“Your skin,
Oh yeah, your skin & gold,
Turn into something beautiful,
And you know.
For you you I beat myself dry,”

-YELLOW

_____________________

“Wanna know a secret, baby?
I think I'm fallowing for you, maybe.”

______________________

“Okay, you can stop laughing now,”

I looked at Braydon's annoyed face and burst out laughing again. I shouldn't be laughing so hard, especially not when I know that Braydon isn't going to appreciate it, but I couldn't help it. We were currently sitting inside his car and he had a disgruntled expression on his face, which was honestly extremely cute.

“Braydon...it's okay.”

I reached out to touch his arm gently, and he looked at me with an adorable frown.

“But, I wanted it to be special.”

I smiled slightly, reaching out to kiss on his cheek. “You did, babe. Trust me.”

“But they didn't even reserve a table for us!”

“And that doesn't matter, because I got to have my three favourite things- Pizza, faery lights and you.” I said while looking him in the eye.

His expression turned serious and he sighed, slowly and gently wrapping his arms around me in a hug. I knew this was his way of expressing gratitude...and I immediately complied. Not only did Braydon engulf me in his arms completely, he also placed his head between the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply. Oh dear, God.

“Why do you have to be so perfect?” He mumbled against my neck, causing tingles to run up my spine.

I shivered as his breath touched my bare skin at the neck. Me wearing a tube top was definitely not helping in this situation...dammit why did I have to be so sensitive?

Before I could lose myself more in the feeling, Braydon pulled away much to my dismay. He looked at me with hooded eyes and closed then immediately.

“It's very difficult for me to not lose control with you, Arabella.”

Kill me now.

The look in Braydon's eyes was the same one he regarded me with during our night at the motel and our date during the wedding. I looked at Braydon...not knowing what to do.

“I-I...you don't have to control yourself.” I whisper, trying to tell him the thing since day one. With Braydon, somehow, I had no inhibitions. I wanted all in or nothing, I know it sounds cheesy and absolutely reckless but I was willing to take that risk. Heck, I wanted to take that risk.

Braydon looked at me and sighed, resting his forehead against the steering wheel. We were still parked just outside the small Cafe Braydon took me to, it was a quaint place on top of an elevated land. It was so beautiful, they had a garden that overlooked the lake and parts of the city...it was decorated with faery lights. We sat in the garden...talking and eating pizza. To be honest, this was the best kind of date for me.

“Bella...I can't, not with you. Not yet.”

I nodded, not wanting to repeat this conversation with him again. I didn't understand what was stopping him and why he was acting in suchanaon a weird manner. I mean I know he thinks he'll hurt me or whatever it is, but I don't see it as that. I see at as a bond between us, one that I want to share with him.

Only him.

I sighed and he looked like he was going to say something but I beat him to it.

“So, where to next?”

Braydon looked at me and smiled...shaking his head and putting on his seatbelt.

“It's a surprise, Colours.”

I pouted. “I'm not that into surprises.”

“Well, that's too bad. Because you're going to love this one.”

I frowned but let him drive anyway, wondering where this beautiful creature was taking me next.

_________

“Cobalt!!!”

After a whoof and a bark, the said dog jumped onto me and licked my face, making me smile and laugh like a maniac. I had no idea where Braydon was taking me, but I was more than thrilled to see Cobalt running out of the vast house and trying to climb on to me.

After petting him and playing with him for a while, I scanned my eyes to see the owner and Braydon talking to each other with small smiles. I can't believe Braydon went to such lengths for me, I mean sure I loved dogs and fell in love with Cobalt all those weeks back...but I didn't expect him to take me to meet up with him!

“Thank you so much, Mrs. Parrish, this means a lot.” I could hear Braydon thanking the owner, who now I knew as Mrs. Parrish and I got up instantly, walking towards her to express my gratitude.

“Mrs. Parrish, I'm so glad you let me meet Cobalt. He's a gem,” I thanked her, smiling at the cute bundle sitting next to my feet.

Mrs. Parrish laughed. “Oh honey, it was nothing. I had no idea, Braydon here was Rosie's grandson. I would've let him make you meet Cobalt sooner, had I known.”

I looked at Braydon, who gave me a small smile and winked. I turned my head , smiling slightly while Braydon bid Mrs. Parrish goodbye and I said my goodbye to Cobalt.

I walked towards Braydon with a smile on my face and he looked at me with a comical expression. Looking down at our hands, I grabbed his and interwined our fingers together, walking towards his car.

Finally getting inside his droolworthy car, I buckled myself up and glanced towards Braydon who was staring at me with a deep and thoughtful expression on his face. I looked at him with a small quizzical smile and arched my brow to which he just shrugged and drove me to my house.

We reached my place in exactly 10 minutes and all this while, I couldn't shake off the nervousness brewing in my mind. The silence in the car was quite comical, if not for the faint radio being played in the background...I had no idea what to say or what to do and the tension was palpable. I didn't know if I'd be able to stop if we...started something and I don't think Braydon could stop too.

Looking towards Braydon I noticed him gripping his steering wheel tightly, to the point where his knuckles turned almost white. Glancing down at them, I softly touched them and his grip seemed to have tightened more. I softly grazed his knuckles with one and looked at him, his eyes were shut and I could feel him restraining himself. I brought my other hand towards his hair and tugged at it while resting my head against the side of his temple.

That seems to have pulled the last straw in him because the very next second he was cupping my cheeks and kissing me with all he has. I responded with equal desperation, if not more and tugged at his hair pulling him back before climbing onto his lap. Braydon groaned against my mouth and I adjusted myself on his lap, straddling it.

I was glad my mom was working at night and that Jasmine had decided to sleep over at Liana's to discuss matters, otherwise this would've been a very compromising position for them to catch me in.

“Bella...please stop.” Braydon groaned just as I nipped his neck. I pulled back and looked at his pained face, knowing that he enjoyed this as much as me. I had no idea why he'd refused me, again but I was he'll bent on finding the reason out. Enough was enough. I'd had enough of his bullshit, if he wanted me he had to show me.

“Why?” I questioned him, steadying myself by holding onto his shoulders.

A conflicted look seems to have passed on his face, and he gently holds my waist, creating a distance between us.

“I just...I don't want to rush things with you.” Braydon said while looking me in the eye. “I want to make this perfect. I've never been in a relationship before but... I-I want to with you and I want it the right way. ”

And just like that, I melted.

I sighed audibly, resting my head against his shoulder. “You'll be the death of me, Braydon Grey.”

Braydon laughed at my statement, the vibrations reaching my whole body and causing tingles to shoot up.

“Ditto, Colours.” He said while kissing the side of me head and holding me tightly.

__________________________________

I'm sorry. I suck, I know. But I've been busy with a new continent, new country and a new city plus not to mention Melbourne Uni's killing me slowly.

💜❣️