TASTE: A Stepbrother Romance Read Online Free PDF Page B

nuptials.
    “That’s good, honey. I’m glad everything is okay. You sound great. The reason I am calling is to invite you to England.”
    I gasp happily. “Are you going to grandma and grandpa’s?”
    “Yes, to spend the Christmas holidays.”
    She doesn’t have to say anything further because I am already on board. I haven’t seen my grandparents in ages. I have only been at my job for a few months, but I am sure I can get at least a week off. There is no way I am missing this trip to England. I shriek excitedly, “That sounds great. Count me in.”
    I hear her let out a sigh, “I’m so glad you can make it. I can’t wait to be with the entire family. I’m a bit nervous though. Since mom and dad couldn’t make it to the wedding, this will be their first time meeting Jared and Damon.”
    The smile immediately drops from my face and I stop walking abruptly. “Jared and his son are going too?” It really doesn’t bother me that Jared will be going along. I mean I wouldn’t go away to England for the holiday and leave my husband behind. But Damon ? “Why the hell is Damon going?”
    “Well, honey, he is a part of the family now and this is a family trip.”
    “I know… but...” I have no idea what to say without coming off mean.
    She is right, he is family and it wouldn’t be fair to leave him out of the family holiday. My heart drops because I know that there is no way I can go to England for Christmas. “Um you know what mom—I just remembered that Richard and I have plans for the holidays. I’m supposed to go with him to his family’s home.”
    That, of course, is a complete lie. I close my eyes tightly, so ashamed of myself for spouting such an obvious untruth to my own mother. But the thought of facing Damon is wreaking havoc in my mind.
    “Honey, you just excitedly agreed to the trip and all of a sudden you remember that you have plans. I smell a rat, Alice. Are you lying to me?”
    Damn it . She is good. I have rarely had success lying to her in the past, why did I think I could get away with it now? I should have used work as an excuse that would have been more believable. I sigh in defeat, “I’m sorry mom. It’s just that things won’t be the same with… others present.”
    “For goodness' sake, this is about Damon isn’t it?”
    My eyes widen. How much does she know? “What? Why do you think it has anything to do with him ?” I realized that my voice is dripping with contempt. There is no way mom could have missed that.
    “Oh, please, Alice. I’m not blind or dumb. You two have avoided each other since Christmas dinner three years ago. Every family get together we have had, the two of you have managed to stay away when the other was present. Why don’t you two like each other? You are brother and sister now for goodness sake.”
    “No, we are s tepbrother and stepsister , mom. That really doesn’t mean much to me.”
    I hear a loud gasp, “Alice Peterson, I did not raise you to be so hateful. Family is family, young lady. It doesn’t matter in what way.”
    I roll my eyes, “I really don’t want to spend my Christmas holiday with that jerk, mom,” I hiss. “You know, even if I didn’t have plans.”
    She gasps again, “Damon is a very nice, decent young man. I have seen nothing in his behavior that indicates he is anything but. I wish the both of you would just try to get along.”
    Nice and decent? Those words should not be used in the same sentence with Damon Ryder’s name. The man is anything but. I seethe. If only she knew what he did to me, she would probably never want to set eyes on him again as well. Of course, I can never share with her what took place in my bedroom three years ago. I can never share it with anyone. I have kept my hurt and embarrassment to myself for years. Only he and I know what happen—well the two of us and whoever else he sent those damn pictures to. My body flushes red at the thought of his friends seeing photos of me half-naked. I