Step-Santa - A Stepbrother Forbidden Romance

Mom has attached us at the hip the last few weeks doing what she calls ‘family’ things, which basically comprise eating dinner at her house, and my attraction to him is otherworldly.

It was like a punch to the gut when he called me his little sister at the restaurant, because I know I will never think of this gorgeous man like a brother.

There’s just no way I ever could.

Not only is he hotter than Hades, but he seems normal…and nice. He’s attentive when I talk and has fascinating publishing stories.

Should you fantasize about a step-sibling? I don’t think so.

Have I? Absolutely.

We arrive in the dining room to find our parents huddled together, canoodling. Yes, they’re full-on canoodling at the table.

Kane clears his throat. “Can you please not do that in my presence?” He sits down next to his father.

“Kane, when you love someone, show them all the time,” Mr. Snow says.

Kane’s eyes meet mine as I sit, and like every time he looks in my direction, my nipples salute him.

For the next few minutes, we enjoy awkward small talk over ribeye steaks and baked potatoes. Well, I enjoy the food at least. Until the moment I’ve been dreading happens.

My mother peers at me over the rim of her wine glass. “How’s the job?”

I shift in my seat, clearing my throat, struggling to think of something I can say to change the subject, so I don’t have to face the disappointed eyes of my mother. “Um, actually…” My words fade away.

“It’s going great. Isn’t that what you were saying earlier?” Kane chimes in.

I nod, letting my mind catch up with my mouth. “That’s right.” I’ll confess to my mother after Christmas. “Yes, it’s going great.” I plaster a fake smile on my face.

“Where do you work?” Mr. Snow asks.

“For Tory Burch.”

Thankfully, Kane changes the subject, “I’ve been helping her with the children’s book.”

“Oh, yeah?” Randall cuts into his ribeye. “How so?”

“Yeah,” I say. “I normally use Kinko’s, but Kane offered his printing service, so it’s the real deal. It will have a cover and a spine and everything.”

Kane grins at me, igniting that familiar fire in my veins that’s been steadily burning for weeks.

My mom douses the smoldering in my belly by saying, “That’s what family does, dear.”

My gaze flits to Kane’s before dropping to my plate. It’s not good for me to look at his sexiness. He’s all wrapped up in a green button-down shirt that matches his eyes, with the sleeves rolled back, exposing his arm porn. Mr. Snow brings Kane into a discussion about sports and I try not to stare at the way Kane rubs the pad of his index finger against his top lip.

Mom pats my hand. “I know I have upset you about missing the wedding, so we’re going to have a party at the resort so everyone can celebrate our marriage with us.”

I smile. “That’s great.” I feel like I’ve said ‘that’s great’ more times than necessary these past weeks.

“Tomorrow, Randall and I will ride out together. We have to leave early to get there before anyone else. Kane, would you mind Winter riding with you?”

Kane glances at me before answering. “I don’t mind. Is that ok with you?”

I nod. “Sure.”

I breathe in deeply, letting it out in one long smooth, controlled breath. I can’t believe we’ll be alone for a whole car ride. The retreat is about a two-hour drive, and now I’m worried about being so close to him.

I’ll bring books. And work on my resume while he drives. Yes, that’s what I’ll do.

“Thanks for saving me with my mother,” I tell Kane fifteen minutes into our car ride to the resort.

At first, I tried to read, but my eyes wanted to admire Kane’s muscular arm draped over the steering wheel. Then I tried to work on my resume, but couldn’t focus on anything except the way Kane’s thigh flexed each time his foot pressed down on the brake or moved to the accelerator.

To say this has been an unproductive trip so far is an understatement.

“No problem. Want to tell me what really happened? I could tell by your face you didn’t want to discuss it.”

Funny, in the short time we’ve known each other, he can read me so well. I blow out a deep breath. “They fired me.” My lips turn downward as Kane merges in the traffic on the interstate.

“Why?”

“I cursed at my boss.”

He almost looks amused as I give him the details.

“I’m sorry,” he says. “Did you like working there?”

I let that question bounce around my mind for a few seconds. “Actually, no. It was just a job.”

Kane smiles. “If you could have any job in the world, what would you want to do? Don’t think too hard… and go.”

“I’d love to illustrate more books.”

“Why don’t you?”

“Ha,” I blurt out. He acts like it would be so easy to just think of things to write and draw. “It’s a lot more complicated than that.”