Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga 10)

Except that it was. It was because I cared about this man, wanted this man.

Still none of your business, Marj.

I pulled farther away from Bryce so that his arm was no longer around me.

“Marj…”

“It’s okay.” I gulped. “No big deal. You must have been reaching for lip balm and mistakenly picked up your mom’s lipstick. Happens all the time.” I tried to sound serious, but my voice came out pretty curt.

“It’s not my mom’s lipstick.”

Damn! He couldn’t even let me think for a minute that he hadn’t been making out with another woman?

“She meant nothing to me, and I—”

I shook my head, stopping him with a gesture. “Really. I don’t want to know.”

“Nothing happened.”

I yearned to interrogate him, but I stopped myself. None of my business. None of my business.

I dropped my mouth open, feigning surprise. “Really? A kiss obviously happened. That might mean nothing to you, but it doesn’t mean nothing to me.”

“It didn’t mean anything with her. For God’s sake, I left as soon as you called me.”

“I interrupted you?” I held back a huff. “Sorry to cramp your style.”

“You didn’t cramp anything.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “Shit. This is coming out all wrong. I’m all wrong.”

“I grew up with three brothers, Bryce. I’m well aware of how men are. You don’t stop at a kiss.”

“What?” He shook his head, his forehead wrinkled. “Your brothers are gentlemen, and so am I. We’d never force—”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Sure as hell sounded like it.”

I’d stepped in it this time, especially considering the type of man Bryce’s father had turned out to be. He had forced men, women, and children, including my own brother. Open mouth, insert foot. I was being a spoiled brat. Spoiled little ranch heiress. I felt like a piece of shit.

Repeat this to yourself, Marjorie. You have no hold on Bryce Simpson. You have no hold on Bryce Simpson. He’s allowed to kiss whomever he wants. He’s allowed to do any…

I couldn’t finish, not even in my head.

Bryce stood. “I need to go.”

Shit. Not at all what I wanted. I inched toward him. “Please, don’t. I don’t want to be alone in this big house tonight.”

“The boys are here.”

“You know what I mean. They’re asleep, and if I’m alone with my thoughts…”

“You’ll worry about Jade. Tal says everything looks good.”

“But what if—”

“Marj, don’t do this to yourself.” He shuddered slightly.

Only slightly, but I noticed. If he hadn’t been with another woman five minutes ago, I’d think he wanted to reach out to me. Hold me like he had been.