Page 89 of Brutal Sin

Chapter Eighteen

Pamela held herself in check.

Bryan was drunk and on emotional life-support, making her blurted confession a disaster waiting to happen.

“It’s your turn to say something,” he whispered.

Her lips quirked, the burn of tears returning to her eyes. “I’m still trying to digest what yousaid.”

“Why?”

“You’re confused—”

“About the way I feel?” He spoke with vehemence. “No shit. I’ve spent the weeks trying to figure it out, and it still doesn’t make sense.”

All her needy insecurities latched on with energetic force. “You’ve been thinking about me for weeks?”

“You sound pleased to know I haven’t had a lick of sleep since I last saw you.” He bridged the gap between them, the tips of his shoes nudging hers. “And people think I’m the brutalone.”

This time her smile flourished, spreading across her face in unmanageable enthusiasm. “You’re not brutal.”

“Don’t go ruining my reputation, sweetheart.” He backed her into the counter, his hips rocking into hers. “You’ve done enough to me already.”

His strength seeped into her, calming the frazzled nerves and heartache. She wanted to fall deeper into him, to sink, to drown. But she couldn’t. Notyet.

“Can we put this on hold for a while?”

He slid his hands into hers, entwining their fingers against her thighs. “You still think this is a reaction to grief?”

She nodded. “A little.”

“That’s okay.” He grinned, surprising her with the impressive display. “I still think it’s a drunken hallucination.”

He pressed his lips to hers, stealing away the negative thoughts with his patented kissing style. He licked her thoroughly, patiently, their tongues sparring and dancing. She ran her hands along the lapels of his suit, holding him close, but a distant sound disturbed her concentration, the murmurs of conversation building with every second.

Bryan broke the kiss to glare over her shoulder. “Your cavalry has arrived.”

She frowned and turned to find Leo, T.J., Cassie, and Shay striding into the main room, only to freeze in place, one after the other.

“Whoa.” T.J. shot a glance at his wife. “This isn’t what I expected tofind.”

“What did you expect?” Bryan caged Pamela in place from behind, one hand on the counter at either side of herhips.

“I, umm…” Cassie blushed. “I thought it was a good idea to do a welfare check. Things were tense earlier.”

“We’re okay.” Pamela straightened, keeping the heat of Bryan tight at her back. “Everything isfine.”

Cassie nodded while Shay crossed her arms over her chest.

“Cue the questions,” Bryan muttered in herear.

“Is your mom okay?” Shay asked. “Apparently, you told Pamela she wassick.”

“Shay,” Cassie hissed. “That was private.”

Shit.Bryan remained quiet, his warmth turning to icy steel.

“I’m sorry.” She turned in his arms. “I mentioned it to Cassie earlier. I assumed they already knew.” She held her breath, waiting for his anger.

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