Chapter 26
Chapter 26:
After dinner, Brandon walked Brinley and Austin to the door. His expression was stern as he clapped Austin on the shoulder. “Take good care of my daughter p>
Austin met his gaze steadily and replied with quiet sincerity, “You have my word p>
The ride back felt different—lighter, free of the earlier tension.
As streetlights and buildings blurred past the window, Brinley leaned against the glass, her heart still warmed by her father’s concern.
Breaking the silence, Austin’s voice slipped in, teasing. “Tell me, have you been avoiding me lately p>
𝘋𝗂𝘀𝖼𝗈v𝖾r 𝗵𝗂𝘥d𝖾n 𝗀е𝗆𝘀 оn
Brinley’s stomach lurched, but she forced a calm smile. “Why would I? I’ve been drowning in work. I can hardly breathe, let alone make time to avoid you p>
Austin tilted his head and leaned closer, closing the distance in an instant. The subtle scent of cedar clung to him, warm and clean, and his eyes glimmered with amusement.
“Is that so?” he murmured. “Funny, though—every time I’m in the living room, you suddenly remember urgent overtime. And on the stairs, you always rush past me with your head down. Doesn’t that sound a little suspicious p>
His breath grazed her cheek, sending her pulse racing.
Up close, his appeal was almost disarming—the sharp line of his nose, the curve of his mouth, and those fathomless eyes that seemed determined to unravel every secret she tried to hide.
Brinley wrenched her gaze aside, fighting for composure. “You’re reading too much into it. I’ve just been… really busy p>
“Really?” His voice dropped, husky with an edge that tugged at her. “Because I can’t shake the feeling it’s about what happened in the study p>
“No!” she blurted, cutting him off, heat rushing to her cheeks.
Refusing to linger on the subject, she scrambled for an escape. “We’re home—let’s get out p>
Without waiting, she all but bolted from the car and hurried into the villa.
Austin’s eyes followed her retreating figure as he let out a quiet chuckle, his gaze softening with unmistakable tenderness.
Back within the villa’s walls, Brinley felt a surge of frustration at her own hasty retreat.
Why did he always manage to keep the upper hand?
The more she dwelled on it, the more it gnawed at her.
…the more her irritation swelled, until she silently swore she would seize the upper hand at the very next chance.
Behind her, his calm, unhurried voice drifted in. “The pool’s freshly maintained. Want to give it a try p>
She spun around to find him leaning lazily against the stair railing, a knowing smile playing at his lips, as if he had caught her thoughts.
A flicker of determination surged through her chest. “Fine,” she answered briskly. “Let’s go p>
Minutes later, dressed in her swimsuit, Brinley stepped out to the poolside.
Austin was already there, running a towel through his damp hair. A loose white towel sat precariously at his hips, revealing the sculpted lines of his back and the hard ridges of his abdomen.