The Stepbrother (Red's Tavern 5)

I glanced back at Sam. “Because I didn’t give you what you wanted last night,” I said, keeping my voice low.

He bit his bottom lip, not breaking eye contact with me. “I’m not mad about that,” he said. “Just waiting for when I’ll get my revenge.”

I sucked in a breath, arranging myself on my camping chair so that the entire family wouldn’t see that my cock was getting hard. I’d never been so thankful for all of the dancing shadows that came from a fire at night.

“You don’t stand a chance,” I said.

“Oh my God,” Logan said, walking over toward Sam as he took his first bite of a Reese’s s’more. “Sam is a genius. End of story.”

Sam leaned forward in a little bow. “Thank you, thank you. Although I’m not sure I can take credit for being the first person to think of this little recipe, I’m glad I’m the first one to introduce it to you.”

“My friend back at college has a little s’mores maker in his dorm,” Logan said. “I’m going to show everyone when I get back.”

“S’mores maker in a dorm, sweetie?” Laura asked. “Does that involve an open flame? Please tell me you’re careful.”

“Of course we are,” Logan said, walking back over to start up his second round of s’mores.

“Glad you’re not jealous of Gavin anymore,” Sam said, the corner of his mouth quirked up in a little smile.

I rolled my eyes. “I was never jealous of that guy.”

“Could have fooled me,” Sam said.

“Give me a break.”

“You know I liked it, right?” he asked. “I get off on that kind of jealousy. A little bit, at least.”

“Obviously,” I said. “And you know I saw right through you prancing around this morning, doing your workout in front of my vehicle. Waving your ass in my face.”

“I was not doing that for your benefit,” he said, his eyes wide, feigning innocence. “I had to get my workout in, and that was where I found some grass.”

“In your tightest clothes, of course.”

“So you noticed?” he asked, clearly proud as hell.

“Have I ever told you I hate you?” I said.

“Now that’s the Fox I remember,” he said with a laugh. “I would have done it naked, if that was socially appropriate.”

“I’m sure you would,” I said. I’d tried to sound sardonic, but it kind of came out sounding like I was salivating over the idea of his naked body.

Sam got up, purposely bending down in an exaggerated way to pick up another few marshmallows from the bag. His ass was right in front of me, and when he turned to the side a little, I swore I could even see a slight bulge in his pants.

He came and sat back down nonchalantly, holding his stick out into the fire.

“Stay in my RV tonight,” I whispered in his ear. I could smell the fresh scent of his shampoo, and already my cock perked up again at the reminder of how it felt to be so close to him.

“Maybe,” he said, shrugging one shoulder.

Bastard. He was riling me up, and I had no clue if he was actually intending on doing anything about it.

“What are you two whispering about?” Cathy said, coming over to ruffle a hand through Sam’s hair.

“Nothing you need to know about,” Sam said, his voice kind. “Maybe it’s a surprise for you.”

Cathy’s face lit up. “Say no more,” she said, putting her hands in the air. “I love a surprise. Just please, no early morning, crack-of-dawn surprises. I need my beauty sleep.”

“Never in a million years,” Sam said. “Mom, you really think I’d be up before dawn?”

“Not unless it was for a date,” Cathy said.

“Not even for that.”

“Do you think you’ll stay in touch with Gavin now?” Cathy asked him.

“I doubt it.”

Her face fell a little. She looked back at the campfire, staring into it like she didn’t know what to say.

“I just want you to be happy, hun,” she said softly to Sam.

He puffed out a feeble laugh. “And I definitely wouldn’t be with Gavin.”

“You’re making a fourth s’mores?” Cathy called out to my dad from across the fire. “Greg, babe.”

“What? They’re incredible,” Dad protested.

“Oh, I’m not arguing that,” Cathy said, crossing back over to his side. “I’m just mad you didn’t offer me another one.”

“Our parents are disgustingly cute together still,” I said, shaking my head.

“I know,” Sam agreed. “They’ve been married for over a decade now, and they act like they’re on their honeymoon.”

“I’d be happy if I had even a fraction of that when I’m married,” I said, running a hand through my hair.

“I’m surprised you want to get married at all,” Sam said.

“Of course I do,” I said. “Always have, really. Just needed to find the right person.”

He looked mystified. “You always seemed like such a heartbreaker. All those photos of you online with the models.”