Chapter 174 A Soft Kiss
Rachel felt she had made herself perfectly clear.
However, Brian wasn’t going to drop the matter that easily. He took a step closer, closing the distance. “You never even asked me. How can you be so sure of my answer?”
She exhaled sharply and met his gaze. “I don’t have to ask. I already know what you’ll say.”
She had been through this enough times to know exactly how it would go. There was no reason to put herself through that again.
It was always the same–Tracy’s tears would change everything. The moment she cried and begged, his resolve crumbled, and he couldn’t bring himself to walk away.
So there was no point in asking this time either. The outcome wouldn’t change no matter what.
More than that, they weren’t even together anymore. She never had a say in his choices before, and now that they were over, she had even less of a reason to interfere.
But Brian saw it in a completely different way.
“Rachel, has anyone ever told you that you’re way too sure of yourself?”
Before she could react, he had her backed up against the door.
Thankfully, the door was solid and heavy. Otherwise, she would’ve worried about everyone outside hearing what was happening.
“I don’t need anyone to say it. I already know. Mr. White, isn’t that what you mean? That I’m foolish? Fine, I’ll admit it. I was too naive.”
Because if she weren’t, she wouldn’t have fallen for him so deeply, loving him without thinking.
She loved him so much that even when he broke her heart again and again, she never spoke up about it.
“If that’s all, let’s get back to work.” Her indifferent tone caught him off guard.
He knew he should step back, but when his eyes landed on her lips–the ones that had been on his mind day and night–his self–control shattered.
In an instant, he cupped the back of her head with one hand while his other arm encircled her waist, drawing
her in.
And then, without hesitation, he claimed her lips in a deep, urgent kiss.
The breath was knocked from her lungs, her mind going blank. It happened so fast she couldn’t even process it. The moment she snapped back to reality, her first instinct was to shove him off.
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Chapter 174 A Soft Kiss
But Brian had her completely locked in place. Her arms were trapped, her body unable to move, forcing her to
remain pressed against him, feeling the warmth of his breath against her skin.
Her legs were the only part of her that wasn’t pinned down.
Taking advantage of that, Rachel swiftly raised her foot.
But before she could land the hit, he locked her legs in place with his own.
“You’ve really got some nerve. Trying to kick me, huh?”
There was no doubt he was irritated.
But fresh from kissing her, his voice had taken on a husky edge, dangerously inviting.
While he was distracted by his own words, Rachel saw her opening and aimed another kick.
But Brian was quicker. With a swift motion, his right hand caught her slender leg.
Everything happened so quickly that before she could even react, he had already lifted her, pushed open the lounge door, and dropped her onto the bed.
He wasted no time following after, his towering frame closing in.
It all happened so smoothly, like it was second nature to him.
Now, one of his hands held both of her wrists above her head, while one of his legs effortlessly trapped hers, leaving her almost completely immobilized.
In contrast, Brian still had one hand and one leg free.
She understood instantly–he was proving a point. She had no way out. Not only was she trapped in this room, but she was entirely at his mercy for the rest of her life.
“Rachel, just be good,” he murmured, his voice low and dangerously soothing in her ear.
But for once, she refused to give in.
She raised her head, meeting his gaze head–on. “You want me to be good? Haven’t I been good enough? No matter what I do, it’s never enough for you. Or should I accept sharing you with someone else?”
That way, he wouldn’t have to choose.
He could keep both her and Tracy, never losing either.
But that was something Rachel would never agree to. Not in this lifetime.
“That’s not it,” Brian said, his voice thick with emotion as he gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I’ve already told you that Tracy and I are over. Why can’t you believe me, just this once?”
Rachel turned her head away, refusing to engage with him any longer.
Believe him? Once upon a time, she had. But he was the one who slowly shattered that trust, piece by piece.
“Brian, don’t you get it? Trust isn’t built with words–it’s proven through actions.” The moment the words left her lips, he reached for the strap of her top.
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Chapter 174 A Soft Kiss
Realizing his intent, her voice rose in alarm. “What are you doing?”
But Brian acted as if he hadn’t heard her. The strap slid further down, revealing the delicate curve of her
shoulder and the smooth line of her collarbone.
“You are shameless-” Before she could finish, his lips found her neck.
His touch was featherlight at first, soft and deliberate, sending a shiver down her spine.
But soon, his kiss grew deeper and more intense.
Slowly, a clear hickey appeared on her neck.
Only then did he pull away. “I wasn’t planning on anything more, just wanted to leave a few marks on you.”
His tone carried a hint of wounded innocence, as though she had misjudged him.
“I’m not some kind of monster,” he murmured, placing yet another hickey on her skin, as if proving his point.
Rachel exhaled, meeting his gaze. “What’s the point? You know we don’t have a future.”
In this lifetime, Brian would never let Tracy go, and Rachel knew she could never accept Tracy’s presence.
Even if nothing had ever happened between them, whether it was jealousy or pride, she couldn’t stand the thought of being second to someone else.
Suddenly, Brian wrapped his arms around her, pressing close, his voice soft and almost pleading. “Why not? Stay with me… just like before.” His breath brushed against her skin, warm, familiar, and dangerously persuasive.
For a moment, Rachel almost felt like they had gone back in time.
Back then, he would sometimes seek comfort and rest against her.
But now, things could never be the same.
Just as she let her guard down, Brian suddenly turned over, his eyes locking onto hers. In that moment, his gaze was so tender, it was as if he were looking at the love of his life.
But before she could escape the pull of that look, his lips found hers in a kiss–soft, deliberate.
Once again, he had claimed her lips.
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