Chapter 51: Cross Me, and I'll Have You in Tears Tonight

Bradley Austin cast a fleeting glance at the young woman beside him. Fresh out of the bath, her skin glowed with a porcelain purity, contrasting against her jet-black hair, damp tendrils curling against her face. She resembled a celestial maiden, untouched and pristine. A subtle change passed through Bradley Austin's eyes, and a faint blush tinged his cheeks. As fate would have it, she leaned forward, her lips grazing his in a featherlight touch before her head settled against his chest. It felt like an electric jolt to his heart. With her eyes closed and the hum of the dropped hairdryer filling the room, Bradley Austin could only focus on the ghost of her lips. He traced her face gently, his fingers pausing briefly over her lips, caught up in the moment. Suddenly, memories stirred deep within him. His gaze settled on the delicate curve of her collarbone, and a fire ignited in his eyes, a yearning he hadn’t expected. Caught up in the swell of emotion, he effortlessly lifted Freya L