Chapter 17

**Brad’s POV**

Sleepless didn’t begin to cover it! This—disaster was bordering on insomnia! In cursing Angela, I somehow cursed myself! Every stroke of my body she made, every part of her I tasted and felt was fresh in my mind. I knew I would be restless but this was insane! My sheets were a tangled mess around my body. I threw the pillow off from my head and stared at my alarm clock, 3:45am. I hadn’t gotten one ounce of sleep and it was almost time to for me to prepare for work.

I felt my eyebrow furrow as I dropped my head exasperatedly against the bed. How did I end up in this situation? Wanting a woman I hadn’t desired before? More importantly; how was it possible that I had a chance? Angela hates me, passionately and yet she was attracted to me. Perhaps it truly was sexual frustration. Yet that assumption did not affect my confidence. Angela would be no different from all the other women I bed. She would appease me until I tired of her company.

Yet subconsciously, I had an inkling that I would easily tire of her touch or taste. The reality that she was my wife made the union more coveted by me. Maybe I was bizarre in that sense but that’s how I felt. Playing house might not be such a terrible circumstance. After all, I always wanted to have sex in the comfort of my own bedroom.

My resolve thickened my purpose sure. I threw my legs off the side of my bed. I grabbed hold of a towel and I gave permission for the sinister smile on my lips to settle. I will have Angela and she will come willingly, after all the main factor was present; attraction. All I had to do was wait until fate did the inevitable.

I descended the flight of stairs and my eyes instantly fell on Angela. Like always, she was laying out our breakfast. Wouldn’t it be fun to use the dining table for other purposes? I Closed my eyes shut and ensured my state of mind was where it should be; not lusting after Angela.

I entered the kitchen and eased myself into my usual seat at the table. Angela sat opposite to me.

She hadn’t made contact, had gone on as if I didn’t enter the room. This made me smile.

“Morning.” I stared at her, waiting for her look at me.

***Angela’s POV***

Why did he have to speak? I was still a bundle of nerves from last night. I couldn’t look at him. But I had to or else he would think he had some power over me and I was fine knowing he did, but I couldn’t bare it if that smug idiot knew.

My mind was made up but my body defied me. I couldn’t find the courage to face him. This was rather odd. I never shied away from anyone, under any circumstance!

Except the circumstances you faced had nothing to do with this sex God wanting you! And maybe you’re fazed ‘cause you want him too! My conscious purred and annoyance crept its way into me. I didn’t want Brad! With my newly found resistance I snapped up and gazed squarely in his eyes.

“Morning,” I commented in sweet acidity. Why in God’s name was he smirking? I had the urge to wipe that reaction away from his lips, or kiss them. My conscious interrupted again and muttered under my breath.

“Sleep well?” He broke the silence once more and I strengthened my grip on my fork. It didn’t help my pride that he was right. I did suffer a sleepless night regretting saying no, but it was the right decision. Right?

“Like a baby.” My voice never sounded this bitter. “You?”

“Oh, even better.” He responded and I rolled my eyes at him. We fell into silence once more and I focused and chewing, my eyes gliding to him every second. How could he be clam? Act as if nothing had happened?

“Brad?” I called and he instantly locked gazes with me. Why was he so gorgeous? I almost forgot what I was about to say.

“Yes Angela?” He questioned. A clear indication for me to continue.

“I was wondering if we could get a puppy,” I asked and I saw him raise an eyebrow at me.

“A puppy.” He enunciated each syllable as if he was testing whether he heard me right.

“Yes.” I replied.

“Why do you want a puppy?” He leaned back in his chair, his head cocked to the side as he studied me.

“Well since I am not allowed to have children I need to have something to pass the time and I think a puppy will be perfect.” I answered and he leaned forward this time, resting his elbows on the surface of the table.

“Well if you desire children, I could take the day off and we could—try.” He joked and despite how angered I grew at him dismissing me my body grew heated.

“I never said I wanted your children.” I replied quickly.

He shrugged his shoulders, “Your loss, but we are not getting a puppy. I despise dogs.”

“The dog isn’t for you anyhow! Why can’t I have a dog?” My voice rose a pitch higher.

“Angela, we are not getting a dog and that’s final.” He was decisive and I knew I had lost. No argument I made would change his mind. I dropped my fork and leaned against my chair.

He rose from his seat, grabbed his jacket and his keys. A daily routine, he was leaving for work. He walked in my direction and I shot him my deadliest glare which sadly, solicited a grin from him. What I didn’t expect was Brad lowering himself to me. Our eyes at the same level, he moved closer until his lips touched mine. He moved in a slow, sensuous rhythm and then he pulled away.

I was surprised, speechless even. Why did he just kiss me? Why didn’t I want him to stop?

“I’ll see you tonight.” He whispered and then I was all alone with my whirlpool of emotions to analyse.

**Brad’s POV**

I knocked on the mahogany door and waited impatiently. It creaked open and the woman who I initially thought was Harvey’s mother answered.

“Mr. Regal.” She acknowledged and I nodded my head in response.

“You know as you called, your wife had just left. But I am glad you found my directions quite simple.” She responded and I stared at her peevishly. I purposely called at a time I knew Angela wouldn’t be here so to avoid her knowing that I wanted to visit this place.

“About the matter we spoke of on the phone...” I let the sentence trail off and she responded instantly.

“I will inform you as soon as it is finalised, but it may take a day or two.” She confirmed and I nodded in agreement.

“Great, now may I see the boy?” I enquired and I saw her face conform into confusion. It was gone just as quickly.

“Harvey?” She questioned and I nodded.

“Sure, I will show you where his room is.” She led me inside and left me outside another door. How peculiar that Harvey would be locked up in his room while all the other children who loved here were outside. I knocked on the door and pushed it open.

He lay on his bed, a book in hand. I couldn’t quite make out the name. He closed it and pushed it aside as I entered. He was obviously stunned to see me. Hell! I was stunned I was even here!

“You?” A reflex I was sure.

“Me.” I answered as I unbuttoned my suit jacket and sat on a chair close to the bed.

“Why are you here?”

“Can’t I just I say hi?” I retorted and he stared at me; bored.

“Great! You can go now.” He responded as he proceeded to fix himself in a sitting position. I couldn’t help but smile. I was doing that a lot lately.

“Not quite. I thought we should know each other.”

“I don’t have the same desire.” He responded coolly but I could see the curiosity in his eyes.

“What were you just reading?” I intentionally avoided his comment. He eyed me suspiciously, I didn’t blame him. When you have the life experiences this kid had, trusting people was not easy.

“History.” He was blunt.

“History, okay. You aren’t interested in heading outside to hang out with your friends?”

“No, I am not interested in hanging out with those children. They aren’t my friends.” His eyes burned and I could tell he was trying to control the emotions he was experiencing. I knew how hard it could be attempting to hide the way you felt. As a child it was exhausting.

“Not your friends?” I questioned. There must be someone he trusts.

“No, I prefer my own company.”

“I see. Did Angela come to visit you today?” I enquired and the mere mention of her name had my body screaming for release.

“Yep.” He responded, I waited in hope that he would further elaborate but there was no such luck.

“Why do you trust her so much?” I questioned.

“Trust? Who says I trust her.” He grew defensive.

“No one had to say it. I can see it. You always grow really defensive of her, especially around me. You do trust her and from what I have observed, she is the only person you let yourself care about. Why?”

He sighed and gave me a dirty look. “She doesn’t pity me.”

“Pity you?” I repeated his words in surprise.

“Yeah. People I meet usually ignore me or pity me and I hate to feel pitied. It makes me feel so worthless and—“

“Fragile, as if you can’t do anything for yourself as if your past defines your entire life?” I finished and he nodded, once again eying my doubtfully.

“Yeah, but Angela treats me like a kid. She doesn’t treat me in a way that reminds me of my past or of how damaged I am. I feel normal and unjudged.”

Just then my phone rang off. “Just a second.” I directed at Harvey and I answered.

“Yes?” I listened attentively, my patience snapping. My secretary kept talking about matters irrelevant. “Just skip the crap and tell me the reason you called,” I growled into the phone.

“Fine schedule the meeting, I be there in half-hour.” I ended the call and looked at the kid sitting on the bed. He was straight and focused, not the way a kid his age normally was.

“I have to go important meeting.” I rose from the chair and he nodded.

“I’ll see you soon kid.” I bridged the silence and he observed me.

“You will?” his voice mirroring the question in his voice.

“Yep, you’ll be seeing a lot of me.” I answered.