Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga #10)(19)

Marjorie pulled away from me, not missing a beat. If Donny had noticed what we were doing, he didn’t let on. She took the little boy’s hand and squeezed it. “Let’s get you some water. Then I’ll read you a story. Would you like that?”

He nodded, trotting along at her side.

I drew in a breath, trying to will my cock back to normal size but having no luck. As much as I wanted Donny to sleep peacefully, I was slightly thankful for the interruption. I could fix this mistake I’d been about to make.

As if she’d read my mind, she looked over her well-kissed shoulder, arching her eyebrows. “Make yourself at home. Don’t even think about leaving.”

I sat back down on the couch with a thud. “Now what?”

Leave. You should leave.

Absolutely.

Somehow, though, I stayed glued to the couch.

My head spun a little, though not from the drinks I’d had earlier. They’d long worn off.

No. This was Marjorie Steel’s doing.

The woman made me crazy. I didn’t know up from down when I was with her. And damned if I didn’t enjoy it.

She’s your best friend’s sister.

She’s thirteen years younger than you are.

You remember when she was born.

Pink and yellow unicorns.

You’re a mess, Bryce Simpson.

You have no business getting involved with anyone, especially not Marjorie Steel.

She means something to you.

Don’t hurt her.

Over and over, I played through the myriad reasons Marj and I could never happen. Every single one, and I even invented a few for good measure.

And still I remained glued to the damned couch.

I sighed. Fact was, I wasn’t leaving.

I didn’t want to leave.

“Damn the consequences and damn the fallout,” I said aloud.

I rose and walked up the stairs and into the kitchen where I poured myself a glass of water and downed it. Then I stood, leaning against the granite countertop on the island.

I am not my father.

A mantra I’d repeated since I’d discovered who he truly was.

All the men, women, and children he’d abused…and Tom Simpson had never once laid a hand on me—his only child. He hadn’t abused my mother either, as far as I knew. I felt certain she’d have told me by now if he had.

In a warped way, I’d come out of this smelling like a rose. I was truly lucky.

I felt anything but.

I was determined not to lose myself to self-pity. I had no reason to pity myself. I’d been through nothing. Nothing. Talon Steel had been through everything. That little boy Marj was currently comforting had been through everything.

Me?

Nothing.

Yes. I was the lucky one.

How fucked up was all of this?

My feet seemed glued to the tile floor. No way was I leaving, even though I knew I should. You’re thinking too much, Bryce.

No shit.

I’d done nothing but think since the whole thing with my father went down.

Time to stop thinking.

Take what Marjorie Steel was offering me.

Feel, instead of think, for a change.

I laughed out loud. Had I really intended to fuck a pot-smoking cocktail waitress earlier this evening? Had I really been dense enough to think someone like Heidi could erase Marjorie Steel from my mind? Or at least ease my ache for her?

Sometimes I was so obtuse.

I might have gotten my rocks off, but I’d still want Marj.

My balls might no longer be blue, but that aching emptiness inside me? It would still be there in abundance. Only one woman could ease that ache.

I smiled when Marj walked right past the kitchen to the stairs leading to the family room. She whipped her hands to her hips. “Seriously, Bryce?” she said aloud.

She thought I’d left. I was almost amused.

I cleared my throat loudly.

She turned back toward the kitchen with a jerk.

“Donny okay?” I asked.

She nodded, walking toward me. “Good news, actually. The nightmare wasn’t about his ordeal. He was worried about Jade and the new baby.” She wrapped her arms around my neck. “I’m glad you didn’t run off.”

“I probably should have. I’m not sure you know what you’re getting into, little girl.”

“Stop the little girl bullshit. We both know how old I am.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but she placed two fingers against my lips.

“If you mention unicorns, I might just knee you in your misters.”

I couldn’t help laughing at that one. In fact, the laugh was damned near boisterous.

I felt good here. I felt good around Marjorie Steel.

And I hadn’t felt this damned good in a long time.

I lowered my lips to hers.





Chapter Thirteen





Marjorie





Those lips. Those wonderful firm and manly lips.

I’d been kissed many times, but Bryce Simpson was in a league of his own.

I hadn’t expected him to still be here once I’d tucked Donny back into bed and read to him. I was certain he’d take the opportunity to run like hell, as he had the previous night.

But he’d stayed this time. And he was kissing me.

Our lips slid together, our tongues twirled, and my knees buckled. Not to worry. Bryce’s strong arms kept me steady as we explored each other’s mouths with ferocious desire.