Chapter 50
Chapter 50:
Golden afternoon light slipped through the blinds, casting shifting stripes of shadow across the floor.
Austin sat with his head bowed over a tablet, his gaze skimming across the documents.
Across from him, Brinley studied her own stack of papers, her brows knitting now and then in concentration.
Silence filled the room, calm and almost soothing in its weight. Austin’s focus faltered, his gaze catching on the clean line of her profile.
S𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘺𝗼𝗎 𝘄𝘰𝗻’t p𝘂𝘵 𝗱ow𝘯 o𝗇 ѕ.c𝗈𝗆
Sunlight brushed her face, softening her features. Even the faint furrow of her brow seemed impossibly captivating to him.
Sensing his stare, Brinley lifted her head sharply and shot him a glare. “Quit staring p>
A low chuckle slipped from Austin, but he let her scolding stand without an answer.
That afternoon, a video conference awaited him, so he called Miguel to bring his laptop.
Brinley, intending to give him space, started toward the sofa, but his voice stopped her. “Sit here p>
He patted the empty spot beside him on the bed.
Since he didn’t seem to mind her listening in, Brinley saw no reason to hold back and took the seat at his side.
Once the meeting began, she lowered her gaze to her phone, though her ears betrayed her, catching every word.
Austin spoke about a complicated merger with calm precision, his tone steady, his reasoning sharp. Every so often, he cut in to correct or redirect the others, the authority in his voice leaving no room for dispute.
Brinley stole a glance at him. Sunlight skimmed across his lashes, gilding them in gold.
Even ill, his composure held firm—jaw taut, mind sharp—every bit the shrewd strategist he had always been.
Time slipped by unnoticed until the meeting finally drew to a close.
Austin snapped his laptop shut and caught Brinley staring, her gaze soft and unguarded.
“What’s the matter?” he drawled, one brow arched. “Caught up in your husband’s charm, are you p>
His teasing jolted her back to herself, color rushing into her cheeks. “Who’s looking at you? I was thinking about my project p>
He leaned closer, his voice smoothening into a low murmur. “Your CloudVista Estates project? Do you want my help p>
The delicate fragrance of her shampoo enveloped him, his warm breath brushing her ear.
Brinley’s heartbeat stumbled into a frantic rhythm.
Startled, she jerked backward, forgetting the bed’s edge was right behind her.
She nearly toppled.
Before she could fall, Austin caught her wrist and drew her back toward him. She landed against his chest with a muted thump, the sound punctuated by his faint groan. Only then did she remember—he was still recovering.
“Sorry!” Brinley blurted, quickly bracing her hands on him, her eyes full of worry. “Did that hurt p>
Though his complexion remained drained of color, Austin shook his head. His gaze lingered on her flustered face, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. “I’m alright p>
She tried to pull her hand free, but his grip only tightened, anchoring her in place.
Their eyes locked, and the air seemed to still—her reflection caught in the dark depths of his stare. Something flickered there, layered and unreadable.