Sean: A Stepbrother Romance (Coded for Love 3)

Sky keeps her head down and filled the kettle from the tap in a deep white sink. “I don’t know a lot.”

“But you know something.”

“He took off because he has to do a hack, and I overheard him say it’s a matter of life or death.”

Something in Rowan’s head stared buzzing like an alarm, and it seemed tangled up in her heartbeat. What the hell? After everything he’d said about starting over, never hacking again, and inside a couple of days he’s abandoned her for what sounded like a really dangerous hack?

“I don’t know much about it, but it’s some guy he knew on the inside. He’s forcing Sean to do it.”

“Forcing?” Rowan gave a wry laugh. “No one could force that man to do anything.”

“No, it does seem odd.” Sky set about the fridge, pulling out containers of food. “That’s all I know, really.”

Rowan nodded and sat down. Sky would spill the beans if she knew more, for sure. She’d have to bide her time until Sean arrived, then she’d take him apart, limb by limb, to get to the bottom of it.

“He had us all convinced he was going straight. He actually sat there with Aunt Gladys and convinced her he was going to start his own fencing business in Prestatyn.”

Sky looked puzzled. “Fencing? You mean sword fighting?”

Rowan burst out laughing. The idea of it was too funny. “Fencing as in repairing and putting up fences.”

Not surprisingly, Sky still looked puzzled. “Blimey. That’s gonna take some imagining.”

“Yeah,” Rowan agreed, “if it’s not bikes or computers…pfft. Not worth their time of day.” She looked around the kitchen. It was a great space, and Sky seemed right at home. “What about you? How are you getting on here?”

“Great, really great.”

Rowan’s feeling was her words were genuine, but there was a little bit of a shadow in her sister’s eyes, like a doubt, and Rowan didn’t miss it. “Are you getting on with Rory, now you’re together full time?”

“God, yes.” Sky continued to prep food, but glanced back over her shoulder occasionally as she spoke. “To be honest, it’s so much like a dream come true I sometimes have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not asleep.”

Sky blushed. It was cute to see and Rowan was relieved. So what was her sister worrying about? “And the house, the pets?”

“I love it all. I do.” She paused. “Although sometimes I...”

“What?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“No, it’s something. You can tell me.”

“Everything is great, don’t worry. I just sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed because I don’t want make any mistakes.”

“Everybody makes mistakes, Sky. Its how you handle them that counts.” Rowan wished she could live up the mantra herself, but it was something she believed in.

“Yeah, I guess. I just sometimes find myself wishing you were around.” Sky put a plate of quiche on the table and gestured, encouraging Rowan to eat. “Like this, to talk properly, like we used to, not just face time, real time.”

“I know what you mean. I miss you too. It’s not the same is it? I miss you at home too. The ladies are great, but they can be really stuffy. Aunt Gladys is out a lot doing her voluntary work, and I know Nan would like to join her more, but she covers with Pixie when I go to my classes. Besides, I can’t leave Pixie for long. It’s doing my head in already and I only said bye-bye to her this morning.”

“You know you and Pixie could stay here for as long as you like.” Sky offered. “I’d love it if you did. I meant both of you.” Sky paused and looked at Rowan thoughtfully. “I couldn’t invite you before, living in a one room hovel and working all hours to meet the rent. But now things are different. There’s room for you and Pixie here.”

All Rowan could think was Sean would be here, right here in this house in this kitchen. Rory had offered him a job, a room. There’d already been mention of converting the attic, or applying for permission to build an extension. But she couldn’t even begin to think of being that near him—living under the same roof—with this gaping chasm between them, the mistakes and the grievances. And yet the magnetic appeal was there too, calling on her to the very depths of her being. To be that close to him all the time. It set alight the pulse in the pit of her belly, making her restless with desire. Her skin tingled, her body heat rising. Don’t even toy with the idea, she told herself sternly. It can’t happen. Think of Pixie.

“It’s a wonderful thought, and I really do appreciate it, but I have to be practical. I’ve only just started evening classes. Pixie will be starting nursery school soon.” Sky looked disappointed. She tried to hide it, but not enough. So Rowan pushed on. “But now you have more space we can visit more often.”

Sky looked relieved.

“Talk to me about any worries though, please Sky.”