Chapter 9

**Angela’s POV**

I had enough of this conversation. Brad continued to ask questions that I didn’t want to answer. Harvey still had nightmares and he was so alone. I couldn’t talk about this without feeling broken.

“Is that all? I really don’t want to have this conversation.” I retorted, the words coming out softer than I intended.

I saw Brad nod his head in approval. His recent behavior confusing me. Since when was he interested in someone other than himself?

My mind was a hot, steaming mess. I couldn’t calm myself. I cursed myself; did I just dare let myself be affected by him?

I felt the pulsing in my chest and I feared he heard it too.

“Don’t forget that we have a dinner party to attend tonight.” He spoke and my vision cleared. I just noticed that I had spaced out on him, he was standing now and my gaze was directed to his stomach. I could see the imprint of his perfectly toned body.

Stop it. I warned myself.

Wait! What?

“Dinner party?” I questioned, my eyes melding with his.

“Yes, one of my business partners issued the invitation and I am expected to bring my wife.” He responded coolly.

“You didn’t tell me this before,” I stated harshly and he regarded me with equal intensity.

“Well, I am telling you now.” He responded authoritatively and my anger flared. How could I even consider that this man could be a little human? I removed myself forcefully from the chair and exited the kitchen.

Let him make his own goddamn breakfast!

I sat at a table with four other women, each the high society wife of a rich businessman. I guess you could also consider me a society wife as well, seeing that Brad was also too powerful for his own good. The four of them involved in meaningless conversation. I occasionally gave a non-committed nod or mutter some comment to please the lot.

I stared over to where Brad stood, he was in a circle of other men. He was by far the youngest in his group but not the youngest in the room. Yet he was the most arrogant of them all. I could easily tell.

He stood silently, I could see he was bored and he did nothing to hide the fact. He was the odd one out, the other men in animated conversation but Brad was a vision of grace and authority in his dark suit that accentuated his power.

God he was gorgeous...A true God!

What? No! I scolded myself.

“Hi there. Remember me?” I turned my gaze at the figure coming to stand right beside me. Recognition hit me! This idiot again?

I turned my gaze instantly away from the man I encountered in Brad’s building.

“No.” I responded, not gifting him with my gaze.

He chuckled and the sound chilled me. Couldn’t he take a hint? I could feel the other women turn their attention to us.

The gossiping idiots!

“Come on darling-“

I turned to face him now. My eyes were red with fury.

“I. Am. Not. Interested.” I pronounced each word distinctively; I saw something flash across his features. It was gone as soon as it appeared.

He stood there boldly and I refused to sit in his presence. I excused myself from the table and walked away.

I made my way over to Brad and I rested my hand lightly on his shoulder, turned around slowly, his eyes brightening at the sight of me.

My heart tugged. Did he have to welcome my presence? It did strange things to me and I wanted to slap myself! I despised the way my mind thought these days.

“Sorry to interrupt your exhilarating conversation,” I whispered in his ear and I saw the corners of his mouth raise in amusement.

“At least I can tell it was more so than the company you were a part of.” He gestured to the table I was sitting at and I resisted the urge to laugh.

I saw his eyes darken and his jaw clench dangerously and I turned to see what solicited such a reaction.

The man I had walked away from was occupying my seat and his eyes were glued to me and Brad.

Brad’s eyes fell on me. “Did Evan just hit on you again? Is that you came over here?” His voice hard and demanding, I stared in wonder at him, he appeared just the way I would imagine a dark angel.

Shut up! I scolded my mind.

“Sort of,” I replied truthfully. I saw his frown deepen.

Just as he was about to say something we were interrupted.

“Regal, is this the wife?” An elder man questioned, his expression friendly and he stared at us expectantly.

We both turned to face the man, I felt Brad’s arms snake around my waist bringing me close to him. I almost jumped at the contact. I could feel the heat from his body seeping through the fabric of my clothes.

I bet he would feel even warmer if we hadn’t any clothes. I nearly slapped myself in view of all these people! What the hell was wrong with me?

“She is.” He responded and I swore he looked proud. My heart did a small flip.

I needed to get a hold of my hormones!

A couple more introductions and then we were on our way home. I sat in the front with Brad. He was so silent and it made me nervous.

When the hell was I ever nervous?

I stared at him anxiously and then turned my gaze out of the window for the rest of the journey.

**Brad’s POV**

All I could think of was Angela. The way she looked in that goddam dress. The way her lips moved when she spoke.

This is not what I wanted to feel but lust was getting the better of me. My wife was beautiful and I did want to take her to bed. But...

I couldn’t speak to her now. I didn’t trust myself. I already felt my body tensing up. God how would it feel to get lost in her for a night!

I mentally cursed myself. I shouldn’t be thinking like this. Our relationship worked up until now and there was no need to complicate it.

An image flashed before my eyes and my hands tightened dangerously on the steering wheel. What the hell was Evans doing hitting on Angela? I thought I made myself clear to him the other day. I would just have to fix that...soon.

We finally arrived home and I hurriedly followed Angela in. It was about to rain.

Closing the door behind us Angela locked up. I began resting my keys and wallet on the table beside the door. I turned to look at her.

Her back towards me. I took the moment to let my eyes trail down her body. I felt myself tensing again.

I saw her spinning around, somehow she had lost balance. Her eyes widen suddenly and she almost fell. I grabbed hold of her waist and steadied her. Her body pulled flush against mine.

She gasped in surprise. I saw her sneak a peek at my lips and I wanted to take her right there.

I steadied my breathing, my eyes were hard and unforgiving. She stared into them but I was interested in another sight, my eyes fixed on her lips. I moved my head closer, our lips almost touching.

I swallowed hard. “You should go to bed, it’s late.” I mumbled against her lips. She inhaled and I slowly let her go.

She scurried out of my sight and I stood there, attempting to stop my heart from banging against my chest.