“Interesting, huh?” He leaned in closer, his voice dropping slightly. Gay sex breakups, you know? They were an odd couple in some ways, with her being so petite and him so towering, but it was their shared love for fitness and good humor that seemed to bridge the gap.Duke, with his Nordic looks and sculpted body, was the epitome of masculine grace. But I quickly pushed the thought away, reminding myself that this was my mother’s husband and my stepfather. The townhouse stood out amidst the concrete jungle, a bastion of history with its intricate facade and ivy-covered bricks. “I’m gonna go crash in my room for a bit. Sometimes you’ve gotta appreciate the blonds with brawn.” He shot a look at his own reflection in the fridge, flexing again. I walked down the crowded street, the smells of the city’s diverse cuisine wafting through the air as the neon lights reflected off the damp sidewalks. His pale skin contrasted with the dark wooden table, a stark reminder of his Viking-like origins. “But it’s over now.”Duke handed me a wet plate to dry, his grin mischievous. It was a forbidden crush that had been festering since the day he’d moved in. I had pushed it aside, telling myself that it was just admiration for
