Chapter 201

Summer's POV

The Hamptons estate was a warm blur as I leaned into Brandon’s chest. His arms curled around me in a lazy, protective grip that brought a sense of familiar safety. The whiskey I’d shared with him earlier softened the edges of the world, making every brush of his fingers feel like a gentle spark in the quiet night. I’d mumbled something about being tired, but the words dissolved as his breath fanned against my ear, a warm presence that centered me.

His palms grazed my ribs—a silent, tender question that I answered by tilting my head back against his shoulder. The room tilted in a sweet, tipsy haze as he turned me toward him. His mouth found mine in a kiss that was sudden and overwhelming, filled with a deep, unvoiced longing. I melted into his embrace, my fingers twisting in his hair as the rest of the world ceased to exist.

He lowered me onto the bed with careful precision. In the dim light, his eyes were dark with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat—a raw, deep affection that felt both powerful and grounding. The air between us was thick with a tension that had been building all evening, but now it was softening into something more profound.

The night became a beautiful blur of connection. Every touch was a silent promise, every breath shared an admission of total trust. In the heat of our proximity, I lost myself in a gentle rhythm that spoke of a bond deeper than words. His presence was everywhere, guiding me into a sanctuary of peace and belonging that I never wanted to leave.

The alcohol kept me relaxed, and though my thoughts were hazy, the feeling of being cherished and wanted was clearer than ever. As we moved together in the quiet sanctuary of our room, the chaos of our lives seemed miles away. We eventually drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep, held fast in each other's arms under the quiet moonlight, finally at rest.