Chapter 23 He Couldn’t Help Himself
Rachel stared at Brian, confused. She couldn’t understand why he was so upset.
Brian reached out, his fingers brushing away the stray strands of hair clinging to her forehead. His gaze was dark and unreadable.
“When something happened to you, the first person you turned to wasn’t me–it was Yvonne. Why?”
Rachel bit down lightly on her lip.
There had been a time when her first instinct was to run to him. But when had that changed? When had she stopped hoping? Maybe it was the moment Tracy came back, and everything shifted.
“I’m exhausted… completely drained,” Rachel whispered. She leaned into his arms, her body sinking against his, unwilling to continue the conversation.
By the time they arrived home, she was already half–asleep.
Brian carried her inside, his movements careful as he helped her freshen up.
Even earlier, in the car, he had struggled to hold himself back when he kissed her.
Days of pent–up emotions surged within him, dangerously close to breaking free.
And now, as she soaked in the bathtub, the sheer fabric draped over her dampened skin, clinging delicately to her figure, his restraint frayed further.
“I feel so hot,” Rachel murmured, her voice soft and drowsy as she sighed, sinking deeper into the warmth.
Brian’s control snapped in an instant.
Unable to hold back any longer, he stepped into the tub, his hands sliding around her waist as he lifted her effortlessly onto his lap.
Beneath the clear water’s reflection, his hands contrasted sharply with the smoothness
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Chapter 23 He Couldn’t Help Himself
of her skin.
One held her firmly in place, while the other traced the curve of her lips, his fingers brushing over them in slow, deliberate strokes–again and again–until they deepened
in color.
His restraint shattered. Lowering his head, he crushed his lips against hers, devouring her with unrestrained hunger.
The heat in the bathroom thickened, clinging to their skin like steam.
When Brian carried her out of the tub, his mouth still lingered against her collarbone, pressing slow, possessive kisses along its curve.
In the blink of an eye, they were on the bed, and she was pulled into his arms.
But as soon as she sank against him, he stilled. Her body was burning.
Brian frowned, thinking he must have imagined it.
He reached out, pressing the back of his hand to her forehead. It was even hotter than
before.
Rachel’s cheeks were flushed a deep crimson, her breath uneven and shallow.
He had thought she was simply feverish with desire. But now he realized–she was actually sick.
When the thermometer beeped, it confirmed his suspicion–she had a fever. He wasted no time calling the family doctor.
When Rachel woke, she was in a familiar bed.
Everything in the room was exactly as it had always been.
But Brian wasn’t beside her. And for some reason, that absence left an uneasy feeling she couldn’t quite shake.
When she went downstairs, breakfast was already set on the table, neatly arranged and still steaming.
The housekeeper spotted her immediately and greeted her with a warm smile. “Ms. Marsh, you’re up! You must be starving! I’ve prepared a few options for you. Just let me know what you’d like to eat, and I’ll get it ready.”
“Oatmeal, please,” Rachel said, her voice still a little hoarse from sleep.
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Within moments, a bowl of oatmeal with warm milk was placed before her.
As she took a bite, the creamy texture and subtle sweetness made for a comforting
meal.
Watching her eat with a good appetite, the housekeeper beamed. “Mr. White is so considerate. He had me prepare a variety of choices, just in case you wanted something
else.”
“Mr. White?” Rachel paused, glancing up in surprise.
“Yes. You had a high fever yesterday, and he stayed up all night taking care of you. He didn’t even have time for breakfast before rushing to the company this morning. Before
he left, he made sure to remind me to take good care of you.”
Rachel froze, her spoon hovering just above the bowl. Brian had taken care of her? They had been together for so long, yet he had never shown her this kind of tenderness
before.
She would be lying if she said she wasn’t moved.
But was his concern born from guilt? Or was there something more?
Only he knew the answer.
After finishing breakfast, Rachel headed to the hospital.
To her relief, Jeffrey was recovering better than she had expected.
Still, his body remained fragile, his complexion a little pale.
So Rachel wanted him to stay in the hospital for a few more days.
Yvonne spotted her as soon as she stepped out and rushed over, wrapping her in a tight hug. “Rachel! This is amazing! I didn’t expect Brian to actually be helpful for once.” She pulled back, grinning.
“Oh, and I have good news for you. Moira dropped the lawsuit.”
Rachel’s eyes widened. “Wait… seriously?”
“Yep! According to Eric Riley, Brian pulled a lot of strings behind the scenes. Oh, and Eric wanted to talk to you. He asked me to pass along the message.”
Rachel frowned slightly.
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Chapter 23 He Couldn’t Help Himself
Eric? That was a man she’d never met before. And yet, he wanted to meet her?
At the café, they came face–to–face for the first time.
“Hello, Mr. Riley. I’m Rachel Marsh,” she greeted, keeping her tone polite yet direct.
“Ms. Marsh, it’s a pleasure. I’m Eric Riley,” he replied with a small nod.
Rachel studied him briefly before getting straight to the point. “Yvonne said you wanted to discuss something with me.”
Eric slid a set of documents across the table. “Mr. White has entrusted me to assist you
with Jeffrey Marsh’s custody case.”
Rachel stiffened, her breath catching in her throat. Jeffrey’s custody?
For a second, she thought she had misheard.
But as the words sank in, a rush of joy spread through her. “Mr. Riley, are you serious?”
Eric gave a knowing smile.
His reputation in divorce and custody battles was unmatched.
However, after joining the Burke Group, he had rarely taken on cases like this.
Knowing that he was making an exception for hers, Rachel felt a surge of relief and gratitude.
“Ms. Marsh, I need to go over some details with you. Please be completely honest. If you have any evidence, that would be even better.”
“Of course. I’ll tell you everything I know.”
After wrapping up her meeting with Eric, Rachel’s phone buzzed with an incoming call from Carol.
“Rachel, come have dinner with Brian tonight. I miss you both.”
“Alright. I’ll be there.”
She headed straight for Brian’s office.
When she walked in, Tracy was standing in front of his desk, going over some reports.
Her fitted blouse and sleek pencil skirt accentuated her curves, making her look even more polished and undeniably attractive.
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Chapter 23 He Couldn’t Help Himself
Rachel had never worn outfits like that.
She had to admit–she was too reserved for it.
Tracy, on the other hand, seemed all too eager to draw Brian’s attention, subtly closing
the distance between them.
Rachel’s patience wore thin. She cleared her throat. “If you’re in the middle of something, I can come back later.”
Brian barely looked up. “Come here.”
He gestured her over.
Rachel hesitated. She wasn’t sure if stepping forward was the right move—or if she should just turn around and leave.
“You can go now.” Brian turned to Tracy, his voice firm.
“But Brian, I haven’t finished my report,” Tracy protested, pouting in mild frustration.
Brian’s expression hardened. “From now on, address me as Mr. White during work
hours.”
“Fine.” Tracy bit her lip but eventually turned and walked out, clearly reluctant to leave.
The moment the door shut behind her, Brian blocked Rachel’s path.
Without warning, he pulled her into his arms. “Did you come all this way just for me?”
His voice brushed against her ear, teasing, deliberate.
Rachel didn’t answer, but her hesitation only encouraged him. Brian drew out his words, his tone dipping into something richer, smoother–undeniably enticing.
Heat rushed to her face as she was hit with a vivid memory–his low, satisfied groans
in the dead of night.
Embarrassed, she tried to compose herself.
“Did I interrupt your moment with her?” she asked quietly, hoping to mask her own flustered state.
Brian arched a brow. “What are you talking about?”
His fingers curled under her chin, lifting it slightly as he pressed for an answer.
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“Don’t pretend. You were practically glued to Tracy just now–your eyes didn’t move
from her.”
“Jealous, are we?” Brian asked, his gaze locked onto her.
Rachel turned away. “No.”
Before she could react, she felt her feet leave the floor.
In one swift motion, he had lifted her onto his lap..
Her breath caught.
They were still in his office. And at any moment, someone could walk in.
Brian’s voice brushed against her ear again, smooth and knowing. “I was just thinking
you’ve never worn anything like that for me before.”
