Hi, Stepmother

's funeral, I

I saw my husband's

tefan Powell cornere

mp breath gr

. Or perhaps I should c

neral, I spotted S

ith a high nose and thin, rosy

e had shed his youthful air for a r

t me, perhaps to settle old scor

something inappropriate at my husband

t, unsure whether to

notice me, his expressi

their industry, and the funeral drew a large crowd of my

al arrangements had been handled entirely by Hadley, the family steward, and t

d forward respectfully, and placed

riosity. Though mindful of the Powell family's reputation, they w

e" reached my ears, stirring irritation i

s like "Powell Widow and Illegitimate Son Clash at Funeral, Albin Pow

gave me a slight nod and stood bes

ached me, though I preferred the

back. Neither of us spoke, our si

nsion between the Powell widow and the illegitim

ached, and my heels bled from ill-fitting shoes. My duty

strong arm grabbed me, pi

cent of cologn

s above my head, trap

ou doing? The hall is full of p

ned closer, but I turned m

his face in my neck, greedily inhaling my sc

ow how hard I searched for you? Or

body stirred, though I fought to stay co

hink about being my stepmother when we were together?

k my dear old dad would do if he knew his son was

breaths mingling. I squirm

promise what'll happen next," he w

-he meant what he said

der, sliding from my waist downward, teasing and lingering.

aid, though my body

t his tongue in frustration, but he didn't flinch, chasing

ething, but my word

ned, and I clutched his collar, leavi

is gaze lingered on my lips, now flushed and gli

silently, my

e,

me over his shoulder. The world spun, and I let o

embrace. His fingers gripped my jaw, and his masculine

d it, he had parted them, his tongue gently traci

rew fiercer, his breathing heavier. His to

ur fingers intertwined, and

of consciousness, I felt h

e. The Powell fa

his words

I sank into