Chapter 86
Chapter 86:
A faint warmth rippled through Austin at Brinley’s words, as if someone had brushed his heart with the gentlest touch.
A low chuckle escaped him. He reached out and ruffled her hair, his hand sliding through it with an ease that felt far too natural—as if it had been a habit for years. “You’re right. I’ll have your back,” he said, quiet amusement in his voice.
As he handed the documents back, his tone softened, and an indulgent smile touched his lips. “If this is what you want, then go for it. Just promise me you won’t wear yourself out. And if anything comes up that you can’t handle, come to me first p>
Brinley nodded, her voice steady. “I understand p>
As she took the file, her fingertips brushed lightly over the back of his hand. The accidental contact sent a spark through both of them, and they drew back at once, as if scalded. The air between them thickened, charged with something unspoken.
Breaking the silence, Austin cleared his throat and shifted his gaze toward the villa. “Come on. Let’s go inside. It’s too cold out here p>
Ne𝗐 𝘸ee𝗸𝘭𝘺 𝖼h𝖺p𝗍𝘦𝘳𝗌 о𝘯.сo𝘮
Brinley followed, her eyes tracing the tall, steady lines of his back as a quiet reassurance settled in her chest.
Austin rarely wore his heart on his sleeve, but when it mattered, his presence was unshakable.
Inside, the chandelier spilled a golden wash across the dining room, its light glinting off polished silverware. The butler had already set dinner, everything laid out with practiced precision.
Brinley slid into her seat, still flipping through the project files spread in front of her. Her lips moved as she calculated. “The track’s buffer zone has to be at least eight meters wide p>
Austin nudged a steaming bowl of soup closer, his voice threaded with fond exasperation. “Eat first p>
Her head lifted, startled out of her thoughts. “Alright.” She dipped the spoon into the broth and sipped obediently, though her eyes kept drifting back to the documents as if tethered.
Watching her split her attention between dinner and diagrams, Austin found himself thinking that maybe this project was exactly what she needed.
What shone in her eyes, at least, was real. And the fire she carried when talking shop made her far more captivating than when she had to endure the hollow niceties of his family.
“That reminds me,” Austin said, recalling something. “There’s a racing association banquet coming up. Plenty of industry players will be there, including the person overseeing this project. Want to attend with me p>
Brinley gave him a playful wink, a smile tugging at her lips. “Already taken care of p>
His brows lifted, a flicker of surprise passing through his calm expression.
Dinner faded into background noise as Brinley murmured to herself, half-formed ideas slipping out between bites.
Once the meal ended, she retreated quickly to her study, clutching the files with restless determination, intent on burning the midnight oil to draft a preliminary proposal.
Austin didn’t interfere. He only murmured an instruction to the butler to warm a cup of milk and bring it in.
From the study doorway, he lingered in silence, watching her hunched over the desk as her pen flew across the page. A faint smile curved his lips before he even realized it.
He pulled out his phone and dialed Miguel, his voice low but decisive. “Look into every company bidding on the racing-themed complex. Gather the blueprints for all the racetracks in Bleron and deliver them to my villa p>
When the call ended, he leaned against the doorframe, his gaze fixed on Brinley’s focused expression.
Lamplight cast delicate shadows beneath her lashes. Her brows were drawn tight in thought, making her look strikingly radiant.