Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

There was a playful glint in her eyes.

Kaitlyn had the kind of face that screamed innocence-sweet, angelic, almost too good to be true. But every now and then, her eyes would light up with a sly,

teasing charm that could pull a man right under. Jackson, unfortunately, was the type who fell hard for exactly that. He couldn't help himself-she always left him a little unsteady, a little off-balance.

If someone had told him in the past that he'd end up hooking up with a married woman, he would've laughed in their face. Sure, there were plenty of guys in his circle who loved to play dirty-swapping women around like party favors, not caring in the slightest. Jackson had always found that kind of thing disgusting. Just the thought of someone being all over you one night and then cozying up to another guy the next made his skin crawl.

But Kaitlyn was different. With her, he just couldn't walk away.

She was gorgeous, unpredictable, so much fun to be around, and somehow her husband barely seemed to notice. If anything, it felt like an open invitation. And honestly, Jackson didn't think he was in love with her. It was more like stubborn pride-he just hadn't had enough of her yet, plain and simple.

Once the thrill wore off, he'd let her go without a second thought.

After she left, Kaitlyn felt a headache brewing. She pulled out her phone and tried calling Clara again-no luck. She and Clara had worked together, and they'd become friends of sorts. Kaitlyn couldn't help worrying, especially since the Bradford family's company was still in chaos. She wondered if Clara still needed help, maybe even money.

Kaitlyn was sitting in her car when her phone rang. It was her family again.

They'd been on her case lately, always pushing her to invite Jackson over for dinner. She'd dodged them as much as she could. The company was desperate for investment, and everyone was counting on her to keep Jackson close, at least for now.

With a flicker of sarcasm in her eyes, she picked up.

"Brittany, didn't I tell you to bring Jackson home for a meal? Why haven't you made it happen yet? You know how eligible he is. If you don't keep him close, what if someone else snatches him up? Wasn't there some actress he used to like?"

Kaitlyn leaned back in her seat, exhaling. "I tried, but he turned me down. Dad, it's not like we're that close. As long as I don't annoy him, he won't talk about divorce again at least not right away."

Whether she'd bring it up herself someday was a different story.

There was a heavy pause, full of disappointment.

"If he says no can't you figure something else out? Brittany, your mom's recovering well, but you know I used up every connection had to get her those doctors. If you keep being this passive, don't blame me for what happens next."

Annoyed, she just sent Jackson's number to him. "If you don't believe me, call him yourself."

Her dad had tried calling Jackson before, but Jackson couldn't stand anything to

do with his so-called wife's family. So when he saw the old man's number on his phone, he just felt even more bitter.

The man sounded almost desperate

on the other end. "Jackson, you and

Brittany have been married for

yel

years. Why not come over for

dinner Brittany remembers

everything you like to eat-we'll have

the chef make it all for you.

How

about tomorrow night?"

Jackson took a sip of his drink, eyes sharp with mockery. "Been married to your Brittany for three years and still don't know what she looks like. If the Sherrill family knows what's good for you, stop contacting me. Otherwise, every time you call, I just remember there's a nest of

cockroaches in your house I'd rather forget."

He didn't sugarcoat a thing.noveldrama

He could almost hear the man flushing with embarrassment. "You and Brittany

haven't even met? But she said you two were getting along."

Jackson let out a cold laugh. That woman really was full of it.

His dislike for her only grew. "Enough. Don't bother me again."

He'd had enough—especially since his own grandfather kept trying to push him towards Brittany. The more he thought about it, the more it grated on him.

He yanked off his tie, jaw tight, and his thoughts wandered to Kaitlyn.

She should be home by now.

He wondered what it was like between her and her husband, and the thought unsettled him. Especially after seeing her today, the feeling clung to his bones—a restless itch he just couldn't shake.