Chapter 396:
Was his heartbeat faster now?
Through the thin fabric between them, she could feel its steady rhythm, strong and sure — beating like a quiet drum against her spine.
Brad’s fingers moved more slowly now, his gaze falling from her fluttering lashes to her nose, finally resting on her lips — slightly parted and softened by sleep.
Her lips shimmered in the firelight, like dew on petals — gentle, inviting. Without a word, he pulled her closer, the blanket between them the only barrier.
Their warmth blended, the lines of their bodies clearly felt. A slow heat rose where they touched. His breath grazed her forehead, soft and warm.
Rylie stirred, as if sensing something. Her eyes opened slightly, heavy with sleep, and tilted up to meet his.
His eyes — usually cold and distant — now rippled with emotion. The flickering firelight mirrored in them, dancing with restrained intensity.
Their eyes locked, and the world fell away.
The fire painted golden light across their faces, casting a silhouette of closeness. The room was wrapped in pinewood smoke, candle wax, and the scent of skin — his cool, clean scent tangled with her fresh, just-showered warmth and the lingering softness of his shirt.
Brad’s gaze held her steadily, an invisible attraction drawing her in. He slowly leaned in, his nose brushing her forehead, his breath warm against her skin. “Rylie,” he whispered, his voice husky with longing. “Can you play with me, for once?”
Her heart stuttered in her chest, like a stone skipping across water. The alcohol dulled her mind, slowing her response. “What? Is playing with you so fun?” she asked faintly, blinking at him.
His lips hovered just above hers. She could feel his breath — so close, so tempting.
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Then, a log in the fireplace cracked, sending sparks into the air.
The small sound broke the spell.
Brad stopped. A flicker of hesitation passed through his eyes. He looked at her — those dazed eyes, her lips glistening — and instead of kissing her, he placed a single, burning kiss on her forehead. It was a kiss full of restraint, a kiss that spoke of care more than desire.
“Sleep,” he said, his voice low and rough, tinged with emotion. “I’ll stay with you.”
He gently guided her head back to his shoulder and rested his chin atop her head, his arms curling tightly around her.
He didn’t move again. He just held her close, wrapping her in warmth like a shield against the night.
Rylie leaned into Brad’s chest, the warmth of his palm still lingering on her forehead. She listened to his steady heartbeat in one ear and the soft crackling of the fire in the other.
Everything else had faded—the tension, the rain, the silence. Only this embrace remained, strong and warm, and the calming rhythm of his heart. Exhaustion washed over her like a tide. She curled up in his arms, finally letting go of everything as sleep gently pulled her under.
.
.
.