Chapter 130
Chapter 130:
Rylie leaned in just as he faltered, steadying him before he could fall forward. The warmth of his breath grazed her neck, heavy and sharp with pain. Without thinking, she placed her palm against his back and traced slow lines along both sides of his spine.
“Keep breathing. Nice and easy.” Her fingers pressed with practiced care, targeting the places most likely to tense up. Each movement was precise, meant to release pressure, not add more.
Brad’s muscles began to loosen. Even so, his skin burned beneath her touch, standing out against the cold bite of the ice.
The ice surrounding him thinned quickly, melting in thick drops under the heat of his body.
When she pressed her thumb beneath his shoulder blade, he flinched, letting out a muffled groan before gripping her wrist.
Rylie looked up, meeting his gaze.
Moisture clung to his lashes, and something unreadable flickered behind his usual stare.
“Don’t press there,” he rasped, his voice losing its usual edge, strained with effort. Still, he kept hold of her wrist, as if needing the contact.
Rylie didn’t pull away. Instead, she used her other hand to gently knead the side of his neck. “How about this spot? Is it sore too p>
Brad gave a slight shake of his head. A few droplets fell from his lashes and splashed into the water.
His breathing eased, yet his grip stayed firm. The ripples in the tub caught the light, dancing across the sharp planes of his face.
“Are you feeling any better?” she asked, her words softer than she intended.
Brad lifted his eyes and noticed the slight gap in her coat. Beneath it, the edge of a plain white shirt peeked out. As she leaned forward, the faint line of her collarbone came into view, and for a moment, that was all he could see. What hit him next wasn’t the drug. It was the sight of her, and it burned hotter. Neither of them spoke. Even the sound of melting ice was loud in the silence. Their breaths matched effortlessly, drawn in unison.
“If I said no,” he murmured, eyes still fixed on her, “Would you keep treating me?” For the first time, Brad let down his usual aloof facade. His brows furrowed in pain, yet a faint, defiant smile tugged at his lips.
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Only then did Rylie realize just how close they were. She had nearly dropped to her knees in front of the ice bucket, completely surrounded by his presence. She quickly drew her hand away, accidentally brushing a vial with her elbow. It tipped and shattered beside her, the glass snapping the moment in half.
Her voice returned to its usual measured calm as she took a step back. “The peak effects have passed. Stay in for ten more minutes, then you’re free to come out p>
Brad didn’t respond. His fingers dug into the tub’s edge, his eyes fixed on the faint pink across her ears. Her composure unsettled him more than it should have.
By the time the ten minutes had passed, the improvement was clear. He climbed out of the tub, water cascading at his feet in waves.
Without meaning to, Rylie glanced up. The backlight caught him in full silhouette as he reached for the robe.
That view—his broad shoulders, waist tapering in a sharp line—cast a tall shadow beside the bucket. Water traced slow paths down his spine.