Chapter 31

**Brad’s POV**

Circumstances shook me. Angela and I hadn’t a moment together since she slept in my bed and I have to admit, I was growing impatient. I longed to have her with me, to render her hopeless and spent with need beneath me.

Need that you feel for her?

The thought sprung up. Is that it? Did I want her to need me because somehow I believed I needed her? Nonsense! This was an arrangement, Angela is not some unexperienced school girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. Like me, she too felt the attraction surging between us and was just as privy to exploring that as I was. But as I mentioned before circumstances were set against it!

All I could do for the moment was wait. I had forgotten how empty this house felt when I was alone in it. Angela's presence made it more comfortable. “Well I shouldn’t sit around like a love sick puppy! Might as well do some work.” I spoke to the empty house my voice slightly echoing.

I stared at the clock hanging in my study. After four hours of constant work I felt liberated as I sat back against my chair, a glass of whisky in hand. I didn’t usually drink but I needed something to numb myself. I was achingly aware of my body’s instant arousal just at the mere thought of Angela. And I thought about her a lot! My mind wouldn’t rest until it conjured her image or the longing. Why I was adversely affected by one female? I couldn’t answer but it was strange, I was a master at compartmentalizing my life. I would be able to push thoughts I didn’t want away but it seemed I had to remind myself to stop thinking about her every few seconds!

“Brad?” I removed my gaze from my whisky and plastered it on the door. I swallowed.

“Ah, the siren herself.” I stared boldly at Angela.

She furrowed her brows and then her gaze fell on the whiskey, “Are you drunk?” She sounded almost mortified, or was it astonished?

Perhaps I was drunk! How else would my mind be able to trick me with such a perfect replica of the woman I desired.

“You tell me.” I whispered back and thought I saw her stare at me as if I lost my head! She continued to hold my gaze and then she replied.

“Harvey fell asleep in the car, can you help me carry him off to bed? I didn’t want to wake him.” Her words were careful as if she was trying to truly decipher if I was drunk.

But she was real! My mind whirled. How strange, I am unable to tell my dreams from reality. I rose from the chair and stared at her.

“You’re real.” I stated more to myself, resisting the urge to stroke her skin with my fingers, to feel her growing passion at my touch.

“Oh for heaven’s sake! I am beginning to believe you really are drunk!” She snapped and I laughed.

“Not drunk. I thought you were the conjuring of my mind. I hadn’t stopped thinking about you all day.” I was blatant and I thought I saw her eyes widen.

Chuckling again I walked closer to her and bent closer to her ear, I heard her breath hitched, “Let’s get Harvey into bed.” I lengthened the distance and threw open the door of my study and went to the car to carry Harvey up to his room.

I laid Harvey down onto his bed and Angela tucked him in, the expression could only be described as reverent. She adored this kid and I adored looking at the scene. I had an heir, one I was sure would be an excellent asset to my company one day and I had a beautiful wife. This was the highest point my life could ever reach.

Afterward I led Angela outside and we stood in the corridor for some time, “How did mother take the news.” I questioned as we started walking, my room was only a little way off.

“Amazingly well! She even offered for Harvey to spend weekends with her or go on vacations with her during his summer break and such. She is quite determined to act the doting grandmother.” Angela smiled, she was happy about his acceptance and I was too.

“And how was your day?” She asked conversationally.

“I told you, I mostly spent it with you in mind.” I stopped and she did too. I was well aware that we were in front of my room.

Her breath hitched, “Were you now?” She asked incredulously.

“Yes.” I crashed my lips on hers, an action neither of us anticipated; it would seem I was slave to my body now. Her lips moved against mine in a taking, plundering kiss. I trapped her body against my door, one hand cupping her cheek and the other held around her waist, pulling her lower body against mine. I heard her gasp and covered the sound with my lips. Her hands came around my neck, she buried her fingers into the hair at my nape and clenched them. I kissed her harder.

I loosened my grip on her cheek and searched for the doorknob, once I found it I pushed her into the room and shoved the door shut with my foot. I pushed her towards the bed, our lips tore away and I reached behind her to unzip the dress she wore. The fabric pooled around her legs, she stepped out of fabric and stared at me. I was sure the desire I saw darkening her eyes were mirrored in my features to. I plopped her down onto the softness of the bed, holding her gaze I unbuttoned my shirt and let it drop soundlessly on the floor.