Chapter 164
Chapter 164:
Over the next few days, Brinley’s thoughts circled endlessly, replaying every detail of Austin in her mind.
She remembered the elegance of his hands—firm yet graceful—as he passed her a drink; the way his smile tugged at her heart when she playfully pulled his ear; and the steady, soothing cadence of his heartbeat when he held her close in the stillness of the night.
“Oh no.” Brinley groaned, burying her face deep in her pillow.
This wasn’t some fleeting fancy or a silly crush. It was real.
She had fallen for Austin.
Her whole body shuddered at the realization.
The wounds Colin had left behind hadn’t even begun to heal properly, and yet here she was, letting her heart stumble again. Argh.
Just a few tender gestures, a handful of drinks, the brush of solid muscle beneath her fingertips—and suddenly her heart was fluttering out of control.
𝗥ea𝖽 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗇𝗒 𝖽𝖾𝗏i𝖼е oո
“Brinley, are you such an idiot?” She smacked her forehead in self-reprimand. “You only ever think with your heart. Honestly, there’s no saving you p>
Determined not to fall any deeper, Brinley hatched an elaborate plan to steer clear of Austin.
In the mornings, she slipped out of the house before he even came downstairs. From an upstairs window, Austin once caught sight of her vanishing quickly down the street. It left him puzzled, but he didn’t chase after her.
Her nightly returns to the villa became something like a spy movie—stealthy and calculated. She would arrive home a little earlier than him, snatch a quick bite from the kitchen, then shut herself away in her room.
On other nights, she lingered outside until late, slipping through the front door under the moonlight, careful not to switch on a single light in the living room.
If their paths crossed, she would offer a brisk exchange before fleeing as if he were a predator.
One evening, as Brinley sank into her bathtub with steam curling around her, a knock sounded at her door.
“Brinley?” Austin called, his voice low and slightly hoarse. “There’s warm milk waiting for you. It’ll help you sleep p>
Brinley almost stopped breathing. How on earth had he noticed her insomnia?
“No, thanks!” she called back, forcing her voice to sound upbeat. “I’m fine, and I’m going to bed now p>
There was a brief pause, followed by Austin’s chuckle. “I’ll leave it by your door. Drink it while it’s warm p>
When his footsteps faded, Brinley leaned over the edge of the tub, listening to the hammering in her chest. She raked her fingers through her damp hair in frustration.
Why couldn’t he simply leave her alone?
Brinley reluctantly finished her bath and stepped out to find a glass waiting by her door. Leaning against the frame, she sipped the milk in small, careful mouthfuls. The gentle warmth spread through her, easing the tight coil of nerves in her chest.
Once she finished, she decided to return the glass. But when she reached Austin’s room, the door was slightly ajar, a golden glow spilling into the hallway.