Dare to Submit (8 page)

A
manda woke up naked, sore but exquisitely happy. A hot, sexy man who’d more than satisfied her sexually lay sleeping by her side. There was something so strong about Decklan. Beyond the physical, she felt like they connected on a more intimate level. So much so that she’d revealed things about her childhood and her mother she’d never told anyone else in her life. Except Brad, and that had been a long time ago.

She almost wished… Nope, she wouldn’t go there. She had the weekend to herself, and she intended to make the most of it by enjoying and not dwelling on things she couldn’t have. At least not without hurting people she cared about in the process.

Decklan rolled over to his back on a big groan. A glance told her he was still out cold. His profile was as strong in sleep as awake, but there was something more vulnerable about him. That vulnerability called to her, tugged at her emotions and, again, made her want to dig deeper … which wasn’t fair.

So she cut that thought off and focused on a more fun one. He’d kicked off his side of the covers and lay sprawled naked for her hungry gaze. His skin was tanned to a golden glow, a slight dusting of dark hair covered his chest, and his muscles were impressive. Her gaze traveled downward. Another light sprinkling of hair took a path south, leading to his impressive hardening erection. It was as if he was aware of her gaze, even in sleep.

She was tempted to lie down on top of him and bring him awake slowly, then inch downward and take him into her mouth. She moaned at the thought. But she respected his need for lack of touch, and so she changed her mind and aligned her body against his side instead.

She briefly rested her cheek against his forearm, closing her eyes and soaking in how right she felt here, with him. A small kiss on his roughened skin and then she tucked her head into his shoulder.

He shifted, but before she could ask if he was awake, the doorbell rang, jarring them both.

She rolled over and looked at him. “Morning.”

His eyes darkened as they locked on her.

Then the doorbell did its thing again.

“God, who’d show up here so early? I’m off this weekend, and I really don’t want any interruptions.”

Another ring told them the person wasn’t going away.

“I’m up,” he said without moving.

His erection twitched against his stomach.

“Yes, you are,” she said, laughing.

He rose, grumbling, and pulled on a pair of sweats hanging over a chair in the corner. She followed the long line of his muscular back and sighed.

“Stay here. I’ll get rid of them and be right back.”

Decklan strode down the hall, pissed at the interruption. He didn’t have many full weekends off, and he definitely didn’t spend the ones he did with the only woman he wanted in his bed.

He reached his front door and swung it open. “Go away,” he said, not caring who was there.

“What a way to greet family,” his brother, Gabe, said, grinning, his arm around his wife.

“Hi. And bye?” Isabelle waved a hand, blushing.

“Nope. We’re here, we’re staying.” Gabe pushed past him, pulling Isabelle along with him. “We have news.”

“And you couldn’t have called?” Decklan asked, folding his arms across his bare chest.

“It wouldn’t have been as much fun. What’s got you in such a mood?”

“We woke him,” his pretty wife said.

“She’s smart. Not that smart since she’s with you, but she did catch on quickly.”

“I’m thinking you have company.” Gabe smirked, enjoying being the pain in the ass that he was.

Isabelle tugged on Gabe’s arm. “We should go. We’ll call you later and fill you in.”

Decklan sighed and stepped back into the apartment. “No, come on in. You drove all the way out here. What’s up?” he asked grudgingly.

“You’re going to be an uncle,” Gabe said, placing his hand over Isabelle’s flat stomach. “Forgive me for thinking you’d want to hear the news in person.”

His brother’s happiness was both a blessing and a punch in the gut to Decklan, who’d never let himself think of having a wife or kids of his own. Lucy and Gabe were his family. He’d welcomed Isabelle because she made his brother happy, but it left him odd man out. He hadn’t let himself feel it too much—Decklan preferred not to feel at all—but now, a baby? His brother would be having his own family—one that didn’t include him.

“Congratulations,” he said with a combination of genuine and forced cheer.

He really sucked, he thought. Knowing how thrilled his brother was, he ought to feel exactly the same way. He pulled Isabelle into a brotherly hug, not wanting to give Gabe the chance to catch on that anything was wrong. Given time to adjust to the news, he’d be just fine.

“Thanks.” She squeezed him back. “Are you okay?” she whispered in his ear.

“I’m good. Promise.”

Gabe grabbed Decklan’s shoulder and physically separated the two. “Enough hugging.”

Decklan rolled his eyes and Isabelle laughed. “Back off, caveman. He’s my brother too.”

He grinned, pleased he could at least annoy Gabe as much as his brother could bug him.

“Hi,” Amanda said, joining them.

Decklan glanced her way. She wore a pretty yellow sundress she must have had rolled in her bag, her feet were bare, and she hadn’t added makeup. Her hair fell around her shoulders. No artifice, no pretense. She’d never looked more beautiful.

“Am I interrupting?” she asked.

“Of course not.”

Except she was. He never introduced his brother to the women he was involved with. Because he never got involved. But he was now. And looking at her merely confirmed it. Not just because she affected him sexually, which she did, but because the vulnerability in her gaze tugged at his heart. And he really hadn’t thought he had one to speak of.

Gabe studied her through hooded eyes, clearly doing his assessment thing. Isabelle, though, she looked from Decklan to the other woman, and a big grin showed on her face.

There was nothing to do but introduce them. “Amanda Collins, this is my brother, Gabe, and his wife, Isabelle.”

“Hi,” Amanda said, more shyly than he would have expected.

“Hi!” Isabelle walked up to her and gave a warm smile that welcomed her right away. “I’m happy to meet you.”

“Umm … same. And thanks.” Amanda ran a hand through her hair, clearly uncomfortable.

“We didn’t mean to interrupt, but Gabe and I came to tell Decklan he’s going to be an uncle.” She excitedly tapped at her belly.

Her cheeks were glowing, happiness just exuded from her in contagious waves, and Decklan couldn’t help but feel and share her joy.

“That’s great!” Amanda said in a shaky voice. “Congratulations. Listen, I can see this is a family moment. I’ll call a cab and be out of here in a few minutes. Then you can all celebrate.” She turned away and started for the bedroom.

“No!” All three of them spoke loudly and at the same time. Even Decklan was startled.

Amanda paused and glanced over her shoulder.

“Don’t leave on our account,” Gabe said. “I would love to get to know my brother’s—” His words ended with a sharp jab to his stomach by his pregnant wife.

And Decklan blew out a relieved breath, grateful Isabelle had stepped in. He didn’t know what he and Amanda were yet. And fuck Gabe for trying to push him into admitting something. Just because his brother was ready for a wife, a baby, and the whole white picket fence thing didn’t mean Decklan was.

Except he couldn’t stop thinking about that tiny thing growing inside his sister-in-law. He was going to be an uncle, Gabe a father. And the more he let it sink in, the more excited he became.

“Stay,” he heard himself saying to Amanda. Because this was an important moment in his life, and he wanted her to share it with him.

His mouth suddenly ran dry at the thought. If asked, he’d have said he wasn’t ready to have Amanda mingling with his family, but now that it was happening? He was happy. And relieved it was done. Because as short as their time had been together, she was coming to mean something to him.

So he didn’t want her leaving now, embarrassed because she’d spent the night. And he sure as hell wasn’t prepared to give up his time with her. Obviously Gabe and Iz weren’t leaving any time soon, so the solution was clear.

She met his gaze, as if searching his expression to make sure she was welcome.

“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.

To her surprise, she enjoyed the next few hours. Decklan’s family was fun—well, Isabelle was—Gabe liked to brood and stare, as if he could get into Amanda’s head and see what she was hiding. But his fiancée? In the short time they were all together, Isabelle had managed to exchange phone numbers with Amanda, press her for plans the next time she was in New York, and show her another side of Decklan.

Isabelle and Decklan had an amusing relationship. “He didn’t really arrest you, did he?” Amanda asked as the men were arguing over paying the check.

“He certainly did.” Isabelle stared at her with wide blue eyes. “I’d just left my ex’s place for good. I found a video of him cheating on me,” she said, her voice lowered. “But it really had been over for a while. Anyway, I drove off in the rain in my Mercedes, and Lance, the bastard, reported the car stolen.”

Amanda stared, dumbfounded. “Who does something like that?” she asked.

“A pompous son of a bitch,” Gabe muttered, now in tune with the conversation.

Isabelle merely nodded at his assessment. “I didn’t put things together right away, but turns out that my arresting officer”—she pointed to Decklan—“was Gabe’s brother. I knew Gabe from the country club my ex belonged to. Anyway, Gabe showed up to see Decklan, and there I was cuffed to the desk—”

“Because my brother doesn’t know the best places to bind a woman,” Gabe said with a smirk, the first real joke the other man had made.

“He does so!” Amanda said, defending Decklan.