Read Online Dare to Submit by Carly Phillips - Free Book Online Page A

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