Tamina

Three days have passed. Up until this point, there had hardly been anything from Brandon other than 'are you keeping well?' and 'are you prepared for the event? I'll run it through on the way.' It was better than nothing at all, so no complaints came from me. Throughout the journey, he delivered as much detail as he could, and in a sum: we listen to a speech, congratulate people, and dance; what could go wrong? 

Lucius hadn't been brought up, so I'm only praying it stays that way for the remainder. I'd explained everything from the start to the finish as he'd wished, and it's not like I could've done much against Lucius. As much as I'd hate to admit it, he's bigger and stronger than me, and I'm sure he's probably equally matched to Brandon. He'd pushed his way in when I'd promised myself and Brandon I'd keep a distance. . . only to fail when he kissed me. It was strange.

Staring out the window, my thumb trails over my lower lip absentmindedly in remembrance. For someone who's out to get at people and clearly bent on bad intentions, his mouth was the opposite—he was the opposite. He'd taken care of me in a time when I wasn't feeling my best self, and his lips were passionate, even though they were demanding.

Not only that—

"Is everything alright, my love?"

Brandon's voice cuts through the silence, and thankfully my thoughts because with the scrunched-up note in my hidden pocket on the dress, they're slowly turning south. On another note, I'm happy he's talking full stop. Other than complimenting me when he arrived and a deep kiss, he's been quiet.

Rubbing my temple, my lips automatically tug up into a small smile. "I'm fine. . . just thinking." The smile drops when my eyes flick up to his. "What if I mess up?"

A low sigh comes from him, and I'm grateful he's wrapped an arm around me, it's the only thing keeping me grounded knowing what's to lie ahead. "You're not going to mess up, you'll be perfect. Just remember what I said, and nothing should go wrong, sweetheart." Pecking my head ever so softly, he whispers, "They're going to adore you."

I can only hope that's the case, if not, I'm not only letting him down, but I'm also going to prove just how unworthy I am to his family. Perhaps coming was the bad idea, maybe I should've heeded the note's warning. Nevertheless, I'm unable to hold back the smile etched on my face at how much confidence this man has in me.

"Shall we head in now?" he asks.

I shake my head. "If we have time, can we stay here for a little longer?"

A small smile graces his features. "Of course."

Sighing in relief, my body sinks into his, enjoying the heat he's providing. Now that I'm not concentrating on the problems at hand, it's dawned on me that Branon's brought a driver instead.

"Hey, what happened to your car? Is it broken?"

Brandon chuckles and shakes his head while his eyes soften. "No, sweetheart. Mother thought it was best we be taken. To her it's more sophisticated, at least, that's how she phrased it," he informs, and I'm easily joining in with his laughter.

Although, the realisation of having to go in settles over me, and the thought of the near enough silent car ride with the rush of the fields over here to what could be lying in store is more preferable. . . but I have to do it. The remembrance of the contrast between the town and the city is the only thing keeping me grounded on why this has to make a difference for us, and I'll have to bear it in mind if I'm going to make it through the night.

"Alright, let's go."

Brandon exits the car, leaving me to take in the view before me as he instructs the driver of his next tasks for the night. The building is brightly lit, and it makes up in expanse for its lack of height. The edges are brightly lit with small cup lights, and the mid-section of the structure is dotted with fairy lights.

Getting lost won't be a problem.

Glancing down at myself, my cheeks tingle at the sight of the dress on me, recalling the twirl I'd done in the mirror, I look like Belle from Beaty and the Beast—I'm just blonde and less elegant in character.

The door swings open, sucking all the warm air out and replacing it with cold air. It's a good thing I'd wrapped up in my cardigan or I'd be a trembling mess right now. Although, the look in Brandon's eyes as he helps me out of the car is enough to banish the cold. That, and he doesn't waste any time in tugging me flush against his body.

His fingers thread through my hair and pulls enough for my head to tilt back as his mouth crashes against mine. Moaning into his lips, my hands clench the fabric covering his arms as his tongue delves in, making sure to swirl it with my own. The taste of him is too much, and the soft brush of his fingertips over my breast sends a shiver down my spine before he silences a gasp from me with another heated kiss. Just when I can't think it can get any fierier, Brandon applies pressure on the spot I need him most and my legs turn to jelly for the briefest of moments as that powerful feeling builds in the pit of my stomach.

"Brandon. . ."

I want you.

"I've got a room booked for us in a hotel for when we're done here," he rasps against the shell of my ear, nipping it carefully. "I thought it would be nice to have some quality time away from everything, how does that sound?"

His lips soon find the column of my neck, catching the skin with his teeth before sucking harshly. It has my body pressing tightly into his, and the noises coming from me are foreign even to myself. He groans lightly before leaning back to stare into my eyes. "Is it ungentlemanly for me to say I want to be inside you right now?"

"Brandon," I whisper, not knowing how to finish the sentence, but the heated hue to his eyes is enough to complete it anyway.

He wants me, and that's all my heart needs to melt. Now that I'm seeing him clearly, judging by how much his features have softened, he can see how much I want him too.

"Get a room, you two," an all too familiar voice calls from nearby, and Brandon's the first to pull away, taking the heat away with him.

The way his body tensed before he pulled away shows just how displeased he is, and I'm all for it too. I didn't think we would see him this early on, and him not showing up would've been wishful thinking.

"Don't worry, we will be," Brandon retorts, and the curl of his lip doesn't do it for me.

Hitting his chest, my eyes narrow. "Brandon, the two of you may fight, but do not bring me or our personal affairs into it, please." My eyes harden when they land on Lucius. "And you need to cut it out."

Brandon's lips pull tight while Lucius smirks. "Is that so?" he muses, and it's clear he's directing it at Brandon by the way his eyes linger on him. "Well, I'm sure the rest of her will be as sublime as her lips."

My posture is quick to shrivel at the dark look in Brandon's eyes, and I'm quick to respond, "I-I told you what happened."

"You should listen to her," Lucius remarks, breaking up our tension, only there's hardly any humour behind his words now. "I didn't really give Tamina much of an option."—his eyes flick between us— "Although, if you don't change your plan, she may be more willing the next time."

My stomach twists, remembering exactly what he's using as an insinuation, and it's sadly easy to recall the feel of his mouth. Shifting my gaze onto him, the way his lips tug up into a cruel grin when his eyes lock onto mine, it's obvious he knows what I'm thinking about.

Brandon grabs my hand, but unlike the other times, it's tight and tense and he doesn't waste any time to lead me toward the illuminated structure. I'm not exactly sure what I can say to make him feel better after what just occurred, but Lucius is talking nonsense to get under his skin.

I can only pray he can see that too.

"Brandon. . . he's just trying to get to you. You're the only man I love, and I'm excited for our alone time together," I voice, and by the exhale, I can only hope he believes me.

A strange feeling swirls in my chest at the thought of what's just started between us coming to an end, and I can't bear for it to be ripped away. I've got to do whatever I can to make sure nothing happens, I'm not sure if I'll be able to get over it again.

Clutching the side of my dress where the note resides, the words float shamelessly around my head. Don't go to the event if you know what's good for you.

I'm here, and if this is serious, they're going to be here to. Although. . . no one here knows me other than Lucius and Brandon. Then again, Florentina and his parents are going to be here to. The probability of who it could be isn't in my favour, but it won't hurt to be cautious.

"I know, my love." Brandon squeezes my hand softly. "Hearing him say that, knowing he's touched you just bothers me. You're too precious for that."

My cheeks heat up in response to his words, and I'm shocked at how quick my words come out. "I love you."

With a swift kiss to my lips, we enter hand in hand.