Brandon (Anderson Billionaires #3) - Melody Anne Page 0,16

was big enough to make him forget about his problems, at least for the short term. He decided he’d give Chloe a few days to make up her mind if she’d talk to him or not. He’d told his sister-in-law that was exactly what he’d do. He just hoped he had the patience for it.

Brandon liked instant gratification. Always had and always would. But maybe the fact that he wasn’t getting just that with Chloe was the reason he liked her so dang much. He guessed he was going to find out.

And maybe because he was going through hell, he could respect that his brother might be as well. Maybe it had to do with a woman. It might take a while, but eventually everything would come to a head. He’d see how all the pieces lined out when that did happen.

CHAPTER FIVE

Chloe turned for the hundredth time as she tried to get comfortable in her bed. She’d been around Brandon plenty of times before Sarah’s wedding and after. She wasn’t sure why this last time seeing him was affecting her so much. It made no sense to her.

Maybe it was because there was a big part of her that wanted to take on the Anderson project, and she knew that meant she’d be working side by side with Brandon. Maybe it was because she hadn’t been out on a date in a very long time, and her body was needy and filled with an ache she had no doubt Brandon could cure in one night.

Whatever the reasoning, she couldn’t stop thinking about Brandon or that night. It had been three months since then. The wedding had been perfect, with her and Brooke next to their best friend as she’d said her vows to a man they had no doubt their friend was deeply in love with.

Watching Brooke and Sarah so happy had made Chloe ache for something she’d never wanted before. It had made her wonder if she’d ever change, if she’d ever want a happily ever after. That was nonsense. She had her reasons, and they were valid and smart.

She hadn’t been pleased with those types of thoughts the night of the wedding . . . so she’d drunk way too much that night. And of course Brandon had been there. When he’d asked her to dance, she’d thought she’d say no. But instead she’d nodded at him. Yes, she’d been tipsy, but she’d also been fully aware of what she’d been doing. She had no doubt she’d had the wine to talk herself into doing what it was she’d wanted to do for months. A lot of people used alcohol as liquid courage. It allowed them to do what they wanted to do in the first place. And sometimes, that led to some really poor choices.

So she’d danced with Brandon. For one night she’d allowed herself to pretend she was on a date with a man who couldn’t resist her. She’d pretended she wanted what every woman was told she wanted. She’d pretended it was a fairy tale, and she was the one getting a happy ending.

Chloe smiled as she shifted in her bed again. She had gotten many happy endings that night. They’d danced and laughed for an hour as she’d sobered up. Brandon had made her laugh more than any other man had ever done before.

He’d been funny and genuine, and she’d known this would be a one-night stand. It was what she’d convinced herself she wanted. When he’d offered to show her his room, she’d taken his hand and told him to lead the way.

The shock and satisfaction in his eyes had told her she’d made the right choice. He hadn’t thought she’d be an easy conquest, which had made her feel better about herself. But he had taken her to his room, then sealed the decision in her mind when he’d asked her if she was sure it was what she wanted.

The first kiss had been pure magic. His lips had caressed hers in the most tempting way, coercing her to open her mouth to him. It hadn’t taken much. Their clothes had melted away, and then he’d lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed.

He’d stood over her as he’d gazed into her eyes before looking over her shaking body. Then he’d joined her on the bed, his hands and tongue tracing over every inch his eyes had devoured moments before.

The first orgasm had come with shocking speed, but