Dare to Surrender by Carly Phillips

me,” his brother said, his tone filled with more amusement than when he’d been dealing with her last night.
    “You were rude to me,” she informed him in a haughty tone, nose in the air.
    Gabe barked out a laugh.
    “You were under arrest!” Decklan shot back.
    “Bogus charges.” She folded her arms across her chest and glared.
    Gabe looked at his brother and grinned. “Guess she doesn’t want you here any more than I do right now.”
    Decklan didn’t seem bothered. “Not even if I have something for you?” Focused on Isabelle, he held up the bag.
    Now he had Gabe wondering what the hell was in it that had his always-serious brother sounding so proud of himself.
    Isabelle cocked an eyebrow and stepped forward. Gabe’s gaze fell to her bare feet and hot pink toenails. Damn, he’d like to suck each one slowly, nibbling, and listen to her moan as he worked his way upward—
    “Let me see.” Her voice broke Gabe’s daydream.
    Decklan handed her the bag, and Isabelle snatched it away, peering inside. Her eyes widened, and she stared at him, open-mouthed. “You… I… This is actually thoughtful !”
    Gabe was torn between laughing at the notion that she didn’t think his brother had thoughtful in him and jealous that she now stared at Decklan with a newfound respect.
    “Thank you, Ms. Masters. Don’t I get at least a peck on the cheek for the effort?” he asked.
    A pink blush stole up Izzy’s cheeks. Gabe wanted to be the only one responsible for putting that flush on her face.
    She stepped forward, and Gabe growled. Literally growled. “Go home, Decklan. Izzy and I have plans.”
    “Don’t be rude! He came all the way over here to give me—”
    Gabe grabbed the bag and looked inside. “Tums? He gave you Tums, and you’re gushing all over him?”
    Decklan burst out laughing while Izzy stood between them, obviously confused at Gabe’s possessive behavior. Gabe didn’t understand it either. He only knew that until he and Izzy had something solid, no other man was getting between them. His brother and his dime-store gifts included.
    “I actually have to be going. I have a date,” Decklan said, clearly holding back his amusement. “I just figured, based on my brother’s behavior last night, he wanted to keep you, and I’d best bring by a peace offering.” He shrugged. “Considering what I just witnessed, nothing’s changed, so I’ll be seeing you around here, Isabelle. Assuming he doesn’t drive you away with his jealousy first.”
    “Go home,” Gabe muttered, embarrassed at being caught acting like an ass by the only man in this world he could actually trust around his woman.
    Decklan turned to go. Gabe figured he’d make things right with his sibling tomorrow.
    “Wait,” Izzy said, stopping Decklan’s retreat.
    His brother glanced back at her.
    “Peace offering accepted,” she said with a grateful smile on her beautiful face, leaving Gabe with the thought that if a bottle of Tums turned her into a beaming angel, he couldn’t wait to bestow more intimate, unexpected presents on his favorite girl.

Chapter Seven
    Isabelle: Clarity
    I was ravenous and devoured the most delicious steak, well aware of Gabe’s eyes on me the whole time. We sat in a small breakfast nook in the kitchen, eating on a white and beige granite tabletop. Gabe pulled his seat close to mine, and though I should’ve been uncomfortable, I wasn’t because I was too amused by what had gone down between Gabe and Decklan over me.
    Me.
    “What’s so funny?” Gabe asked me, wiping his mouth with a napkin before placing it back in his lap.
    “I can’t say I’ve ever been the object of a pissing contest before.”
    He leaned on one arm. “Can’t say I’ve engaged in one before either.”
    I had a difficult time believing him. “No big blocks of real estate you’ve wanted? No club takeovers?”
    “I was talking about women.” He paused. “You saw the bedroom.”
    No need for me to ask which one.
    He rubbed a