Page 103 of Branded Hearts

“Okay, say goodnight to Bradley Bear,” I urge her, and Millie pads over to where Bradley is sitting on the edge of the couch and plants herself in his arms. He squeezes her before letting her go.

“Bwadey Bear and Meli,” she says, looking at both of us. I watch her, feeling a bit confused. “Like Mummy and Daddy,” she adds innocently.

Oh. She thinks we’re...together, together. I feel a blush creep up my cheeks.

“Bradley and I are good friends,” I clarify quickly. Technically, though, we are. Friendswithbenefits.

“Yeah, Meli loves Bwadey, like Mummy loves Daddy,” Millie says matter-of-factly, completely unaware of the explosion she’s now caused inside me. Kids and their lack of filter. I clear my throat and find Bradley watching me with a curious expression, the corner of his mouth tugging upward.

“Mhm, come on. Bath and then bedtime,” I say, trying to change the subject quickly. I carry Millie into the bathroom, running the water and adding some bubbles. She giggles, splashing around, while I gently wash her hair. Once she’s clean and wrapped in a towel, I bring her to my room. Despite only having the one bedroom, Katassured me she’s a good sleeper and would be fine sharing my bed.

I tuck her in, wrapping her up tightly with the covers, and kiss her on the forehead before saying goodnight. I leave the small night light on near the door, creating a slight glow in the room for Millie. With that, I leave my bedroom, leaving the door slightly ajar.

As I walk back into the living room, I’m taken aback. Everything has been cleaned up—rubbish gone, cupcakes put away. Bradley is in the kitchen, throwing out the last of the trash before moving to load my dishwasher. I just about melt on the spot.He cleaned everything up for me?

Little does he know, this man has stirred an uproar of emotions inside me. How am I not supposed to fall for him when he does simple acts of service like this?

He looks so domesticated, so at ease. He does it so effortlessly. Why is watching Bradley fill a dishwasher turning me on?

There’s something incredibly attractive about seeing him take care of things so naturally, fitting into my space as if he belongs here.

As he finishes up, he catches me staring and raises an eyebrow. “What?”

“Nothing,” I say, shaking my head and grinning. “Just... thanks for dinner, for spending time with Millie, and for cleaning up.”

“You’re welcome, sunshine,” he replies with a warm smile. “It’s nothing.”

I bite my lip nervously, my eyes dropping to his mouth. God, I want to kiss him.

“Something else on your mind?” he asks, watching me closely.

I swallow hard. “Maybe,” I admit softly, unable to tear my eyes away from his.

He steps closer, and I instinctively take a few steps back, only to bump into the kitchen island behind me. The air crackles with tension, and my heart races as he moves even closer, trapping me in the best way possible.

He leans in, his lips just a breath away from mine. “Care to share?”

“Well, I’m... I’m dirty from all the baking,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “Pretty sure I have flour in my hair.”

He smirks, his eyes darkening with desire. “Then maybe we should do something about that.”

“Mhm,” is all I can manage, nodding as my throat tightens, rendering me speechless. He takes my hand, leading me toward the bathroom. The anticipation builds with each step, and by the time we reach the bathroom door, my pulse is racing. He turns to face me, his frame towering over me.

In slow, deliberate movements, he begins undressing with a confident ease. My breath catches as his shirt falls to the floor, revealing the chiselled lines of his torso. His hands move to his shorts, and he looks up at me with a reassuring smirk.

“There’s no need to be shy, sunshine,” he says softly, his voice a soothing balm to my nerves. “You’re beautiful.”

His words give me the confidence I need. I start undressing, my movements hesitant at first. But with his eyes on me, filled with admiration and desire, I feel a surge of bravery. I let my clothes fall to the floor, piece by piece, until I’m standing before him, bare andvulnerable.

He steps closer, his gaze never leaving mine. “See?” he whispers, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Absolutely beautiful.”

I take him in,allof him. I’ll never tire of the sight of him naked. I mean, I’ve only seen him once before, and that was by chance, a complete accident. This is all for me.

Oh, how the tables have turned.

I move my gaze back to him, catching the corner of his mouth tugged up in a smirk. He leans over and turns the hot water on before grabbing me and pulling me into the shower, underneath the cascading water. The warmth of his body against mine is intoxicating, and I melt into his embrace. His hands roam over my skin, washing away the remnants of our baking session while igniting a different kind of heat between us.

“You have no idea how much I want you,” he murmurs, his lips grazing my ear.

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