TANGLED BETWEEN BROTHERS

Adrian's POV

The moment Nicole left the house, I didn't move immediately. I stayed where I was, leaning against the edge of the table, letting the faint imprint of her presence sink into the room.

I knew I shouldn't be feeling that way towards my younger brother's girlfriend but I couldn't help it, she kept entering my thoughts, I couldn't erase the scene that happened earlier in my room. The way she walked into my room like she belonged there, but then froze the moment she saw me... I can't explain it. Something about the shock, the embarrassment, the redness of her cheek...it dug under my skin.

Liam appeared in the doorway, stretching lazily, loosening his tie. "Did you check the deliveries?" he asked, gesturing toward the pile of unopened envelopes.

"Mm," I replied, scanning the stack without touching it. His question barely registered. My mind was elsewhere.

He shrugged and started arranging the deliveries and some documents.

"You'll need to sign the contracts for the new accounts by tomorrow," he said, glancing at me. "Do you want me to draft the summary for you?"

I nodded absentmindedly. My gaze drifted toward the hallway where Nicole had hurried out minutes ago. I could still imagine her face.

And yes, clearly it seems like I'm obsessed with her. But Liam didn't notice.

"Also," Liam continued, flipping a folder open and tapping it with his pen, "Mom called today, she won't be coming until next month. She wants us to attend to some investors that will be arriving tomorrow morning."

I made a neutral sound, eyes still following the empty hallway.

He glanced at me, frowning slightly. "Are you even listening?"

I gave the faintest shrug. Yes. No. Somewhere in between.

Liam sighed and put down the pen. He leaned against the counter, hands in his pockets.

Then, casually, he asked, "Do you think it'd be okay... if Nicole stayed here for a while? Until she sorts things out?"

That got my attention, I froze for a fraction of seconds, letting the words settle. Nicole, stay here. She just spent some hours here and I'm unable to control myself, talk more for a while.

I thought about my reply. My face remained calm and neutral. "If it's only temporary... yes." Something in me refused to say no.

Liam's shoulders relaxed. Relief softened his features in a way that made my chest tighten unexpectedly. He didn't know what had happened.

I watched him walk away to make a call, which I was sure that it was Nicole he was calling.

"What are you doing to me Nicole?" I groaned silently as I dialed a contact on my phone.

"I'm on my way, book a room with a girl arranged on the bed."

"Alright." The person on the other end replied.

"I need to get you out of my head," I told myself as I left the house.

_______________

Nicole's POV

Zara, my best friend, was already seated when I walked in, stirring sugar into her iced coffee like she wasn't about to read my soul through my face in the next three seconds.

"Nicole," she smiled. *So, how is prince charming?"

"Liam is doing great." I said dryly.

"How was the meeting with your boyfriend's family?" she continued as she drank her coffee.

I forced a laugh and dropped into the chair opposite her. "It was embarrassing and his mom didn't come today."

She leaned forward a little, studying me. "What happened?"

My fingers tightened around my bag. "Nothing serious."

Zara smirked. "That didn't sound convincing."

I avoided her eyes and took a sip of water I didn't need.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"He brought me to his family home. And to my surprise his brother was back."

Her eyes widened slightly. "You meet the hot, devastating handsome and bad boy Adrian?"

I nodded unconsciously.

"Wow," she laughed softly. "Did you meet him properly this time?"

I hesitated. "A little," I said.

Zara didn't notice the storm in my head. She just rested her chin on her palm.

"So Adrian is around. I can bet he's already fucking the girls in town."

I let out a forced smile. "Yeah, I guess."

She leaned closer. "Then tell me what really happened? Or did you kiss him."

I almost choked. "No," I said too quickly.

She laughed. "You're blushing."

"I unknowingly entered his room the moment he came out of the bathroom and he was fucking naked." I poured it out to her.

"OH MY GOD." Zara screamed.

"Can you please bring your voice down?" I scolded her lightly, feeling ashamed by the unfamiliar gaze the people in the restaurant gave us.

"I'm sorry but Nicole, the hell, you outdid yourself."

"It wasn't intentional." I covered my face with my hands. "I feel disgusting."

"You're not."

"I feel like I betrayed Liam without even touching him."

"It was simply a mistake."

"Then is it normal to be having nasty thoughts about Adrian, replaying the scene in my head. I just can't seem to erase it."

"Woah, you need a therapist babe, because all I can say is that you are fucking obsessed with your boyfriend's brother. For now stay away from him." Zara muttered surprised.

"I can't. Liam wants me to move in and he's staying with his brother, so it will be impossible to avoid Adrian."

Zara sighed tiredly.

"I thought I buried that," I whispered.

"You did," she said. "Until he showed up again."

"Does Liam know?"

I shook my head instantly. "No. No. I would never hurt him like that." I dropped my gaze. "What if I'm not as over him as I thought I was?"

Her voice softened. "Then you remind yourself why you chose Liam."

I closed my eyes. Because he's safe, he's kind and he loves me. He was there for me when I lost my parents, when I lost everything.

Zara squeezed my hand gently. "And for the record... next time you feel like wandering into strange men's bedrooms, call me instead."

A weak laugh escaped me. "You'd probably dare me to flirt."

She smirked. "Only a little."

I gave her a slight smile. Liam will be coming over to move my stuff, but still I couldn't fathom the idea of being in the same house with Adrian.