Chapter 20

**Brad's POV**

What in hell was Rose doing here? At my house?

*Scott.*

I should have guessed. Not much to be done now but I had to steer clear. I was done with Rose, but she wouldn't understand the meaning of 'no.' I kept searching for Angela and when I finally found her it was in a secluded corner with Scott. My anger flared.

He may be my closest friend but I knew of his reputation. Not that I thought Angela would fall victim to him, hell she knew his as long as I did. Yet him standing so close to her made me very annoyed.

I should be the one that close to her. No one else.

I broke away from the circle I was involved in when I saw Angela walk away from Scott. I walked over to him and we embraced.

Nodding to the path Angela walked away in I asked. "Were you just flirting with my wife?"

"Someone has to." He responded cheerily. Scott was also one of those few people who knew that our marriage was not founded on attraction.

"If you weren't my best friend, I'd kill you. But friends or not I am tempted." I responded lightly and I saw him ease back a smile.

"And if you weren't my best friend, I'd take her away. Not that I am not still tempted of course." He countered and I grimaced.

"Fair enough." I conceded.

"You know something?" He began.

"What?" I asked my interest piqued. He stared at me seriously. A stance he almost never used.

"You are an idiot."

"Am I now?" I smiled, clearly interested in whatever he had to say.

"Yes. You have a very beautiful wife yet you are wasting your time with Rose." He announced.

"I see." I responded vaguely and I knew it would annoy him.

"You. See? I know you are not comfortable without the idea of a commitment but Angela is worth the risk. Trust me when I say you don't know what you're missing out on."

This caused me to double-take. What the hell was that supposed to mean?

"What I am missing out on?" I pronounced every syllable properly and waited for a response. Obviously, Scott hadn't meant to confess that last part.

MY stomach churned.

"You hooked up with her? My voice sounding deadly, but I was talking to Scott not a stranger. He was not afraid of me.

"Hooked up is not the right word to use. Of all the women I kissed Angela's the one I actually have respect for."

"Kissed? Just tell me when and how this happened." I was growing impatient.

"Fine. Geese! Talk about impatience!" Scott delayed even more and then he continued.

"Rose and Angela were friends at the time and she and a couple of the other girls came over for the night. This was in high school. Angela was around seventeen and even then I guess I always knew she was awesome. We had always been close and I enjoyed talking to her. That night, she came downstairs and found me sprawled on the couch. I asked her to sit by me and we talked a bit—well flirted basically. Then I kissed her, she kissed back. Wonderful times those were."

That's it? I wanted to know every detail! But Scott would grow suspicious if he found me getting angry.

"Did you sleep with her?" My teeth clenched and I swore if he said yes I would not be held accountable for my actions.

"Are you nuts? I told you, I respect her besides she's the girl you marry and have ten kids with not the girl you keep around for one-night stands."

"I am conflicted; I don't know what I want to do more. Punch you or pat you on the back?" I confessed. I didn't like the idea of Angela having a history with Scott not to mention how close they were.

Maybe I was annoyed because I could never have that relationship with her? We fought all the time and that always convinced me that we were not good for each other. But that didn't mean I didn't want her. Well for a while at least.

Scott laughed and I raised my brows at him. "For someone who is not attracted to their wife, you are very protective."

My frown deepened. I had no idea where this conversation was leading but something told me I wouldn't like the direction.

"Your point?" My voice slow and bored.

"I just don't get why both of you are still investing in this marriage. You may not care but Angela isn't made of stone and you keeping one of her friends as your mistress is not easy on her. I would've thought that once you guys tried you would eventually divorce."

My jaw tightened at the word. DIVORCE?

"Angela and I are not getting a divorce." My words were plain and coated in a harshness I didn't intend.

Scott studied me and then a smile curved his lips. "I see."

He was evasive but I knew what he was thinking. I sighed and walked away from him. I didn't need to explain my decisions to anyone.

**Angela's POV**

I was pulled into conversation and eventually I was lost. I knew absolutely nothing relating to business. I had a science background so my entire responses were waves of 'really' 'ooh' and 'I see.'

I hadn't noticed when Rose was standing opposite to me. I tried my level best to ignore her presence but my attempts were proving futile.

I hadn't realized when Brad slipped beside me but once he was there it was hard not to feel his presence.

Once more my body roared to life, you'd think that I would be accustomed to this reaction by now but it felt so new so—wrong.

Now I am lying to myself. It didn't feel wrong at all but secretly I wanted it to feel wrong. Maybe then I wouldn't spend my free time daydreaming about him—

I felt the gradual introduction of Brad's body heat as he snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me closer.

I silently prayed that he couldn't hear the absurd beating of my heart.

My eyes flickered to Rose and I saw her expression change. She hadn't expected Brad would even touch this harmlessly...well it would appear harmless but I was in overdrive trying not to be more affected by him.

Her eyes grew dark and I saw the anger in them. She gave me her deadliest look but it didn't affect me. Hell, I had regular arguments with Brad and didn't flinch, Rose was not the slightest intimidating.

I saw her stare at Brad, but weirdly he paid her no attention. Unfortunately, I felt—empowered by it all. Was that bad I found some happiness in her distress?

Of course not, besides Brad's the one holding you not the other way around. My sub-conscious roared and I inwardly smiled. For once my thoughts were in harmony.