Chapter 68
Chapter 68:
Brinley gave Austin’s sleeve a timid tug, her voice soft as a breath. “I’ll sleep in the guest room instead p>
There were more than enough empty rooms on the floor—no reason for them to share.
Austin’s gaze shifted to her, a faint crease forming between his brows. “Why would you do that p>
Her lashes fluttered as she looked away, heat creeping into her cheeks. “I… it just feels inappropriate. With so many other rooms, it makes sense p>
A quiet weight settled into his voice, calm but unyielding. “What’s so inappropriate about it? You’re my wife p>
Brinley faltered, her lips parting with hesitation. “But p>
Austin leaned closer, his tone dropping low, leaving no room for retreat. “No ‘buts.’ My family wants us to stay because they’re curious,” he said evenly, his gaze steady on her. “If we end up in separate rooms, they’ll whisper that our marriage is falling apart. Once that rumor takes root, they’ll use it against you p>
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗻
Brinley sighed, the realization hitting her like a splash of cold water.
The Moores had eyes everywhere, and the smallest crack would be pried wide open.
“But…” she murmured, biting her lip, the thought of sharing a room with him still tightening her chest.
“Relax.” Austin lowered his voice, his expression softening. “I’m not going to cross any lines with you.” His gaze flicked to her flushed earlobes, his words edged with quiet amusement. “Or are you worried I might be harboring improper thoughts about you p>
“I…” Brinley faltered, the words catching in her throat.
The truth was, she had entertained the possibility.
A man like him—handsome, powerful, never short on admirers—somehow treated her differently. Who would believe he wanted nothing from her?
The thought unsettled her, and she avoided his eyes.
“Fine,” she murmured at last, mindful of the tangled undercurrents in the Moore family. “Then we won’t split rooms p>
Austin studied her, the curve of his smile deepening as warmth flickered in his eyes.
The door clicked shut, and an uneasy stillness settled over the room. Brinley drifted toward the window, pretending to admire the nightscape beyond, though her heart pounded in a frantic rhythm.
From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Austin at the desk, casually flipping through papers. His profile—clean lines, refined features—looked almost sculpted, radiating a quiet dominance that made it hard to breathe, much less look away.
“I think I’ll take a shower,” she said, breaking the silence as she snatched up the neatly folded pajamas Caiden had set out.
With hurried steps, she all but fled into the bathroom.
The space was lavish, a blend of polished stone and gleaming fixtures, with a glass-walled shower beside a vast soaking tub.
She twisted the handle, and warm water streamed over her skin, but the comfort did nothing to calm the restless pounding in her chest.
The thought nagged at her—insistent and unnerving. Tonight, she was truly sharing a room with Austin.
She understood his reasoning. Separate rooms would only stoke gossip. Still, an unsettled feeling lingered.
Her earlier suspicions replayed in her mind, and embarrassed heat crawled up her cheeks.
Fresh from her shower, Brinley stepped out in modest cotton pajamas, damp strands of hair spilling over her shoulders.
Austin had already changed into a dark gray set of loungewear. He sat on the sofa with a stack of documents in hand, and his eyes lifted the moment he heard her footsteps.
“Make sure you dry your hair before bed, or you’ll end up with a headache,” he remarked, nodding toward the hairdryer on the nightstand.