Tamina

"How's your food?" he asks, breaking the hushed voices in the background.

"Delicious, you?"

"It's good, but I have a feeling what I might have later will be better."

Grinning like a lovesick puppy, I get the confidence to stroke his leg with my own, and he chuckles before reciprocating. Words are shared and the dinner is delicious, and by the end of it, I've had three glasses of champaign, and to say it's making me feel airy is an understatement. When Brandon reaches over to swipe some sauce off my lip to pop it into his mouth, I'm giggly, so I'd decided to lay off the bubbles for now.

"Tamina, there's something I'd like to ask you—other than the job opportunity."

"Yes?" I ask, too curious.

"Well, the reason behind why I've brought you here is because—"

Suddenly a default ringtone sings beside me, and I don't recognise it as my own, but Brandon's annoyed expression signals that it's his. Rising to his feet swiftly, he rounds the table and retrieves it before pecking my head. "I'll be back soon, OK?"

Nodding silently, I watch as he leaves and takes the route for the exit. Leaning back with a small huff, I decide to have another drink before relaxing in my seat properly. Minutes go by and a chill runs over my skin, so I pick up his jacket and slide it on.

The silkiness warms me near enough straight away, and I would say it's comfortable, but the bulkiness of the pocket is off putting. Digging my hand inside to relieve it, my brows furrow when something velvety brushes against my palm. Hesitantly pulling it out, my eyes widen at the miniature box staring back at me. Glancing left and right, curiosity gets the best of me, and I crack it open. A gasp comes from me at the feminine band and the small red jewel gleaming up at me.

Holy shit. . .

Closing it and jamming the box inside the pocket where I'd found it, my eyes slam shut and open, seeing I'm still in the restaurant. Pinching myself, my heart skips a beat, and my stomach churns. He's trying to propose.

Biting my lip, my brain reels from the shock. I can't say yes or no. I'd love to be with Brandon, and saying no is going to hurt him. On the other hand, I don't think I'm ready for marriage, and that means I can't just say yes. What the hell am I going to say to him? Will he accept a 'can I think about it?'

Drumming my fingers together, my mind is conjuring ways on how to reply, but when a hand grips my shoulder, I'm jumping in my seat.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

Peering up at him, the annoyance and what looks to be anger in his eyes has me forgetting about my find. "Is everything OK?"

He shakes his head. "I've come over feeling out of sorts, would you mind if I take you home?"

Disappointment settles in my stomach, but in a way I'm relieved and concerned. "Are you alright? What happened with the call?"

Repeating the action, he takes my hand and helps me out of my seat. "It's nothing, please drop it. I'll take you home and we can reschedule after your meeting with me, how does that sound?"

Nodding hesitantly, I follow him out to the car, only to ask before climbing in, "What was it you wanted to say to me?"

His lips part to answer, but nothing comes out other than, "It's not important, please hop in."

Doing as I'm told; I don't say anything further. A majority of the trip back to Luciu's is silent, and the parts that aren't are filled with plans for the night. My plans are retiring early and forgetting about the last part of our dinner.

Once we arrive, a small exhale comes from me before Brandon turns in his seat. "Thank you for coming out with me tonight, I'm sorry it wasn't longer."

Shaking my head, I rest my hand on his shoulder. "It's fine, you're not feeling well, it happens," I murmur. "I hope you feel better soon, and thank you for tonight, it was nice."

With a small smile, he leans in and places a quick peck to my lips, and that's my que to hop out of the vehicle and hand his jacket back without mentioning the box he wants to keep a secret.

"Good night, Brandon, drive home safe."

"Good night, Tamina, I love you."

Smiling, I say I love him too before mounting the steps and entering the house. Lucius is nowhere to be seen, and I'm thankful since I've not been out long, and I'd rather not see a smug or confused expression lining his face. So, instead of waiting around, I sneak upstairs, and change into some night wear before chucking my clothes into the washing basket.

God, things still don't feel right. But why?

Something's not right, and Lucius can sense it.

I'd messaged Brandon in the morning like normal to wish him a good day, nothing. I'd asked how lunch was going with his parents, and there was nothing. At night, I'd said good night and wished him better in case he was ill—or at least, wished him better in case he was too sick to see his family.

And today I'd messaged and asked for the time for the interview, ready and waiting. And that's when he messaged me to cancel. My heart turned heavy, and it was the first sign to know something was incredibly wrong. I'm not sure what it is, but there's something going on in his head, and I'm going to find out what.

Now I'm trying to avoid Lucius like the plague because he's been doting on me since yesterday, and I reckon it's because he knows something is going on. It sucks because I know something is wrong, and I've got to lie to him, so I don't look like a fool.

Kicking off my shoes, I'm about to lean back on the mattress when there's a knock at the bedroom door, and I let him in.

"Tamina, are you alright? It's been a day and you've been quiet. What exactly happened on your date?"

"It's nothing, please can you just let it be?"

Lucius marches in front of me, and his features are stern. "What's he done now?"

I shake my head. "I've learnt my lesson, and I'm going to make the message clear when I see him next. Now, can you please—"

Before I know what hit me, Lucius knocks me back into the mattress and leans over me while pinning my hands above my head. "Tamina, I'm going to tell you this only once. I'm not leaving here without an answer, and then I'm going to beat his ass for messing you around. Now, give me an answer, or I'm going to have to make you give me an answer."

My eyes are wide, and I can't help but notice how close his lips are to me. "What are you going to do?" I ask breathless.

His eyes bore into mine before his lip slowly curls up at the side. "I can do many things to you, darling, and I'm certain you will love each one." He chuckles before caressing a small path on my wrists. "I'll kiss a trail down your neck to your sensitive spot and then once you give in, I'll find your pleasurable spots and work them until you writhe with pleasure, and then I'll take you to my room and make love to you, and then fuck you like the bad girl you're being."

I choke on my breath, and it catches when his nose skims the column of my throat. "Please. . ."

"Please, what?" he asks roughly by my ear, nipping the shell before pulling away.

"I'll tell you," I breath out, and the strange sensation of warmth flooding into my stomach before making its way further down. "J-just don't do that anymore."

His eyes search mine, and as soon as my hips and thighs shift, he knows, and I've been caught. My cheeks heat up in shame, but instead of pressing me about it or teasing me, he pulls away and sits beside me while running his hand through his hair.

Dropping back to lay beside me, his arm curls around me and he sighs. "My Tamina, you have no idea the power you have over me, and how hard I find it to resist you. Talk to me."

Fiddling with my top, I say, "He said he wasn't well and cut our date short. Yesterday he didn't speak to me, and the only message I received was today to cancel an interview for a job at his agency." A small whimper comes from me. "I'm sorry I accepted when you had asked, and I'm sorry for what this must be making you feel—"

"Tamina don't apologise. This isn't your fault, you're in love, it's normal. He was just lucky to have found you first."

My heart skips a beat, and I'm scared because I think I've started to understand what it means. But it can't be doing that for two people. Jumping up right, my head falls into my hands, and I turn to face him, only to see he's already watching me with a concerned expression.

"What's the matter?"

Balling my hands at my sides, I turn my gaze from him. "I can't talk about it, I'm sorry. Let me just find my bearings and we'll talk more, OK?"

Nodding with understanding flashing through his eyes, he murmurs, "Alright, but I'm here if you need me, never forget that."

A small smile pulls at my lips. "Thank you, Lucius."

Turning on my heels, I fish my phone out of my pocket and fire off a message before I can change my mind.

To Brandon: I need to talk to you.