Me?
Nothing.
Yes. I was the lucky one.
How fucked up was all of this?
My feet seemed glued to the tile floor. No way was I leaving, even though I knew I should. You’re thinking too much, Bryce.
No shit.
I’d done nothing but think since the whole thing with my father went down.
Time to stop thinking.
Take what Marjorie Steel was offering me.
Feel, instead of think, for a change.
I laughed out loud. Had I really intended to fuck a pot-smoking cocktail waitress earlier this evening? Had I really been dense enough to think someone like Heidi could erase Marjorie Steel from my mind? Or at least ease my ache for her?
Sometimes I was so obtuse.
I might have gotten my rocks off, but I’d still want Marj.
My balls might no longer be blue, but that aching emptiness inside me? It would still be there in abundance. Only one woman could ease that ache.
I smiled when Marj walked right past the kitchen to the stairs leading to the family room. She whipped her hands to her hips. “Seriously, Bryce?” she said aloud.
She thought I’d left. I was almost amused.
I cleared my throat loudly.
She turned back toward the kitchen with a jerk.
“Donny okay?” I asked.
She nodded, walking toward me. “Good news, actually. The nightmare wasn’t about his ordeal. He was worried about Jade and the new baby.” She wrapped her arms around my neck. “I’m glad you didn’t run off.”
“I probably should have. I’m not sure you know what you’re getting into, little girl.”
“Stop the little girl bullshit. We both know how old I am.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but she placed two fingers against my lips.
“If you mention unicorns, I might just knee you in your misters.”
I couldn’t help laughing at that one. In fact, the laugh was damned near boisterous.
I felt good here. I felt good around Marjorie Steel.
And I hadn’t felt this damned good in a long time.
I lowered my lips to hers.
Chapter Thirteen
Marjorie