Chapter 41
Chapter 41:
“So?” Austin asked, his smile easy as his gaze lingered on her parted lips.
“It’s fine,” Brinley mumbled, stubborn pride sharpening her voice—even as her hand betrayed her, the fork dipping right back down to claim another bite. She popped it into her mouth, chewing faster this time, as if her resolve were unraveling with every savory mouthful.
Her eyes drifted to the lobster. That was all it took. Her discipline snapped, and she reached for it without a second thought.
After devouring the lobster, she went straight for the pumpkin soup, dipping her spoon in with eager precision. Then came the lamb—sliced into neat pieces, each one polished off in seconds beneath a drizzle of pepper sauce. Her cheeks puffed as she ate, giving her the look of an overeager chipmunk, strangely adorable as she stuffed in bite after bite with no concern for appearances.
The woman who had insisted she wasn’t hungry now ate with the abandon of someone who hadn’t seen food in days.
Q𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗂𝘁𝗒 𝗍𝘳𝖺ոѕ𝗅𝗮𝘁𝗶o𝘯ѕ оn
Before her, the feast that had looked fit for royalty was vanishing by the second. She bent over her plate with single-minded devotion, as though nothing existed beyond the flavors claiming her senses.
Across from her, Austin remained still, his gaze never leaving her face.
Amusement deepened in his eyes as he watched her stiff resistance melt into uninhibited appetite—her lips glistening with sauce, her eyes bright with unguarded joy.
After a long stretch of silent indulgence, she finally lifted her head and met his steady gaze.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. She fumbled for a napkin, nearly knocking over a glass in her flustered haste.
Muttering under her breath, she shot him a sidelong glare. “Why are you looking at me like that p>
Austin let out a low chuckle and slid a glass of water toward her. “Slow down. It’s not like anyone’s going to snatch it from you p>
Brinley shot him a sharp look, yet she still lifted the glass and took a sip, hiding her embarrassment behind the rim.
When she set it down again, her gaze swept over the half-empty plates, and warmth flooded her cheeks—she must have looked like someone who hadn’t eaten in days.
“I guess… it’s not terrible,” she muttered, forcing out the reluctant compliment, her ears burning scarlet.
Austin let the obvious lie pass without comment. Just as he reached for the ladle to serve soup, his phone buzzed sharply against the table.
He glanced at the screen, his expression tightening. In an instant, his voice turned hard as he answered. “Have the legal department draw up the papers immediately. I’m on my way p>
The call ended. He looked back at Brinley, the sternness in his tone giving way to something gentler. “Something urgent came up at the company. I’ll need to step out p>
“All right,” Brinley murmured, her eyes drifting back to the lamb chops she’d been slicing into neat pieces.
Austin slipped on his suit jacket, pausing at the doorway. He glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of her eating with quiet focus, and the corner of his mouth lifted almost unconsciously. “Take your time and enjoy it p>
The heavy click of the villa’s front door left the room echoing with silence. Alone at the long table, Brinley stared at the untouched dishes, her appetite fading as quickly as it had come.
She had been so certain Austin’s attentiveness carried ulterior motives. Yet now, with him gone, an inexplicable hollowness pressed against her chest.
Letting out a faint sigh, she reached for the bowl of pumpkin soup he had left untouched. Cradling it between her hands, she tipped it back and drained every last drop in one steady motion.