Tangled Temptations

Chapter 404

She purred, a hint of mischief in her tone.

He thought she was up to her usual tricks, but instead, she gently massaged his neck and asked softly, "Tired, babe? If you're beat, we can skip the mall run and just head home for dinner."

Brett felt a wave of affection wash over him. He turned to look at her, thinking about how he hadn't given her much, and yet she had endured so much for him, treating him with such kindness.

Gently pulling her hands to his lips, he asked tenderly, "Feeling sorry for me?"

Orlena hummed in affirmation, snuggling closer to him, her cheek resting against his neck, inhaling his refreshing masculine scent. "I just want you to relax a bit," she murmured.

Brett stroked her hands and reassured her, "I'm not tired, Orlena." He used to be, but with her by his side now, he truly wasn't.

The door opened, and Donny walked in with a steaming cup of ginseng tea. Caught in the intimate moment, he opted to tease them, "Looks like Miss Orlena here is really concerned about you. This tea will do wonders for you."

Brett, suppressing a smile, gestured to the side and said, "Just set it down, Donny. You can head out."

Donny happily obliged.

With the door closed, Orlena still hadn't moved away from Brett as he kept hold of her hand. She playfully punched his shoulder. "Let me go. What would people think if they saw us like this?"

Brett pulled her onto his lap instead and handed her the cup of tea. "It's good for you."

Orlena refused the drink, claiming she was too young for such remedies.

Brett chuckled, kissing her lips gently, "Your lips are chapped. You're dehydrated. Come on, have a little."

Orlena didn't fully understand what he meant but knew it wasn't entirely appropriate. She didn't resist when Brett indulged her, finishing his work with one arm around her, eventually coaxing her to drink half the cup.

Afterward, they got ready to go out for dinner and a movie. Orlena wrapped her arm around his.

Brett looked down at her. Orlena's feelings were as strong as ever, and now she would be by his side as his wife. He wasn't one for sweet nothings, but he squeezed her fingertips affectionately in these stirring moments.

Downstairs, a sleek black Range Rover waited.

"You're driving this in Brockville?" Orlena asked as Brett opened the door for her, revealing a car filled with her favorite pale pink accessories, children's toys in the backseat, and even her preferred perfume.

He laughed softly, "It's the family car. No one else rides in this."

The quaint town of Brockville was buzzing with activity, its streets filled with tantalizing aromas of food.

"What do you fancy for dinner?" Brett asked as he parked the car.

Orlena bit her lip, struggling to decide. "Thai food," she finally said.

Brett teased her cheek. "Thai it is."

As they walked towards the restaurant, Brett draped his coat over her shoulders. Their surroundings were lit by twinkling lights that made the square glisten like a scattered galaxy. But it was Orlena who shone brighter than any starry night.

pulled her close for a deep kiss, his lips tasting faintly of tobacco, coaxing her into a shy embrace. When they

gently.

seemed to eye

planning a visit to a jewelry store, regretting

he teased when

given her. She was trying to save it for

amongst the glances of others, Brett's affection and possessiveness only grew. It was clear to everyone that Orlena was the one who held

but like many women, she yearned for those pieces to be gifts from the man she adored. She sat there, quietly fiddling with her plate of buttery shrimp scampi,

intuitive, read her thoughts as if they were written on the wall. With a light

unfazed. Instead, he ladled a bowl of spicy tomato bisque for her. "Have

"I bet you've had your fair share of meals with Ms. Olea and Ms.

and after a moment, he whispered low, "Let's not sour

Orlena was, after all, quite influenced by his words. She hummed in an obedient agreement, letting her grievances slide

This was a slice of life he wanted to hold onto for decades

his arm. Brett had never

anticipating their arrival, showcasing a collection usually kept from public view. "Mr. Brett, these are our legacy treasures,

had caught his favor. Upon seeing Orlena, the manager was taken aback by

sets - rubies, sapphires, diamonds, emeralds - each worth a fortune. After some deliberation,

set.

I know Eloise just gave you rubies, so how

two sets

and the jewels

continued. With the year-end festivities approaching, Orlena wanted to buy holiday outfits for Tracey and

watching her focused expressil.ne

about me? could do with

a soft pink. "I'll look

men's store, while Orlena was busy selecting his clothes, Brett lounged comfortably,

a turn when Stephanie appeared, also perusing men's accessories. The women's eyes met in brief surprise before Stephanie settled on a tie, handing it to the clerk to

Stephanie's black leather-gloved hands, and as

"I'll be off to Dawson after the New Year. Consider this tie a parting

of whatever they once shared. Stephanie's face was a mask of bittersweet

Orlena's eyes were glassy with unshed tears as she made her purchases,

quipped about being lucky enough to

to which

their date had been marred by an unwelcome ghost from his past. In an effort to smooth things over,

Stephanie's transfer

question about Stephanie's lingering presence in Brett's life,

he couldn't ignore. He

sense of obligation, not love. But now, that decision was casting a shadow over

relationship with Orlena.

apologized, stroking her hair, acknowledging his

was a stifled

mix of relief