Page 77
Story: Branded Hearts
“That’s… not funny,” I say, trying to sound stern, but feeling a smile tugging at my lips as I playfully smack his arm from across the table.
The bastard,affectionately, of course,bursts into laughter, a rich, warm sound that sends a shiver of delight through me, like sinking into a warm blanket on a chilly night.
“So, you think I’m very handsome, huh?”
I let out a nervous giggle. “Well, I mean... It’s just... obvious, isn’t it?”
“Well, if it’sthatobvious, maybe youshouldpaint me, after all,” he suggests, leaning forward again with a slight smirk. “I’d be more than happy to model for you.”
His suggestion catches me off guard, and I blink, momentarily surprised by his confidence. His playful demeanour makes my heartflutter, and I find myself smiling back at him, intrigued by his sudden openness.
“You’d really model for me?” I ask, my voice a little breathless.
“Absolutely,” he replies, his tone teasing but sincere. “Anything for you, sunshine. Remember?”
My heart flutters at his words, and I take another sip of my rosé.
“I’ll hold you to that, officer.” A smile tugs at my lips.
“I’m counting on it.”
As our conversation becomes more relaxed, I can’t help but ask the question that’s been on my mind.
“Can I ask you something?” I say hesitantly.
“Of course.”
“Why do you call me sunshine?” My heart pounds in my chest. He takes a moment to study me before answering.
“Because you light up any room,” he says simply, and my stomach does backflips at his words. He doesn’t know this, but his words meaneverythingto me. More than he probably everrealised.
“I… thank you,” I manage to say through a shaky breath.
And just like that, without realising it until now, I know that I am falling for him—hard and fast. Panic sets in as I realise this could end badly, but then he flashes that genuine, heart-stopping smile and any doubts melt away.
Despite the risks, I am helpless to resist him.
This is not good.
24
Latch (sped up + reverb vocals) - Sam Smith
As we finish dinner, the waitress brings the bill. I reach for my wallet, ready to split it because, hey, it’s the twenty-first century. But before I can hand him the cash, his voice stops me.
“Amelia,” he says, shaking his head firmly and dropping his card on the tray. Well, okay, then. I tuck my wallet back into my bag.
Bradley stands up, and I quickly follow. The waitress returns with his card and a polite smile. He places a hand on my back, guiding me out of the diner. His touch sends a shiver down my spine, and I feel giddy as we step into the cool night air. As we walk along the footpath, he gently taps my shoulder, pulling me to his left, away from the road. My heart skips a beat.
Bradley Mitchell knows thesidewalkrule?
We reach his car, and he moves to open my door. I stop and turn to face him.
“Bradley?” I say softly.
He makes a softhmsound. I step closer and give him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. For dinner.”
Bradley’s eyes darken, a smirk forming on his lips.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77 (Reading here)
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 129
- Page 130
- Page 131
- Page 132
- Page 133
- Page 134
- Page 135
- Page 136
- Page 137
- Page 138
- Page 139
- Page 140
- Page 141
- Page 142
- Page 143
- Page 144
- Page 145
- Page 146
- Page 147
- Page 148