Chapter 316: Charlotte [6]
Charlotte clung to him and her arms were locked tightly around his neck, her thighs squeezing firmly around his waist.
She buried her face against his skin, trembling with manic glee.
"Kael... Kael... more," she breathed, her voice trembling with obsession. "Kiss me again, don’t stop... give me all of it."
Brandon could feel the intensity of her need thrumming through her body.
He sighed softly, deciding to indulge her just enough to steady her storm.
Tilting his head, he pressed another firm kiss against her cheek.
The moment his lips touched her skin, her eyes flickered and she hummed in satisfaction.
However, suddenly the manic yellow glow trembled before melting away.
In its place, soft green shimmered back into existence.
Brandon, who was kissing her cheek, suddenly felt Charlotte’s body in his arms stiffening ’Hm? What happened?’
"K-Kael..." Charlotte whispered, and her cheeks flamed in a deep red, the kind of bashful color that didn’t belong to the wild, possessive self that had been dominating her moments before.
She pulled back just enough to look at him, her green eyes swimming with confusion and embarrassment.
Brandon, realizing too late that he was still pressing his lips to her cheek, jerked back awkwardly.
His own face heated, and a faint flush rose to his ears. "Ah- sorry, Sister. I... was kissing her..."
Charlotte blinked rapidly, still straddling his lap and her fingers fumbled against his shoulders, "Y-You... you kissed me, Kael. Not just her. I also felt it."
Brandon raised an eyebrow ’Ah... since they both share the same body, it means I kissed Sister Charlotte too.’
Her blush deepened, spreading to the tips of her ears, and she pressed her forehead to his chest to hide her expression. "...Dummy..." she whispered in a muffled voice, though her trembling fingers clutched at his shirt again.
Elize, who had been watching the whole exchange silently, pressed a hand to her lips, torn between amusement and worry.
Her eyes softened as she thought ’So even the kiss of affection he gave to her other self... reached the real Charlotte’s heart.’
Charlotte reluctantly pulled back her hands, and then she carefully unhooked her legs from around his waist.
Sliding off his lap, she smoothed down her skirt with shaky fingers and sat beside him on the couch.
Her face was still red as she tried to keep her composure, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
She risked a sideways glance at him before quickly looking away again, pressing her lips into a thin line.
Brandon exhaled softly, scratching the back of his neck with a wry, embarrassed smile. "Sorry about that, Sister... that was... awkward."
Charlotte pursed her lips, her green eyes flickering toward him for a brief second before darting away again. "I-it’s... fine."
Looking at them, Elize let out a soft chuckle, and both of them turned their eyes toward her at once; Charlotte stiffened in her seat.
Elize covered her mouth with her hand, "It’s okay, really. It was just a kiss on the cheek. I mean, Kael and I do this all the time, don’t we?"
She glanced at Brandon playfully. "It’s no big deal."
Charlotte’s blush deepened instantly and her eyes widened for a bit before she turned away sharply.
Meanwhile, Brandon sighed inwardly, hiding the weight of his thoughts behind a faint smile. ’For the time being, this is manageable... but if her other self starts demanding more like lip kisses... or even sex, it’ll be doomed.’
His gaze flickered briefly toward Charlotte beside him, who was still avoiding his eyes, and then toward Elize, whose amusement carried a knowing glint.
Elize’s hair brushed against his arm as she slid closer, and without hesitation, she slipped one arm around Brandon’s waist.
With that, she leaned forward, brushing her lips gently against his cheek.
"My darling baby..." she murmured softly.
Brandon blinked at her and then let out a chuckle "Elize, you really don’t hold back, do you?"
Elize tilted her head, her lips curling into a playful smile as she gazed up at him. "Why should I hold back with my Kael?"
Her hand slid lightly over his stomach and patted his abdomen.
On the other side of him, Charlotte gazed at them in the corner of her eyes.
Elize, noticing her sister’s sidelong stare, smiled faintly.
Her hold on Brandon tightened slightly, and she tilted her head to rest against his shoulder like a cat claiming her spot. "See? Nothing to be embarrassed about."
"It’s just a kiss on the cheek and we are family. Our Kael is adorable, isn’t he?"
Charlotte let out a deep sigh and leaned back on the couch before standing up.
"I am going to my room."
Brandon looked at her back as she left the living room.
A small sigh slipped from his lips and he sat in silence for a moment, fingers flexing slightly on his lap.
Then, turning back toward Elize, his expression softened and he leaned closer, resting his face against her chest, burying himself in her comforting presence.
Elize pressed his head lightly against her chest, her fingers threading through his hair tenderly.
Her hand moved in slow, soothing circles against his back, "Kael... give her some time to think."
Brandon let out a faint hum, muffled against her, and clutched her waist a little tighter "I know... She’s just... complicated. And I don’t want her to feel like she’s being pushed away."
---
Brandon walked upstairs and at this time Eira, who was standing in the hallway waiting for him, hurriedly rushed to him.
"Brandon!"
Brandon’s lips curved into a warm smile as he opened his arms wide, catching her against his chest.
He held her tightly, inhaling the faint floral scent that always clung to her hair "How do you feel now?"
Pulling back just enough to meet his gaze, Eira’s lips stretched into a wide grin "It’s all okay now,"
Brandon’s gaze softened, but as his eyes trailed lower, his smile faltered slightly.
The faint imprint of fingers is still on her neck.
Noticing his expression, Eira reached up and brushed her fingers lightly over the mark herself.
Her smile gentled, "Don’t worry... it will fade soon,"
Brandon exhaled slowly, his hand rising to cup her cheek. "Still... it shouldn’t have happened at all."
Eira leaned into his palm, "Brandon, it’s fine. Really. Sister Charlotte also apologized... though it was... awkward. And she said she didn’t want me to be afraid of her anymore."
Brandon blinked in surprise "She apologized?"
Eira nodded, her lips curving faintly. "Mm. She didn’t look at me directly, but her voice was softer."
"Haa..." He let out a soft sigh and Eira pulled him "Come on now, I was just talking with your ex-girlfriend earlier."
"Ah."