Chapter 76

 76:
Instinctively, she tilted her head forward slightly, a faint itch tickling her skin—uncertain if it was the sudden adornment at her neck or Collin’s close proximity causing the sensation.
With the necklace in place, Linsey thought that was the end of it and prepared to stand. But before she could move, she felt her hair being gathered up with a gentle, deliberate touch. Collin leaned in closer, his presence cool and commanding, enveloping her in an unspoken promise of care.
Her heart fluttered, skipping a beat. It wasn’t until he meticulously lifted her hair from beneath the necklace and draped it over her shoulders that she was jolted back to reality. Flustered, Linsey quickly reached up to adjust her hair, her movements betraying her inner turmoil.
“Thank you,” she murmured, her breath hitching slightly as she attempted to get up. Yet, in that very moment, her legs betrayed her, growing numb and buckling beneath her weight. She teetered precariously on the edge of a fall.
He was quick to react, his reflexes sharp. Stretching out his arms, he caught her just in time, pulling her close into the safety of his embrace. Linsey’s eyes widened in shock, a soft gasp escaping her lips as she found herself suddenly pressed against him, her knee awkwardly hitting the wheelchair.
Thankfully, Collin’s wheelchair was exceptionally designed, its seat cushioned and forgiving. Had it been otherwise, her knee would have surely suffered a bruise. But such concerns vanished as quickly as they came, her attention entirely consumed by the man who held her.
Up close, Linsey could see the subtle blush staining the skin behind Collin’s ears, a stark contrast to his usual composure. His hold on her was both firm and protective, a surprising gentleness in his strength.
She found herself caught in his gaze, clear and penetrating, as a wave of warmth rushed over her. Despite the turmoil within, Collin managed to maintain a semblance of calm. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, loud enough to muffle his thoughts.
With effort, he tore his gaze away from hers, it drifting to the necklace that now lay against her chest. It adorned her perfectly, as if it were crafted solely for her.
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The necklace, opulent and meant for the grandest of occasions, seemed to find its true home against Linsey’s modest attire. It complemented her radiant face and the unguarded purity in her gaze, enhancing her natural charm in a way that seemed almost destined. Indeed, no one else could carry the essence of that necklace quite like Linsey.
“It’s beautiful. And it’s perfect for you,” Collin murmured.
His voice was steady, devoid of any dramatic inflection, yet laced with an unmistakable sincerity.
A flush crept up Linsey’s neck, spreading to her cheeks.
Collin thought the necklace suited her.
Did that mean, in his eyes, she was even more dazzling than the gemstone itself?
The thought sent a jolt through her, making her body tense, her posture subtly stiffening.
Collin lifted his gaze to her once more, his eyes dark and unreadable. The moment he noticed the faint flush coloring her cheeks and the corners of her eyes, his throat tightened.
A smoldering intensity flickered in his gaze—something deep and unshakable.
Without warning, he let go of her arm, his fingers shifting to gently cup her chin, his grip firm but careful. His gaze dropped, locking onto her slightly parted, soft lips.
A nervous breath hitched in Linsey’s throat. She reflexively grasped the fabric of his shirt, gripping it tightly.
His dark, unguarded stare sent her pulse racing, stealing the air from her lungs. But after yesterday—after she had nearly misread the situation in the car—she forced herself to stay levelheaded, unwilling to let her imagination run wild.
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