Sean: A Stepbrother Romance (Coded for Love 3)

Why did he have to be so gorgeous? And why did he stare at her so much. It wasn’t as if he was looking at her for the first time. It made her giddy and nervous, which was ridiculous. “It is harder, yes,” she eventually replied.

“Don’t let it be harder, there’s no need.” He reached out his hand and took hers, sending tingles right through her.

She allowed him to hold her hand for a silent moment then drew away, “I can’t think when you’re touching me.”

“I must keep that in mind. It might be useful.”

She stuck her tongue out at him

“Okay,” he said, taking a deep breath. “I’ll start.”

She noticed he glanced over at Pixie. Did it bother him, her presence? He’d suggested they bring her along. He’d even pushed the pram along the promenade.

“I told you most of it last night.”

“How about explaining how you got yourself in jail. We couldn’t figure it out, always assumed you were too clever to end up getting caught, even if you wandered on to the wrong side of the law.” She threw him a disapproving glance. She wanted him to know she disapproved. She’d never explain why, how it had hit her badly, thinking about his situation. That would remain her secret.

He looked thoughtful for a moment, his expression more serious. “Bit off more than I could chew, I guess. We were just messing around, the way we always had. I picked the wrong target to hack, got caught. It was really bad news, because I was the main provider for all three of us, at the time.”

He sighed, and she could see he was riddled with regret. Good, she thought to herself. He’d better not do it again.

“When we first got to London I got a full time job as a motorbike courier,” he continued. “I also did pizza delivery in the evenings. We needed funds fast. I wanted Rory and Draco to get jobs in IT, but at the time no one would give them a chance without qualifications. Thankfully, they came out of it really well. We made a pact, no more hacking. Rory found work in bike mechanics and Draco got an opportunity in tech in the banking district. I’m proud of them.” His head dipped.

She could tell he was ashamed of himself. Reaching out, she laid her hand on his forearm. “It’s your turn to make good now.”

He lifted his head and smiled at her. “I hope so. That’s why it’s so important I clear the decks, deal with the past, shelve it, and begin afresh.”

Shelve the past? Her fledgling hopes plummeted. She withdrew her hand and looked back at Pixie to distract herself.

“Why did you call her Pixie? I thought you hated the fact your Mum had given you all hippie dippy names.”

“Yeah, well…” What could she say? “It seemed like a good idea at the time, like most things.”

“What happened with Declan?”

She flinched, couldn’t help herself. Even now her failed attempt at a new relationship embarrassed her, especially because she had done it to rid herself of memories of her first relationship. “He wasn’t around long. It never really began to be honest. We had a few dates, and then I told him I was pregnant. He didn’t phone anymore, didn’t even end it properly, much like you.”

“I’ll never be able to apologize enough.”

She shrugged. “Then I heard he’d started up with someone else when I was in hospital, giving birth to Pixie.”

He looked genuinely upset. “Not the best timing.”

“Nope. But it wasn’t as if it was the love affair of the century. Mostly it was my pride that was hurt.”

“You’re amazing.”

She shrugged. “Boringly sensible at times maybe, force of circumstance. It goes against my rebellious nature, but I’m getting used to being responsible.”

“And who was the love affair of your life?”

“Fishing for compliments now, huh?”

“Only because I want to give them to you without you snarling at me.”

Restraining her smile, she faked a snarl.

He laughed. “Come on, can we play nice, give it a go?”