Burning Desire: A Stepbrother Romance

By Cassie Donoghue

A family tragedy brings Lyndsie and and her stepbrother, Kyle, back into each other’s lives after a decade-long estrangement. Will the untameable passion between them be enough to overcome the personal challenges standing in the way of their mutual happiness?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: Apr 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094418438

Cassie Donoghue

Cassie Donoghue is a pen name of author Torrance Sené.

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1

Lyndsie

Burying her favorite uncle had been hard enough, but having to also face the man she’d lost her virginity to was a cruel joke from God—an insult atop injury. But there Kyle stood, to her left, his black blazer brushing against her bare arm. Her older stepbrother. His hands clasped solemnly together in front of his pelvis.

Lyndsie almost wanted to laugh. Grief was weird; everything and anything that could be felt coursed through her all at once. She wasn’t certain whether she should laugh or cry. Maybe both? The minister finished his prayer with a somber amen. Her mother, Julie, bedecked in large dark sunglasses, stepped forward and stretched out her arm, sprinkling a handful of dirt over her younger brother’s casket.

It was like a scene from a movie, and Julie played the part so well. Her mother was thriving on the attention of having a dead brother and her doting stepson back. It made Lyndsie begrudge her mother even more.

Her uncle had been the only one who’d kept Lyndsie sane—both shared a love of history and archaeology. He treated her the way her own absent father hadn’t. And now, he was gone, and she was alone, left to deal with a mother who thought everything she loved was silly and not a real career. Lyndsie had never been allowed to be her own person.

When a hand slipped over Lyndsie’s, it dawned on her that she’d begun crying. She glanced up, noting it was Kyle’s, and her heart broke further. The touch he gave her now was what she’d wanted since that night, ten years ago, when they’d made love.

And someone had to die for her to get it.

Entwining her fingers in his, Lyndsie squeezed his hand as they lowered Uncle Rob into his final resting place. At least, at a funeral, such an affectionate gesture wouldn’t raise brows. And even if it had, she wasn’t really inclined to care. Their parents had been in the process of divorcing for years. Now, with Rob’s death, Lyndsie felt the need to shun social graces.

One by one, the crowd began to disperse. Some lingered to wish Julie well. Others walked off without a word. But Lyndsie and Kyle remained side by side, only parting when Julie walked over, her arms open to embrace her stepson.

Thank you for coming, Kyle. She patted him on a whiskered cheek. I know it’s hard getting away from D.C., especially with election time nearing. But I know you’re always thinking of me. She ended with a pointed glance toward Lyndsie.

Kyle gave his infamous half-smile, the one that could melt the panties off any woman. Or maybe that was only Lyndsie. You needed me; I came. It’s no trouble at all.

Well, both Lyndsie and I appreciate it. Julie slipped her arm through her daughter’s, and together they walked back to the car. Her mother continued to make conversation along the way. How’s Mira doing?

Lyndsie’s stomach turned at the mention of his wife, but when she glanced at Kyle as he opened the door to his ’72 Malibu Chevelle, the awkward expression that flickered for a second on his face was unmistakable. There was a story here.

Uh, she’s good. At her sister’s in New Hampshire for a bit.

"Do be sure to tell

Reviews for Burning Desire

[Beau Smith · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A quick romantic read but felt that it lacked depth and development and was pretty predictable.