Getting spoiled in a woman dominating world

Brandon raised his hand, gently patting her head "Florence…" he murmured softly, leaning down so his voice was for her alone. "Should we go for a walk? Clear your mind a little?"

Florence slowly pulled back, and the concern in his eyes made her chest tighten.

"A walk?"

Brandon nodded, brushing a stray lock of blonde hair from her cheek.

Then, with a small tilt of his head, he gestured toward the car parked by the driveway, "Come on. Let's go somewhere quiet. Get in the car with me."

She exhaled slowly, nodding once before slipping her hand into his.

Without letting go, he guided her toward the car.

When they reached the car, Brandon stopped by the passenger side and opened the door for her.

He gestured lightly toward the seat, "Your chariot, my lady."

She dipped her head and a soft laugh escaped despite the heaviness in her chest. "You do spoil me, Brandon."

Brandon closed the door softly after her, circling around to the driver's side.

As he settled in and started the engine, Florence turned her head toward him, looking at his side profile.

---

The car hummed softly as it rolled along the quiet coastal road.

Every so often, Brandon's gaze flicked away from the road, drawn irresistibly to Florence.

She sat with one arm draped elegantly against the window with her chin propped lightly on her hand.

He smiled faintly to himself, turning his eyes back to the road.

The city lights had long since dwindled, replaced by the dark expanse of ocean and sky.

The road stretched in a winding ribbon along the coastline and the ocean stretched endlessly into the horizon, bathed in the moonlight.

Brandon eased his foot off the accelerator, letting the car slow until it coasted to a stop on the sandy edge of the beach.

The tires crunched against the loose grains before settling and the hum of the engine dimmed as he switched it off.

Brandon stepped out first before moving around to Florence's side and opening her door.

The breeze tugged at her hair immediately as she hugged herself against the faint cold.

Without a word, Brandon guided her toward the front of the car.

He leaned casually against the hood and patted the spot beside him.

Florence gathered the hem of her dress slightly so it wouldn't snag, then eased herself down gracefully next to him.

The two of them sat there, shoulder to shoulder.

For a while, neither spoke.

Florence tilted her head back and her eyes traced constellations among the stars.

Finally, she let out a quiet sigh and leaned sideways, her shoulder brushing against his.

Then, almost without thought, she rested her head gently against his shoulder.

Brandon shifted slightly to adjust so her weight rested more comfortably against him and then raised one arm to drape lightly around her back.

He glanced down at her and said softly "You know, I almost didn't call you tonight. Thought maybe you would be too busy… or that I would be bothering you."

Florence tilted her head slightly, looking up at him. "Bother me?" she repeated with a faint laugh.

"Brandon, if anything, I felt guilty for cutting you off earlier. I… didn't want you to think I was avoiding you."

He smiled at that, reaching up to pat her head gently, his fingers brushing through her hair before settling lightly against her cheek "Then we're both overthinking, huh?"

"Mhm." She closed her eyes at his touch.

The two of them sat like that and Brandon shifted slightly so she could lean more comfortably, and Florence took the invitation, pressing closer to him.

Brandon tilted his head up toward the constellations. "Look. Orion." He pointed, guiding her gaze.

Florence looked up and followed the line of his finger.

Her gaze landed on the familiar cluster and the three stars of Orion's Belt gleamed under the night sky together.

A faint smile touched her lips as she added, "I've heard… that if you made a wish on a star near Orion's Belt, it has more chance of coming true."

Brandon glanced at her in amusement "Really? Sounds like superstition."

Florence tilted her chin up to look at him, "Maybe. But sometimes… don't you think superstitions are just a way for us to hope a little harder? To believe that the universe is listening, even when no one else is?"

Slowly, he turned back toward the sky, his arm tightening just a little around her shoulders. "Then maybe… we should try it. You can make a wish tonight."

Florence turned her gaze back toward Orion and Brandon lowered his head slightly, his breath brushing against her temple as he murmured, "What would you wish for, Florence?"

Her fingers curled gently against his sleeve and she gave a faint laugh, shaking her head. "If I told you, it might not come true."

Brandon chuckled softly at that and leaned back, listening to the waves.

They sat in another silence for a few moments.

"Florence…" he finally murmured. "What's bothering you?"

The question was soft, as though he didn't want to press too hard on the subject but couldn't stop himself from asking either.

Florence's body stiffened faintly in his hold, and she lowered her gaze.

'No... telling him will make Eira and Brandon worry about their relationship unnecessarily and Brandon will be concerned about me too. I can handle this myself.'

But then, just as quickly, she exhaled and forced a smile.

Her head tilted slightly against his shoulder, "Nothing much. I guess I just needed a little air. And… you brought me here. That's already enough."

Brandon turned his head slightly to look down at her and he was not entirely convinced.

His fingers tapped softly against her arm in thought, but he didn't push further.

Florence's smile faltered for just a heartbeat as she felt the sincerity in his silence.

She could sense he didn't fully believe her, but he was giving her space, letting her come to him when she was ready.

That, somehow, made her chest ache even more.

Gently, he brushed his hand through her hair and asked in a quiet tone "Then… how about we go for a walk? Just a little, along the shore."

Florence stirred faintly against him, her lashes lowering as she shook her head. "No…" she murmured, her hand curling against his chest as though to keep him from moving away.

"I don't want that right now."

She pressed a little closer and whispered, "Right now, I just want to be with you."