to leave.
Chapter Thirty–Three
Marjorie
Bryce picked up his clothes and began to dress. I sighed. He was right. We’d crossed a line. I’d let my family down for a romp in the hay—an amazing romp in the hay, but still. I couldn’t let that happen again.
I followed his lead and put my clothes on. Without words, we walked out of the bedroom, down the hallway, and out the front door to Bryce’s car. Without words, he drove the short distance to the main house. Without words, he stopped, letting the engine idle.
I leaned into him, but his demeanor was icy. No goodbye kiss? No thanks for a lovely evening? No…anything?
“Good night,” I said softly. “And…”
And what? I’d been ready to say “thank you,” but why should I thank him? I didn’t need to thank a man for sex, and he didn’t need to thank me. It was a consensual act between the two of us. If we were giving thanks, it should come from both of us.
“…see you around,” I finished.
He nodded without smiling. “Yeah. See you around.”
I closed the car door as gently as I could. I doubted anyone could hear it out here, but I didn’t want to take the chance of waking anyone inside.
See you around.
Sounded like we were the athlete and the nerd in high school who were wildly attracted to each other and had just fooled around under the bleachers but couldn’t acknowledge each other in public. What the hell kind of craziness had I just allowed to occur?
I turned around to have it out, but Bryce was already backing out of the long driveway.
I sighed. Another time.
I walked into the house stealthily and went straight to my bedroom.
Though tempted, I didn’t let any tears fall.
I set the alarm on my phone. I’d be up early to do my duties. I’d let Talon and Jade down enough for now.
Talon was up first. I’d spent my entire shower trying to figure out what lie to tell him about where I’d been last night, but I ultimately decided to just apologize for not being here for them and offer no further explanation. I was a grown woman, and I certainly didn’t have to account to my big brother where I’d been.
He accepted it with pursed lips. “As long as you’re okay.”
“I’m fine,” I replied as nonchalantly as I could. “Just had to take care of a few things. I should have called.”
“Yeah, you should have. We were worried.”
I said nothing. He was right. “What do you have going on today?” I asked.
“Meetings mostly. The three of us need to get the financial staff up to speed with Bryce taking over.”
I nodded, trying not to let the tension I felt show. He had to mention Bryce, didn’t he?
“How about you?” he asked.
“Not much. The usual.”
“Aren’t you going to call Colin?”
“Colin?” Right. “Yeah, sorry. I forgot. I’ll give him a call and set up a time for him to talk to Jade.”
“Good. I still don’t like the idea of me not being there.”
“We’ll be fine. I’ll be there. I’ll look out for Jade.” I’d been looking out for Jade long before Talon came into her life, but I left that unsaid.
He nodded, sipping the last of his coffee before he set down the cup and stood. “I have to look in on the hands in the field before I begin the meetings. I’m going to go kiss the boys and Jade goodbye.”
“Okay. I’ll be in to roust the boys in a few.”
He nodded again, walking out of the kitchen.
Whew! That wasn’t pleasant, but he seemed to accept that I wasn’t going to offer up any details to my whereabouts the previous evening. I hadn’t slept a wink once I’d returned, but I felt okay since I’d slept for seven hours in Bryce’s arms.
Seven wonderful hours. Granted, I had no memory of them since I was asleep, but I felt oddly refreshed this morning, both physically and mentally. Emotionally? Not so much.
I missed Bryce. I wished we’d ended it on a better note.
But I had other fish to fry today, beginning with taking care of my nephews.
I woke them and pulled them out of bed to come to the kitchen to eat. Even Donny was quiet this morning. The skies were gray, unusual for a Colorado morning, and the boys were feeling it.
An hour later, I’d dropped them at the bus stop and returned. I went in to check on Jade.
She was up and showered, a good sign.
“Starting to feel better?” I