Page 91 of Puck My Stepbrother

Once outside, I led him to a grassy park adjacent to the church. It wasn’t ideal, but at least it got us away from the reception.

“Is this actually a park?” Quinn asked.

“That’s what the sign says.”

“It must be the smallest park in Buffalo.”

“Maybe it is! That’s not what I care about right now, Quinn.”

He turned to me, and I knew I could have him in my clutches in no time. When I stared into his eyes, I couldn’t help feeling light and dreamy, like I’d drifted from reality. I felt entranced every time I looked into Quinn’s eyes, but never like this. Enchanting as it felt, I needed to stay firmly in control.

“Come here.” I ensured the command remained present in my voice.

“What?”

“You heard me, Quinn. I said come here. Don’t make me tell you twice.”

He didn’t jump like you’d expect someone like him to, but he still wasted no time in doing what I’d told him. He shuffled over to me immediately, and my arms closed around him once he drew near enough.

Notes from “Dance with my Father” by Luther Vandross began to drift out from the reception hall, and I wrapped my arms around Quinn’s waist, locking my hands at the small of his back. He threw his arms around me and rested his head against my chest. We moved back and forth, dancing in the dark, because we couldn’t do this inside with everyone else.

Only that was bullshit. Wecoulddo this with everyone else. They’d see us, sure. They’d notice that the newly minted stepbrothers looked way too cozy with one another. And they’d start talking. That was what people did. Part of me didn’t give a shit if the place erupted in gossip. After all, I didn’t feel ashamed of who I loved.

My common sense reminded me that Quinn would see this differently, and urged me to move at his pace.

So dancing outside would have to do for now.

“This is amazing.” I could barely make out Quinn’s murmured words, but I understood them. I felt the same way.

“You mean that, don’t you?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I know what you want.”

Silence settled over us. He knew what he wanted, too, but I knew he dared not say it aloud. That would dig him in deeper. He’d already made himself vulnerable by telling me about Jeff and submitting to me in the church basement.

Even after all we’d been through together, something deep inside of him kept putting up walls. He wasn’t just denying me—he was denying himself. I couldn’t let him do that. He needed someone to lead him and assure him that everything would be okay, and I wouldn’t let my sweet Quinn down.

“I know how things are meant to be,” I said. “It’s us. Forever. We were meant for each other.”

“We can’t do this.”

“Yes, we can.”

“But…but…”

I drew a deep breath. When Quinn lifted his head, I stared deep into those beautiful eyes, swooped down, and kissed him squarely on the mouth. My tongue didn’t slip past his lips, but our mouths did open. I kept my arms snug around him, squeezing him tight. I didn’t feel a hard-on brush against my leg, which suited me fine. In that moment, I only cared about tasting Quinn’s lips and having our chests pressed together, our hearts beating as one.

When our lips parted, Quinn’s head returned to my chest and we kept moving to the music.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“Don’t be sorry.”

“I’m just scared.”

“I know you are, but there’s nothing to be afraid of.”