Lucius

Poor girl, she must be in pain.

My hand dusts over her cheek, taking away her hair so I'm allowed a better view. Her skin is soft, just like I remember, and her lips. . . tracing the plumpness of her lower lip with my thumb, I pull back when she stirs, only for her to shift so she's on her side facing me this time. Her mouth falls open, and a light sigh comes from her, and the noise sends a shiver down my spine. To say that's a first is an understatement. It wasn't that long ago I felt just how nice they were, and what they tasted like, and to say it's played on my mind ever since isn't a lie.

As eager as I am to seek out another taste of her lips, I'm not that much of an asshole that I'd kiss her while she's sleeping. Just having her sleep in my car with me is enough evidence for me to know that she must have some trust if she's letting her guard down that much. Knowing that is more precious than ruining it all for a distasteful kiss without their knowledge.

A rough sigh falls from my lips at the sight of her brows scrunching together in her sleep. It's clear she's keeping something from me, and I'm going to make sure she tells me by the end of my visit, but there's no way she will be ready to hear what I've got to tell her. Fuck, it will probably crush her.

Clutching the device inside my pocket, I'm in two minds about chucking it in the backseat of the car as if it never existed, but for now I decide on leaving it where it is as to not disturb her. Spotting the entrance of the driveway in my peripheral, I'm quick enough to edge the car forward enough to slot in the tight space provided with an Order sign hammered above the speaker that's level with the car.

"What can I get you?" a voice echoes through the speakers, only it's hard to decipher who it could be since it comes out as a low, mechanical drawls instead of a representative of someone who cares about customer service.

Glancing down to Tamina, she hasn't stirred yet, and my lips pull down in thought as to what I'm going to order for her. After yesterday's ordeal, she's going to have an appetite, but something's telling me that she's not going to be able to stomach a big intake.

"Two cheeseburgers, one with salad and one plain with tomato sauce. Two medium sides of fries, and a medium chocolate and strawberry milkshake."

After being instructed to head for the collection area, I follow the tight bend round. It's a ridiculous design, and the poor sods with trucks have no luck even putting their front in. Soon enough, I'm approaching the open end at the back of the building where a thick yellow sign spells Collections.

Payment should've been straight forward if it weren't for the slender brunette practically popping her tits out at me, and not only that, the way she ignores Tamina's presence pisses me off. Her brown eyes trail over what she can see of me in the car for a moment longer before she finally finds my gaze, and it takes everything in me not to roll them. Taking the coaster, I set it on my lap and sit the packaging containing our meal in the glove compartment before turning my attention to her, making sure to capturing her eyes.

This time it's harder for me to pull a smirk, so I'm pulling it together haphazardly, which she doesn't seem to notice or care about before I rasp, "See something you like?"

Her tan cheeks pinken. "You could say that, handsome," she replies, near enough sultry.

Cocking a brow in her direction, she bites her ruby painted lip and twirls her hair before finally dropping her gaze onto Tamina. I hate how she has the audacity to look shocked, as if she has only just noticed her presence, and I'm thankful she's sound asleep. My eyes trail down to her, and I'm unable to deny how she looks just as beautiful when she's asleep, if not more.

And I fucking despise how he was the one to see it first.

Taking a calming breath, I finally say, "I see you finally noticed my girl." I'm able to manage to pull it off as an amusing note, but it still doesn't feel right, even as I lean back in my seat to give off a cocky air.

Her lips fumble for words but none come out. Just to add to it, I inch closer to Tamina, and place a gentle peck to her temple and grin. "Maybe next time, think with your head and not your pussy. Thank you for your service."

With that, I'm putting my foot down and grimace in the rearview mirror until the turning for the main road snatches my concentration. Gripping the wheel in a white-knuckled grip until the need to flex my fingers take over, I steal a quick glance at Tamina before zeroing in on the road. Perhaps kissing her head wasn't smart, but it came naturally, which is strange. I don't think there has ever been a time where I've felt the urge to care for someone since my father passed away—

No, it's nothing. I'll get over it.

Steadily approaching a red light, my hands work quickly to settle the cardigan over her body, knowing full well a dress won't do much to fend off the cool air taking over. Her dress was perfect for her. It showed off her curves in the right way without revealing anything, the colour complimented her features, and it didn't define who she was either. That golden one was making her into someone she wasn't, and thankfully it didn't cloud her judgement on who she truly had to be. Even if it takes me for all I have, I'm not going to watch him mould her into someone she isn't, and I'm going to make sure she knows what she's worth.

Tamina

"Tamina?"

The voice sounds distant and familiar, but I'm not ready to stir from my sleep. It's peaceful, cool, and when I wake up, I'm going to have to face the discomfort within my body and the fact I'm not going to be alone to deal with it.

My hands slowly bat theirs away. "Five more minutes. . ."

"Come on, darling, it's time to wake up," they call again, and this time I'm giving in, knowing exactly who it is and how they won't give up. "That's it, come on," he whispers encouragingly.

If only this was when I originally woke up, and it was Brandon in front of me. . .

When my eyes open, I'm greeted by the scent of candy, cologne, fresh air, and blue eyes. I'm starting to feel refreshed the longer we're like this with the door open, not that he's crouched in front of me with an earnest expression, but that does have me wide awake when he brushes a lock of hair behind my ear. Not only that, but he's holding my hand and soothingly running the pad of his thumb over my skin. Lucius is being weirdly gentle right now, and it's making my stomach do that funny twist again.

"Lucius?" I whisper, watching as he continues to stroke my hand in what appears to come naturally to him.

If anything, I thought this sort of stuff would be difficult for him with all things considered.

"That's right." He unbuckles me, and the way his lip pulls down has my brows furrowing while my brain tries to figure out what the meaning behind it could be, but it's quickly shrugged off when he pulls me closer to his chest where it's nice and warm. "I'm going to take you inside, and then I'll return with the food." His hip bumps the car door shut. "I don't want you straining yourself today."

Nodding against his neck, I'm unable to help myself from sinking into his embrace, and by the way his arm tightens, he doesn't mind that much. We're silent in the minute it takes for him to stride to my door and fish out the key from my phone stored within the cardigan I'm clinging onto, and everything feels like a breeze afterward.

Dropping my gaze down at my cardigan, a funny sensation swirls in my chest at the realisation I hadn't fallen asleep with my cardigan, which only leaves one possibility. Unable to help the smile, I'm relaxing once again in his embrace. When we do make it into the house, he sets me down on the sofa, and casts me a lingering look as if to say please don't move and strolls back out again before returning with both hands occupying drinks and bags of food.

Parking himself next to me, I'm thankful he allows me my own space because after what's happened so far today, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to stand another close encounter without combusting.

Handing me a brown bag, our fingers dust against one another and the both of us turn our heads away and busy ourselves with the packaging. Blocking him out and focusing on what's in front of me, I'm comforted by the heat seeping into my palms, and embarrassed by the argles my stomach lets out from the aroma wafting from within. My eyes flick to Lucius who's already started unwrapping his food and organising them on his bag, and when he realises I'm looking, he offers a small smile of his own.

Where's the dominant, cocky, schemer ran off to?