Chapter 2

Jason said, "Here, let me get that," from behind my right shoulder. Leo was perched on my other hip while I struggled to remove Leo's playpen from the SUV's back seat with the other hand. Even though it seemed like I was in front of a firing squad, I decided to stay even though I should have just gotten in the car and driven off.

I answered obstinately, "I can get it," as though I needed to keep him from assisting me in any way with Leo.

"You can, yes. But you're going to let me get away with it, right? Jason said in his trademark I'm-taking-no-shit tone.

A voice that always caused me to tremble in inappropriate places. It had always baffled me where Jason had

He didn't inherit his imposing manliness from Murray. Jason, I assumed, just had it naturally.

Jason must have known I was caving when I said, "Well, thanks for trying not to cuss, but saying 'damn' might not be good either." I assumed Jason knew me well enough to know I was caving.

I didn't pay attention to Jason's upper body as I stood back and watched him pull the playpen out with what appeared to be just one finger.

He made his arms swell as he did it. Leo suddenly tugged my hair so tight I winced, and I started hopping around as his tiny fist became entangled.

"Ouch, oh no, Leo!" I exclaimed.

I tried to feel with my other hand to get Leo loose, but he was hooked into my hair and pulling so hard that I couldn't move my head to see.

It was so difficult that it made me cry. Then Jason's large hand appeared. You two, remain still, he commanded.

He painstakingly untangled Leo's hand from my hair, like a pro or something. When Leo's hand was released, Jason's knuckles rubbed the most painful area of my skull as he questioned, "You okay?"

I ventured to glance up into his

I said, "Yes, thanks," before staring blankly into his gray eyes for a few seconds.

It typically takes months to become proficient enough to resolve a situation like that with infants. You have a talent, it seems.

Why did I just say that? Was I crazy?

I had to keep Jason, Leo, and any potential intimacy between them at a minimum. But that damn,

was difficult to accomplish because he was standing right next to me and gazing intently into my mouth. "I'll bring all your stuff in; you take Leo inside; it's getting too cold out here for him," Jason said, his features hardening and his seductive expression vanishing.

I was aware of Jason's attractiveness because I had seen him for months; he had even come close to having one before deciding against it.

I was definitely in need of some

When I pulled Leo back inside the house, I retreated and thought of Jason.I took Leo back to my room, which still had the appearance of a high school dorm, where he immediately attempted to slide off the bed. 

It was fortunate that I had taken his playpen because it would serve as his bed for the duration of the journey.

Jason carried everything from my car up into the room where I spent my formative years.

Nothing, not even my suitcase, would fit. Right outside the door, he was standing there with it by his feet.

His dark hair was unkempt, and his attractive face was expressionless as he remarked, "You need all this for just one baby? " I wondered what he thought about my unexpected pregnancy.

I gave a somber nod. "And it might not be sufficient even then.

I'll probably need to make a few journeys to the grocery.

Jason's features began to relax for the first time since I'd arrived, and I realized I'd almost succeeded in getting a smile out of him.

You two won't fit in there, so part of stuff will have to move into my room.

I almost laughed. Okay, I need the playpen, and I'll need space to open it.

 I also need that bag so I can express myself.

I understood what I had said.

too late and to whom I had spoken. Jason raised an eyebrow and showed a keen curiosity as I noticed, which made me blush, damn it.

I responded defensively, "It's a natural thing. You don't breastfeed, right?

He spoke in a deeper voice than previously.

I couldn't believe I was talking to my stepbrother like this, and I had no idea how to end it. 

But Images of him watching me do it rushed through my thoughts, and for some reason, my body interpreted that as sexy. 

My body then flushed, making my already damp underwear from being around Jason even more so.

"No, I had to work," I replied as I felt a small amount of milk escape. 

My eyes widened, and I slapped my hands to my breasts in response. I felt like whining. You alright, Jason?"and I heard him pushing objects out of the way as he entered the room.

No, I crazily reasoned, I only want you to suck on my milky nipples. To stop him, however, I put up my hand and exclaimed, "No, I'm fine, truly. Simply put, the moment has come to express. 

Jason had walked around to the doorway when I looked up and noticed. 

By looking at the He had a look on his face that said he understood everything that was occurring to me and that it had affected him in a similar way.

Then, angrily, he questioned, "Where's the damn father?"

I was shocked since I had never imagined someone would make such a ridiculous demand. 

I had been so preoccupied with keeping the truth from being discovered.

I therefore stumbled like I was in middle school. I'm simply a Leoender, 

I'm afraid.I then seized Leo and embraced him close to my chest. I was aware that my eyes were pleading with Jason to simply accept my justification and move on.

I continued, "I was a mess. You understand the reason. I made a stupid error. I turned my gaze away after that. I won't be sorry, though, since Leo means

to me, it's everything. I turned around, and Jason was gone.

After Leo's bottle and snooze, things only got worse when my parents persisted on dragging us all to AJ's Pub. I had been engaged in my own drama.

I had no idea Jason had such wonderful news. He had apparently sold the business that had consumed all of his time for several years.