Chapter 67

After the project meeting ended, Brinley massagedher aching temples, exhaustion weighing on her.

On her drive back to the villa, the car radio buzzegwith updates about the upcoming exhibition race.

Almost reflexively,she cranked up the volume, hergrip tightening onthesteering wheelas theannouncer mentioned the event.

Tucked behind the passenger-side sun visor was thegold-embossed invitation to the race,its emblem asilent pull on her attention.

Each morning before leaving, she would steal a qlanceat it, the sight stirring something deep within her.

Tonight, she arrived home later than usual

The living room was quiet, making her wonder ifAustin was home yet.

As she passed his study, its door slightly ajar, a warmglow spilled into the hallway.

She nearly walked by, but something on the desk caught her eye, stopping her cold.

There, bathed in lamplight, sat an envelope bearingthe same gold-embossed racing emblem as the onehidden in her car.

How was this possible?

Her breath hitched for a moment.

Had Austin received an invitation too?

"Come in," Austin's voice called from inside, tingedwith a playful tone.

Caught off guard,Brinley felt aflush ofembarrassment at being spotted.

She steadied herself with a deep breath and pushedthe door open.

Austin lounged behind the desk, casually lifting theenvelope before setting it down with a nonchalantflick. "You're back."

Brinley's eyes darted to the envelope, her breathingmeasured.

"Yeah," she said, stepping to the desk and flippingthrough some folders to mask her unease. "What'sthis? lt looks quite fancy." "lt's an invitation from FlA," Austin said, leaning backwith his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on her. "Theywant me to join the exhibition race."

"Exhibition race?" Brinley's voice tightened "Are yougoing?"

"I haven't decided yet." Austin gave the envelope asmall shake. "What do you think?"

You shouldn't go."

The words slipped out before she could stop themand she instantly regretted it.

Her response was too quick, too telling, as if she weredesperate to keep him away.

Sure enough,Austin'sbrowarched,hiseyessharpening with curiosity.

Brinley scrambled to recover, forcing a neutral tone"You're Austin Moore, a man worth billions. Whybother with a showy race? lt's dangerous. What ifthere's an accident?"

'An accident?" Austin cut in, standing abruptly

His height loomed as he stepped closer, his gazecarrying a subtle weight. "You think l will lose?"

"It's not about that," Brinley said, her back pressing against the desk's cold edge, trapped. "it's not worthit. The prize money's a drop in the bucket comparedto your projects. A loss would be humiliating, and aninjury? That would derail everything at Moore Group.

Before she could finish, Austin gently tilted her chin up

He leaned in, his face so close his breath grazed herforehead.

"You seem awfully worried about me racing. Why isthat?" His low voice sent a shiver through her.

You're imagining things." Brinley forced a calmfacade. "|'m just being realistic.

"ls that so?" Austin chuckled, letting go of her chin.Then why do you look so on edge?"

Instinctively, she stepped back, forgetting the deskbehind her. Her lower back hit the edge, and shewinced in pain.

"Be careful," Austin said, his hand swiftly finding herwaist, the warmth of his palm seeping through hershirt, igniting a spark across her skin.

They were closer now, his chest nearly brushing hershoulder, his breath warm against her neck

Brinley's heartbeat thundered, loud enough to betrayher "What are you so nervous about?" Austin asked softly

"1.." Brinley faltered, grasping for an excuse butfinding none.

Just then, her foot caught on his shoe, and shestumbled forward.

Austin's arm instinctively wrapped around her, andthey tumbled to the floor with a muffled thud, landingin a heap.

Brinley found herself in his arms, her cheek pressedagainst his shirt, his familiar scent enveloping her.

His grip tightened briefly around her waist, as ifreluctant to let go.

She tried to push herself up, but his hand gentlypressed her shoulder.

'Hold still." he said, his voice husky, tinged with theshock of their fall.

His breathing was uneven, mirroring her own. She wasforced to stay in his lap, and the intimacy of theirposition sent heat rushing to her face.

"Brinley," Austin murmured, his fingers brushing gentlythrough her hair, his touch soft. "Are you hidingsomething from me?" His eyes,deep and searching,seemed to piercethrough her defenses.

For a moment, she nearly blurted out, "l got theinvitation too.l was a pro racer, and l want toparticipate in the exhibition race!"

But she clamped down on the words, unwilling toreveal that truth. Not yet, at least.

'Stop being silly. What would l even be keeping fromyou?" Brinley dodged his eyes, giving his shoulder alight push. "Let go of me. This is weird."

Austin didn't probe further

He loosened his grip on her waist and steadied her asshe stood. "Fine, we'll leave it at that.