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

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