Brandon's hand stilled for a brief moment. Then he spoke in an even tone, "I'll go lighter."
After the wound reopened, it was twice as large as the original cut left by the glass. Vivian had let out a sound before she could stop herself, and she immediately felt ashamed. From then on, she clamped her lips shut, refusing to let another trace of pain escape.
Brandon raised his eyes and unexpectedly met her gaze. The pain she had forced herself to endure still lingered in her eyes, covered by a thin layer of tears. This stubborn yet vulnerable Vivian looked like a kitten that had lost a fight outside—defiant yet pitiful.
"You don't have to hold it in." His voice was lazy, with no edge to it. But when his gaze landed on her lips, something dark stirred in the depths of his eyes—hungry, poss
