TASTE: A Stepbrother Romance Read Free Page A

hello? Who knows what could happen?
    I turned the shower off, at the same time turning off my outlandish thoughts. I let out a loud snort. I really need to stop kidding myself.
    There is no way I will be able muster the courage to speak to Damon and there is absolutely no way he will ever be interested in me.
    I make it to my bedroom and rummage through my closet for something to wear. I really don’t feel the need to put much into my appearance, not that I ever do. There is no need for me to dress to impress my mother’s boyfriend and his teenage brat. I decide on a green sweater dress and pull it on. I catch my long hair into a ponytail and pull it tight.
    “Alice come down here our guests have arrived!” My mother’s voice carries from the bottom of the stairs. I wince. Does she have to be so loud?
    I don’t bother to answer. I roll my eyes and take one last look in the mirror. “Here we go.” I drag my feet as I make my way down toward the staircase.
    As if holidays weren’t obnoxious enough, I can only hope that dinner and this night goes by quickly. I take comfort in knowing that all I really have to do is smile and be polite. There is no need for me to engage Jared or his child in conversation. I trudge down the stairs, mentally preparing myself to meet my mother’s boyfriend. I am also pulling a smile from deep down. By the time I reach the last step, it should be plastered on my lips.
    I lift my eyes as I approach the second to last stair. I draw in a startled breath and miss my step. I feel space under my right foot before I topple over. “Aah!” I prepare to hit the floor face first.
    Strong hands grasp my shoulders as I am momentarily hoisted into the air, and then I feel the floor under my feet. My heart is pounding from my near fall. My gaze slowly travels upward, landing on a broad chest and up some more to land on the face that has been featured many times in my dreams and fantasies. Damon Ryder. What is he doing here? His hands are still on my shoulders. I am gawking up at him, with my mouth hanging open. I quickly snap it shut when I notice amusement written all over his face.
    “Are you alright?” He asks, a ghost of a smile tugging on his very beautiful lips.
    I flush a bright shade of red.
    Oh no, he is laughing at me. Why does the ground never open up and take you in when you really need it to?
    I stifle a groan. “I-I’m fine.” I straighten my dress that is askew on my slender frame. My eyes fly to the other two people in the room, which had disappeared when I spotted Damon. My mom is standing next to the handsome Mr. Ryder—well, that is what I have always called him. I have no idea what his name is. My mouth falls open again. Oh my God, he is Jared? I suddenly find it difficult to breathe. My mother is dating the father of the unrequited love of my life. And on top of all of that, I just managed to completely humiliate myself in front of everyone. My mind is racing and I don’t know if I should laugh hysterically or burst into tears.
    My mom steps forward. “Honey, I want you to meet Jared and Damon Ryder. Well, I’m sure you have seen Jared around and you must be familiar with Damon from school.”
    I swallow hard, trying to moisten my suddenly very parched throat. All I can do is nod and force out a pained smile.
    Jared extends his hands and flashes a smile that rivals our well lit Christmas tree. “Hello Alice, it’s nice to officially meet you.”
    I quickly find my composure, and try to return to my normally cool self. I have always prided myself on putting forth an unflappable facade. That is, after all, what I have been infamous for almost my entire life. I just lost it for a minute at the sight of Damon. I place my hand in his. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Ryder.”
    “Please, call me Jared,” he indicates Damon, “I believe you know my son.”
    I turn to Damon. Swallowing hard I say, “I have seen him around.”
    Damon approaches me. For such a big, muscular