Tainted Hearts Prologue
Brandon
Not a single part of me wants to be here. This whole trip has been a complete bust—and the worst part? It was never supposed to be mine in the first place.
At Jenkins Construction, I’m the numbers guy.
I stay behind the scenes, crunching figures and keeping everything running.
Kade’s the one who flies out, shakes hands, walks sites.
But my brother got too wrapped up in his perfect life with his fiancée, Liv, double-booked himself, and suddenly I’m the one stuck in a bland Ohio hotel after a meeting that turned out to be a total waste of time.
And it’s not just frustrating—it’s infuriating. Because every minute I spend here is a minute spent away from my little girl, Avery.
I know she’s safe. Chances are she’s having the best sleepover ever with my parents, her Mimi and Pops. Still, the guilt sits heavy in my chest, refusing to let up. Every part of me wants to be home with her, because that’s where I belong.
I focus my attention on the whiskey in my hand, swirling it around the glass before taking another slow swig. When I lower it, my gaze drifts to the blonde sitting across from me at the other end of the oval bar.
I don’t spend much time looking at women. I’m too focused on being the best dad I can be and making sure I provide a life Avery deserves. Especially since her mom walked out on us when Avery was just a year old.
But something about this woman has me intrigued.
She’s effortlessly beautiful, but there’s a softness to her—a quiet shyness that stands out in a place like this.
For the last twenty minutes, I’ve watched as a steady stream of men have approached her.
Offering drinks. Throwing out terrible pickup lines.
Each one turned down politely, but I can see it—the discomfort she’s trying to hide.
When a fifth guy leans in, clearly not taking the hint after she’s already declined him twice, something in me snaps.
Before I can think better of it, I’m on my feet and heading toward her.
As I approach, her eyes find mine. I offer her a small smile before shifting my attention to the guy hovering too close.
“Hey, baby. Sorry I’m late.”
Her eyes widen slightly, but she doesn’t say anything.
I glance at the guy. “Hey, man. Thanks for keeping my girl company. I’ve got it from here.”
He blinks, looking between us. “Oh, uh, yeah. Sure, man. No worries,” he mutters before quickly backing off.
I wait until he disappears before turning back to her.
“Sorry. I just… I noticed you were batting guys away left, right, and center. Figured I’d help out.”
“Oh—yeah. Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“Of course. Anyway, I think you’re safe to finish your drink in peace.”
I turn to leave.
“Would you like to join me?”
My head turns back just in time to catch the faint blush across her cheeks.
“You sure?”
“Yeah. I mean, you just rode in like some kind of white knight and pretended to be my boyfriend so that guy would leave me alone. It might look a little suspicious if you just leave, don’t you think?”
A small laugh slips out of me. “Yeah, I guess I didn’t really think that one through. I mean, if you’re sure about me joining you...”
“I’m sure.”
I nod and step closer, sliding into the seat beside her.
“I’m Brandon.” I hold my hand out, and the moment her fingers slip into mine, a jolt of electricity runs straight up my arm.
Her blush deepens, blooming across her cheeks as she smiles and shakes my hand. “Nice to meet you, Brandon. I’m Reece.”
And for the first time all night, the tightness in my chest finally loosens.
“Oh, fuck,” Reece moans as my mouth works down her neck, teeth grazing, lips soothing, my body pressing hers into the mirrored wall of the elevator. “I don’t usually do this,” she breathes, and the words are enough to make me stop.
I pull back just enough to look at her.
“Neither do I,” I say, my voice rough. My hands slide up, framing her face, forcing her to meet my eyes. “Tell me to stop, and I will.”
Her lips part, her breath uneven, and for a second, everything hangs there—tight, charged, waiting.
I hold myself back, even though every instinct is screaming not to.
Because this isn’t who I am.
My life doesn’t have room for moments like this. It’s early mornings, late nights, school runs, deadlines. It’s being a dad first, always. It’s responsibility and control and never letting things get too far out of my hands.
And this? This is already too far.
Since Amanda left, I’ve kept things simple. Distant. Easy to walk away from. No complications, no attachments.
No risk.
But there’s nothing simple about the way Reece is looking at me right now.
Five hours. That’s all we’ve had. Five hours of conversation that felt too easy, laughter that came too naturally, touches that lingered just long enough to mean something.
I should’ve left it there.
Should’ve walked away while it was still just a good night.
But I didn’t.
Because I wanted this.
I want her.
And the second she told me to kiss her… I lost whatever control I had left.
I brush my thumb across her cheek, watching as her eyes drop to my lips before lifting back to meet mine—right as the soft ding of the elevator cuts through the silence and the doors slide open onto my floor.
“Whatever happens right now… it’s your call,” I murmur, my voice low, steady even though everything inside me is anything but.
She swallows, her gaze searching mine. “Things like this don’t happen to girls like me,” she admits softly. “I’m not the girl men lust over or go out of their way to chase.”
A quiet scoff leaves me, my thumb still tracing her skin. “Where the hell do you live?” I ask, shaking my head slightly. “Because the guys in your town are fucking idiots if they’re not fighting for your attention.”
She lets out a small laugh, the sound warm and a little nervous, before her fingers slide into my hair. I have to bite back a groan at the feel of her touch.
“What would you say,” she murmurs, her voice trembling slightly, “if I told you I want you to take me back to your room… so we can lose ourselves in each other, just for one night, before reality comes crashing back in the morning?”
For a second, I can’t breathe.
I rest my forehead against hers and close my eyes.
“Fuck,” I breathe.
Just one night.
It should make this easier.
It doesn’t.
Because the truth is, I want her far more than I should.
“Is that a yes?” she asks softly.
I lift my head and open my eyes.
Her gaze meets mine, hopeful and uncertain all at once.
For a moment, I just look at her.
Then I nod.
Slowly.
Giving in to what we both want.
“Yeah,” I say, my voice rough. “It’s definitely a yes.”
Relief flashes across her face, followed so quickly by desire it nearly undoes me.
I cup her jaw and kiss her.
Soft at first.
Then deeper when she melts into me.
When I finally pull back, we’re both breathing harder.
I brush my thumb across her cheek and lace my fingers through hers.
“Come on,” I murmur.
Her smile is small but real as I lead her out of the elevator.
The walk down the corridor is a blur. Every brush of her body against mine makes it harder to remember why I ever thought saying no was an option. By the time we reach my door, my pulse is hammering.
I fumble the key card once.
Twice.
Reece laughs softly, and the sound only makes me want her more.
The lock finally clicks open.
I glance at her one last time.
“Still sure?” I ask.
Reece answers by grabbing my shirt and pulling me down to her.
The kiss hits me like a punch to the chest.
I don’t even remember stepping through the doorway.
One second we’re in the hall, the next I’m spinning her around as the door slams shut behind us.
She lets out a breathless laugh when her back meets it, but it disappears the second my mouth finds hers again.
My hands are everywhere—her waist, her hair, her jaw—as though I can’t decide where I want to touch her most.
“Jesus,” I mutter against her lips.
For a moment, everything slows to just breath and heat and the press of her against me.
I drag in a shaky breath against her lips.
Then I kiss her again—and this time I stop thinking altogether and just let go.