Chapter 27
Chapter 27:
Beads of water traced the dips of his muscles, sliding downward until they vanished at the towel’s edge, sketching an outline that was almost too enticing.
Her pulse quickened despite her effort to remain composed.
Determined not to let his presence rattle her, she walked steadily to the pool’s edge.
“You’ve been watching me for three minutes straight,” Austin drawled suddenly, his voice laced with playful teasing.
Brinley blinked at the remark but kept her expression serene. Rising on her toes, she let her fingertips skim across his firm abdomen, her voice turning light with provocation. “With a body like this, you could walk a runway p>
𝗗𝘰w𝗻𝗅𝗈a𝖽𝗮𝘣𝗹е 𝗣𝖣𝗙s 𝗈ո 𝘨𝘢𝗅ո𝗈𝘷еls.𝗰𝗈𝗆
Her hand lingered at his lower abdomen, brushing the taut warmth there before she added with a sly smile, “Though I have to say—touching it feels even better p>
Austin’s Adam’s apple shifted as he swallowed, his gaze sharpening.
He reached for her wrist, but Brinley slipped away with a quick flick.
Arching a brow, she tilted her head. “Isn’t this exactly what you like? Then why the sudden blush p>
Without giving him a chance to answer, she turned away, her silhouette trailing off like the final stroke of an elegant line.
Austin stayed where he was, watching her retreat as he shook his head.
His gaze dropped to the towel drawn taut across his hips, and a low, self-mocking laugh slipped from his throat. Then he strode to the poolside shower and twisted the knob, unleashing a rush of icy water.
Upstairs, Brinley pressed her back to her closed bedroom door, her heartbeat racing as if she’d just run a mile.
Even she hadn’t expected herself to be so daring by the pool.
Her fingertips brushed over her hot cheeks, the image of Austin’s sculpted body—and the ripple of muscle beneath her touch—replaying with unsettling clarity.
A muffled groan slipped past her lips, and she quickly clapped both hands over her burning face.
Why on earth was she so easily tempted by Austin’s looks?
Gradually, her breathing steadied. The flustered shine in her eyes hardened into determination.
She reminded herself sternly not to falter.
Colin had once been the same—lavishing her with affection, making her feel as though she had found a love that would last. Yet in the end, his halfhearted wavering between her and Milly destroyed everything, leaving nothing but misery behind.
Austin seemed more reliable than Colin, but who could say what schemes hid behind that calm exterior?
This was a marriage of convenience—something she could never allow herself to forget.
Brinley shook her head, as if she could scatter the jumble of doubts.
She drifted to the window. Outside, the last light drained from the sky, and her feelings tightened into a knot she couldn’t quite name.
Meanwhile, Austin stepped out from the cold shower, droplets clinging to his skin as he faced the mirror. A faint flush still warmed his cheeks.
With a helpless smile tugging at his lips, he muttered under his breath, “Brinley, you really know how to turn me on p>