Page 29 of Brutal Sin
Smiledand used the word ma’am.
What the hell was he playing at? The contrast from the stuck-up, superior man she knew didn’t compute. Not in the slightest. This guy had a casual air of the-boy-next-door, with a smooth swagger and gentleeyes.
“Morning, Ella.”
She didn’t offer a greeting. Not in words. Her frown posed as a technicolor response.
“Can wetalk?”
She worked the question over in her mind. Back and forth. “Didn’t we speak last night?”
His lips twitched, a tiny hitch of mirth. “We did. And now I have something else I want to discuss.”
“Take a seat in the café,” her mother offered unwanted assistance. “I’ll help Kim for a while.”
Bryan raised a questioning brow to confirm the option.
“No,” she growled. “We can speakhere.”
He sucked in a slow, deep breath, showing his displeasure with a subtle expand of his broad chest. “Sure.” His gaze leisurely glided from her to her mother, back and forth. “Are we still good after last night?”
“As good as we’re going toget.”
There were no grudges. Not really… Okay, she hadn’t slept a wink due to her body wanting him and her mind hating him. With time, her annoyance probably would’ve faded. But less than twenty-four hours had passed, so he was out ofluck.
“Hint taken.” His tongue worked over the words like he was seducing them. Or her. She feared he succeeded in both. “I have a proposition foryou.”
She shook her head. “Not interested.”
“You don’t want to hear meout?”
“I ditched the sucker-for-punishment attitude twelve hoursago.”
Another glance went from mother to daughter before his expression changed. It was slight. The minute squint of his eyes, the tiniest tilt of his chin. “This has nothing to do with punishment.” He stared at her, stared so hard her betraying nipples tingled. “It’s the opposite.”
The opposite of punishment?
She shuddered. Her built-up tension and annoyance formed a concoction that resembled arousal. All the while, her mother remained quiet. Still a few feet away. Still mesmerized by a man who deserved far less scrutiny.
“On second thought, let’s take this outside.” She dragged her feet to the kitchen doors, shoving through them to enter the diningarea.
It wasn’t safe to be caged in the small kitchen with him. Fresh air became necessary. Space, too. She walked onto the street and took a seat at one of the steel-frame tables that were usually only occupied during the really busy times when customers had nowhere else tosit.
He followed, and the split second when he loomed close, about to take his seat, was a threatening taunt to all her needy senses. She wanted him over her. Under her. Insideher.
Christ.
“What do you want, Bryan?” Her voice cracked with the built-up tension clogging her throat.
He sat opposite her, dwarfing the setting, the metal table and chairs appearing toy-like under his large frame.
The problematic situation only intensified when Kim strode onto the sidewalk, a notepad in hand, and stopped at their table. “May I take your order?”
Pamela scowled. They didn’t provide table service. Never had. “No, Kim. We’regood.”
“I’ll get a large coffee, strong, with cream, thanks.” Bryan held her focus while he ordered. Asserting his authority. Vocalizing his confidence.
Wrong decision, buddy. He’d flaunted his head-strong independence in the wrong place. Especially when it came to her protective sister.
