Chapter 141
Chapter 141:
Gasps followed. The women stared in disbelief. Had Rylie bought the VIP seat — and Brad was just tagging along?
Rylie hesitated but eventually sat down in the small space he had made for her. The sight of them sitting shoulder to shoulder shifted the mood entirely.
Confused looks circled the room. Wasn’t this Brad — the naval hero? The admiral who rose to the top by thirty? Head of a powerful family? Yet here he was, sitting beside Rylie so casually… almost intimately.
Paola’s heart clenched. Her fingers gripped her dress tightly, though her face remained calm.
“So you did have a seat, Rylie,” Paola said with a strained smile. “Why didn’t you say something? I misunderstood. Everyone, please sit. The concert’s about to begin p>
The ladies fell silent, but their eyes kept drifting back to Brad.
The single VIP seat wasn’t spacious, so their arms and shoulders brushed together. The faint cedar scent from Brad, laced with a hint of medicine, mixed with his body’s warmth, making Rylie stiffen slightly.
Brad leaned in with a teasing tone. “Dr. Owen, nervous? I thought you didn’t care about my body. But it seems you quite like the way I’m dressed.” His voice was low, and she felt the vibration through his chest as it reached her shoulder — soft and strangely electric.
Rylie adjusted her position, and her knee brushed his.
Brad chuckled and suddenly placed a hand on her waist. “Stop moving. You’re about to push me off the seat p>
His touch was warm, steady — and left her no room to escape.
All eyes were locked on them now, especially Paola’s, whose expression twisted slightly, as though she’d just tasted something bitter. Who would’ve thought the usually cold Brad could be so…
This close with Rylie? Rylie didn’t pull away. Once she was settled, she replied lightly, “No wonder Deandre calls you a flirt. I see it now for myself p>
gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․com, where the best stories live
Brad lifted an eyebrow and gave Rylie a smug grin. “No thank you for me p>
“I don’t need your help,” she replied. Rylie turned toward him, their heads nearly brushing. The narrow space between them felt charged, like a held breath waiting to break.
As their eyes locked, Brad’s breath hitched. “Alright then. I’m only here because Deandre asked me to watch over you p>
Rylie remembered that she had been an adult for quite some time now, and Brad’s words sounded like an excuse. Deandre clearly didn’t want Brad to have much contact with her.
Not seeing the point in dragging out the exchange, she let it drop. The house lights had dimmed already, so she eased into the cushions, letting the hush of the room settle in. Faint whispers came from the row behind her.
A man’s voice carried behind her seat, easy to catch in the quiet. “Paola’s got serious talent. The revision I requested is almost complete. She’s debuting the piece tonight p>
The man he was talking to lowered his voice. “Isn’t that the composition you’re saving for your next film? Spencer, you’re really going to release it early p>