25. Twenty-Five
Twenty-Five
DYLAN
Thursday
A n alarm was going off. I struggled to open my eyes as I wondered what time it was. I fumbled around the bedside table for my phone.
7:00 a.m.
Rude.
But then I remembered… I was in bed with Braxton Holland.
And I was naked.
Willing myself awake, I rolled over and looked at the sleeping viking next to me.
A wave of excitement rushed through my body as the memories from the night before came flooding back, along with the butterflies I felt deep in the pit of my stomach.
We couldn’t keep away from each other and we certainly couldn’t keep our hands off each other, despite the very real consequences.
Even though I had a guilty conscience, and even with Steven threatening my job, it wasn’t enough to deter me. All the warning signs in the world couldn’t stop me from getting close to him.
Brax was under my skin. Again.
This world could burn and I’d burn with it if it meant I could be with him.
I wondered what this said about me. About who I was becoming. I had a darkness about myself that had been in the shadows, but was now very much stepping into the spotlight.
Engaging in an illicit affair… Was doing this going to change who I was?
Once again, I decided to worry about the dark parts of myself later.
I had to shift gears, and fast, because I needed to get my ass over to the Studio Pase site.
Sitting up, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stretched my arms above my head, taking in a few deep breaths.
My body felt sore, but in the best of ways.
We had sex three times. I let him come inside of me the last time after sharing that I was on birth control. We probably would have had sex more had we not fallen asleep from exhaustion.
Quietly, I tiptoed over to the wardrobe and shrugged on a white button up blouse and short black leather skirt. I had just finished fastening the last button when I heard Brax stir.
He opened his stormy blue eyes and sat up, shuffling his back so it was resting against the headboard.
“Morning, Wild Thing."
He ran his hand through his shaggy bed hair. He looked insanely hot.
“Morning.”
He yawned. “Why are you up so early?”
“I have to get ready. I’ve got my first site visit this morning,” I hurriedly told him, as I positioned my black pumps on the floor and slid them on my feet. “I’m meeting Greg at eight-thirty.”
Brax raked his eyes over my body.
I knew what he was thinking, because I was too, and nope. Not happening. I couldn’t be late. My body betrays me though as my pussy flutters at the thought of him being inside me again.
“Have a sick day,” he teased, draping a toned and tattooed arm above his head. His chest rose and fell, his tattoos expanding with each breath. “Come back to me.”
He patted the bed after seeing me unashamedly eye-fuck him.
Tempting. Very tempting.
I bit my lip, considering his offer. “I wish, but I really can’t. This is the only day I’ve got to see the site before I leave.”
Brax’s face dropped slightly.
My response reminded us both that this wasn’t some fairytale. The thought of leaving Brax sent a wave of dread through my body.
We had a lot to get through before we could entertain this being our daily reality.
“At least give me something to get through the morning.”
I flashed him my tits.
***
Thankfully, I arrived on site before Greg.
Standing in the warm morning sunlight, I surveyed the building from the outside. It was impressive. I had to pinch myself, still in awe that I was getting the chance to transform this heritage structure into Studio Pase’s modern bridal showroom.
I smoothed out my blouse and adjusted my skirt.
Nervous energy skittered throughout my body thanks to my mind continuously replaying the sex from the night before.
I felt guilty, horny and satisfied all at once. It was as confusing as it was thrilling.
My phone buzzed in my bag.
I felt nauseated when I saw it was a text from Zack
Have a nice day Dyl x
I stared at it, frozen.
I was a piece of shit.
I couldn't bring myself to write back.
Dropping my phone back into my bag, I let out a heavy sigh.
I had promised myself that as soon as I got home, I would end things with Zack immediately. There was no point in confessing about Brax; that would only cause unnecessary pain.
That's what I was telling myself anyway.
I twisted my rings around my fingers.
Had I really become this calculating?
The sound of a car door closing pulled me back to the present as Greg approached. I was grateful for the distraction.
“Good morning Dylan,” he greeted me warmly.
“Hi Greg, thanks for having me today.”
“My pleasure, come on in.”
Greg unlocked the giant double doors and held them open so I could enter. It was huge. Standing in the empty space, my imagination ran wild as I imagined the space coming to life with my plans.
“Even though you’ve created the floor plan, and you’ve already supplied proposed renders, it’s always good to see it in person. The space is fairly self explanatory,” Greg indicated towards the staircase which led up to the mezzanine. “Up there is where you’ve suggested the exclusive appointment room,” Greg nodded towards me. “Which I love by the way.”
I smiled at the compliment. “Thanks Greg.”
“Obviously this means that this large area we’re standing in will be the main showroom. What do you think?”
I marveled at the giant ceiling. “It’s very spacious. Lots of natural light, more than I was expecting actually. Those windows are divine. Studio Pase will be a showstopper once she’s done.”
Greg seemed pleased with my reaction. Which pleased me. I felt a need to impress Greg, considering how important he was to Brax. It was a shame I couldn’t ask Greg more about him. Doing so would give away that there was something more between us.
I chose not to be reckless.
“How long do you need this morning?”
“I shouldn’t be too long. Maybe an hour? I need to confirm a few measurements upstairs and take some imagery so I can generate those additional 3D renders.”
“Wonderful. Take your time, I’ll leave you the keys,” he said as he stuck his hand into his pocket and pulled out the key. “Also, my entire team is at your disposal should you need anything else. I know you already know Brax.”
I felt the blood rush to my cheeks. “Yes, thank you.”
Greg handed me the key. I promptly placed it in my handbag.
“Brax tells me you two were an item a number of years ago.”
He did?
I tried to look unbothered, but the truth was, I was taken by surprise. “Yes. A long time ago.”
“But you left for London.”
This was not a question, but rather a statement. There was zero point in lying to Greg.
I raised both palms of my hands in the air. “You got me.”
I knew I would regret admitting that I'd left the love of my life to go to London at the team dinner. I made a mental note to never, ever share anything personal at a work function again.
“Dylan, it’s none of my business, but you do know that Brax has a girl back home, don’t you?”
For a brief moment, I imagined telling Greg to go fuck himself. But instead of saying something stupid, like " fuck off Greg, " I chose not to say anything at all and reminded myself that Greg was my client.
I laid a steely gaze onto Greg and waited for him to continue. I had been told my pointed stares can make people nervous. Men in particular. Taylor once told me this signature look of mine made men think I was either going to fuck them or kill them.
Greg cleared his throat. “I’ve known Brax a long time. I’ve watched him build a very successful business, and a good life for himself. He’s like a son to me, Dylan,” Greg lowered his voice. “I’d hate to see him lose it all for–”
“For what?”
“For… you know.”
Me?
There were so many sensitivities, so many layers to this whole situation. The only reason I didn’t tell Greg to mind his own business was because of the respect Brax had for him—and because he was my client.
"Go on, Greg. For what?"
“For a bit of fun.”
There was that word again. Fun.
This wasn’t fun.
Fun was going to a theme park, or a concert, or going out with friends. Being locked in an illicit affair with your ex wasn’t fun . Having zero control over your feelings wasn’t fun. Knowing we both had partners at home waiting for us wasn’t fun.
It was fucking torture.
Gnawing away at any goodness that I had left inside of me.
This conversation needed to end.
“I’ll padlock the front when I leave,” I said curtly. “Thanks again for letting me in.”
Greg paused for a second, like he was considering prying further. Finally, he gave me a taut smile, before leaving.
Alone, I went over the conversation again.
What was he suggesting? That if Brax chooses me, he’ll ruin his life? What the actual fuck?
I had been on such a high, delirious from all the sex the night before, and now I'd felt on the verge of tears.
Was it silly to expect that Brax and I could make something work if it was built on secrets?
Maybe.
Maybe we were deluded. Maybe we were so addicted to the high that we gave each other that we couldn’t see this for what it was: just a bit of fun.
Or maybe we weren’t delusional at all.
Maybe we were supposed to find each other again. Maybe we were endgame.
Walking over towards the stairs, I felt offended and pissed off. I struggled to mentally process what had just happened.
I climbed the stairs carefully in my heels and decided to push that conversation with Greg out of my mind. I needed to focus on the task at hand.
I opened the door into the small office that was to the left of the stairs.
With my back to the door, I placed my bag down onto the only table in the room, which sat along the far wall. I pulled out the camera and measuring tape from my handbag.
I was so focussed that I didn’t hear the footsteps coming up the stairs. I wasn’t sure how long he watched me for, but he was as silent as a mouse.
Turning around, the sight of Brax leaning against the doorframe nearly gave me a heart attack.
“Jesus, Brax!” I exclaimed, bracing myself against the table to steady my breathing.
He stood there looking unfairly good looking, with his large arms folded and his huge frame against the doorway.
Wearing a white shirt, black shorts, and that fucking backwards cap, my heart pounded in my chest. From both the surprise and the sight of him.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you," he laughed. "I didn’t want to interrupt you, you look so cute when you’re focused.
“What are you doing here? Did you see Greg?”
“I thought you might need some help with the measurements, and no, I didn’t see Greg.”
I breathed a sigh of relief that Brax didn’t see Greg. That would have given him even more cause for concern if he spotted Brax onsite when he wasn’t needed.
Heart pounding, I considered telling Brax about Greg, but decided to wait until I had a handle on my emotions. I was too offended and pissed off to be rational. I didn't want to say something awful about to Greg to Brax.
Brax unfolded his arms and walked over to me. I wasn't sure if was going to sweep me into his arms or kiss me.
But he did neither. Instead, he sidestepped me and put his hand out requesting the measurement tape.
“Here,” I replied, tossing him the measuring tape. “I don’t want to be here for too long, so don’t distract me with your good looks and muscles.”
“Well, don’t distract me with your ‘fuck me’ eyes,” he quipped.
I smiled at him.
How could something so wrong, feel so right?
I wondered if Brax felt bad about crossing the final line. If he did, he hid the stress well.
“Remind me of the plan for this space again?”
“We’re knocking down these walls,” I indicated to the ones enclosing the office we were standing in. I pointed to the far wall. “But that wall is staying. So, I need to measure that one, plus the ones that are being removed. And also make some estimates of where the platforms will go.”
“Alright I’ll measure, you write.”