Read Hurricane Stepbrother for Free Online

snorted. “No. Was it for you?”
    She laughed, the sound light as she recalled the memory. “No, it wasn’t. But Gerald told me all about Erik so I’ve always known more about him than you. I imagine it’s been a little uncomfortable having a stranger there with you.”
    The only part that was uncomfortable was how much I craved him. Not that I was planning to admit that aloud any time soon. Especially not to my mother.
    “It was weird at first, but it’s fine now. I like Erik,” I said carefully, hoping that she wouldn’t read too much into the sentiment but that it’d be enough to calm her mind.
    “I’m glad to hear it, honey. Stay safe and call me later if you can, okay? I imagine I won’t be able to get home until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest if the weather reports are right.”
    I nodded to myself, my thoughts already running at a million miles a minute as I wondered if Erik was going to volunteer to keep me company again tonight. Would I be able to resist making a move if I had him in my bed again?
    And the more pressing question- If I did gather up the courage to make a move, would he outright reject me or did he reciprocate my desire?
    “Kristen?”
    “Yeah?” I blurted out as my mom’s voice snapped me back to reality.
    “Stay safe, sweetie. I love you.”
    “I love you, too. Stay safe and give my love to grandma.”
    “I will. Bye, Kristen.”
    “Bye.”
    After the call ended, I relaxed back in my seat and stared blankly at the door the led into the house, too confused by my contradicting emotions to even consider going inside. Instead, I decided to wait in the garage until my phone was fully charged and hopefully by then, my head would be clearer.
    ~*~*~
    “Kristen.”
    I groaned and reached out, slapping at the hand that was gently shaking my shoulder and stirring me out of sleep.
    “Kristen, wake up.”
    “Don’t wanna,” I mumbled. “Tired.”
    There was a deep, manly chuckle and somewhere in the back of my mind, I realized that I wasn’t dreaming the sound.
    “Come inside, Kristen. You can sleep in your bed.”
    I cracked open my eyes and looked over at Erik’s smiling face, feeling my heart pound hard in my chest at the sight. He was crouched down outside my door and he reached his hands inside, prying my cell phone from my hands and unplugging it from the charger before turning off the car and taking my keys.
    “Come on, I’ll help you.”
    I allowed him to grip my elbow and help me out of the car and I winced from the pain in my shoulders and neck. “How long was I asleep?”
    “Maybe an hour? I’m not sure, I don’t have a watch. I got worried and came to check on you,” he said before pushing the car door shut then returning to my side.
    “I’m good,” I said, shrugging off his arm as he reached to wrap it around my back. “I’m awake. God , I would kill for a cup of coffee right now,” I groaned as I walked up the stairs and into the house.
    I heard him laugh as he followed behind me. “You and me both. Did you get in touch with your mom?”
    “Oh. Yeah, I did. I just was waiting for the phone to finish charging and I guess I dozed off.” After we entered the living room, I plopped down on the couch with a sigh. “The storm isn’t over. We’re in the eye, apparently.”
    Erik grunted his displeasure. I tried to shake off the feeling of offense I took to the sound, knowing that he was probably more upset about the lack of power than he was at the idea of spending more time with me.
    At least I hoped.
    He clapped his hands together before he started to pace up and down the living room, looking eerily similar to a caged tiger in a zoo. I could tell that he had a lot of pent up energy from being cooped up in the house for so long.
    I tried not to let my mind wander to thoughts of what we could do to release that energy but failed miserably, a crimson blush staining my cheeks. Gratefully, he wasn’t looking directly at me because there was no way he would