Chapter 3

Astrid's POV

I didn't plan on waking up tangled in sheets that didn't belong to me.

Or next to a man whose face I couldn't fully see.

My head banged terribly from how drunk I was last night.

All I remembered was laughter, lights. The feel of a stranger's hand on my hip, his mouth on my neck.

And then sex.

I blinked slowly, my head still pounding. The early morning sun filtered through unfamiliar curtains as a deep, masculine scent lingered around me. My bare skin prickled as the sheet slipped down my shoulders.

Panic crawled into my chest.

My bra was on the floor.

My dress–the tiny black one Talia insisted I wear–was draped over a couch.

Realization hit me right there. I turned to a man's silhouette, face turned away, one muscular arm thrown over his eyes.

I didn't recognize the room.

I couldn't even remember how I ended up here!

What the hell did I do last night?

I carefully slid out of bed, moving slowly and trying not to wake him. The throb in my head wasn't helping at all.

I gathered my clothes, and tugged my dress back on with shaky fingers. Then I stuffed my heels into my bag.

Whoever the heck that was, I would make sure we never crossed paths. Ever again.

Eventually, I got out of the hotel and hailed an Uber.

The ride felt endless. I kept checking my phone, expecting a text from Talia but nothing came. I looked like I'd lived through a tornado of sin and shame.

I didn't go straight home.

I couldn't let anyone see me this way. So I located a store and got into a new dress.

I wasn't sure how to feel. I wanted to be cool with it, and shrug the fact that I'd slept with a complete stranger.

Because damn, that man last night felt so dangerous. It didn't feel like a mistake.

*

By the time I got home, the front door was already open.

I paused. Did Rhett forget to lock it?

I walked in quietly, still barefoot. I made to move toward the stairs when the familiar voices and laughter echoed through the walls.

I tiptoed closer and peered around the corner to see Micah.

My brother stood in the kitchen, a bag on the counter, and a phone in his hand. He wore a wide grin.

Rhett stood beside him. They seemed to be in a deep conversation to even notice my presence.

Rhett looked so calm like any other day.

What the fuck was I thinking?

He looked so damn hot in that T-shirt that almost exposed his abs.

Like he felt my stares, his eyes flicked to me in a matter of seconds, and his smile faltered.

Something flashed in his eyes that reminded me of last night when that stranger touched my waist.

Those eyes...familiar. They looked so familiar. I couldn't remember.

The same warmth. It was the same way Rhett looked at me.

When he lifted his hand to his face, I saw the tattoo on his arm that looked exactly like the man on that bed.

Wait, was I hallucinating?

No. It couldn't be Rhett Rivers. It didn't make sense. It had to be someone else. It had to be.

Right?

Rhett was the only guy with that tattoo and those eyes.

"Astrid," Micah's voice made me flinch from where I stood. "You're up. I didn't come upstairs to your room. Rhett said you were fast asleep."

I flickered my gaze to Rhett and back to Micah, trying to move along with the lie.

"Ah. Yes." I mumbled, forcing a smile. "Barely awake."

"I also didn't tell you I'll be returning today. Rhett picked me up from the airport. Flight was hell." My brother walked toward where I was and hugged me briefly.

Rhett leaned against the rails, his arms folded as he watched me.

"She looks like hell too," he said causally, but his voice dropped an octave.

I glared. "Thanks. You look like a walking headache yourself."

"Alright. That's enough." Micah chirped in with a chuckle.

Rhett's mouth twitched and he gave me a knowing look. "Long night, huh?"

"None of your business," I muttered, brushing past him toward the stairs.

His hand brushed mine for barely a second. My heart jumped.

I turned around, and stared at him.

This time, I saw the same eyes. I knew I wasn't hallucinating.

It was him.

No. No way.

Was it?

"Don't stare too hard, Astrid," Rhett said, his voice low. "You might fall."

I swallowed and bolted up the stairs before Micah could notice.

Once I was in my room, I rested on the door, my chest rising and falling as I tried to catch my breath.

What did I just get myself into?

Memories came in like floods. The frat party with Talia, Rhett's arrival, and how he forced me to the car. Then we pulled up at a spot.

And now I couldn't look Rhett in the eye without wondering if it was his lips I felt.

Goddamit.

I couldn't believe it. It was still difficult.

Rhett wasn't the man I woke up to find on that bed.

For crying out loud, he was my brother's best friend. He only teased me and got protective when I dated losers.

But last night...why couldn't I forget it?

The feel of his lips on mine. His hands on my waist as he spread me open. I couldn't remember much, but I could swear down that I recalled how he thrusted into me like a possessed man.

"Astrid," Micah's voice called from outside.

I gathered myself back together and replied with a trembling voice. "Yes, Micah? Do you need something?"

"No. I just need you to come downstairs for breakfast once you've changed. I'm preparing something delicious." My brother said again. And then I heard footsteps retreating.

I held my chest like I was suddenly having a panic attack.

If my gut was right, if the goosebumps still racing in my arms meant anything–then I didn't sleep with a stranger.

I slept with Rhett Rivers.

And I had no idea what the hell I was going to do about it.

Chapter 4

Rhett's POV

Astrid didn't remember me last night. But I did.

Every fucking second.

How in the hell did you expect me to forget the taste of her?

The feel of her thighs clenching around my hips. The wild look in her eyes when she moaned my name like it meant something.

It was good she didn't remember me even though I thought it was the most dangerous thing I'd ever wanted.

But I couldn't let myself obsess over it. Not now. Not when Micah was back in town, and I was crashing under his roof like nothing happened.

I kept it cool that morning, and played along through breakfast Micah had prepared.

Later that afternoon, Micah dragged me to the gym downtown, and insisted we needed to spend time together.

Micah was a busy man. It's been months since I last saw him, and when he told me to come stay at his place with Astrid, I didn't expect he'd return sooner.

I had woken up to see the bed empty with no sign of Astrid. That was when I got a text from Micah about reaching the airport and wanting me to come pick him up.

I snapped myself back to reality, my gaze focused on Micah who punched a bag like it had disputes to settle with him.

"Are you still thinking about the contract project with...um...what did you call it again?" I rubbed my temple and tossed him a bottle of water.

"Halverton Group." Micah rolled his eyes.

"Right. Yeah. That's the one." I muttered.

He grunted, wiping his forehead. "Yeah. They keep screwing up, but they need us more than we need them. I'm just waiting them out."

"Smart." My lips curled into a grin.

Micah nodded and gave me a look. "What about you? You've not spoken about Layla."

Dammit.

I shot Micah a glare and hissed beneath my breath. "I don't want to talk about it."

He chuckled softly. "She blew up your phone again?"

I scoffed. "She tried to. But I ignored her."

That did it.

Micah laughed out, swinging the towel around his neck. "Still not interested? She was eyeing you hard at Nico's rooftop last time I checked."

"Let her keep looking. I don't care." I ignored Micah's laughter again and moved toward the treadmill.

"Cold. You always like this?" Micah chuckled as he finished punching a bag and came to stand beside me.

"Only when I'm thinking." I replied as I gave the treadmill the fourth lift and placed it down.

I trudged to the mirror and took a selfie of my abs.

'Yes, I know I look too fucking irresistible.' I started to type as a caption.

"Thinking about what?" Micah's voice made me shift my gaze back to him and didn't know when I hit the send button.

I turned to him, and shrugged. "Life. Work."

And your sister's lips on mine.

Shit. Why did I even thought of that?

He clapped my shoulder and winked. "Still, I'm going to pair you up with Layla. You can't stay single forever."

"I can promise you right here that if you try to ever pair me with anyone, I'm going to make sure they lose their legs."

"Dude!" Micah snickered.

I glared at him again and moved toward the dumbbells.

~

By the time we left the gym, the sun was already dipping low. I drove back alone. Micah had to meet someone, a real estate guy he'd been negotiating with for days .

I entered the house quietly, keys jangling as I shut the door behind me. The living room smelled like lemon cleaner and fresh laundry. I guessed Astrid had finally decided to work for once.

I dropped the gym back near the stairs, and headed to the kitchen for water.

Everywhere seemed silent.

I assumed Astrid wasn't around–probably out with that friend of hers, Talia. But when I passed the hallway toward Micah's room, I paused. Her door was slightly open.

And I heard something.

Soft. A whimper.

I froze.

It came again.

Another sound. And a low, broken sigh.

I trudged forward without thinking. The door creaked lightly as I leaned in.

My breath stopped.

Astrid was on her bed, eyes shut, one hand beneath the waistband of her shorts, the other clutching her phone like she was staring at something. Her thighs tensed, rising slightly. Her bottom lip was between her teeth.

"Rhett," she whispered.

Fuck.

I stood there, nailed to the floor. My blood ran cold. She didn't see me. She didn't know I was there.

She arched slightly, her breath hitching as she pressed deeper. Her back curved, her body trembling softly. Her hair spilled around her face, the tank top she wore riding up just enough to tease the swell of her breasts.

My cock hardened instantly.

I should look away. I should leave.

But I didn't.

Her hips jerked, and her head tilted back. I watched Astrid Cole break before me–silently, beautifully. Her body shuddered, breath caught in her throat.

"Rhett," she called like a confession, her gaze still pinned on the screen of her phone.

What the heck? Was it what I was thinking?

I couldn't take it anymore.

I walked in, slow and deliberate.

Astrid's eyes flew open–wide, and filled with shock the second she saw me standing there.

Her hand jerked away from herself like she'd been burned. She threw her phone off and scrambled to cover her body with the sheet.

"Oh my goodness," she choked out. "What the–how long have you–"

"Long enough," I rasped.

She froze, her lips parted and eyes wild. "Get out."

Instead, I moved closer till I reached the edge of the bed. Astrid held the sheet so tight, even with shaky breath.

When her eyes met mine again, she gasped like I'd passed information through our eye contract.

And then I said, "Have you been staring at my picture?"

Chapter 5

Astrid's POV

I straightened up and almost dropped my phone when I saw Rhett standing in my room.

Thank goodness he hadn't seen what I was staring at.

But then he asked, "Have you been staring at my picture?"

I froze.

My lips parted and I blinked, completely thrown off.

Rhett stepped closer–close enough for me to breathe in that familiar cedarwood scent. It filled my lungs, and somehow made my stomach flutter.

I was doomed.

Rhett Rivers had just caught me touching myself, and yes, I had been staring at his photo. A picture he'd sent not long ago, shirtless and soaked in sweat after the gym. I didn't know if he meant to send it. But I hadn't stopped thinking about it since.

"Did I just see you touch yourself, Astrid?" Rhett asked, his voice low, his tone unreadable–a mixture of shock, hunger, and something dangerous.

The closer he came, the more intense his gaze felt. Those hazel eyes locked on mine like I was a problem he couldn't figure out, and a craving he'd tried to suppress

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," I said quickly, my voice barely steady as I leaned back into the headboard.

He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Really?"

I turned my face. "Yes."

Silence filled the space between us until I tried to break it. "And Micah? Where is he?"

Rhett sighed, walking back just a little. "He left to see a friend."

"Oh." I nodded.

I was silently praying for him to leave, to give me space, but Rhett didn't move. He stood there like a damn statue, watching me.

"Are you not going to leave?" I snapped.

A gentleman would walk away.

But Rhett Rivers? He never made anything easy.

He leaned against the wall and said, "Are you trying to erase the thought of what happened last night, Astrid?"

What the–

I blinked rapidly, my throat tightening.

No. I didn't want to talk about it. No way.

I couldn't tell Rhett I remembered it was him I'd slept with. I couldn't give him that power.

"No. I don't remember anything," I lied, forcing the words out, hating how fake they sounded.

Rhett just stared at me for a long second before nodding stiffly. Then he turned and walked out.

I collapsed back onto the bed and sighed like I'd just survived a hurricane.

After an hour, Micah came home looking exhausted, but still cheerful. Just like he always was.

"I'm leaving again tomorrow," he announced, barely five minutes into being home.

"Seriously?" I raised a brow.

Rhett, who was lounging on the couch beside Micah, added, "Are you always this busy?"

Micah laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Of course. Someone has to make money and give Astrid the soft life she deserves. It's important."

He reached over and pinched my cheek gently.

I glanced at Rhett from the corner of my eye but avoided meeting his gaze. Still, I felt the burn of his eyes on me.

I took a spoon of dessert to distract myself.

"Still," I murmured, "you don't have to wear yourself out. You could fall sick."

Micah looked at me and chuckled. "Are you siding with Rhett now?"

"What? No," I quickly said. "I'm just concerned for my brother."

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Rhett's smirk.

Dammit, he was infuriating.

*

The next day, Micah left early for his trip.

By evening, I returned home alone. I'd been out for hours with Talia just to avoid the awkward silence that always came when it was just Rhett and me.

The house was quiet when I walked in.

I headed upstairs, hoping Rhett was out or asleep. But as I passed Micah's room, I heard water running from the bathroom.

My brows pulled together. Had he forgotten to turn off the tap?

I pushed the door slightly open to check.

Right there, I saw Rhett Rivers.

Completely naked, stepping out of the shower, water still dripping from his toned, muscular body.

I gasped and let out a loud scream, jerking back.

"Shit!" Rhett muttered, grabbing a towel and quickly wrapping it around his waist.

"I–I didn't know you were in here!" I shouted, my face burning into embarrassment as I turned around and squeezed my eyes shut.

"Do you normally just walk into bathrooms?" he asked, clearly amused.

"I thought the tap was leaking!" I shouted back.

"Well, it wasn't," he said, voice lower now.

I peeked over my shoulder. He was still standing there, water glistening on his chest, towel low on his hips.

And God help me, he looked so good I almost lost the ability to breathe.

"Did you see something you like?" he teased.

I turned back around fast. "Stop."

"You started it. First, you touch yourself to my photo. Now, you walk in on me naked. Are you obsessed with me, Astrid?"

I turned back slowly, fire creeping up my cheeks.

He was still watching me with that damn smirk.

"You're impossible," I whispered.

"And you're turned on."

"Am not."

He took a step forward.Another step. The space between us thinned.

"Rhett, stop."

"Then say it like you mean it. Admit it. You have something for me, baby."

I didn't.

He suddenly leaned down, his lips hovering just above mine.

"You're Micah's best friend," I whispered, but my voice shook.

"And you're the girl I've been trying not to think about for too damn long. Do you even know about it? Damn no."

That was the last thing he said before he crushed his lips against mine.

Our mouths collided in an explosion of heat and frustration. His hands cupped my face while my fingers dug into his shoulders, tugging him closer. The towel slipped slightly, but I didn't care.

I should've stopped. I should've pulled away.

But I didn't want to.

His kiss was rough, urgent, like he'd been waiting for this moment since forever.

My back hit the hallway wall as he pressed into me. I felt Rhett's erection right there and I melted away.

I wanted him that instant. I didn't care. I wanted my brother's best friend.

I broke the kiss and crouched to my knees. Rhett stared down at me, speechless.

Without a second thought, I finally slipped off the towel around his waist. My eyes widened when I saw how huge he was.

"Astrid..."

"No." I cut him off. "Let me."

When he wanted to protest, I took him into my mouth.

The salty taste of his precum filled my mouth as I took him deeper till my mouth was full. A low guttural groan left Rhett's lips.

I could swear my thighs clenched. I was dripping wet and hot.

I should've felt ashamed. But I didn't.

Rhett's fingers slipped into my hair as he pumped faster into me. A groan tore from the back of my throat.

"Baby, you take me too well. Is this your first?" he asked in-between a groan.

Instead of replying, I pushed further that I choked.

His fingers tightened on my hair and he yanked me away.

"I asked you a question. Have you gone down on any man before?" he asked, his tone dripped with anger.

Rhett had a look in his eyes I'd never seen before. He suddenly felt pissed.

I gulped down his taste and nodded slowly. "Y-Yes."

That did it.

He moved away and made me stand on my feet.

"Who?"

I blinked. "Rhett-"

"Astrid, don't-"

"Dylan. My ex boyfriend."

"And did you make him feel this good? Did you let him claim that mouth of yours?" his eyes snapped to my lips, and his fingers trailed my jaw.

I shook my head. "N-No."

Then a voice echoed from downstairs.

"Astrid? Rhett? Anyone home?"

Micah.

We froze.

Micah was supposed to be on a trip.

Holy shit.