Page 92 of Christmas Candy

“It is. Our parents are married.” She ran her fingertips down my chest and rested her head over my heart. “They would freak.”

“Nah. They’d be glad that we aren’t at each others’ throats all the time.”

“We weren’t always fighting, I guess.” Her eyelashes whispered against my skin, a pleasant sensation.

“I was always being a todger. I knew it then. I know it now. Only difference is now I regret it.” I rubbed my hands along her back.

“Well, you were. That’s true.” I could feel her nibbling at her lower lip. “But maybe I should have cut you more slack. You were having a hard time with a whole new life in Dallas, whole new family, all of that. I guess I wasn’t exactly welcoming.”

I remembered clearly the skeptical look on her face when my father and I pulled up in front of her house. The day we’d first met – just a casual get-together while our parents were dating. I hadn’t been looking forward to meeting Annalise or her mother. Annalise had watched me like I was some sort of invading insect. I also hadn’t expected such a chilly welcome. Then again, I was so angry about everything – my mother, my father, moving to the States. But now, with her in my arms, everything was different.

“We started on the wrong foot.” I dropped kisses in her hair.

“We did.”

“I’d like to start over. I kind of hope we already have.”

She nibbled at her lip a bit more and then let out a sigh. “We have. Clean slate. Erase the past.”

“Hang on a tick.” I smoothed a hand down to her ass. You aren’t erasing the past two days, are you?”

She giggled and something inside my heart melted. “No. I’ll keep these in the positive column.”

I gave her ass a squeeze and wished it bore some of my handprints. Next time.

“I should get dressed.” She tried to roll away. My dick slid out and I groaned, but I wasn’t letting her go so easily.

“No, wait a while. Just relax. You’re under the covers. Nurse won’t know.”

She yawned. “I guess you’re right.”

She nuzzled against me and after a short while, her breaths became relaxed and even. I loved every moment of it – the sex, of course – but the feeling of her in my arms even more so.

Annalise

Asharp intakeof breath woke me. I sat up.

Mom and Brent were in the doorway.Shit.I had fallen asleep in Niles’ bed, naked.

Mom reached up and slapped her hand across Brent’s eyes. I looked down and scrambled to pull up the sheet. My tits had just been hanging out for all to see – but mostly Brent – because I’d been so startled.

“What in the name of all that is holy are youdoing, Anna!” Mom’s voice was probably heard on other floors of the hospital.

My neurons couldn’t fire. I couldn’t even begin to come up with a plausible explanation for why I was naked in my stepbrother’s bed. “I just, we’re just—”

“We’re together.” Niles sat up and drew the sheet tighter around me.

Brent slapped mom’s hand away and took in the full scene,sansbreasts this time.

“Youcan’tbe together. Your siblings for Christ’s sake!” An edge of hysteria crept into Mom’s voice. Usually I would tell her she was overreacting, but at this point, after what I’d done, maybe she was right to lose it a bit.

“Oh, sure they can.” Brent shrugged and strode the rest of the way in before plopping down on the sofa. He beamed at us, clearly not an awkward bone in his body.

“But they’re siblings, Brent.” Mom zombie walked, unable to take her eyes from us, and collapsed on the couch next to Brent.

Niles stroked my back before apparently thinking better of it and giving me a reassuring squeeze.

“They aren’t blood, Ellen. This sort of thing is common in England. Step siblings getting married and such. It’s only athingto you yanks. It’s not a big deal. Truly, love.”

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