Chapter 24 Liking Her Shyness
Rachel’s cheeks darkened, a gentle flush spreading over her face. “That’s not really how
I do things,” she said, her voice soft yet firm.
Even after all the years they’d been together and the countless moments of intimacy
they’d shared, she still felt like a bashful girl whenever he was near.
Brian’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he inched closer, his breath warm against her ear. “Are you blushing?”
Rachel bit her lip, trying to regain her composure. “You already know the answer, don’t
you?”
Desperate for a change in focus, she quickly blurted out, “Your grandma’s expecting us. We should really get going.” She tried to break the spell of the moment, her words almost a plea for normalcy as the heavy charge between them became too much to
bear.
A steady hand gripped her wrist as she attempted to rise, pulling her effortlessly into his embrace. The abrupt movement caused their lips to meet in a fleeting, accidental touch. In that brief moment, their bodies were pressed together, a shock of warmth and
intimacy.
Though this wasn’t their first kiss, the suddenness of it sent Rachel into a flutter of confusion, leaving her breathless and unsure.
“Rachel,” Brian murmured, his voice laced with a playful edge. “Is this how eager you
are?”
Rachel’s heart raced, but she quickly tried to regain her composure. “No, it’s not that!” she stammered, her voice betraying her. “It was… just a coincidence.”
Brian’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “A coincidence, huh? Maybe we should make a habit of these ‘coincidences‘,” he teased, his hands shifting to cradle the back of her neck and pull her closer.
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Chapter 24 Liking Her Shyness
Rachel leaned back slightly, her body melting into his, every curve pressed against him in a way that felt both natural and intoxicating. Always in command, Brian moved with. deliberate precision, his touch slow and calculated, each caress designed to unravel her completely. It was maddening, the way he could make her feel so much with so little.
Rachel had always been devoted to Brian, her entire world shaped by his presence. He had introduced her to experiences and emotions she never could have anticipated. When it came to intimacy, she was like a novice, completely unversed in the intricacies of love. The feelings he stirred within her left her vulnerable, unable to resist him, no matter how overwhelming the sensation might be.
Within moments, Rachel’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, her eyes glazed with a mixture of desire and vulnerability. She looked breathtakingly beautiful, yet Brian seemed determined to draw out her longing, to make her ache for him even more.
“Rachel,” Brian murmured, his voice low and velvety, brushing against her ear like a
secret. “Do you love me?”
Rachel’s breath hitched, her mind scrambling to form words. All she could manage was a timid nod, her lips parting but no sound escaping.
“Good girl,” Brian coaxed, his tone both commanding and tender. “I want to hear you say it.”
“I… I love you,” she whispered, her voice trembling, barely more than a breath.
A satisfied smile curved his lips, his eyes darkening with desire. No longer holding back, he closed the distance between them, his voice a husky promise. “Hold on to me.”
Rachel’s gaze met his, her eyes shimmering like dew on a spring morning, holding a quiet vulnerability. But as they dropped to the faint red mark on his shirt, something inside her snapped. A wave of cold clarity washed over her, leaving her breathless. “No.”
Brian leaned in, sensing her hesitation, but Rachel, with the urgency of a sudden realization, pushed him away. It was as though her entire body recoiled from the closeness. “I… I’m not ready,” she stammered.
Rachel’s mind was consumed by the days they had spent apart, the bitter image of Brian with Tracy. The thought of their intimacy, the closeness they once shared, now felt tainted, like a wound that refused to heal. Her stomach churned at the thought of it.
Clutching her mouth, Rachel barely made it to the bathroom before the nausea overtook her. She collapsed to her knees, retching uncontrollably, each wave of sickness pulling her deeper into her turmoil.
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Brian’s expression darkened, his face hardening into something unreadable. “So, my touch disgusts you that much?”
“I’m sorry.” Rachel gasped, her voice fragile and quivering. “I just… I can’t pretend everything’s fine.”
Suppressing a surge of frustration, Brian moved toward Rachel, his hands gentle as they gripped her shoulders, the pressure steady but not forceful. “Tell me, Rachel. What is it that’s really bothering you?”
Rachel’s gaze met Brian, and for a moment, she hesitated, the weight of her words heavy in her chest. She had to speak it aloud, though she knew it would wound them both. “Do you honestly want to know?”
His voice softened, a quiet earnestness filling the space between them. “Yes. Tell me.”
She took a breath, her voice steady but heavy with emotion. “Those five days, just you and Tracy, alone in the same house. I don’t believe nothing happened between you two.”
Brian’s expression faltered, his understanding dawning slowly as the weight of her words hit him. His gaze softened, and he reached for her, brushing her hair back from her face, but Rachel flinched, pulling away instinctively.
“I need some space,” Rachel murmured, her voice barely audible, her heart pounding.
Brian exhaled sharply, his frustration palpable, but his grip remained unyielding. “Who told you I was with Tracy? I’m not so low as to juggle two women at once.”
Rachel’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she stared at him, her voice tight with uncertainty. “You didn’t come home for five days. Doesn’t that speak for itself?”
Brian’s voice softened, his patience wearing thin, but he remained calm. “Just because I wasn’t home doesn’t mean I was with her. I went to Havenbrook with Ronald for a
business trip.”
Rachel’s expression flickered with surprise, her mind racing to piece together the fragmented truth. “A business trip?”
Brian’s expression remained steady, though there was a trace of incredulity in his tone. “Is that really so hard to believe?”
It wasn’t hard to believe at all. But Tracy’s injury lingered in Rachel’s mind like an unwelcome shadow. Hadn’t Brian been by her side during that time? Could it be that Tracy had twisted the truth to manipulate her? How could she have been so easily
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deceived?
A deep sigh escaped Rachel’s lips as she processed the weight of the situation. She wouldn’t let herself fall victim to Tracy’s games again. From now on, she vowed to listen carefully and watch every word from Tracy’s mouth. She wouldn’t be so easily manipulated.
Seeing Rachel’s composure return, Brian’s demeanor softened. “No more tears?” he
asked, his voice gentle as he brushed a strand of hair from her face. His fingers lingered,
carefully wiping away the remnants of her tears with a patience and tenderness that surprised even her.
Rachel stared at him, her breath catching in her throat. If she hadn’t witnessed it
herself, she wouldn’t have believed he was capable of such gentleness. It was a side of him she rarely saw, that left her momentarily speechless.
“Thank you, Brian,” Rachel said finally, her voice steady but filled with sincerity.
“For what?” A teasing smile tugged at the corners of Brian’s lips, his tone light, almost
playful.
“Thank you for standing by me when Moira tried to press charges. For hiring that lawyer… for helping me fight for custody of Jeffrey,” she continued, her gratitude spilling out. She meant every word. “For everything.”
His smile softened, his eyes warming as he regarded her. “Well, if you’re thanking me, maybe you should show your appreciation in a more tangible way,” he teased, a glint of mischief in his gaze.
Flushed with embarrassment, Rachel quickly rose onto her toes, pressing a brief, soft kiss to Brian’s cheek before darting out of the office, her movements flustered and swift, like a startled rabbit.
As Rachel hurried past, Tracy caught sight of her slightly disheveled state. Her gaze sharpened, and a bitter, almost unrecognizable sneer spread across her face. Her hands clenched into fists, trembling with a barely contained fury. “You think you’ve won, don’t you?” she hissed under her breath, her voice thick with venom. “You’ll never have him. Brian’s mine. He loves me, not you.”
Back in the office, Brian’s fingers lingered on the spot where Rachel had kissed him, a small, almost unnoticeable smile tugging at his lips. While their relationship had seen more passionate moments, something about that brief, unexpected kiss stirred him in a way he hadn’t anticipated. Perhaps it was the surprise, or maybe the simple fact that, for once, she had taken the initiative. Whatever it was, it lingered with him, leaving a
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warmth in his chest he couldn’t quite shake.
As Brian stepped out of the office, Tracy approached him, her expression warm and inviting. “Heading out already, Brian?” she asked, her voice carrying a soft sweetness
that barely masked the underlying tension.
“Yeah,” Brian replied, his tone light but resolute. “My grandma invited Rachel and me over for dinner.”
Tracy’s smile remained, but a fleeting shadow passed across her face as she fought back the gnawing feeling of jealousy. “I see,” she said, her words gentle, but her heart
far from at ease.
That evening, as Brian and Rachel walked hand in hand towards Carol’s residence, the ease between them was palpable.
Carol, ever the observant matriarch, couldn’t help but be delighted by the sight of them.
“Rachel, my dear,” she said warmly, her eyes bright with affection. “It’s been only a few days, but you look even more beautiful. Those eyes of yours… If my future great-
grandchildren inherits them, they’ll be the most enchanting kids in the world.”
Rachel’s cheeks flushed deeply. She lowered her gaze, too embarrassed to respond, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve.
Carol turned her attention to Brian, her tone playful but pointed. “Well, Brian, it’s time to step up. The wedding’s just around the corner. If there’s still no news of a baby by then, I’ll have no choice but to hold you accountable. I’ll personally escort you to the hospital to ensure everything’s in working order.”
Brian, momentarily stunned, could only stare, unable to find his words.
“Carol!” Rachel interjected quickly, her voice tinged with both embarrassment and protectiveness. “Brian’s perfectly healthy. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with him.”
