One Night Stand With My Husband’s Brother

West was thoroughly dumbfounded, staring through the glass door at Mackenzie standing right in front of it. He could barely even believe his own eyes. He had just been talking about her, and she is suddenly standing there!

He glanced at Chase, who was staring at Mackenzie as well, and looked back at her, mouth dropping. The wheels in his head were spinning and clicking as he tried to fit the puzzle pieces all together.

Mackenzie swallowed, pressing her hands against her skirt in a bid to remain calm and collected. Of course, she was shocked to see West in here so soon. In the car ride on the way here, she had known she would meet a lot of people who knew her from her marriage with Jeffrey.

Including West. So she had mentally prepared to face him, but she never expected it to be so soon. In Chase’s office of all places. Her eyes slid to Chase, and he motioned for her to come in.

The security guard pushed the glass open, ushering her inside. When she stepped through, he closed the door, lowered his head politely and walked away. Mackenzie’s heels clicked against the glass floor as she walked further into the office.

Like the glass walls, the floor glistened over the large expanse of space that made up the office. Chase’s large leather chair and glass desk stood at the far end, near the wall that gave an outside view of the skyscrapers and city line of Greenville.

Some white couches were arranged in a circle at another part, with a glass table in the middle.

An abstract onyx painting spanned an entire wall, and a projector screen hung in a corner. So much glass looked fragile, but was actually more solid than steel. It screamed wealth.

Chase moved away from his desk and strode over to the couches, ushering Mackenzie to a seat. She slowly lowered herself into the softness, crossing her legs modestly and trying not to crumble under West’s uncontrolled stares.

Chase turned to face West, saying pointedly, “I believe your business here is done, West.”

He shook his head, jumping out of his seat to walk closer to the couches. His eyes were wide as he stared Mackenzie up and down, and stuttered out, “Y-yes, I know, Chase. But… but, wait. Let me get something right, real quick.”

He let out a surprised smile, “Mackenzie? It’s you right? Jeffrey’s ex-wife-”

“West. Leave.” Chase cut in, spearing him with a glare.

West was not listening, he was too fascinated by who he was seeing right now. Almost like he could not believe it. “Mackenzie. I’m so shocked to see you. I barely even recognize you! You look so different now. You changed, for real.”

His eyes roamed over her face and he gave a flirty smile. “I never knew you were this beautiful.”

“That’s fucking it.” Chase snapped and straightened up, moving to grab West and lead him towards the door.

West managed to steal a couple of glances back at her, with a grin, until Chase shoved him through the doorway and shut the door in his face. Mackenzie kept staring at the space in front of her, releasing a shaky breath now that West was gone.

Her eyes lowered, her mind plagued with the realization that those who knew her here would only see her as Jeffrey’s ex-wife, and nothing else. Despite how hard she was trying to be free of him, his influence still hung around her like a shroud, and followed her around like a hound.

Chase returned to the couch, saying, “I’m sorry about West. Just ignore him.”

She still said nothing, and he fixed his gaze on her. She really looked amazing, even if he hated the way West brazenly blurted it out. Her hair was pulled into a bun at her nape, and he could see the wispy curls of baby hairs under the roll of her hair.

She was in black and white smooth office skirt and a silk blouse that sensually hinted at her curves. It was better to see her in a standard office dress code than in some waitress uniform.

Stepping closer, he pulled her bun loose, tucking her hair band into his pocket. She slowly looked up at him, her hair falling down her shoulders.

“You should always leave your hair down. No one will question it. Actually, it’s an order, Mackenzie. Leave your hair down.”

She felt her face heat at the fixation he seemed to have with seeing her hair flowing down and untouched, but she could not let out a smile, because she was still largely uncomfortable. And Chase sensed it, so he went to sit on the couch opposite her, instead of beside her like he wanted.

He held her gaze, both of them going silent. Mackenzie found herself getting nervous by his proximity. He always looked drop dead gorgeous, but she could never handle having him brazenly stare at her with those beautiful sea blue eyes.

His dark hair was tousled, a few strands flirting down to his perfect eyebrows. Not only did he have a blush-triggering face, his body was to die-for. Sometimes she wondered if he had any idea how attractive he was. But of course he would know. Why else would every magazine company in Greenville be slaving after him?

His money and status were not the only reasons the paparazzi were obsessed with him. It was his looks as well. His aura. His power. His appeal.

She averted her gaze, and nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. That gesture drew Chase’s attention to her ear, and he saw that she was wearing one of the earrings he had sent her. The onyx one.

Seeing something he picked, on her, filled him with some obsessive male satisfaction.

“You finally made your pick.” He said. “It looks good on you.”

She really did look far better now, because Charlotte’s mom was finally awake in the hospital, and she could stop worrying about her.

“Thank you for the earrings.” She says softly.

“My pleasure, Mackenzie. I’ve bought them all for you. Keep all of them and use them as you please.” He answered. Then briefly wondered if she had seen the article West showed him.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

But then he knew that if she had seen it, she probably would not be here. All this time, she had tried to stay hidden. Chase remembered the terror in her eyes that night at the Nightshade Club when Jeffrey was following her.

The raw fear she had felt. He could only imagine that fear multiplied tenfold once she hears about the picture and article. Her entire cover was blown.

Jeffrey would know she was near.

Mackenzie let out a breath and looked back up at him, “Most people here will only see me as your brother’s ex-wife. That’s why I did not want to accept your offer. I had wanted to stay away from your family, and anything they were affiliated with. But it’s too late now.”

She had also thought of the positive side of the situation. She had been able to hire a nanny for her kids. They could go back to school since there was no reason for Chase to randomly appear and risk discovering them, now that she had accepted his offer.

Charlotte could focus on her job hunt, and making sure her mother stays healthy. Felicity could also have more time on her hands to focus on her job.

Mackenzie spoke up, “I want to be clear on something though. I’m doing this because of the great help you have been to Mrs. Weston. Your help saved her life.”

“I’ll do anything for my friends, that’s why I’m here. In a normal situation, I would rather work as a cleaner than here, no matter the amount offered to me.”

That stung Chase within, but he showed no change in expression outside. “I would have still helped, whether or not you promised to work with me.”

Mackenzie responded. “It doesn’t matter. I made a promise and I intend to keep my word.”

“It matters. Because I care about you, Mackenzie.” He said quietly. She looked at him, startled by his admission. He continued, “I don’t want you to cry, or be in pain. I did it because I would do anything to ease your distress.”

He gazed at her, wishing she had come to him because of him, and nothing else. But he knew they really had a long way to go with each other, especially now that that picture was out in the world and she was exposed.

She could try to hide from him again.

Mackenzie was uncomfortable with him saying he cared about her so openly, so she changed the topic. “As a new employee of yours, there are some things I’d like to clear out.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t want to be driven around by your security. I can commute to work by myself.” She said. “And I’ll clock out by four pm everyday.”

Chase was quiet for a moment wondering why she would demand to leave that early. It was slightly odd to him. But then again, her job was different from a large percentage of the staff. So, she deserved it.

He gave a slight nod. “Alright. Anything else?”

“No, that’s it.” She responded.

Chase felt like she had something to hide. Her evasive attitude, extra defensiveness, anxiety and panic when he first discovered that she was in Greensville. At first, he thought she was acting out like that because there was a threat to her somewhere.

So he had done some background checks on her friends. He was obsessed with Mackenzie and how safe she was with the people she considered her friends. Not that he doubted them, but he had to do his digging to be comfortable.

He didn’t get any interesting information on them, until he came across pictures of two little kids. The same ones he saw with Maverick the other night. But this time, he saw the little girl’s face clearly. She looked familiar in a way, but he couldn’t place it.

The little boy’s features were in the shadows, so there was not much to see. But then, he realized there was no real threat, but she was still acting strange sometimes. Mackenzie never mentioned whose kids they were back in the cafeteria when she clarified that they were not Maverick’s.

Instead she had brushed the conversation away nervously and never spoke about it again. He could not bring up his suspicions, because he didn’t want her to pull away again, now that she was finally coming out of her walls.

But he was also worried about her reaction when she sees the article and her picture on every phone in Greensville. Chase didn’t care, personally, but he knew Mackenzie would freak out. So he had to take care of it for her sake, without telling her. That would only bring her unnecessary fear.

He saw that she was still not relaxed, so he got up to ring his assistant, asking, “How do you like your coffee?”

“I stopped drinking coffee after my surgery. I’ll have tea.” She answered. At that moment, Nora walked in.

“You called, sir?”

“Don’t worry about it. Come back shortly and show Miss Torsney around.” Chase said. Nora nodded and gave Mackenzie a polite smile, “It will be my pleasure. I’m Nora, The CEO’s assistant. I’m glad to see you again.”

Mackenzie smiled back. After the assistant left, Chase unbuttoned the sleeves of his shirt and pulled them up to his elbows, revealing his tan, strong and veined forearms.

Mackenzie tried not to stare, asking, “What are you doing?”

“I have tea here. I’ll make some for you.” He glanced back at her with a look in his eyes that was hotter than any tea he could make. Her throat suddenly went dry, and she could only nod.