My Future Step Brother by Tina Gayle Read online

  With Knox’s arm around her shoulder, his mother dropped her gaze and rubbed a

  trembling hand over her chest. With a small shake of her head, she glanced at Knox. “He’s probably right. I just came by here for a few minute so I could talk to Lyndsey. Then I was heading over there. I need to let Jason know what’s going on.”

  He frowned and tugged her closer to his side, blocking Travis’ path to his mother. “I’d really prefer if you’d wait until tomorrow to tell them. Right now, you’re overwhelmed by everything that the doctor told you. We can go over there tomorrow morning after the kids have left for school.”

  Irritated by his interference, Travis fought back the urge to charge forward and seize the man by the collar of his shirt. Knotting his fists to hold back the uncharacteristic impulse of resorting to violence, Travis reluctantly admitted Knox cared for his mother and wanted to help.

  But...

  A knot twisted in Travis’ stomach, proclaiming this a family matter. The tears in his mom’s eyes distracted him, and he wondered at her reason for dropping by Lyndsey’s apartment.

  To ask about Knox?

  Was she concerned how he might take the news of her having cancer?

  Or for another reason?

  Travis turned to Lyndsey. After a long moment, he glanced back at Knox. They’d both dealt with the worst-case scenario of the disease. Granted, Lyndsey’s mom had died from liver cancer, not breast cancer, and the survivor rate for one was not the same as for the other.

  In addition, Knox had been working to become more than just a friend for months now.

  Travis had even accepted the possibility of them getting married. But, uh...

  Lyndsey edged by him and paused next to her dad who’d been ushering Marianne closer to the door. “Dad’s right. It takes a little time to absorb everything that will happen over the next few months.”

  Darting around them, Lyndsey closed her hand over the doorknob. “Relax tonight, and then tomorrow when you’re over the initial shock, you can go visit Jason and his family and break the news to them. Another day isn’t going to matter. It’s a slow process. Between scheduling tests and going through treatment, it can take months before this will be behind you.”

  Detached from conversation playing out before him, Travis watched everyone in the

  room as if he were a spectator. Convinced his mom should be with her sons, family and her friends, he wanted to rant at Knox to back off.

  Instead, for the first time all evening, Travis noticed the deep concern on the man’s face.

  The stiff line of Knox’s spine and the way he held her with his hands constantly caressing her shoulders showed the man loved her.

  Lyndsey spoke. Her words, a muffled sound of gibberish, but he turned his attention to her. Like a spotlight switching on in his head, Travis suddenly saw his relationship with her from her father’s point of view. Where Knox had made no secret regarding his desire to marry Marianne, Travis had made no promise to Lyndsey concerning the future. In fact, he suspected if he even mentioned anything other than having a short-term affair she’d bolt.

  His gaze jumped back to his mother. She’d warned him not to become involved, not

  because of her association with Knox. No, she claimed it might damage Lyndsey’s rapport with her father.

  Until this moment, Travis hadn’t seen how. Did Knox feel as if he no longer had a place in Lyndsey’s life too?

  Shoving aside everything else but his need to protect his mother, Travis stepped forward.

  “Mom, if you want I can head over to Jason’s tonight and tell him.”

  His mother turned. She laid a hand on Knox’s shoulder, moved around him, and walked forward. A sad smile covering her lips, she stepped to Travis, wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest.

  He enclosed her within the circle of his arms and lowered his head to brush his cheek against her hair. To hold the tears that threaten at bay, he squeezed his eyes tightly shut. He held her for a long moment, his world tilting off center as he fought the risk of anything taking her away from him. She’d always been his rock. Now he aspired to be hers.

  She wiggled and mumbled against his chest, “I love you son.”

  He loosened his grip and peered down into her face. “I love you too.”

  A weepy smile spread across her face and she patted his chest. “Why don’t I meet at Jason’s tomorrow morning around seven-thirty? Brie should have already left to take the kids to school. If Jason follows his normal habit, he’ll probably still be at home doing paperwork. You know how he likes to get it done before he heads out to his next job site.”

  “You got it.” Travis relinquished his hold.

  Knox stepped forward, drew her back to his side and guided her to the exit.

  Lyndsey opened the door. “We’ll reschedule dinner for another night.”

  Her father nodded and hustled Marianne through the exit.

  Watching them head outside, Travis fought the anger building in his gut. He had to let her go with Knox, but it didn’t mean he had to like it. Cupping his hands over Lyndsey’s shoulders, he stayed inside even though he longed to follow them. But what could he do? Console her?

  Hell, no, he desperately needed to hit something. Beat something to a bloody pulp until his frustration of not being able to help her receded.

  He fought to calm his enrage sense of injustice. Hadn’t she suffered enough after losing his father? Why did she have to deal with this too?

  “I guess I should probably get going too,” he grounded out and dropped his hands to his sides.

  Lyndsey shut the door, turned and leaned against it, blocking the exit with her body.

  “Why? We can still order pizza and relax on the couch.”

  The spark in her eyes suggested she’d be willing to indulge in more of the activity they had started last night. He stared into the velvety brown depths wanting to believe he could forget what his mother had just told him and concentrate only on his lust for Lyndsey.

  He shifted and nailed her against the door by setting his hands on the wood panel behind her head. “At the moment, I have no desire to be a gentleman.”

  “Who said I want you to be?” Lyndsey thrust her hand up over his chest and buried her fingers in his hair. “Right now, you’re looking for some relief from the pain of finding out your mother might have cancer.”

  He crowded closer, wedged a foot between hers and forced her legs wider apart. His knee rose, lifting her skirt, uncovering the elastic band of her stockings and the smooth satin skin of her thighs. Determined to show her, he meant what he’d say about having no patience. He pressed forward, rubbing his solid form against her softness. They both shuttered.

  Abruptly, all the unsatisfied yearnings he’d been stifling over the last few weeks roared to life and commandeered his attention. He gasped for air. Lyndsey’s sweet scent filled his senses and ignited his appetite for more. His heart hammered in his chest. A ravenous obsession erupted inside him. He lost his ability to step away. “You smell so incredible.”

  Lyndsey’s smile held a womanly assurance. She knew exactly what she was doing to

  him. She curled her fingers, tugged his head down to her waiting lips, brushing them lightly across his. “Believe me I’ve been where you are and a good bout of sex is just what you need.”

  Before he could respond, she covered his mouth. Hers opened under his. His control

  shattered. He tangled his tongue around hers, his hands in her hair and angled her head to plunge deeper. He ate at her lips greedily without giving her a rest.

  Chapter Five

  Lyndsey sighed, delighted to experience the full force of Travis’ desire. His passion drove her wild. The civilized veneer he constantly hid behind gone. His greedy lust ruled his actions. As his mouth continued to plunder hers, he dropped his hands from her head to hips. His grip tightened, and he held her against his rock-hard erection, revealing his unquenchable hunger for her.
/>   She’d dreamed of this so many times of him unleashing his emotions and showing his

  endless fascination for her. Knowing the fear, worry, and possibly even the anger at the injustice of his mother’s diagnosis had sent him over the edge didn’t upset her. She understood the necessity to feel powerful in a helpless situation.

  Behind her closed eyelids, Lyndsey rode the whitecap surf of arousal. Her heart raced with every new sensation he invoked inside of her. The addictive flavor of him like the stimulating effects of coffee flooded through her, awakening her nerve endings. She wrapped both her arms around his shoulders and drew him closer. After her mouth slid open a fraction of an inch wider, he plunged his tongue deep, demanding more.

  He continued teasing her until he robbed her of the ability to breathe, think, or draw air into her lungs. Lack of oxygen had her head spinning, or maybe the thrust of his tongue in such a primal rhythm was the issue. Add in his dark rich essence, her world expanded, plunging her into an entirely new universe of awareness. He shifted his mouth from her lips to her neck.

  She gasped for air, loving the insane thrill of having him so close. Her head fell back, knocking against the door, but the hit barely registered. Instead, she marveled at the light bite of his teeth as he pulled her blouse from her skirt’s waistband and fingered her stomach. The harsh sound of his breath in her ear spoke of his excitement and upped her pleasure.

  “We have to get you out of your clothes before I...” He drew back. The intensity of his stare forced her eyelids open. His heated gaze revealed his mindless intentions of making love until they both were completely satisfied. Then he blinked, the dark depths revealing his desire to possess. The strength of his resolve set her nerves on end.

  “I, uh, had plans for our first time to be in my king size bed...” He shoved her blouse higher. His fingers played over her ribcage and his palms cupped her breasts.

  She tightened her hands over his shoulders and moaned, “Don’t even think about

  stopping. We’re doing this tonight, now or I’ll...”

  He pinched her nipples.

  She screamed, and her eyes rolled back in her head. How could anything feel so

  incredible?

  Certain, she must have blacked out because she found her feet had left the floor. Resting higher against the door, she drifted into a sensual haze as moist heat engulfed her right breast.

  Unable to remain still, she wriggled.

  Travis grunted and adjusted his position. He slid one hand down to cup around her thigh and wrapped her leg around his waist. While holding her steady against him, he secured her other one.

  She crossed her ankles and held on. With her back pinned to the door, he had his hands on her ass with his groin locked snuggly against her wet panties. She melted at having his body nestled in the one place she craved him most.

  Gruff words whispered through her head. “I may be in a rush but I refuse to make love to you standing up.”

  He shifted, his muscles bunching under his shirt. With his palms still on her bottom, he hugged her close, turned into the living room and hurried into her bedroom. After hitting the light switch, he deposited her on the bed.

  Before she could even settle back onto the mattress, his hands rushed over her body, pushing, shoving and tugging at fabric. In less than a minute, he had them free from their clothes and resumed his place above her.

  “Now, sweetheart, it’s time I get a taste of you.” The fierce glint in his gaze registered seconds before he dropped his head. His hot avid mouth covered her left nipple. He sucked greedily, drawing her needy flesh deeper and rolling the tight peak against the roof of his mouth.

  Lyndsey moaned, wanting only for him to pull harder, take more until his only source of nourishment was her.

  He teased her with the soothing swipe of his rough tongue before he drew her nipple back into his mouth. Instantly, the caress reignited her passion, which had barely diminished from their encounter by the door. Relentless in his pursuit, he used his other hand to capture her other nipple, toying with the sensitive tip with strong fingers. The dual action of both his mouth and hand drove her crazy until she couldn’t lie still.

  With his body position over hers, he kept her in place by straddling one thigh with his.

  He wedged a knee between hers and opened her body up for his intimate exploration. The hand on her breast slid to her stomach, building expectation as to where his irresistible touch would land next.

  She rocked her hips, hoping to guide him lower to the place where a supreme ache

  demanded his attention. His fingertips danced over her trim curls. One provocative tip played along her delicate folds.

  “Travis, please,” she gasped. Her hands tightened over his shoulders, her nails biting into his skin.

  With the pressure on her breast easing, he slipped his lips to the throbbing peak. Keeping it inside his mouth, he lightly nibbled at the tip with his teeth. The bite didn’t have enough force to injure but captivated her thoughts with what he’d do next.

  Lifting his head, he nailed her with his heated gaze. His finger dipped deeper, gathering the abundant moisture and spreading it over her swollen lips. With precise precision, he narrowed in on her clitoris, toying with the small nub until Lyndsey cried out.

  Just last night, she enjoyed the pleasures of his hands. Tonight, she wanted more, yet it’d been so long since she’d made love. Her high-school boyfriend, who she’d considered spending a lifetime with, hadn’t played with her like this. Hell, even the guy she dated briefly in college opted only for a quickie in the backseat of his car. Neither held a candle to Travis. His touch created mind-blowing ecstasy.

  Man, oh man. She wished he’d bury himself deep inside her.

  The palm of his hand covered her heat while one long, rigid finger penetrated her core.

  “No, Travis.” She shook her head, rolling it on her pillow. “I want you.”

  A predatory grin spread across his lips. He drew back the alluring digit and added another one to the mix, plunging two deep, then quickly followed with a third. The relentless pumping had her panting for air. Desire flowed like a wild winter run-off, submerging her in an outpour of emotions she couldn’t control. Still, he drove her closer and closer to the edge. Without warning, he suddenly stopped.

  “Travis,” she yelled, bucked her hips, clasped her hands around his head and stared into his eyes. “Make love to me.”

  “Now!” He demanded and shifted between her legs. His weight pressed her deeper into the bed. The hair on his chest rasped against her sensitive nipples. He leaned closer and murmured into her ears an explicit explanation of what he planned to do.

  “Oh, my.” The images his words created in her mind, excited her as much as the firm line of his erection against her moist flesh.

  He circled his hand around his length and nudged the tip against her slick folds. He paused for a moment at her twitching entrance before he thrust his hips forward and buried himself to the hilt.

  A low cry echoed through her bedroom. She wondered where the sound had come from.

  Then before she could catch her breath, he shifted again, pulling slowly out.

  She tightened her hold on him, unwilling to lose the connection between them. Shifting her hips, she fought to keep him in place.

  He teased her, giving her a few shallow thrusts before he dove deep. Again and again, he tortured her by drawing almost free with only the tip resting against her sensitive opening. Her entire body shivered in anticipation.

  “Tell me, Lyndsey, is this what you want?” Travis groaned and slammed deep with one blessed hard thrust that had her rocking beneath him.

  “Yes,” she yelled and lifted her legs to circle his hips. The change in position allowed him to sink even deeper and must have given him what he’d been looking for because he didn’t pause again. Instead, he drove into her harder and faster, setting a breakneck speed that propelled her toward a rapturous orgasm.

  Air slam
med in and out of her lungs with each thrust. Tension built to a breaking point.

  She cried, begging for it to end and hoping against hope it’d last forever. Unexpectedly, a tidal wave of delight crashed over her, washing pleasure into every cell, inundating her with blissful satisfaction. Her internal muscles quivered and clamped around him, setting off his climax seconds after hers.

  Pouring himself into her, he roared in a rough tone, the sound vibrating through her.

  Slowly, his body relaxed above hers. With a slight roll of his hips, he shifted onto his back and arranged her on top of him.

  Her legs tangled with his, she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

  Completely satisfied, she drifted in the warm afterglow, completely content in the knowledge he’d stay with her a while longer.

  Chapter Six

  Still staring at the ceiling twenty minutes later, Travis debated whether he should leave or not. With Lyndsey lying soft and inviting in his arms, he couldn’t seem to make his body move.

  The musty scent of their lovemaking hung in the air, reminding him of how she responded to his touch.

  She hadn’t shied away when he shoved up against the front door nor had she become

  upset when he stripped off her clothes with no concern for the delicate fabric of her sheer underwear. He replayed the vision she made in cotton pink lace. His mouth watered at having denied himself the pleasure of tasting her rich cream. Unfortunately, he’d been beyond desperate by that point. He guided a hand down her back and squeezed her ass.

  Damn, he wanted her again.

  He’d suspected that once he had a taste of her he’d need more. In this case, he’d been right. Her exuberance awoke a hunger in him he hadn’t experienced in years, a wild desire to possess.

  Shifting his hand deeper over the curve of her bottom, he nudged her leg off to the side and tested her response to his touch. One wet slide of his fingertip over her slit and he quickly took action. Rolling over, he secured her under him and wedged a leg between hers, keeping access open to her moist center. He stared into her peaceful face.