Forbidden Steps: A Stepbrother Romance Read Free Page B

guitars herself, but she could tolerate it. Most of the others couldn’t. The old women made their way to the kitchen, the men headed to the backyard to smoke. Only Colin, Ashley, and a collection of Steph’s cousins were still in the room.
    Maybe the worst had passed. Maybe, just maybe, the party hadn’t been such a bad idea after all. Ashley seemed happy enough now; chatting with one of Steph’s cousins over a CD he was showing her. Heartened, Stephanie looked over at Colin. He didn’t look happy at all. Actually, it looked like he wanted very much to go over and throttle her cousin every time he so much as brushed against Ashley’s arm.
    Lips curved, Stephanie looked him over. His stance said it all. Jaw shifting as he ground his teeth, fist clenched at his sides, feet shoulder width apart in a ready fighters stance. Someone had gotten possessive. He probably didn’t know it yet, but Stephanie read him well. Filing the information for a later date, she moved to tell him to lose the glare before someone else noticed.
    The front door swung open, hitting the wall, drawing everyone’s attention. The old women came in from the kitchen. The men ambled in from the backyard. Everyone stared.
    “Happy birthday, baby!” Steph’s father, Joseph Walker, stumbled into the room. The stench of liquor rose off him in waves.
    Ashley took a step towards him and froze. Her nose wrinkled. She took a step back.
    Joseph didn’t notice. Closing the distance between them, he grabbed Ashley and pressed sloppy kisses on her face. He dropped his arm over the back of her neck. “I got you something.”
    Stephanie dropped the knife on the empty cake platter and followed Joseph as he dragged Ashley out the door, Colin at her heel. At the sight of what her father was proudly showing his stepdaughter, Stephanie covered her mouth.
    A huge red bow covered the hood of the pristine white sports car. Her father weaved as he slapped a set of keys into Ashley’s hand.
    Ashley’s eyes were wide as she licked her trembling lips. “You drove it here?”
    Stephanie rushed to Ashley’s side. It looked like she was going to faint. Or be sick.
    Nodding stupidly, Joseph gave her a lopsided grin. “Something extra special for my darling’s eighteenth birthday.”
    A car screeched to a stop. Stunned, Stephanie watched the door open. Ashley’s mother, Grace, slid out from behind the wheel.
    “You drunken fool. I told you not to get it.” Her heels clicked against the pavement as she walked up to Ashley. “I’m so sorry, baby.” She kissed Ashley’s cheek and carefully cleaned spot of lipstick with her thumb. “We’ll get rid of him and go back in. Enjoy your party. What do you say?”
    Stephanie could feel Ashley shaking. She tried to think of some way to fix this.
    Colin came to the rescue. Kind of. “Party’s over. Me and Steph are bringing Ashley out to see if we can salvage what’s left of the night.”
    Joseph’s eyes narrowed. “Like hell you are. Stephanie threw her a nice party right here. You’re not going to ruin it for her.”
    Colin stepped up to him and sneered. “I can’t. You already have.”
    Joseph took a swing at him. Effortlessly, Colin blocked it. Grace grabbed his arm before he could swing back. Stephanie took hold of the back of Colin’s shirt and tugged him away before he was tempted to try again. “Get in the jeep, Colin.”
    Colin’s eyes shot to her face. With a sound of disgust, he walked to the jeep, got in, and slammed the door. Stephanie nudged Ashley to join him. Without a word she did.
    Breath hissing through her clenched teeth, Stephanie glared at her father. “Eight months sober. Good time for a relapse, Dad.”
    Ashley’s mother laughed. “Is that what he told you? Likely story.” She made a face. “I’ll have you know…”
    “I don’t want to hear it. He’s always been a drunk. Didn’t bother you until you found something better. Spare me the poor little me, Grace. I’m tired of it.”