Dare to Submit (NY Dares 2)

“Stay,” he said again, more firmly this time, so she understood he knew this was his choice.

She exhaled long and hard. “Okay, then.”

“Great! Now that that’s settled, breakfast, anyone?” Isabelle asked, her cheery voice interrupting any silent moment he and Amanda might have been sharing.

“Isabelle, I’m not sure they want company,” Gabe said.

She waved a hand at him. “Nonsense, right, Decklan?” she asked before anyone could reply. “We can go to that cute place down the road. They have the best pancakes. And French toast. Blintzes. And bacon.”

Gabe snorted a laugh.

“What?” she asked, offended. “I’m eating for two.”

“Kitten, watching you eat is my favorite pastime.” Gabe smiled at her indulgently, the whole scene so at odds with the man he’d been. Isabelle had changed Gabe for the better.

“No morning sickness?” Amanda asked.

Isabelle shook her head. “Not really. Just a little at odd times.” She glanced at Decklan. “We figured it out on Eden when we were there for the opening of Elite. But I wanted to keep it quiet until we were sure.”

“Now she can’t wait to share it with the world,” Gabe said, wrapping an arm protectively around her.

Decklan watched his brother and sister-in-law through new eyes. Now that he had someone in his life who interested him beyond one night, he wasn’t so quick to call his brother whipped. He was more intrigued by their dynamic. Panicked at the thought of feeling as much as Gabe did, but he didn’t have to rush things. He just had to see where things with Amanda led.

“I’m happy for you both,” Amanda said, but the way she rubbed her arms, her discomfort was clear.

“If we’re going out, we need to get ready,” Decklan said, having decided to get her alone and make sure she was comfortable with breakfast and the idea of company.

Once in the bedroom, Amanda realized her heart was pounding hard in her chest. She’d never thought the doorbell was family. A neighbor maybe, and when Decklan had taken his time coming back to her, she’d decided to see what was holding him up.

His brother and pregnant wife. Now breakfast. How had things gotten so complicated so fast? This was an affair—meant to be fun, not serious, and meeting family first thing the morning after was serious.

She turned toward him, ignoring the direct hit, both physical and emotional, she took upon looking at him. “You should go with your brother and his wife. They have a lot to celebrate.” She gathered her purse. “Like I said, I can take a cab back to the city.”

He stared at her and she couldn’t read him. Uncomfortable, she pulled her cell from her purse and began to Google taxicabs in the area.

“Don’t.” Decklan’s voice startled her. “You should come with us.”

She blinked. “What? Why?”

“You need to eat, for one thing. And for another, maybe if you’re there, they won’t grill me mercilessly.” He winked at her.

“Oh, I should come to be your buffer?” she asked, glad he’d turned things light.

He shrugged. “You’re also good to look at.” His eyes darkened as his gaze raked her over.

She felt herself flush but was beyond pleased with the compliment. “Then we should get ready,” she said, blurting the words out before she could think them through or change her mind.

Though she hadn’t planned on breakfast with the family, one meal couldn’t hurt, no matter how domestic. She swallowed hard because she was lying to herself. It could hurt. She already felt too much for this man. As for his brother, she couldn’t read Gabe at all, but she liked Isabelle’s warmth and friendly charm.

One breakfast. That was all. Then she wouldn’t see them again. With a determined nod, she took a quick shower, washed her hair and pulled it into a wet, messy bun, dressed, and washed her face. She had the extra crinkly cotton dress she’d rolled into her bag and nothing more. No makeup to help her look more presentable, but she didn’t have a choice.

“Ready?” Decklan asked, his gaze eating her up and making her feel more beautiful than she ever could be.

Her gaze slid over him. In a pair of faded jeans and a pale blue tee shirt, his hair damp, face unshaven, he looked deliciously sexy. And because he’d showered too, he smelled deliciously sexy. Yum.

She nodded. “Ready.” As she would ever be.

He took her hand and led her from the room.