Chapter 329: The Night... [3]
The first rays of dawn slipped through the fogged car windows, painting soft streaks of gold across the makeshift bed in the backseat.
The ocean’s distant roar was calmer now, replaced by the gentle hiss of the morning tide.
Florence stirred faintly against Brandon’s chest, her long lashes fluttering before she blinked awake.
Her blonde hair spilled in messy waves around her shoulders, and the faint creases on her cheek showed exactly how deeply she had slept pressed against him.
"Mm..." she let out a soft hum, stretching slightly before collapsing back into his warmth.
Brandon chuckled, brushing his thumb lazily over her bare shoulder "Morning, sleepyhead."
She peeked up at him through heavy lids and smiled faintly, still too drowsy to form a proper reply. Instead, she nestled back down against his chest.
But Brandon reached for the pile of clothes they had discarded last night and picked up the thin straps of her bra and dangled it teasingly in front of her face.
"Time to get dressed, Lady Florence."
Florence groaned, burying her face in his chest to avoid looking at it. "Do I really have to...?" she muttered sleepily.
"Yes, Lady Florence," Brandon teased, lowering his chin to kiss the crown of her head. "Unless you want to walk back home in just my shirt."
Florence sighed dramatically, her eyes narrowing as she sat up reluctantly, revealing the smooth expanse of her seductive body in the soft morning light.
Brandon’s eyes softened as he looked at her and muttered "Arms up, My Lady." he instructed, holding the bra open.
Florence gave him a glance, her cheeks flushing faintly as she raised her arms and her enormous breasts lifting slightly with the motion.
Brandon leaned forward, his fingers grazing her shoulders as he slipped the red lace straps over them.
As he adjusted the straps, his gaze fell to her breasts, now fully exposed in the morning light, their beautiful curves catching the golden streaks filtering through the fogged windows.
He marveled quietly at her inverted nipples, as this is the first time he is seeing one.
’So... that’s how it looks.’
His fingers moved slowly, adjusting the bra cups over her breasts, as his thumbs brushed lightly over her inverted nipples, coaxing a soft gasp from her lips.
"Haa... careful, darling."
Her cheeks flushed deeper as she bit her lip, her eyes flickering up to meet his with a mix of embarrassment and amusement in her gaze.
Looking into her eyes, he gave a nod "My fingers... just slipped."
Brandon’s fingers worked deftly behind her back, hooking the clasp with a quick flick.
And his hands slid back to her breasts, cupping them gently through the lace, "Making sure everything’s in place." he teased as he gave her breasts a faint squeeze.
Florence’s cheeks burned, her eyes narrowing playfully as she lowered her arms, her hands resting on his chest.
"You’re such a pervert," she teased in a drowsy voice as she leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his shoulder.
Brandon hugged her waist, pulling her closer "Shall we leave?"
Kissing his neck, she murmured "Let me hug you for a while and after that we can leave."
---
The engine hummed steadily as the car rolled back onto the road.
Brandon’s hands rested firmly on the wheel, his focus split between the road and the warmth of the woman curled onto his lap.
Florence’s slender arms looped around his neck, holding him tightly even as the vehicle glided forward.
Every so often, her lips brushed against his cheek or grazed along the line of his jaw.
"You’re going to get us killed," Brandon muttered with a faint laugh, keeping one hand steady on the wheel while the other slid protectively across her waist, keeping her close.
Florence giggled softly against his skin, her warm breath trailing over his neck. "Then let’s die together, Kael."
She kissed his throat next, just below his Adam’s apple, leaving a faint, tingling mark.
---
When the car finally pulled into the long driveway of the Bleaufort mansion, Brandon shifted gears and brought it to a smooth stop.
Florence, curled up against him, slowly lifted her head.
Her lashes fluttered as she looked at the imposing silhouette of the mansion she had grown up in.
A faint sigh slipped from her lips and leaned up, kissing his cheek, "Thank you for this night too, darling."
His gaze softened and he moved to kiss her cheek before trailing up to bite her ear softly "I should be theone thanking, Florence..."
They looked at each other, and her gaze unconsciously flickered to his lips.
Brandon noticed, his chest tightening as desire stirred, and he leaned in closer.
The distance between their lips shrank, his breath mingling with hers and her lips parted faintly in anticipation-
"Florence!"
A loud noise cut through the air and Florence’s eyes widened in horror.
Huh?
Brandon blinked, turning his head to the sound.
At the gates of the mansion, an older woman was standing with her hands folded in front of her pristine gown.
Florence stiffened in Brandon’s lap, her entire body going tense. "...M-Mother?"
Brandon frowned slightly and his gaze narrowed at the older woman ’She is Eira’s grandmother?’
The woman’s cold eyes swept over the car before settling on Florence through the car’s window.
Florence scrambled upright in the passenger seat as she brushed her hair back, trying to compose herself.
Brandon watched her silently, his jaw tightening as realization sank in.
She wasn’t the confident, teasing Florence he had spent the night with. In front of this woman, she looked... small. Like a child caught doing something forbidden.
’Is this the personal trouble she is facing?’
The older woman’s voice came again "Come inside."
With a deep breath, Florence glanced at Brandon "Kael, you leave quickly."
After saying that, she quickly opened the door and stepped out before making her way to the mansion.
Brandon stepped out as well and closed the door behind him with a quiet *thunk*, his eyes fixed on Florence’s figure as she ascended the wide stone steps toward her mother.
Florence slowed as she reached the top.
The older woman’s eyes glinted with disapproval and then- CRACK!
The sound rang in the morning air as the woman slapped Florence’s cheek.
Her head snapped to the side from the force, strands of her blonde hair scattering across her face.
"You filthy whore..."
Huh? Looking at this, Brandon clenched his fist in anger.
His vision tunneled and he stepped forward.
*step* *step* *step*
His boots echoed in the silence as he climbed the stairs.
The woman’s eyes narrowed faintly, looking at Brandon walking towards her.
Florence saw him coming and panic flooded her eyes as she quickly shook her head, whispering breathlessly, "Kael.... no. Don’t-"