Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga 10)

I’d dreamed of how Bryce’s lips might feel on mine ever since our “almost kiss.”

Now I knew. His gorgeous full pink lips were soft, the softest I’d ever kissed.

I parted my own.

Was I being too forward? Perhaps he just meant to give me a—

He swept his tongue into my mouth.

Not too forward after all.

His tongue was warm and probing, a

nd I met it with my own. It was a soft kiss, not urgent, though I could feel the potential. A soft hum vibrated from his throat, warming me all over.

Just as quickly, though, I pulled away, breaking the suction. My family would be trampling into the kitchen at any moment.

Bryce’s cheeks reddened. “Fuck. I’m sorry.”

“No. Don’t be. I… It’s just… They’re coming in for din—”

Donny clanked in, his older brother, Dale, behind him. “Dad’s coming,” he said.

I swallowed. The boys wouldn’t notice anything. But Talon…

“Hey, guys,” Bryce said. “Looks like I’m eating with you tonight.”

“Cool,” Donny said. “Are you going to make us eat salad again, Auntie?”

I smiled, gathering what was left of my composure, which wasn’t much. All I could think about was that kiss and how I ached to finish it.

“You bet I am. It’s Caesar salad. You like that.”

“Not with the fishies.”

“I left the fishies out this time, sweetie. Dale, you hungry?”

Dale nodded. As usual, he didn’t say much. At least he was eating, and he’d gained back most of the weight he’d lost while in captivity.

The boys sat down as Talon entered.

“Jade’s doing better,” he said. “I hate that she’s so sick.”

“And the doctor says it’s all okay?” Bryce asked.

“Yeah. Just really bad morning sickness. It might be another month before she gets any relief. I hate leaving her here all day, but the work has to get done. We all took so much time off with the case, so it’s crazy now. I’m really glad you’re here, Sis.”

“I’d do anything for her,” I said. “And you.”

“I know. We appreciate it more than you’ll ever know. Once Jade is feeling better, you can go on with your plans for Paris.”

Bryce stopped with a forkful of salad in midair. “Paris?”

“It was only a passing thought,” I said.

“Not a passing thought,” Talon said. “You’re going to study at Le Cordon Bleu. Joe, Ryan, and I are handling things here. We’ll take good care of your quarter. It’s time for you to do what you were meant to do. You’ll be a master chef someday.”

“Paris?” Bryce said again.