3 Seconds (Time for Love 6)

Luckily, Ming was more levelheaded, and had ushered me out of the bar before I could make another mistake and end up hurting Brendan further, by having sex with him again.

That was why I’d spent the night with my trusty vibrator, rather than in the arms of the hot young man who should be totally off limits to me.

Although, if he was off limits, what was I doing at Jakes, essentially hiding behind a gaggle of bimbos?

I’d talked myself out of coming a million times throughout the day, but by ten o’clock, I was grabbing my purse and heading out the door.

I just had to see him.

I’d been so sure when I told him we couldn’t be together anymore. It was simple logic. I wanted kids, he didn’t. End of story. But after my talks with Ming and Cass, then Brady, I was no longer sure … Add the encounter with Brendan in the closet, and it was obvious that although my brain wanted to be done with the relationship, my heart had other ideas. And my body … well, let’s just say that it was all the way #teambrendan.

Maybe I’d been too quick to end things.

I hadn’t expected it to be this hard. When

I’d left Maxime, I’d been absolutely sure that I was making the right decision, and had no regrets, or feelings of loss.

But with Brendan … I wasn’t finding it as easy to let go.

I’d been thinking hard about what Brady said, and he did have a point. On the other hand, I wasn’t ready to dismiss my dream of having children.

I was at an impasse, and I didn’t know what the right answer was; all I knew was that I had a burning need to be with Brendan.

If we had the opportunity to hash things out, not in the heat of passion or anger, but as two logical adults, I was hopeful that we could come to a compromise.

And if not, at least I’d know that I’d done everything I could to make it work, and be able to move on with my life. As much as the thought of actually letting him go hurt, I couldn’t go on living in turmoil.

“This will be our last song of the night,” Brendan was saying from center stage. “Thanks so much for comin’ out.”

God, he looked good.

He still hadn’t shaved, and his hair was pulled back in a messy bun. That, combined with black skinny jeans, combat boots, and an army-green jacket thrown over a black T-shirt, completed the badass, sexy-as-hell, lead-singer package.

I wasn’t alone in my admiration … The girls in the audience seemed extra worked up tonight, and I could only imagine it was the short beard he was sporting. It wasn’t quite as full and “lumberjack” as his brother’s, but it definitely turned his masculinity up a notch. Then when you added the man-bun … instant horniness.

I sipped a cold beer as I watched from my clandestine position, smiling when the set was over and the three brothers gave each other that half high-five, half hand clap, thing. This time though, rather than heading toward the back door, Brock and Brady followed Brendan down the stairs and followed him to the bar.

They smiled and thanked the throng of groupies that were crowding them, but once they had their drinks in hand, they maneuvered through the crowd to an open table.

I was close enough to hear Brock say, “To my little brother … I know he’ll ‘Protect and Serve’ with the best of them.” They all raised their glasses and put them together, before Brock clapped Brady on the shoulder and said huskily, “So proud of you, bro.”

Suddenly feeling like an intruder on a touching scene, I was about to find a corner to hide in while I waited for the brothers to finish their celebration, when I heard another voice from behind me.

“Good to see you, Brock,” the male voice said, and I turned to see who had joined the men.

Tall, with jet-black hair, and a suit perfectly tailored to his body, was a man about my age. Curious, I paused, wondering what he would want with them.

“Carson,” Brock said, standing to shake the other man’s hand. “I didn’t expect to see you here,” then he turned and introduced the incredibly handsome man to his brothers. “Carson, you remember my brother Brady, from O’Malley’s, and this is our youngest brother, Brendan. Brendan, meet Carson Brandt.”

Brady nodded at Carson, as Brendan stood and shook his offered hand.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. Brandt. I’ve heard great things from my brothers, and Victoria. Thanks for all the business you’ve given my family.”

“Carson, please… And I wouldn’t have used O’Malley Brothers or Victoria’s services if I didn’t think they were the best fit for my company.” Carson paused before adding, “Business is actually what brings me here…”

“What kind of business?” Brock asked.

“I’ve been talking with some music producers about branching out Brandt Industries. I’ve heard great things about you from Scott and Gaby, and wanted to check out your sound for myself. Would you be interested in setting up a meeting sometime this week?”