A quiet, mocking chuckle sli

interested in Ab

eyes stung. Unable to recover from the disgrace, she abru

me to an end, Rachael followed Austin

yet this was the first time Rach

Austin's towering frame and the icy authority radia

it out to him first. "Austin, thank you for what

ercing gaze locked onto hers without the slightest warmth. "Don't misunderstand. There's

red her eyes, slipping neatly into the role of the obedient wife. "You don't have to worry. Whatever you choose to do

stin thought he could fool around behind her back

with her slender fingers. With a subtle tug, he pulled her a step closer. "Brooks Group is moving into brain-computer interface technology.

uickly released the glass from her grip,

usly think a little casual touching would be

re written all

age right now. I honestly don't have the time or energy to handle Brooks Group's technical

just pay enough to lure every single person out

in her throat and forced a strained smile onto her face. "A

p the act. That weak, innocent routine might

vive in the Brown family without painting a target on her back. If not for the

ith wide, innocent eyes. "Did I do somethin

to keep pretending, Austin c

pocket and held it out to her. "The securi

ter what happened tonight, I doubt this will be the last time you need som

d, he turned and he

y, his voice drifted in from outsid

te, Austin," Rachael called out

shed gentleman, yet he was clearly using her future safety as l

esire to think about Austin any longer. She collapsed

with alarming ease, slipping her clothes loose one piece at a

urmured softly. "I'

them, leaving both of them

erupted outside the door

re body beside her upward-only to freeze when she s

rom outside the door. "

tanding outs

was the man lyin

Rachael's chest. She trembl

nd stumbled out of bed, her weak legs barely able

s if she were falling off th

he had fallen asleep earlier, fully clo

merely bee

d into reality, she couldn't bring

about ending up in b

ed the door, and this time impatienc

adn't been part of her dream at all. It had

d through her messy hair, and rushed to open the door. "Sorry. I was

ver is waiting downstairs. You're

er than the Brown family and Austin's grandfather, Harold Brook

se, and a sudden heart episode had left him in the ICU. Part of the re

ry relative had conveniently found an exc

implied, but she had no desire to involve he

, she and Austin quietly left the yacht

n glanced at her and asked, "Have you th

ome vague excuse when a hand suddenly jammed between the cl

his head lowered as he caught his breath.

t instantly. His tone lifted with surpris

l looked up an

ed that face

d been in bed with her. Now that he was properly

had in her dream-the kind of man who could win trust

responded calmly. "

ned, excitement flickering across his face as gratitude filled his eyes. "I was one of the students who received h

r student saved by her kindness. What

l replied casually. "I can bar

ed with a faint smile, "My husband and I

choed through

Rachael walked beside Austin toward the V

his voice dropping. "As long as we're married, I

ael replied lightly. "I

e escaped Austin's l

angry voices cut through the hallway ahe