Fate (Steel Brothers Saga #13) - Helen Hardt Page 0,57

don’t make happiness, Daphne.”

“I didn’t mean it that way. Just never having to worry about money, is all.”

I had a few pairs of designer jeans. Before I’d gone to the hospital, my mother always said we couldn’t afford designer jeans. After I got out of the hospital, my mother and father had spoiled me. We weren’t a rich family, and things were especially tight after my mother stopped working. My hospitalization must have cost a ton, though they never talked to me about it. The only time I asked, they told me it was nothing and not to worry.

I worried anyway.

I walked over to the baby grand piano in the living room. “Do you play?”

He shook his head. “If I did, we’d have a piano in the main house.”

Good point. “Why here, then?”

“Heck if I know. Whoever decorated the house brought it in, I guess.”

I walked to the gorgeous instrument and sat on the bench. Middle C. How did I know that?

“I always wanted to learn piano, but my parents couldn’t afford lessons.” I touched the key and played the note.

“There you go,” he said.

“That’s middle C.” Next was D, and then E, F, and G. I laced my fingers over C, E, and G and played a chord. This was getting weird.

“That’s pretty,” he said. “What is it?”

“Just a chord. C major.” I played the chord again, the CE inversion.

“You said you didn’t have lessons. How do you know that?”

I wasn’t sure how to answer. Would he believe me if I said I didn’t know? Because that was the truth.

“Music class.” I stood quickly.

Good answer. A big lie, but he’d buy it.

He did.

“You want anything? I’m pretty sure there’s some soda and wine in the fridge.”

I inhaled. “Just some water would be great.”

“You got it.”

I followed him to the kitchen, where he poured two glasses of water and handed one to me. Then he clinked my glass. “To us.”

“To us,” I echoed and took a long drink to ease my dry mouth.

“We don’t have to do this,” he said.

I put my glass down on the counter. “I want to.”

“You just seem a little…hesitant.”

“It’s my first time, Brad. I’m a little nervous. Wouldn’t you be?”

He smiled but didn’t respond. I picked up my glass, took another long drink of water, and then set it back down.

“Now what?” I said.

“Funny thing,” he said. “I wasn’t nervous at all my first time or any time after, but I’m nervous as all hell right now.”

I lifted my brow. “Why?”

He smiled and fingered my braid again. “Because it’s you.”

“I don’t want to make you nervous.”

“That didn’t come out right, but I don’t know how else to say it.”

I broke through with courage and reached toward him, touching his stubbly cheek. His skin was warm, so warm. “I don’t want either of us to be nervous.”

“Me either.” He placed his hand over mine, turned his head, and kissed my palm. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

“You’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

“I don’t want you because you’re beautiful, Daphne. I want you because you’re you. I know that doesn’t make any sense.”

I smiled, warming inside. “It makes perfect sense.”

He kissed my palm again. “I’m going to take you to the bedroom. We’ll go as slow as you need to go.”

I nodded.

But I wasn’t going to go slowly.

Chapter Forty

Brad

The master suite in the guesthouse was large and decorated in neutral colors. Not that I was an expert in decor, but Daphne brightened up the boring room.

Hell, Daphne brightened up the most intricately decorated room.

I took her in my arms and pressed my lips to hers. I was hard as a rock but determined to go slowly. For Daphne, I’d do anything.

She surprised me when she opened instantly and pushed her tongue out to meet mine. Yes, we’d done quite a bit of kissing in the week we’d known each other, but I’d planned to go a bit more slowly.

Instead, I decided to follow her lead. I took her soft and sweet tongue and twirled it with my own, deepening the kiss until a soft groan hummed from the back of her throat.

I broke the kiss and inhaled a much-needed breath. Then I slid my lips over her cheeks and jawline and then to her neck. “I’m going to undress you.”

“Please,” she whispered.

I lifted her shirt over her head and tossed it onto the floor. Her breasts were already swelling inside her bra. I made quick work of the undergarment