Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 154

Brielle’s nose tingled with an unspoken sorrow. Her heart bore secret scars, teeming with pride and self–esteem in excess. To be humiliated or to ask lavors of others was to her a shame most profound. So, when Max probed her with that question, her cheeks, which shouldn’t have hurt, blazed anew. The wounds Faith and Ryan had inflicted were not just of the flesh.

Max, seeing her silent, reached out and took her chin in his hand, locking eyes with her. His eyelids, thin and imposing, seemed to tighten the air around them when drawn together.

Heat rose in waves across Brielle’s face, and with Patrick standing by, her embarrassment. surged.

Patrick, ever perceptive, rose and feigned a trip to the kitchen to lend a hand, but through the glass door, he watched the pair surreptitiously.

With Patrick gone, Brielle felt a measure of relief wash over her. Her eyes reddened slightly. lending her a pitiable air. Max had no fondness for pity. In a dog–eat–dog world, weakness was an invitation to be trampled.

“What are you crying for?” His voice softened, and he let go of her chin. “Who hit you? Hit them back. If there’s trouble, I’ve got you covered. What are you scared of?”

As his canary, there was no reason she should suffer at another’s hand. Moreover, after last night’s debacle, it irked him that Brielle hadn’t called.

Just now, in his presence, she and Aubree had subtly praised Andrew for his generosity. Max began to wonder if he was falling short. He had never cared for a delicate creature like a woman before and didn’t know how to handle her.

she tackled everything alone. This realization sat uncomfortably with Max. He even resolved to go

a blank slate. After a long moment, she looked

a cool golden sheen, his skin pale, his lashes long, his wristbones sharp

lips, then finally asked, “What if I cause a scene

she could finish, Max interjected, “If you’re wronged, it

moment, and then said. “Thank you. As for the files on the Book Group, I can compile a more detailed report for you, or I could even go

for a nearby teacup. “Mr. Dorsey, are

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Chapter 154

eyes as he took the cup, a faint smile playing at his lips. “Trying

her eyes. Wasn’t that obvious?

of Brielle rather refreshing. Flattery, subservience, no pretenses. She was disarmingly candid, and it pleased him.

out with the tray, what he saw was the scene of Max’s frosty demeanor melting away, with Brielle sitting by his side. They were talking about something. Her eyes were slowly showing hints of smile, and the pressure of her bite on her lip