Page 58 of Puck My Stepbrother

LEVI

“Ineed to talk to you about something,” I said.

Quinn’s eyes widened and he looked ready to dart down the hall, but I blocked his path before he could make a move. Normally, great sex left me feeling revved up even a day or two later. But that kitchen romp had taken things to the next level. I swore the adrenaline pumping through my veins would take a week to wear off. But I had more on my mind than the next good, hard fuck.

“I really can’t talk right now,” Quinn said. “I’m busy.”

“But you’ll make time for me.”

That wasn’t a question. Quinn knew the drill.

He froze. By now, he had to know that I didn’t mean he could make time for me later. I expected him to make time right this minute.

“What do you want from me?” he asked.

“I think you know.”

“People are home right now.” He whispered to make sure no one downstairs heard him.

“I’m not talking about sex!”

My words thundered through the upstairs hall. I guarantee you someone downstairs caught at least a hint of that. I honestly didn’t care. Only Quinn mattered to me.

My stepbrother-to-be put a finger over his lips and went, “Shh! Would you shut up?”

“No way, bro. It’s no big deal. Like I told you, I’m not talking about sex. That’s not the most important thing on Earth, you know.”

Quinn rolled his eyes a little, like I’d madehimout to be the sex maniac. Our kitchen tryst had taught me that my old victim enjoyed and craved sex every bit as much as I did—maybe even more.

“Okay, fine,” he said. “What do you want to talk to me about?”

I rubbed my hands together and said, “So I know you’re going to think this is crazy, but I’m going for it anyway. We need to do it.”

“Do what, Levi?”

“Take the next step.”

Quinn eyed me with a blend of curiosity and suspicion, like he still didn’t know what I was talking about. No way would I let him discourage me.

“We need to become a couple,” I said. “Like, a real one.”

His eyebrows arched and his mouth dropped open a little. He wore this look of horror, like I’d suggested we jump off a bridge. That, or an image of nuclear warfare had flashed through his mind. Definitely not the look I’d hoped for, to say the least. I’m not saying I’d expected him to jump at the chance, but I hadn’t expectedthis. But I wouldn’t be deterred. Quinn knew what he wanted, even if he didn’t realize it.

Finally, he shook his head and said, “No, Levi. We can’t do that. It just won’t work.”

You’d think that would’ve crushed my spirits completely, but it didn’t. Like I said, you’ve just got to be persistent with guys like him.

“Give me one good reason,” I said.

“To start with, we’re just too different.”

“Haven’t you heard that opposites attract?”

“Notthisopposite, Levi. Besides, I don’t really believe that bullshit saying. Opposites attract divorce. If I’m going to be with anyone for any reason, it’s going to be for something long-term. I want to get married. I need something real.”

“Fine by me. Just let me finish college first.”

“I’m not joking, Levi. I want something that’ll last. If I wind up with my polar opposite, a marriage wouldn’t work out. I can’t put myself through something like that.”