The knock at the door startled Jenn, her hands still sudsy from the dishes she'd been cleaning. She dried them quickly on a towel, wiping her palms before pulling the door open. There stood Brad, all 6'3" 250 pounds of him, his shoulders broad and imposing in his red and black flannel, jeans, and work boots. His dark, unruly hair fell in loose waves over his forehead, and the scruff on his jaw made him look rugged, almost wild. Jenn couldn't help but smile. Her fiance Will had been roommates with him 5 years ago. Will, 5'10 and average every way physically had won her over with his charm and the fact he was a musician. Physically, they looked so different, but there personalities were very similar.
"Hey, Brad," she greeted, leaning against the doorframe. "Sorry, Will won't be off work for a couple more hours."
Brad nodded, his blue eyes scanning the apartment briefly before landing back on her. "No problem. I can wait if you don't mind. I'll just watch some TV."
"Of course," Jenn said, stepping aside to let him in. As he passed, the earthy scent of sweat, and cologne wafted over her, sending a strange shiver down her spine. What is that smell? she thought, inhaling deeply without realizing it. It was intoxicating, unlike anything she ever noticed on Will.
She closed the door and turned back to him, watching as he settled onto the couch. His posture was relaxed, but there was something commanding about his presence that made the room feel smaller, quieter. Jenn busied herself with the dishes again, trying to ignore the way her body seemed to hum in his proximity. Her small 5'3 cross country runner physique was so different than him. Manly is the word she always thought to herself when he was around.
"So... I like the scruff," she said casually, glancing over her shoulder at him. "It suits you. Goes great with that black mane of hair you've got."
Brad chuckled, brushing a hand through his hair self-consciously. "You think it makes me look more manly?" he teased, his voice low and warm.
Jenn froze for a moment, her pulse quickening. "Well... you are the definition of manly," she blurted out before she could stop herself. "I mean, look at you."
His lips curled into a smirk, and Jenn felt her stomach flip realizing she said out loud what she was thinking. "Oh, flattery will lead you everywhere, Jenn," he replied, his tone playful yet unmistakably flirty.
She turned away quickly, focusing on the sink of soapy water, but her mind was racing. Why did I say that? He's just Will's friend. Just Brad. Still, as she scrubbed a plate clean, her thoughts kept drifting back to him--his size, his strength, the way his flannel stretched taut over his muscles. She swallowed hard, feeling a dampness between her thighs that she usually only felt in bed.
This is wrong, she told herself firmly. He's just here to wait for Will. Nothing more.
But then Brad was behind her, his shadow looming over her in the kitchen. "Need any help?" he offered, his voice closer than she expected.
Jenn jumped slightly, her heart hammering in her chest. "Uh, sure," she stammered, handing him a sponge. "Thanks."
He took it from her, his fingers brushing hers briefly, and Jenn felt the contact like a spark, zinging through her body. They worked in silence for a moment, the sound of running water filling the space between them. But the longer they stood side by side, the harder it became to ignore how close he was, how impossibly big he felt next to her. His arm brushed hers as he reached for a dish, and Jenn sucked in a breath, her nipples tightening beneath her tank top.
"You're kind of quiet," Brad observed after a while, his voice low and smooth. "Everything okay?" He had hoped his physical appearance today would trigger something, but honestly had no idea if it would. He just remembered Will telling him she once had said, "Brad is like a lumberjack from a commercial"
Jenn cleared her throat, forcing a laugh. "Yeah, yeah, just... zoning out, I guess."
He glanced at her, his gaze lingering on her face. "You sure? You look a little flushed."
"I'm fine," she insisted, too quickly. Her cheeks burned hotter under his scrutiny, and she cursed herself for reacting this way. Brad isn't supposed to make me feel this way--not when I'm engaged to Will.
Brad then said, "Thanks for the compliment earlier, coming from a hottie like you that gives me confidence."
She blushed, "C'mon, it's true and you know it."
He said, "You saying it is what means the most to me..."
Her breath hitched. "Brad, I--"