A pair of warm,expansive hands gently masked her eyes,their heat seeping through her skin and stirring her heartbeat into an erratic rhythm.
“Brandon..”Natalie’s voice faltered in surprise, a wave of confusion washing over her.”Why are you obstructing my sight?”
Bending down to align with her height, Brandon let his warm breathfan over her ear, a hint of a suppressed smile coloring his voice that had adopted a deeper,icier tone.
“I fear the sight might stir fear in you.”
Natalie’s lips curled into a pout upon hearing his words,countering,”I’m not so easily frightened.”
Her voice,laced with sweet indignation, stirred a brighter smile on Brandon’s face.He murmured soothingly,”You’re indeed the bravest,but some sights are unsuited for your delicate eyes.Please,let’s avoid this one, shall we?”
His soft reassurances stirred a flush in Natalie’s cheeks,sending her heart pounding in overdrive.Overwhelmed by shy exhilaration, she could only manage a dazed nod, stammering,”I’ll heed your advice.”
Witnessing Natalie’s compliant response,a delighted chuckle bubbled up in Brandon’s throat.Shielding her eyes,he enveloped her in his embrace,gently guiding her away from the scene.
Grasping his hand with a hint of trepidation, Natalie inquired,”Where are we headed?”
“Oh?What seems to be the problem?”
Brandon’s hand subtly tightened around Natalie’s waist,drawing her closer to his comforting presence.”Are you afraid I might auction you off?”
The heat from Brandon’s body seeped through her clothing,warming her back as she was pressed against him.This comforting warmth slowly crept up her spine,painting her cheeks with a soft,rosy hue.
“What was that?” Brandon’s question hovered in the air,with a curious tilt to his voice as he strained to catch her words.
Gathering a swell of courage,Natalie cleared her throat,her voice rising.”I know you won’t.On the contrary,You’ll ensure my safety.”
Brandon’s response was a stunned silence.
And then,laughter bubbled up from his throat,warm and rich,as he complimented, “Good girl,your acuity impresses me.”
In the midst of their exchange,Brandon halted their progress.
Gently,he removed his hands from her eyes and placed them on her shoulders,guiding her to settle down on a chair.
Blinking in surprise,Natalie’s gaze swept across her new surroundings.She found herself in a living room,with Frank lounging across from her while Brandon stood at her side,uncapping a bottle of water.
“Hydrate yourself,”Brandon murmured,his voice a comforting balm,as he passed her the bottle.”Take a moment to rest.”
Frank,upon observing this exchange, couldn’t resist ribbing,”Brandon,I’ve never witnessed such considerate behavior from you.Might you fetchme a bottle of water too?”
Brandon shot him a cool glance and retorted, “If thirst quenches your throat,help yourself.
Have your limbs ceased their function?”
Listening to Brandon’s sharp response, Frank’s lips curled into a pout as he grumbled lowly,”Clearly,you favor your lady love over a comrade.”
Disregarding Frank’s grumbling,Brandon refocused his attention on Natalie,his voice dropping to a tender register.”You’ve been on your feet all day.Drink some water to soothe your parched throat.”
Natalie accepted the bottle but hesitated.
Her fear wasn’t rooted in distrust of Brandon but rather in the dangerous company of the Darkmoon.She couldn’t help but worry that if the water was tainted,she might unintentionally bring further trouble to Brandon.