Tangled Temptations

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.

Suddenly, Brett pulled her close for a deep kiss, his lips tasting faintly of tobacco, coaxing her into a shy embrace. When they parted, Orlena's heart raced as she nestled into his neck, whispering a complaint about being seen.

Brett just smiled, touching her face gently. "I've never been so reckless before."

They continued to the restaurant, where every woman seemed to eye Brett. Orlena couldn't help but feel a touch of jealousy.

He soothed her by planning a visit to a jewelry store, regretting not having the time before to treat her with gifts.

"You think I'm broke?" he teased when she hesitated to wear the engagement ring

he had given her. She was trying to save it for their wedding day.

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

Orlena had a treasure trove of jewelry at her disposal, 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, the silence thick around them.

Brett, ever so intuitive, read her thoughts as if they were written on the wall. With a light chuckle, he peeled the shrimp for her and gently placed them into her bowl.

Envious glances from the women nearby flickered their way, but Brett was unfazed. Instead, he ladled a bowl of spicy tomato bisque for her. "Have some of this. It's good for the soul, especially for a lady like you."

Orlena sipped the soup contentedly. Her slightly possessive nature bubbled to the surface as she teased, "I bet you've had your fair share of meals with Ms. Olea and Ms. Morgan to know such details."

Brett's gaze darkened, and after a moment, he whispered low, "Let's not sour our rare dinner alone with petty jealousy, okay?"

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

Brett watched her submissive demeanor, a warmth filling his chest. This was a slice of life he wanted to hold onto for decades to come.

After dinner, they strolled through the streets, Orlena practically attached to his arm. Brett had never met anyone so clingy, but he relished it.

He guided her to a jewelry store where the manager had been anticipating their arrival, showcasing a collection usually kept from public view. "Mr. Brett, these are our legacy treasures, not typically on display."

The manager glanced at Brett's companion, wondering which lucky lady had caught his favor. Upon seeing Orlena, the manager was taken aback by her graceful, affluent air.

Orlena's eyes danced over the glittering sets - rubies, sapphires, diamonds, emeralds - each worth a fortune. After some deliberation, she chose a diamond

set.

Brett asked softly, "Saving me money? I know Eloise just gave you rubies, so how about emeralds to match?"

And so, two sets were purchased.

A Black Card was swiped, and the jewels were secured into a safe and delivered home.

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

watching her focused expressil.ne

leaned in. "What about me? could do with some new shirts and a belt."

Her cheeks blushed a soft pink. "I'll look for you in a bit."

At the men's store, while Orlena was busy selecting his clothes, Brett lounged comfortably, browsing through a magazine. She thought him quite adept at being waited on.

Their pleasant outing took 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 wrap.

Orlena noticed Stephanie's black leather-gloved hands, and as Stephanie approached Brett, Orlena's mood soured further.

Stephanie's voice was tinged with emotion, "I'll be off to Dawson after the New Year. Consider this tie a parting gift."

Brett, however, made no move to accept it, signaling the end of whatever they once shared. Stephanie's face was a mask of bittersweet acceptance as she departed, leaving the tie discarded in a nearby trash bin.

The mood had shifted. Orlena's eyes were glassy with unshed tears as she made her purchases, determined not to use Brett's money.

Brett, trying to lighten the atmosphere, quipped about being lucky enough to have

a thrifty partner, to which she retorted sharply.

He recognized her hurt - their date had been marred by an unwelcome ghost from his past. In an effort to smooth things over, he mentioned that he had

arranged for Stephanie's transfer to Dawson.

Orlena's reply was a pointed question about Stephanie's lingering presence in Brett's life, hitting a

nerve he couldn't ignore. He had net

allowed Stephanie to remain out of a misguided sense of obligation, not love. But now, that decision was casting a shadow over his

relationship with Orlena.

Brett didn't resist. He apologized, stroking her hair, acknowledging his mistake.

Orlena's response was a stifled sob,

a mix of relief and lingering sadness.

She knew his choice back then wasn't wrong. They had broken up, thinking they'd never cross paths again in this lifetime. He didn't have to worry about her feelings anymore, so keeping Stephanie on as a colleague seemed perfectly fine at the time.

But they'd reconciled, and now, Stephanie's presence felt like an awkwardnoveldrama

imposition.

Orlena couldn't help but be mad, but she also couldn't stand her ground. Her eyes brimming with tears, and she pouted, "I don't want to talk to you tonight."

Of course, Brett wasn't about to let her stay mad until tomorrow. That would be neglectful of him.

He buckled his seatbelt slowly and asked her softly, "Will you be willing to talk to me in the morning?"

She huffed in response.

Brett caressed her head gently, said nothing more, and drove back to Noland's

Mansion.

The Noland residence was all aglow, decked out in festive decorations, which was Tracey's handiwork.

At this hour, Tracey was still up, pasting holiday decorations with her grandson.

Orlena got out of the car, intending to head straight to her little cottage, but she couldn't just bypass Tracey, no matter how upset she was. So she went over and quietly helped Tracey with the decorations.

Tracey had sharp eyes. She noticed Orlena's reddened eyes and her son's embarrassed posture, holding bags, and knew they had a tiff. Pretending to be oblivious, Tracey put on her reading glasses and said cheerfully,

"Let's check out Daniel's new outfit for New Year's. Orlena, bring it inside so we can have a good look."

Brett knew Tracey was hinting that Orlena should stay the night. He smirked subtly. "Let's try it on tomorrow. Orlena's not feeling well; I'll take her back to our

room."

Tracey was surprised. Was it that time of the month? She asked, and Brett vaguely confirmed.

Orlena's face flushed with embarrassment. She wasn't on her period at all. How could he make up such a story?

Brett handed the bags over to his son. "This is for you and grandma."

Then he wrapped his arms around Orlena and headed back to his own quarters,

determined to resolve any strife Stephanie might have caused before it festered overnight.

Meanwhile, Tracey felt sorry for her daughter-in-law. "She just had her period in the middle of winter and ran around outside," she thought. "A nice cup of ginger

tea would do her good and warm her up."

Tracey headed to the kitchen to brew some.

Brett had pulled Orlena inside his room, but she refused to stay, leaning against

the door with eyes welling up again. "I want to sleep over at Tracey's."

Brett touched her face. "You like it here by the door? Last night, you seemed pretty excited, different from the way you are now."