Getting spoiled in a woman dominating world

Thum- thum- thum.

The sound of impact echoed in the private training room.

Brandon's fists slammed into the heavy punching bag with his knuckles wrapped in cloth as sweat dripped down his temples.

The bag rocked back and forth violently and the chains creaked above as if they might snap from the sheer force he was putting into every strike.

"Haa-" he exhaled sharply with each punch and his fists shot out in a steady barrage, left, right, left, right before he pivoted, twisting his hips to deliver a swift roundhouse kick that thudded against the side of the bag.

He didn't stop and flowed right back into motion.

Brandon shifted his stance, bouncing lightly on his feet, driving short, rapid jabs into the bag before leaning low, ducking under an imaginary counterattack, and snapping an uppercut into the underside.

His muscles strained, veins standing out along his forearms, but he pushed through, sweat soaking into his training shirt until it clung to his skin.

Thum! Thum! THUM!

"Faster," he muttered to himself between clenched teeth.

He drove his knee into the bag with a brutal thrust, then spun around, delivering a back kick that sent the bag swinging high on its chain.

The return momentum nearly slammed into him, but Brandon stepped aside, pivoting smoothly, then snapped a sharp sidekick into the rebounding bag to stop it cold.

His chest rose and fell rapidly, his breath coming in short, heavy bursts.

He wiped his face with the back of his wrist, then finally staggered toward the corner where his bag was placed.

Unzipping it, he pulled out a towel and quickly dried the sweat from his face and neck before grabbing a fresh shirt and changing out of his drenched one.

The cool cotton clung softly against his still-warm skin.

He slipped into casual evening clothes before reaching in his bag again and took out his phone.

Brandon scrolled down his contacts until he saw Florence's name and a small smile curved at his lips before he pressed call.

The line rang once, twice, then a sultry, elegant voice answered, "Brandon? Calling me at this hour… how unexpected."

Brandon chuckled, leaning back against the wall. "Evening, Florence. I figured you'd be free. Just finished training and thought I'd check in."

Her voice lilted with warmth "Mmm… such a gentleman. You sound tired… don't tell me you're overworking yourself again?"

Brandon let out a quiet breath, letting his head tip back against the wall. "Tired, yeah…"

On the other end, Florence gave a soft hum, but there was a faint tremor behind it.

His brow furrowed slightly "Florence… is everything alright? You don't sound like yourself."

There was a brief pause and then she sighed "Oh, you're far too perceptive for your own good, Brandon,.

"It's nothing. Just… an endless list of duties that comes with being who I am. You needn't concern yourself."

"Florence," he muttered in a gentle tone "If something's wrong="

She cut him off and laughed heartedly but her laughter lacked its usual spark. "Really, darling, you worry too much. I'm fine."

He didn't believe her. But before he could push further, she added, "I should go. I've matters to attend to tonight. Important ones."

Her tone softened just at the end. "…But thank you for calling me. It means more than you think."

The line clicked dead before he could respond, leaving Brandon staring at his screen.

Florence never ended conversations so abruptly.

His fingers lingered on the phone and he let out a soft sigh.

---

It was already night...

Florence sat on the edge of her vast bed and her mind weighed down with thoughts she couldn't quite silence.

She let out a quiet sigh, fingers brushing absently over the mole near her chest, when suddenly her phone buzzed against the sheets.

Her eyes softened at the name flashing on the screen. Brandon.

For a moment, guilt flickered in her chest.

She brushed him off so curtly earlier, when in truth his voice was the only warmth she felt all day.

She didn't hesitate this time and answered in a hushed tone "Brandon?"

His chuckle came softly through the line, carrying a warmth that made her heart flutter. "Oh. Didn't think you'd pick up this quickly. You had dinner yet?"

Florence leaned back slightly, closing her eyes "…Not yet. I wasn't really hungry."

"That's not like you," Brandon said gently and after a brief pause, his voice lowered, "Florence… do me a favor. Step onto your balcony."

She blinked, momentarily thrown. "…My balcony?"

"Yeah. Go look."

Curious and slightly amused despite herself, Florence rose from the bed and padded gracefully across the room.

She pushed open the tall glass doors, letting the night breeze kiss her skin.

Her eyes scanned the sprawling estate grounds, and then she froze.

Down in the distance, just beyond the ornate gates of her mansion, a car sat idling.

Its headlights flickered twice like a signal cutting through the dark.

Florence's lips parted in disbelief. "Brandon…" she whispered, the phone trembling lightly in her hand. "You… you didn't-"

His voice came through the line, "Surprise."

Florence's breath caught in her throat, and for the first time in what felt like years, she moved without thinking.

The phone nearly slipped from her fingers as she spun away from the balcony.

Her silk nightgown brushed against her legs as she hurried back inside and she didn't even stop to grab a coat, as all she could think of was him.

'Brandon, Brandon, Brandon.'

Her heels clicked rapidly as she descended the grand staircase.

Servants she passed looked at her in surprise, as they had never seen their composed, regal mistress moving with such urgency.

The heavy front doors flew open with a push, and the cool night air rushed to greet her.

Her blonde hair, still loose from earlier, spilled over her shoulders as she stepped onto the steps leading to the courtyard.

Brandon leaned casually against the hood of the car as the faint glow of the headlights outlined his figure.

He looked up just as she appeared, and the easy, boyish smile that spread across his face made her heart stumble.

"Florence," he said softly and the single word was enough to bridge the distance between them.

She rushed forward and her steps quickened, carrying her straight toward him.

"Brandon…" she breathed as she threw her arms around him.

He barely had time to steady himself before she pressed against him, holding him tightly.

The silk of her nightgown was cool under his touch, but her body trembled faintly in his embrace.

Brandon's arms came up instinctively, wrapping around her slender body with a steady warmth.

He could feel the rapid beat of her heart against his chest and the way her breath hitched as she buried her face against his shoulder.

"You… shouldn't have come all this way at night," Florence whispered, though her grip never loosened.

The words were scolding, but her tone carried nothing but relief, as if his sudden appearance had eased a weight she hadn't admitted to anyone else.

Brandon smiled faintly, resting his chin lightly atop her hair. "I had a feeling you needed me."

At that, her arms tightened just a little more, as though admitting without words that he was right.