Tangled Temptations

Chapter 317

Brett lowered his gaze to his pale hands. Oblivious to his distraction, she wrapped her arm around his as they left the cemetery. Donny was following behind, umbrella in hand, and a thoughtful look on his face.

The statement Brett had made the previous night, about Miss Olea being dull, could have been interpreted in a different light. Maybe she wasn't actually dull, but merely paled in comparison to something or someone better.

On their way back, Brett asked the driver to take Miss Orlena's car. Full of chatter, Orlena showed no signs of being fazed by the previous night's events. Donny and the driver, were noticeably amused by Brett's unusual tolerance for Orlena's incessant talking.

Midway, Brett received a call from a college friend from Peterborough, inviting him to an afternoon gathering. After a few words, Brett cast a glance at Orlena. Chuckling, he said, "You guys did this on purpose, didn't you? I'm a lone wolf, and you intentionally put me in a situation where I need to bring a date. Are you trying to make my life difficult?"

He ended the call after some lighthearted banter, then turned his attention to Orlena. "Do you want to grab some dinner with me?" he asked. Orlena hesitated, wondering if she would be surrounded by a group of older men. Brett added, "There's a goodie bag for you if you come." That sealed the deal for Orlena.

Back at the hotel, Brett changed his attire. He swapped his formal white shirt and black trousers for a more relaxed look, with two buttons undone and sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his muscular arms.

They left the black Lotus sports car behind and headed to a private members-only club, so hidden that only a select few knew of its existence. Although the Horigans were wealthy, they weren't part of this circle, so Orlena had never been to a place like this.

The manager, not daring to make prolonged eye contact with Brett, showed them to their private room with a simple, "Enjoy your evening, Mr. Brett."

Once inside, Brett lit a cigarette, looking like he frequented the place. A respectable looking man approached with a glass of red wine in hand. "Brett, you're a tough man to pin down," he said, then turned towards Orlena with a sly smile. "And who's this young lady? Very prim and proper."

Brett coolly let out a puff of smoke. "She's a someone from my family," he said, but the man was unconvinced. After all, most men at these gatherings usually brought their mistresses, and though Brett had never married, it was common knowledge that he had a few ladies in his life.

As the evening progressed, the men and women in the room started to get a sense of the relationship between Brett and Orlena. When Brett excused himself to use the restroom, Orlena followed, like a puppy trailing its master.

cigarette. As he pondered her words, he realized how true they were. While these were his old friends, it was clear that they

though naive, understood what was happening. The man and woman were definitely not husband and wife. If they were, they wouldn't have been

the room had brought their mistresses along, while Brett had brought her. The realization left her feeling

on his cigar. His usually refined face was now

was so angry that she kicked him. She had always thought Brett was a man of

his cigar, Brett gently grasped her wrist and lowered his voice. "Why are you taking out your anger on me over those people behind

place where he was holding her wrist was

cigar, ready to

they pulled up their pants was terrifyingly fast. They were already coming out, whispering, "Let's hit the bar after the

at

few more seconds, those two would come out and find out about them eavesdropping behind the

his arm around her waist and led her into the ladies' room. The door

pounding, and then she looked around and

the door. This little fool was completely oblivious to the

lean face brushed against her ear, and he asked in

She nodded, bewildered.

wouldn't matter even if others

this box wouldn't

had been drinking, and the little

Orlena's breathing became

and leaning against him like this, she realized that he wasn't as thin as she had imagined. He wasn't built, but his entire