Page 50 of Dark Princess Emerging
"I know. But let's hope it doesn't come to that."
30
BRANDON
Brandon sat at his usual table in the village café, watching the afternoon sunlight filter through the tree branches while he waited for his teenage consultants to arrive from school.
He wanted to jot down a few ideas before they got there, but his mind kept drifting back to the previous night with Morelle—the sounds she'd made, the way she'd come apart in his arms, the perfect weight of her against his chest afterward.
Heat coursed through him at the memory. Maybe he was being too cautious with the physical progression of their relationship. The way she had responded and her fierce demands were clear signs that she was ready for more.
No. He shook his head. He was right to wait.
They hadn't even exchanged words of love yet, though the emotion grew stronger in his chest with each passing day. He wanted to tell her, had almost let it slip several times, but it was also too soon for that.
He wasn't a young male who got swept away by his feelings.
He was a mature immortal with centuries of experience, and this relationship was too important to rush. If he made the wrong move and somehow alienated Morelle, he would never forgive himself.
The Fates might have brought them together, but it was up to him to make it work, especially given Morelle's lack of experience in any kind of interpersonal relationship. The female had never had anyone other than her twin brother—no friends, no other relatives, and certainly no love interests.
He was so glad that Ella had invited her to the celebration in honor of Jasmine's successful transition. Morelle needed to make friends even more than she needed to fall in love.
Oh, wow. Fall in love.
Now, that was a concept that was as new to him as it was to her.
He'd offered to let her move in with him, but they'd gotten distracted before she could answer, and that was for the best, too. These things needed a natural progression to feel right. There was wisdom in the old customs of both humans and gods, even if modern society seemed to sneer at them.
In all his years producing movies and television, he'd learned what resonated with audiences and what fell flat. People might live the hookup life and might claim they were beyond traditional romances, but they didn't want to see that in their entertainment. Movies were about ideals, about love overcoming all obstacles, and about building something lasting and beautiful.
If anyone needed proof that hookups were not the way to go, that was it.
For some, though, there was nothing more. He'd spent his life living that unsatisfying lifestyle and trying to make the most of it.
"You look deep in thought," Wonder said as she refreshed his coffee. "Plotting your next blockbuster?"
Brandon smiled. "Something like that. Though these days, I'm more focused on social media than Hollywood."
"Ah, yes, the InstaTock project." She tilted her head. "How's that coming along?"
"It's a work in progress. I'm meeting with my consultants soon." He glanced at the glass pavilion, expecting his guests to appear at any moment now. "I'm waiting for Lisa, Parker, and Cheryl to come back from school."
"Oh, yeah. Those three are sharp." She leaned closer. "Parker is helping me with my studies. He's a smart guy."
"So I've heard. I was also told that Cheryl is an expert on InstaTock."
"I heard that too." Wonder straightened up. "Good luck with your endeavors."
"Thank you. Can I bother you by ordering cappuccinos and sandwiches for my guests?"
"It's no bother." She smiled before walking over to the next table.
The next time Brandon turned to look at the pavilion's door, he saw his consultants approaching, and as they spotted him in the café, they headed over.
"Hi," Parker said, dropping his backpack on the floor and sitting down.
The two girls followed suit.