We used to date.

What the hell was going on?

Those words repeatedly echoed in Bryce’s brain. Charleigh and Dax dated. Since when? And for how long? It wasn’t that he kept an eye on his brother-in-law’s personal affairs.

The fact that Dax treated him like shit, and about to take his business away from him, he didn’t want to do anything with that man anymore.

Dax was about to cross the line, and Bryce was done playing nice.

He couldn’t just shut his mind off from overthinking though, and that what took him longer in the bathroom.

Conflicted, Bryce couldn’t think straight. He just had the best orgasm in years. He could still feel being inside Charleigh's, and he liked it a lot. He thought of taking her over and over again until they couldn’t walk, but now that she had a history with Dax, Bryce thought twice.

At the decent corner of his mind, he knew this was a bad idea. He should have thought about it with his brain, and not his stubborn dick.

He’d been in the bathroom for a couple of minutes, looking at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes were shining bright like a clear sky, but he could see a streak of sadness clouding his sight.

For God’s sake, Bryce, this is a hook-up. You should put your shits together. That thought did a little pang in his chest, and he hated the feeling.

He barely knew Charleigh, but the thought of being with Dax made him growl a curse.

He wasn’t aware he’d been clenching his jaw until it was painful enough for him to notice.

He took a deep breath and walked out of the bathroom. He found Charleigh already wearing her baggy shirt, sitting on the edge of the bed. She didn’t even look at his direction even though he was a few steps away from her, and it upset him.

Bryce was an ass, he was aware of his behavior earlier, and he was ready to apologize. He overreacted when he understood the words we used to date. Dax was her ex, but he was more worried about sleeping with Charleigh that it could be used against him.

His fingers and toes tingled as he was already in front of her, yet he seemed not to exist for Charleigh anymore. What had he done? He knelt, held her exposed knees. Charleigh jerked, probably from his cold hands or her mind was somewhere else.

“Ticklish?” He chuckled. It was foolish to ask, but he wanted to get rid of the sudden tension and agitation between them.

“Yeah.”

“Sorry. I think I should probably explore a little bit.” He teased her, slowly ran his fingers up her thighs, and stopped there when Charleigh’s breathing hitched.

“I didn’t know Clary’s mother was his sister.” Charleigh was staring down at her hands.

Bryce stopped and lifted her chin, and finally, she stared back at him with an empty gaze. “And I didn’t know you dated him back then,” he emphasized the word back. “I overreacted and walked out. He was your past, Charleigh, and I thought you both planned this all along.”

“What do you mean?” With brows furrowing, her vocal pitch rose.

“He’s been planning to take Clary from me.”

“But why?” She blinked rapidly, finding it hard to believe what she just heard.

Bryce shouldn’t be sharing this with Charleigh. It was too personal for him. She was a stranger. And spreading rumors against the city mayor and his daughter’s uncle would only make him under public scrutiny.

He couldn’t just help it. He wasn’t asking for sympathy, but after knowing that Dax had hurt Charleigh, he thought, maybe, they were both on the same side. Aside from the sex, of course.

“He bought the building to get under my skin. I did rent a new space, but they didn’t approve the permit. If I will close the shop, then I will lose my income, and I can’t raise my child. So do the math, Charleigh.”

“He will get full custody.”

“Yes.”

“Jesus, what happened to him? I hated him for years, but I never thought he would go that far to hurt his niece’s father,” she cursed under her breath. Her face tightened with hatred against Dax.

“Well, that’s Dax Easton.” He wished he could tell her the real reason.

“He broke my heart, Bryce. He proposed to a woman I didn’t know he’d been seeing in front of his landscape project back in the city three years ago while we were dating. If it wasn’t because of the promotion promised to me, and as soon as I figured he was the client, I would turn down this project in an instant because I knew I would see him again.”

Bryce jaw dropped. He couldn’t believe he broke Charleigh’s heart. Why would he even be surprised with Dax? He was an asshole.

Though he wasn’t surprised for Dax for winning the candidacy over the previous mayor because that one was worse than evil and considering Easton was wealthy and had so many connections.

“They didn’t get married?” Charleigh asked hesitantly.

His brows furrowed. “I didn’t even know he was engaged.”

“So, who’s that woman?”

“I have no idea.” Puzzled, he shook his head.

“I see, he just wanted to break my heart.” She sighed, nodding glumly.

Bryce squeezed her hands and brought them to his lips. “I’m sorry but not sorry that he broke your heart because he doesn’t deserve you, Charleigh. You deserve someone better.”

She shrugged. “Why did he invite me for dinner with his investor?”

His chest tightened. “It’s none of my business, but did you accept it?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you kidding me? Why would I do that? I came here to show him the plan. Once he approved it, my job is over.”

His stomach sunk. He couldn’t voice out because it sounded ridiculous, but his mind knew why he felt that sudden emotional turmoil.

She was going to leave, and he was not ready and not closer to done exploring Charleigh’s lush body. He knew their agreement, it was just sex, but he also knew how good it felt to be with her.

He was conflicted. There was definitely something wrong with him.

If he was honest to himself, it was more than sex. Damn it, Bryson!

Being with her, he felt no pressure. For a short time he spent with Charleigh, he felt something; he was happy, and somehow he had fun—so much fun. The least he could do was to spend time with her, at least before she left.

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” he answered, not able to meet her gaze.

“I can’t give up this project, Bryce.”

“I don’t want you to. I know how much this means to you. Even if you give it up, he will find another architect to replace you and find another thing to use against me.”

“Can’t you find another space?”

“None closer to my home and Clary’s school. The space I have is at the center of the town.”

“I’m sorry, Bryce.” She squeezed his hands, and he found it comforting.

“None of these are your fault.” He took a deep breath when an idea popped in his head. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“I know it’s crazy, and you can say no.”

Charleigh grinned when she noticed him fidgeting. “Why are you nervous, Bryce? You’re not asking me out, are you?”

He laughed nervously. He knew Clary would be glad to meet Charleigh, and he would do everything to make her kid smile even just for a short time. “This isn’t a date, but would you mind joining us for lunch tomorrow at home?”

“Do I get a chance to taste your cupcake?”

“By all means, I would be honored.”

“Then, I’ll be there.”

Bryce stood up and gave Charleigh a quick kiss on her lips. “About Clary...”

“I know. We’re friends, and I won’t mention anything inappropriate. I promise.” She winked and raised her hand. “Are we cool?”

He looked at her as if he just won the lottery. He couldn’t believe this was real. Everything seemed easy with her. He had many things in mind to tell her about Clary, but he held his thought. Maybe some other time, if there was any.

“And wear something.” Charleigh leisurely looked at his entire nakedness as if she was ready to attack him.

“And don’t look at me like that.” He smirked, his muscles relaxed.

Her brow arched at him. “Like what?”

“You know what I mean, Charleigh.” He laughed and shook his head because he could see the amused look on her face. He picked up his boxers and jeans, put them on, then he moved to grab his shirt.

When Bryce was fully dressed, Charleigh couldn’t help but pout. “Now, I missed the sight. I shouldn’t have complained.” She would be lying if she didn’t miss the perfect view in front of her earlier, especially his semi-erect cock and his round and firm ass.

“You’re not fair. I’ll pick you after I close the shop tomorrow?”

“I think I know how to find your address.”

“Okay then. Give me your phone, and let me save my number and address.”

He kissed her again, this time it was hard and hot as he poured his violent hunger on her. He could feel he was painfully hard again, and Charleigh wanted him as much as he did. She moaned, gripped his arms, and pulled him to the bed. He had no plan to stop, but the condom was a damn cockblocker.