it made sense. Steph had built her whole life around Ashley and Colin. She was smart, beautiful, and so very strong. She could have done anything, but instead, she’d abandoned her dreams and made sure she’d be there, whenever they needed her.

But that didn’t explain dragging Joey into their warped relationship. “Joey doesn’t want to be here. It’s wrong to force him to get mixed up in all this.”

Colin’s lips slanted into a cocky smirk. “He didn’t show up at my hotel room just to hang out, Ashley. Like I told Steph, I wasn’t fooling around with random chicks where I was stationed. I had everything I needed at my side the whole time.”

“Everything you needed?” Steph glared at him. “You said
I
was everything you needed.”

Joey cleared his throat. “It wasn’t anything really, Steph. We helped each other out. I’m not…” He scowled when Colin arched a brow at him. “Damn it, Colin, we jerked each other off a few times. Coming home was fucked up and I consider you a friend. So yeah, I came to hang out.”

“My bad.” Colin held his hands up, but he didn’t really sound sorry. He sounded like a man who knew exactly how to take what he wanted. “I won’t ask for more than you’re willing to give. But look at them and tell me you won’t take a little of what we can offer. Even if only today.”

Ashley couldn’t see Joey’s reaction, because Steph’s lips were on hers and the sensation of the soft, teasing kisses had her holding on to the other woman as her head spun. She gasped as Steph slid her hand under her shirt, grazing her bare stomach with her fingertips. As her knees grew weak, Steph led her to the bed, swiftly stripping off her shirt, her bra. She laid Ashley down and leaned over her, gently cupping her breast in her hands.

“You’re so beautiful. I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist you.” Steph carefully settled her weight over Ashley, running her thumbs over her hardening nipples. “I wasn’t sure he’d want me anymore, and I couldn’t stand to lose you both.”

One hand left her breasts and Ashley’s lips parted as Steph’s fingers slid right down into her panties, parting her folds to rub her clit. She pressed her eyes shut, fighting the urge to tip her hips up to take Steph’s fingers in deep.

“Fuck.” Joey’s voice sounded strained, and Ashley glanced over at him, hoping he’d gotten past whatever reservations he had about Colin. The two men would be fucking hot together, and they should have moved beyond trying to act all proper.

But Joey was simply watching, while Colin split his attention between her with Steph on the bed, and his best friend. Leaning against the wall, Colin tipped a beer to his lips, drinking slowly as he rubbed his hand over the erection pressing against the front of his jeans.

Their loss. Ashley brought her focus back to Steph, tangling her fingers in her hair as Steph pressed light kisses down her throat, then over her breasts. The first tug of her lips on Ashley’s nipple sent a zing of pleasure straight down to her cunt. She tensed as Steph pressed two fingers into her, while using her thumb to continue stimulating her clit.

“Tell me I won’t lose you, Ashley.”

Inhaling roughly, Ashley arched her back, the steady rhythm of Steph’s fingers, the swirl of her tongue around one nipple, then the other, drawing little more than whimpers from her.

“Tell me.”

Steph licked her way down Ashley’s body, adding a third finger as her lips hovered over Ashley’s mound.

“Oh God. Please, Steph!” Her breath caught as Steph went still, and she met her eyes. And realized her manipulative stepsister wouldn’t continue until she answered her question. Groaning, she shook her head. “You won’t lose me. I couldn’t get away from you if I tried.”

Steph rewarded her with a light flick of her tongue right on Ashley’s clit. “Do you want to?”

“No.” A quiet hum of pleasure escaped her as Steph sucked at her clit. Her core tightened around the fingers filling her, and she balanced precariously on the edge of release, her eyes watering as need tore at her.

The sudden emptiness was cruel, cruel torture. She whimpered as Steph cupped her pussy, massaging in a way that kept her hovering at the brink of the sharp climax.

Colin clucked his tongue and stepped up behind Steph. “Greedy, as always. Do you want me to teach her how to tease you back, sweetheart? Because you know I can.”

Without waiting for an answer, Colin pulled Steph to her feet and tore away the towel that had somehow clung to her this whole time. He claimed her lips in a way that looked almost painful, but Steph pressed against him, demanding more.

She yelped when he lifted her up and tossed her on the bed beside Ashley. Holding out his hand, he clasped Ashley’s, guiding her over Steph, kissing her with much more tenderness before pushing Steph’s thighs open wide.

“Taste her with me. She loves to be finger-fucked hard, but she’s never satisfied if she gets off too easy.” He licked Steph’s pussy, waiting while Ashley took her first taste. The slick juices of Steph’s cunt were sweet, but Ashley wasn’t sure if she liked licking it straight from her hot pussy, or from Colin’s lips more. She decided to take a little of both, loving the way Steph cried out each time she shifted between them.

But toying with Steph became much more difficult when Joey decided he was done watching. He moved to the other end of the bed, and the heat of his breath joining Steph’s on Ashley’s cunt made her gasp.

She hadn’t even kissed this man yet, but his tongue was on her. Inside her. Then it was Steph, using her fingers and her mouth to drive Ashley right over the edge.

Tipping her head back, Ashley tried to swallow her screams as pure ecstasy tore through her. A merciless, overwhelming wave of pleasure blurred her vision and tightened all the muscles within.

Thankfully, Colin was there, keeping Steph hot and writhing with need. He held Ashley’s hand, anchoring her until she recovered enough to renew her attack. And it was an attack, because Steph held back stubbornly for longer than Ashley could ever imagine doing herself.

Held back until Ashley’s confidence took a few blows. Maybe, even with Colin’s help, she just wasn’t good enough. She tried to lick and suck in the same way that had done it for her, but even though Steph gasped and jerked her hips, she still didn’t come.

“Hold her, Joey.” Colin growled, a ruthless smile spreading across his lips as he rose up to lean over Steph. “You’re playing dirty, Steph.”

“That’s the only way to play, big brother.” Steph tugged at her wrists, inhaling sharply as Colin wrapped his hand around her throat. “You know what I like.”

“Yes, I do.” He nodded at Ashley. “Don’t hold back. She’s all yours.”

This family was all kinds of fucked up. Ashley shook her head, but she smiled as she kept her eyes on Steph’s face and slipped three fingers into her hot, wet cunt. Steph’s eyes drifted shut, but she still looked way too calm. Pressing her tongue against Steph’s clit, Ashley curved her fingers. Worked them in hard and fast. The way Steph’s breath caught brought on a heady surge of satisfaction. Four fingers and she slapped her palm against Steph’s pussy with each rough penetration.

She tried to add her thumb as well, forcing her hand in until the tight ring of muscle strained against the pressure. Ashley’s hand wasn’t big, but Steph’s cunt was nice and snug. The way Steph cried out and pushed against her…Ashley was tempted to see how far she could go. With her mouth on Steph’s clit, she dug the fingers of her other hand into Steph’s thigh and continue pressing in until she worked her whole hand in.

Wet heat surrounded her fist and all those tight muscles clung to her, undulating as Steph came, bucking and screaming until Joey pressed his lips over hers. Steph went limp, drawing in a harsh breath when Ashley carefully pulled her hand free.