4

That was not a part of his plan.

Bryce questioned himself again. He was just caught off guard by the beautiful woman petting Lotus. He kept telling himself before he climbed up his truck.

Or more likely, he was so mesmerized that his pulse shot into the stratosphere until he realized it was too late to take it back—he was already inviting Charleigh for a drink and even hoping she would show up. He was preoccupied throughout his ride, thinking about what Charleigh was wearing that night.

His wife might have been gone years ago, but he still never wanted to get into a relationship pretty soon because he had priorities—to raise his child and to manage Clarity Cakeshop. Right now, his small business was at stake for building renovation. Then, suddenly, he was inviting and entertaining a stranger in the bar. Which was not totally like Bryce Chase.

Charleigh was sitting next to him, and Bryce couldn’t even take his eyes off the brunette. He could feel his racing heartbeat every time she smiled and laughed with him.

It had been a while since he felt entertained by someone, let alone a stranger—a damn gorgeous stranger.

“So, you’re here for a job.” He looked deeply into her twinkling eyes.

Amused, she rolled her eyes. “So, what’s the big deal?” Oh, it was a big deal for him because he was utterly captivated by Charleigh. “Can’t I enjoy with a man who loves dogs at a bar?”

Damn. His jean-clad knee brushed hers again. He sipped his beer to ignore the throbbing sensation in his pants, but he kept his eyes on hers.

Bryce admired her—the city girl who was straightforward and never ashamed to show off her feelings. She was not the first woman who had shown interest, but he never let anything distract him—he had a kid to raise and couldn’t lose Clary by sleeping with random women, yet here he was, ready to throw his self-control out of the window.

He was not nearly drunk, but he felt like he was floating at this moment, probably too much excitement in his veins. His adrenaline rush was out of his control, and his pulse pounded in his ears every time they stared at each other like lovesick teenagers.

She was fucking beautiful in a dark blue dress that hugged her curves well, and she had a great smile, and it all sounded ridiculous, but he wanted to see her smile more often.

Charleigh’s eyes glittered as if telling Bryce she was up for it. He watched her lick her lips as she placed the martini glass down the table. He had to look away because it had been years since he felt this way—having a raging hard-on just by merely chatting and flirting in the bar.

He couldn’t deny that he missed it, though, but Clary’s dickhead uncle had been scrutinizing his actions and had been looking for something to get under his skin.

But right now, he was torn between his desire and risking the years of being a good father. But it was not like he was going to take her home, was he?

He’d been driven by his instinct. “Are you drunk?”

“No,” she quickly answered with a wicked smile, licking her lips as if she was anticipating and had read his mind. She looked at her drink and seemed sober for her second shot.

“Let’s get out of here.” As if in a rush, Bryce stood up after placing a few bills on the table. He signaled the bartender and his friend that they were heading out.

Jake saluted him and smiled at Charleigh.

Once they were outside, Bryce took a deep breath because his heart was speeding up by a second as he placed his hand on Charleigh’s small back. A wave of heat and violent hunger rushed through his veins. His body was burning.

“Do you have a car?”

“A rental, but I took a cab to the bar. I was confident to get drunk tonight.” She laughed softly.

Miller’s, the only rental in town. “My truck is parked at the back,” Bryce said as he guided her to the back of the building.

“Yeah. Let me guess. There’s only one rental around here.”

“Yep.” He chuckled.

The silence stretched out between them. All he could hear was the clicking of Charleigh’s high heels against the pavement and the thundering of his heart.

He tried convincing his mind to use his willpower by keeping his hands to himself until Charleigh was out of sight, but he was miserably failing.

He stopped in front of his ride, nothing fancy but a Ford truck Clary loved. Before he could unlock the door, he faced Charleigh, and she was even more stunning against the pale moonlight tonight.

Damn it! He was losing it.

“I can sense your tension, Bryce.”

He smiled sadly at her. “I don’t usually invite women—”