Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga 10)

“Guess not. Any idea what Bryce wanted?” I asked, trying to sound sufficiently disinterested.

“Not a clue,” Ryan said. “I’ll take Melanie home. Night, Sis.”

“Good night.”

I stood alone in Talon’s empty office. Where had Joe and Bryce gone? Was Bryce okay? My tummy churned, and a slow wave of nausea wound its way up my throat.

I was worried.

Really worried.

Neither Joe nor Bryce had been acting like themselves earlier, and now Colin’s enigmatic words disturbed me as well. Something was up, and I was going to find out what. I pulled my phone out of my pocket. I could text Joe.

Yes, that would be the logical thing to do. Joe was my brother.

My fingers had other ideas. They tapped on Bryce’s number.

I need to talk to you.

I waited impatiently, biting my lip and grinding my teeth, at the guesthouse behind the main house. Bryce had texted me back within minutes, telling me he couldn’t talk but would meet me there as soon as he could get away. Was he still with Joe? He didn’t say, and I couldn’t even begin to guess.

Everything was imploding around me.

Our tough times were supposed to be over, weren’t they?

I took a drink from the glass of ice water I’d poured myself. Even the kitchen of the guesthouse was stocked. Bryce and his mom wouldn’t have to bring anything when they moved in. By the time I drained the glass, Bryce still hadn’t arrived, so I went outside to the deck, complete with an enclosed hot tub. The February night was mild, around forty degrees. The whir of the hot tub’s motor drew me closer, and I removed the cover. Steam rose from the warm water, and I inhaled the crisp scent of bromide.

Still no Bryce.

What the heck? I went back into the house and into the master bedroom to get a towel. Instead, I found a cushy white robe that must have been Ruby’s. I undressed and wrapped the robe around my body.

A soak in the hot tub would relax me.

Over an hour had passed since I contacted Bryce, and he hadn’t responded to my more recent text. Had he decided not to come? Probably. I’d take a long, soothing soak. He wasn’t going to show up anyway, and if he did? Well, he wouldn’t see anything he hadn’t seen before.

I poured myself another glass of water—had to keep hydrated in the hot tub—and walked back out onto the deck. In the distance, soft lights shone from the main house. Thanks to the redwood enclosure around the tub, I wouldn’t be seen, though frankly I didn’t much care at the moment. In the midst of another looming crisis, I deserved a little relaxation. Sure, I could have drawn a hot bath in my own room or used our much larger hot tub at the main house. But I was here now, waiting for Bryce.

And if he showed up, I kind of liked the fact that he’d find me naked.

I stepped into the water, letting it encase me in its soothing warmth. The steam rose like night fog around me. I sat, and the water covered my breasts. I closed my eyes and inhaled a relaxing deep breath.

Then I giggled. What if I started playing with myself, a la a romance novel? Then the hero would certainly catch me in the middle of my self-service and take over. I’d read it a thousand times. I cupped my breasts and thumbed my nipples, making them harden even within the heat of the water.

I giggled again.

Couldn’t do it. Just too damned cliché.

I drained my glass of water and checked my phone, which was sitting on the ledge. I’d been soaking for nearly fifteen minutes, and my body temperature was on fire. Time to get out.

I stepped out of the tub, the cool air chilling me slightly, and wrapped the fluffy robe around my shoulders.

Then I turned—

I held back a gasp. Bryce stood in the doorway leading into the house. I’d locked the front door, but he no doubt already had a key. I’d expected a text if he actually showed up, which I’d pretty much given up on…until this moment.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey back. I didn’t think you were coming.”