Skylar had asked to meet him that evening, and he rushed over without a second thought. But he was shocked by how much she had drunk.
“What’s going on?” Reece asked quickly as he helped her sit on the couch.
Skylar took a deep breath, then suddenly threw herself into his arms, crying on his shoulder. “Reece, Dave doesn’t want me anymore! He even gave up the Evans Group for that Bianca!”
Reece was caught off guard by her sudden closeness. He didn’t know where to put his hands, having never been this close to Skylar before.
His mind raced, and he finally managed to ask her, “What are you talking about?”
Skylar gently pushed Reece away, her face showing resentment as she began to tell him what had happened at the Evans Group’s celebration. “Bianca made a huge scene. She made Dave humiliate me in front of everyone and even forced him to cut ties with his own family.”
Reece’s eyes widened in shock. “Really? Would he really do something like that?”
Skylar wiped her tears and went on, “I don’t know what spell Bianca has cast on him, but Dave is completely under her control. And I heard she’s having an affair with his assistant-something Dave has no idea about!” She paused to gather her thoughts. “At the banquet, his assistant was in Bianca’s room all night. But the next day, he disappeared without a trace.”
Skylar had learned these details from secret conversations between Franklin and Lucas.
“Seriously?” Reece seemed to lose his grip on reality. The idea that Dave could be so easily manipulated by a woman was unbelievable.
Skylar held up two fingers, swearing, “I swear on my life!”
As she spoke, Reece gently pressed his fingers to her lips.
The warmth of her skin surprised him, and he quickly pulled back. His cheeks turned red as he looked away and muttered, “There’s no need for that. I believe you.”
Seeing that Reece trusted her, Skylar grabbed two cans of beer from the table and handed one to him.
“Have a drink with me.”
Noticing her bad mood, Reece took the beer without hesitation. “Okay, I’ll keep up with you tonight if it makes you happy.”
He tipped his head back and finished the can of beer in one go.
Skylar smiled, pleased, as she watched him.
Reece wasn’t good at drinking. Even though he tried to stay composed, the alcohol quickly took over, affecting his senses with each round.
Through the haze, Skylar’s voice broke through. “Reece, Reece,” she called.
Reece reached for her face with shaky hands, trying to be gentle.
“Skylar, don’t cry,” he mumbled, his words slurred but sincere. “I promise, no one will ever make you cry.”
Skylar took his hand in hers. “Reece, do you like me?” she asked quietly with a gentle and teasing voice.
Reece nodded, his face filled with emotion. “From the first time I saw you, I fell in love with you,” he admitted.
“Then why didn’t you tell me?” Skylar asked gently.
Reece’s face showed pain as he tried to explain. The weight of his secret was heavy on him. “I wanted to tell you. But when I found out you were Dave’s fiancee, I had to step back,” he said sincerely.
Skylar leaned closer and her eyes were fixed on him. “Sometimes, Reece, the heart wants what it wants. Just because I’m Dave’s fiancee doesn’t mean we can’t be together,” she said playfully, brushing the back of his hand.
Reece, drunk and confused, felt a strong pull inside.
Skylar’s words sparked something deep within him, making him want to hug and kiss her as if he were under a spell.
A part of Reece’s mind fought to stay clear, reminding him he couldn’t give in to his desires. His heart pounded, torn between wanting her and holding back, as he tried to stay in control.
He knew he had to keep his distance from his friend’s fiancee and not let himself get too close.
As long as Skylar was still with Dave, he had to push any improper feelings aside. He repeated this to himself, trying to stay strong.
But before he could convince himself fully, Skylar’s soft, warm lips were on his.
She kissed him, and all his resolve shattered.
The unexpected kiss sent a shock through him, silencing the voice of reason.
His world shrank to the heat of her lips and the electric thrill that surged through him.
He pulled her into his arms, kissing her back with such intensity that it left her breathless.
To Reece’s surprise, Skylar didn’t pull away. She melted into him, her hands sliding up his back. Between quick breaths, she whispered, “Reece, not here. I have a room upstairs. Let’s go upstairs.”
Reece’s eyes burned with desire. The need to be with her felt overwhelming.
He pulled back from the kiss and stared into her eyes before lifting her without saying a word.
His kiss returned, more urgent now, as he carried her toward the stairs.
The next morning, sunlight poured through the curtains, landing on Reece’s gentle, handsome face.
The warmth made him frown, and he slowly opened his eyes.
A sharp pain shot through Reece’s temples, and he rubbed them, trying to remember what happened the night before.
What happened last night?
He had a vague memory, like a blurry dream, of being with Skylar.
Then, it hit him like a jolt of lightning.
His eyes widened as he sat up quickly, scanning the messy room.
He looked to the side and saw Skylar lying next to him, the sheets tangled around her.
Her clothes were scattered across the floor, and the room was in chaos.
Oh God! What had he done?
Panic gripped Reece, squeezing the air out of his lungs.
A storm of regret and fear swirled inside him. He had made a mistake that could ruin everything.
How could he sleep with Dave’s fiancee?
If Dave found out, he’d kill him!
Flashes of the previous night rushed through Reece’s mind-blurry moments of reckless choices made while drunk. He knew he wasn’t good with alcohol.
Yet, despite that, he had drunk too much, letting the alcohol cloud his judgment.
Regret burned through him like fire, his mind racing with the consequences. He felt like he needed to run from the scene of his own mistake.