Jessey was aware that the loft above the gallery had 17 steps, as was customary. It was unique. Were the walls becoming smaller? She adjusted her coat to allow air to flow. It was too warm for coats even late at night, yet she couldn't go upstairs in lingerie.

Jessey's fingers tightened. She could go back in time and pretend she'd never had this insane notion. Dodge would be unaware of her feelings for him while she worked at the gallery

They'll never get together if she quits now. Dodge completely missed all of her cues. She needed a stern strategy to put an end to her mother's matchmaking and find someone.

She opposed last year when Ian recommended she apply for the role of art coordinator at the gallery. Could she work for one of her brother's friends? She was enthralled when she entered the exhibition. Dodge's galleries displayed a wide range of art, although he specialized in sculpting.

Dodge was tall, with golden blond hair and twinkling blue eyes. They spoke for hours about art and sketches.

She came to a halt. The steps demanded every ounce of will. She was out of breath at the top, like if she'd run a mile.

Jessey stood up and proceeded down the hallway to the last door. Dodge's car in the parking lot indicates that he'll be in the gallery loft this weekend. She thought he'd started a new job when he claimed he'd started one today. He was engrossed with a new effort when he started it.

The knob felt cold as she entered the shadows of the loft. Dodge's paintings in the living room were visible in the light of the single bulb. Dodge's efforts enabled it to sell for a high price.

Jessey bypassed the second bedroom and the kitchen counter to go to the master bedroom. Her heart rate increased to the point that she believed it may burst.

She felt her smooth tummy. The simplicity of the midsection stood in stark contrast to the embellishments.

She bit her lower lip and took a condom from her coat pocket, uncertain of where to put it. She should most likely cease... No. Even if she wanted a family, being pregnant tonight would be a nightmare.

Jessey took a deep breath, gently opened the door, and slid inside. Even in the pitch-black darkness, she could see the massive bed across from the door. Okay. She'd make it.

Charley had strange dreams.

A woman entered his bed and spoke to him. He rolled over and stretched, puzzled about the significance of the whisper. As she leaned closer, he could feel her warmth through the sheet on his hips.

He wrapped his arm around her waist and brought her close to him. She was sensitive, which was the polar opposite of what he preferred. His subconscious most likely desired a change. When she leaned against him and traced a cautious hand from his shoulder to his hip, he concluded that something else was in order since this felt too good to be true.

Who would have guessed that going to his brother's art gallery would inspire a dream woman?

After the excitement, Charley exhaled and lay down for what he thought would be a good night's sleep, but then she kissed his neck and shivered against him.

Charley's pupils dilated as he examined the darkness. He wasn't hallucinating. His bed was taken.

He gasped as she kissed his jaw so lightly and lovingly. Staying in bed wasn't a good idea, but he couldn't resist a strong need. He raised his chin to allow her in and considered his options. Turn her off? Allow her to massage him? He hadn't seen her before.

She kissed him again, this time close to his lips. He put his hands on Charley's shoulders and leaned back to create room. The woman kissed his knuckles while his mouth was open, shorting out his brain. How many times had he tried to combat loneliness with a one-night stand, only to wake up feeling much more alone?

She ran her palm down his chest, her fingers dancing along the sheet's edge, before he could disentangle them. Charley sighed. How could he have forgotten her name if he didn't know it? She may be able to briefly warm him up. He'd have to face the repercussions the next day.

"Right?" His sleep-worn voice was hardly audible.

Her breath seemed to surround him. Charley waited for her reaction with bated breath. He almost didn't notice her modest words. "Yes"

He saw how odd this woman was, as her arms curled around his neck and her tongue brushed his lower lip.

Charley ignored his nagging thoughts and relaxed. Her fingers crept up his chest, lingered above his pecs, and cupped his jaw. Each touch felt was precious. It burnt Charley's body, forcing him to do more than just hold the woman. Instead of luring her in, he touched the back of her neck, marveling at how delicate she felt, before trailing his other hand down her side.

He found the soft flesh on her thigh. Charley made a throat grunt and shivered.

He curled his fingers around her thigh and hoisted her easily, lying her over his hips, deepening the kiss. As he rocked her, just two thin pieces of fabric separated them. He released go of her neck and kicked the covers down.

"You're naked,"

Exactly! Before Charley could ask, she kissed him again, this time more boldly. He pulled her dress off, shouting when she had to let her throw it away. She resumed the agonizingly gentle stroking. He advanced and licked one of her nips till her hips trembled.

Charley kissed her other breast till she shook. Through her silk underwear, he cupped her. Despite the lack of foreplay, she was eager. With his fingers, he hooked the material, just grazing her skin. When she grieved, he stopped mocking her and inserted one finger.

Charley almost passed out as he felt her drenching warmth and wanted to bury himself in her. He licked her first breast with his finger while slipping a second finger into her. Charley twisted his wrist, hoping to discover her weak spot.

Her body trembled as he massaged what he was looking for. "Oh......"

Charley wrapped his free arm around her waist, holding her till she arched her back and buried her claws into his shoulders.

Charley needed her right now. When she came, her hands flitted from his neck to his shoulders to his neck. Charley wants more responsibilities. "Hit me."

Before she roared, he had a half-second to consider if he'd said something incorrectly.

Dodge was not her roommate.

Jessey was naked, and he was riding the wrong guy.

She backed up and fell off the bed. Jessey was too preoccupied with avoiding exposing herself to notice how he sounded when he asked if this was okay-he had been sleeping, and why would there be another person in Dodge's bed?

She needed to catch her breath, but she heard him nearing the spot where she'd landed.

She struggled for the wall-mounted light switch. When the lights came on, she began to hyperventilate.

How did she mistake Dodge? They had a startlingly similar build and hairstyle.

Her chest was compressed, making breathing difficult.

Jessey swayed and slapped his back on the wall. She grabbed her chest, desperate for breath. Her chin was restrained, forcing her to look into brown eyes.

The wind made her dizzy. As his fingers pushed into Jessey's jaw, she shuddered. Wheezing, she smacked his hands away.

"Why?"

She should be making love to Dodge, not naked in front of a stranger. As he examined her chest, she tried to conceal her breasts. "No way."

Perhaps this was a dream. Jessey made two blinks. Her attention was drawn to that too manly face.

The man's crossed arms made her realize he was naked. Her eyes moved down his muscular torso, landing on his hips.

"Wait." As he reached for her again, she escaped. Who knows what would happen if he touched her again. "Stay!"

As if soothing a catty, the man stretched his arms.

"Mistake." She exited.

She took her underwear, flung it, and then took the sheet he'd thrown off the bed. She was wearing it.

"Tell me what's going on."

Jessey returned his attention to his face. Her breath became choppy as she considered the implications. "You're not Dodge," she said.

He slumped onto the bed, his face heated.

She pressed her lips together. ""I'm going." She walked away, gently closing the door behind her.

An dreadful thought started to emerge in his mind as soon as those lovely words left her lips. He couldn't take his mind off her. He hadn't exactly just had sexual relations with his brother's fiancée, had he?

Charley leapt out of bed as quickly as he could. She couldn't possibly get away with it so easily. Before proceeding, he tugged on his trousers and pushed open the door.

He walked to the other bedroom and began beating on the door, ignoring the little voice within his brain that begged him to give up and get back into bed. "You had better be good, Dodge." As his younger brother murmured, "Get up," Charley entered the room.

Dodge slipped behind the pillows on his bed and hid there. "Get out."

Charley yanked his bedsheet off and gave him a smack.

"What in the world is going on?" He lifted his head just enough to get a glimpse of the digital clock sitting above his nightstand. "What do I have to be awake at this hour?"

"Do you don't have a girlfriend?" It was a long chance given Dodge's history, but he would never forgive himself if it found out that he had nearly banged his brother's girlfriend.

" No. How did you come up with such an idea?"

"Do you know a redhead? Absolutely gorgeous and rockin' body,?" He placed his hand on his shoulder and kept it there.

Dodge sat up and started caressing his face with his hands. "She might be any of a number of other ladies I know."

"My coordinator, Jessey."

pleasant, lovely, and even innocent She's been hinting that she'd want me to ask her out on a date, but I can't bring myself to do it."

Charley had trouble believing she was innocent. She might be a decent girl on the surface, but good females don't go into bed with the purpose of seduction.

"What is your interest in that?"

"Didn't you swear to yourself that you don't want her?"

"If I did, I'd tell you." Dodge's eyes widened and he glared. "What in the world is going on?"

Charley continued to tell him everything after taking a few deep breaths. Dodge was giggling so hard towards the end that his cheeks had become crimson and mottled. Charley was on the edge of punching anything, preferably his idiotic brother's face, when he saw Jessey's astonished look all over again, complete with the gorgeous "o" of her pink lips when she flicked on the light and had a glimpse at him. "I can't see the comedy in this ridiculous scenario," he says.

"I would never have guessed she had such a strategy in a million years. I must declare that you have my adoration."

" It was so funny that she had a panic attack in the middle of it and ran without even getting dressed."

Charley sat awkwardly on Dodge's bed, running his fingers over his hair. "I won't be happy if she chooses to leave as a consequence of this,"

Dodge shook his head. "I'm amazed at how upset you are about this," says the author.

They were the sole means of survival for each other. But that didn't mean he wanted to go into the mushy stuff or explain how much it hurt to have Jessey genuinely run from him after giving him a glimpse of heaven. "I simply...," I say.

Dodge sighed before moving from the bed, "I'm not going to be thrilled if she chooses to retire." "Do you think you started the coffee before you barged in here? Because it is obvious that I will not be able to sleep at all tonight."

"You act as though you're shocked." Charley got a stool after following him into the kitchen.

They both stood there, one drop at a time, while the coffee slowly filled the pot.

Charley had been gone for a lengthy stretch of time this time.

As they drank their coffee together, Charley noticed his brother. Dodge seemed to be trash. "How do you feel?"

Dodge shrugged, as he always did. "Fine. I'm now working on something completely new, and it's proving to be rather difficult.

Charley had a suspicion that a girl from their past was to blame for his younger brother's problems, but they never spoke about it. "You say that, and then it sells for a shitload of money,"

"I work to a high level." He finally cracked a grin. "So, how did you find your stay in Santiago? Did it really take you that long to return here?

It was all messed up. The general manager I hired had a thing for attractive redhead bartenders with more tits than sense, and he was skimming off the top of their tips. I was eventually obliged to let rid of every single one of them. "However, I met a female who is an expert in her area. Charley needs a ballbuster to keep all of those high-strung bartenders in line."

"How long are you going to stay this time?"

"No idea. I'm going to have to pay a visit to the remaining clubs very soon to make certain that everything is operating normally. " He made it a point to visit each of the nightclubs he owned at least twice or three times a year . When he wasn't there to keep an eye on things, it was much simpler for things to go under the radar.

"So tell me about Jessey, would you?"

Dodge set his cup down and took a glance around. "As I already said, she's a wonderful girl. Despite the fact that I know so little about her personal life, she works really hard. I was stationed with her brother in Syria throughout my time there. He's a good guy and an even better soldier. I can assure you that Ian will not be pleased if you pry into his precious little sister's affairs."

Charley was not the kind of person that women would bring home to meet their family.

"What I'm curious about is how far you plan to take it in the future."

Charley had a sip of cold coffee to revive himself. There were just too many variables to make an accurate estimate. All he knew was that he didn't want his final memory of Jessey to be of her wanting to flee from him. "I'm not sure, but I'd want to learn more about it."

"I suppose you'll have to go ahead and ask her out," she says.

The sight of her countenance came before his eyes once again. "I doubt she'd consent to it."

"And when has a simple 'no' stood in your way of attaining your goal?"

He laughed. "You have a valid point."

Jessey continued repeating a mental mantra as she drove home, to the point that she couldn't see the road in front of her. That did not come to pass. That could not possible have happened. Despite the fact that her whole body was telling the truth, she shook her head in dissent.

How could she have been so blind to the fact that the guy she was kissing wasn't even close to Dodge?

She reasoned that the incident was not her fault. They both had wide shoulders and hair that was a touch too long, so their bodies weren't that dissimilar. Even though the unknown guy was somewhat stockier than Dodge, she had no way of knowing what, if anything, he was hiding between the dress shirts and slacks he was wearing. Their lips have the same naughty curve as their eyes. In all honesty, anybody of any intellect might have made the same mistake.

She shook as a result of it. She had recently completed high school, and it was easy for her to fall for his bad-boy good looks and enticing smile. And things had been going swimmingly well until she caved and chose to have sexual intercourse with him. It had taken him 48 hours to alter his mind and break up with her after he had overcome the first hurdle, her virginity.

Her decision to visit Dodge was influenced by her ex-boyfriend Jason. She was able to keep her sanity even when in the same room with him since he was not the kind to indulge in promiscuous conduct. Dodge was unharmed. In contrast to the other unknown individual in his apartment.

Jessey had been working for her boss for a year and a half and had never seen him with another woman. She had always assumed that this was because he was a decent man who did not jump from bed to bed. What if the fact that she had never seen a woman was because he preferred men?

Not only had she exposed herself to the wrong person, but the man she was attempting to woo may not even like women.

The only problem was, if he was sleeping with her boss, why wasn't Dodge sleeping with him? He had left his car in the parking lot, so it was logical to think he had gone there personally. And the stranger...he looked to be interested in what they were doing. At least, that's what she thought. On the other hand, she had already shown that her radar for identifying such things was severely defective. She was confident, though, that he would not have acted the way he did if he did not think her beautiful. Perhaps he did it out of sympathy for her.

Roxanne has expressed her feelings on the incident. Her phone, laying on top of her luggage on the seat next to her, acted as a gentle reminder that she needed to contact her best buddy. Jessey was unable to complete the task. Roxanne immediately informed Jessey that the proposal was a horrible idea and that she would never be able to stop saying, "I told you so." It was the last thing Jessey wanted to hear at this point. No, Roxanne's status update can wait till they meet for coffee on Monday.

Jessey was able to overcome the completely illogical longing she had to reach her mother. Jessey had been punishing herself since since she'd made the stupid choice to meet her mother after the horrible situation with Jason in the first place.

The rest of the night stretched out in front of her, with nothing to do except stress and berate herself for putting herself into this mess in the first place. Instead of trying to force Dodge's hand, she could have just asked him out on a date like any normal person would. But what were we expecting her to do? Jessey was desperate to meet someone suitable for her, but her mother put pressure on her to have dinner after dinner with dull males, purportedly for her own benefit. Her mother was well aware that Jessey would benefit from a more suited companion. At the very least, she was able to spend time with Dodge without feeling the urge to flee via a lavatory window.

She pulled into her driveway and then looked around the neighborhood. Because most people had decided it was too late to go out, the street was completely deserted. It was very possible for her to get to her front door without anybody noticing her. Just a piece of cake.

She hopped out of the vehicle, buttoned her coat, and made a dash for the front door while tucking the sheet more securely over her breast. As soon as she was inside, she dropped to the ground and rolled herself into a ball in order to hide from anybody who may be watching. "This is how I live my life." Oh, how pitiful. Jessey took a deep breath while attempting to maintain her composure, but all she could smell was the spicy aftershave of the man she had come close to having sexual relations with. She instantly rose to her feet. Oh God. "And I am not even familiar with his name."

After that, she sobbed her eyes out. She pulled herself to her feet and staggered up the stairs as she fumbled her way through the process of removing her coat and the sheet. With each stride, she inhaled more of his aroma into her lungs. She could still feel his hands on her, and the sensation of his calloused palms sent chills throughout her whole body. And his lips...good God, the man's mouth on her breasts had almost been enough to push her over the brink all on its own.