Chapter 326: She returns
The morning sun stretched lazily over the rooftops, painting the sky in soft hues of gold and pale blue.
In the front garden, the gentle sound of running water trickled through the air as Elize held a watering can, leaning forward slightly to pour a steady stream over a row of delicate white lilies.
Her long hair shimmered in the sunlight, swaying gently with her movements.
Dressed simply in a loose shirt and shorts, enjoying the quiet of morning.
Brandon stood nearby, pretending to help with another watering can in hand.
In truth, his attention was solely on Elize, appreciating her beauty soaked in the morning sunlight.
Elize bent down to adjust a crooked flower stem and Brandon’s eyes flickered to the roudness of her ass.
Not being able to stop himself, he raised his hand and delivered a sharp slap across her ass cheeks.
*plah*
Huh? Elize froze and slowly tilted her head toward him, the corners of her lips threatening to betray a smile. "Kael..." Her voice carried that familiar mix of warning and affection.
He only grinned, holding up the watering can innocently. "What? Just checking if you’re paying attention to me instead of the flowers."
"You little-" She straightened up, but before she could scold him further, Brandon leaned in and stole a quick kiss from her lips.
Her eyes widened in surprise, and for a brief moment she just stared at him.
Then, to his delight, her cheeks flushed pink.
"You can’t just-" she began, but he cut her off with another kiss.
The watering can in her hand tilted, spilling water onto the ground as Elize’s fingers tightened around his shirt.
When he finally pulled back, Brandon smiled, brushing a damp strand of hair away from her face.
"Elize, you’re so cute when you’re flustered," he teased.
She exhaled slowly, trying to compose herself and turned away with a small *huff*.
But she didn’t push him away when he wrapped his arm around her waist, nor did she stop him when he leaned his head against her shoulder.
She let out a chuckle, shaking her head "You’re going to spill all the water if you keep clinging to me like this."
Brandon leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "Then I’ll just water you instead."
She gasped lightly as she felt the cool trickle of water against her arm as he had tilted his own watering can just enough to splash her.
Turning around, she saw the big smile on his face "...Brandon Kael."
He stepped back, laughing while holding his can like a shield. "Elize It was just a joke-"
*splash* Elize tilted her own can and doused him in a sudden splash of water.
Water soaked through his shirt, sticking to his chest.
He stood there dripping, stunned for a second, before breaking into a smile.
"All right, you asked for it!" He lunged forward, wrapping an arm around her waist, trying to wrestle the watering can out of her grip.
Elize laughed despite herself, twisting to avoid his grab.
For a few moments, the quiet garden turned into a private battlefield with the footsteps in the grass, laughter echoing, and water splashing everywhere.
"Hahaha..." Elize’s laughter softened into panting as she sat on the damp grass, strands of hair clinging to her cheeks and neck and her clothes were utterly soaked through.
Brandon stood just above her, his chest rising and falling steadily.
Water dripped from his hair, slid down his jaw, and rolled over the lines of his collarbone, disappearing into the cling of his shirt.
He tugged the hem of his shirt upward, peeling the drenched shirt off his torso before he tossed it carelessly aside.
Looking at Elize, Brandon asked "How about we bath together in the pool?"
With a giggle, she nodded "Ok, let’s go."
Brandon stretched out his hand toward her, but just as he was about to pull her up, something at the edge of his vision caught his attention.
His gaze shifted toward the road leading up to their house.
"...Hm?"
A car was speeding toward the front gates as the tires crunched against the gravel.
"Is that..." His eyes lit up and he quickly rushed toward the gates in excitement.
The car door opened fully, and a familiar figure stepped out.
"Ravene."
His voice carried warmth, relief, and joy all at once.
Before she could even take a full step, Brandon closed the distance and swept her into a tight hug.
"Haha..." The force of it made her gasp softly before she melted against him and her arms tightened around his back.
"Husband," she whispered into his shoulder, "I missed you."
Brandon pulled her even closer, burying his face in the crook of her neck, breathing in her familiar scent.
"I missed you too, dear," he murmured against her skin.
With a soft laugh, he shifted his hold, sliding one arm under her thighs and the other behind her ass.
With effortless strength, he lifted her up off the ground.
"Ah~" Ravene gave a little squeal of surprise before instinctively wrapping her legs around his waist, holding onto him tightly.
Her arms wrapped around his neck, her fingers curling into his damp hair.
The moment their eyes met, Brandon tilted his head, and their lips met in a soft kiss.
Elize stood up and walked to them "You are back, good job out there."
Ravene pulled back just enough from Brandon’s embrace to glance at Elize "Mhm."
Brandon’s gaze softened as he shifted slightly, still holding Ravene in his arms and pressed a tender kiss against her cheek, "Thank you, dear, even though it was such a hassle, going around checking on every Empyrean..."
Before he could finish, Ravene swatted lightly at his chest with the back of her hand "How is it a hassle? I’ll do anything for the protection of my husband."
Brandon chuckled, brushing a lock of her hair away from her face with his free hand. "I know you would. That’s exactly why I’m thankful... even if you overwork yourself."
Her expression softened at his words, but almost immediately, a shadow crossed her face, dimming her smile just slightly.
She leaned her forehead against his shoulder and whispered, "But it is sad that we didn’t get any clue on who it is."
Elize’s smile dimmed as well, "We’ll find out eventually."
Ravene lifted her head and met Elize’s eyes.
For a brief moment, the two women shared a silent understanding... different in temperament but united in purpose and in love for the same man.
Brandon looked between them and let out a chuckle "Let’s keep that for later, now Rave join us in the pool."
"Okie!"
---
The sun glinted off the water, scattering ripples of light across the tiles.
Elize is gently swimming in the pool with unhurried strokes.
Brandon sat at the edge, his legs submerged in the cool water.
Beside him, Ravene was sitting naked, leaning heavily into his side, resting her cheek against his shoulder.
Her arms looped around his right arm, hugging it possessively, pressing it against her breasts.
"I see... now your ex-girlfriend is back?"
Nodding his head, he replied "Yeah... and I got to know more about Charlotte. Honestly, you shouldn’t hide things like this from me now on, alright?"
With a faint sigh, Ravene leaned into him "Mhm... Also, where are the girls now?"
"The four of them have gone out for shopping. It is good for them to spend some time together."
Her fingers trailed absentmindedly along his forearm before dipping down into the pool to swirl the surface, watching the ripples spread outward.
Out in the water, Elize turned onto her back and floated with her arms stretched lazily to the sides.
Her breasts peeked above the waterline as she drifted and let out a faint hum.
Elize finally reached the edge near them and rested her arms along the tiles, her chest pressed against the pool’s edge as she looked up at them.
Her lips curved into a mischievous smile as she propped her chin on her folded arms, watching Brandon and Ravene.
Then, without warning, she slid her hands forward beneath the water and grabbed Brandon’s calves.
"Huh-?"
Before he could react, Elize tightened her grip on his legs and pulled him.
"Woah-"
*splash* With a splash, Brandon toppled forward into the water.
Ravene gasped and leaned back instinctively, blinking in disbelief "Brandon!"
With a powerful kick of her legs, Elize met him beneath the water, her hair fanning around her.
She pressed him back against the pool wall, her chest molding firmly against his bare torso.
The cool water heightened the contrast of her body’s warmth as she captured his lips in a sudden kiss.
Brandon’s eyes widened for an instant, bubbles escaping past their mouths.
His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her tighter against him.
Their bodies locked together under the water, every movement sending streams of bubbles rising to the surface.
The kiss deepened, water rushing past their ears and Elize pressed harder, her breasts flattening against his chest as her tongue slipped between his lips.
They broke the kiss only when their lungs burned, gasping as they surfaced together.
"Haaa.. Haa.. Huff..."
Elize pushed her wet hair back with one hand, droplets clinging to her lashes.
Still clinging to him, she whispered against his lips, "Got you."
Brandon chuckled breathlessly, brushing his forehead against hers. "You nearly drowned me."
"You’re fine," she purred, arching her body closer against him. "Besides... I know you liked it."
Up on the edge of the pool, Ravene had her arms crossed under her breasts as she watched them, "Tch... greedy bitch. You couldn’t wait your turn?"
Elize glanced over her shoulder, still holding Brandon close, and stuck out her tongue teasingly. "You were hogging him all morning. It’s my turn now."
"No." *splash*
The water rippled with a another splash as Ravene jumped into the pool.
She swam the short distance in a heartbeat, pressing up against Brandon’s back, and circled her arms tightly around his torso from behind.
Brandon stiffened for a moment, caught between the two of them, but before he could even react, Ravene leaned in, brushing her lips over the sensitive skin of his nape.
A shiver ran down his spine and she smirked against him, "You thought I’d just sit and watch?"
At the same time, Elize tilted Brandon’s chin back toward her and pressed her lips against his lips with a hunger that made him groan softly into her mouth.
When she finally pulled away, she trailed her lips across his cheek, down to his jaw, and further still to his collarbone, nibbling and kissing the droplets sliding over his skin.
Brandon’s arms trembled, half-raised as if unsure who to hold tighter, but the women gave him no room to think.
Ravene rained kisses along the slope of his shoulder, biting lightly where muscle met neck before whispering in a husky tone, "I missed this taste..."
Her tongue flicked teasingly over his ear, making him flinch, and then she sucked gently at the spot beneath it, claiming him.
Elize chuckled lowly at his reaction as she moved back to capture his mouth again.
She kissed him deeply before breaking away to pepper smaller kisses over his chin and throat.
"Haa..." He let out a soft groan as Ravene nibbled at his ear while Elize sealed his lips again, showering him with affection from both sides.
Elize broke the kiss with a playful hum, brushing her lips along his throat. "Mhm... You’re ours, Kael."
Ravene pressed another kiss behind his ear, her arms tightening around him possessively "Forever."