A flutter bloomed in her stomach, a flicker of hope igniting within her. The longing in his eyes, a stark contrast to the icy indifference she had grown accustomed to, whispered a truth she couldn’t deny. Perhaps he had feelings for her.
She was already drawn to him and his affectionate gaze and words made her heart race. She dared to picture a future with him.
"You are serious, aren’t you?" she murmured, a hint of skepticism flickering in her eyes.
His hand reached out, gently cupping her chin. He tilted her face up. "I’ve never been this serious before about a relationship, Bella. Never more so. Give me a chance to prove myself. To show you I can be the husband you deserve."
A dance of tentative hope and excitement lingered in the air. Bella’s heart was ready to jump out of her mouth.
It was a dream come true moment.
She didn’t know what miracle had happened that had changed Theodore’s mind, but for now, it didn’t matter. He wanted to try. He wanted to make their marriage work. That was what mattered to her.
A radiant smile stretched across her face. Tears welled in her eyes, tears not of sadness, but of a joy so profound it threatened to drown her. Before she could process the whirlwind of emotions, Theodore’s lips were upon hers.
Everything seemed oddly quiet. The car seemed to come to a standstill. The rhythmic hum of the engine faded into a distant thrum. Even her heart seemed to stop beating.
His kiss was a revelation, a slow exploration that gradually deepened. The initial sweetness quickly ignited a fire within her. She craved more, a yearning that resonated deep within her soul. He kissed her again and again, each touch a delicious spark, and she knew she would never have enough of him.
His hands roamed her body with a newfound intimacy. They traced the curve of her back, sending shivers down her spine, lingered on the delicate skin of her arms, and drew her closer until their bodies melded seamlessly.
The gentle exploration morphed into urgency, his kiss growing fiercer, hungrier. A need she hadn’t known existed flared within her, fueled by the raw passion in his touch.
She felt the rush of helplessness, the urge to give in, and the overwhelming tide of warmth that left her numb. She lost the sense of her body; all she could feel was his lips moving against hers.
The world seemed to sway left and right as he bent her head across his arm and slipped his tongue into her mouth. His tongue stroked against hers, sending currents through her nerves and evoking sensations she had never known she was capable of feeling.
Giddiness washed over her, pulling her under a wave of pleasure. She was lost in the intoxicating haze, lost in him, and she knew she was kissing him back.
The car pulled over, interrupting their intimacy. Bella and Theodore disentangled themselves, their gazes lingering on each other’s faces. His arms, once wrapped possessively around her, now rested lightly on her shoulders.
Bella, cheeks flushed a rosy crimson, self-consciously reached for the back of her dress, smoothing the rumpled fabric. Her fingers danced through her hair in a futile attempt to tame the disarray caused by his passionate ministrations. His scent clung to her like a second skin, and the warmth of his lips was still lingering on hers.
Theodore cleared his throat, a hint of his earlier fervor lingering in its depths. "We’ve arrived." Emerging from the car first, he extended a hand towards her.
Bella, her heart still thundering a chaotic rhythm against her ribs, reached out and grasped his hand. The touch sent a jolt through her, a spark that refused to be extinguished.
As he helped her out of the car, her gaze shot upwards, landing on the imposing structure before them. It was a dazzling skyscraper that scraped the twilight sky, its glass facade reflecting the city lights in a million glittering diamonds. It was a luxurious hotel she would never dare to enter.
"It’s huge." These words escaped her mouth before she could even realize it.
"Yes," Theodore murmured. "The Reid Empire owns this hotel, and many others like it."
His words struck a chord within Bella. It was beyond her imagination how wealthy the Reid family was.
"Let’s go." He held her hand and led her into the hotel.
Inside, the grandeur of the lobby took Bella’s breath away. Chandeliers sparkled from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the marble floors and opulent furnishings. Guests and staff moved about with an air of sophistication and luxury.
Theodore walked confidently, his hand firmly holding hers, guiding her through the lavish surroundings. Bella couldn’t help but feel a mix of awe and trepidation.
They took the elevator to the top floor and entered the lavish restaurant of the hotel. The restaurant was elegantly decorated, with soft lighting and a stunning view of the city skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows. A melodious, slow music was buzzing in the background, making the ambiance welcoming and romantic.
The room was filled with elite guests. Bella felt out of space as she glanced around the people in tailored suits and expensive gowns. And here she was, in a simple white top and flared skirt. Her outfit wasn’t suitable for a place like this.
She felt a pang of self-consciousness. If she had known he would be bringing her to a place like this, she would have done some makeovers and put on a nice dress.
Theodore picked up on her shift in mood. "Are you okay?" he asked in a hushed tone.
Forced to a smile, Bella offered a weak, "I just... I would have dressed differently if I’d known we were coming here."
Theodore squeezed her waist reassuringly. "Don’t worry about that. You are with me. No one will dare say a word to you."
His soothing words, laced with a hint of possessiveness, chased away the last vestiges of her uneasiness. A genuine smile, this time brighter and more confident, graced her lips.
They reached the reception, where a poised receptionist greeted them with a warm smile. "Good evening, Mr. Reid. Your table is ready."
Theodore nodded, and they were escorted to an exclusive dining area, separated from the main restaurant for privacy. Theodore pulled out a chair for her, and she sat down.
"Thank you," Bella whispered.
He took his seat across from her, his eyes never leaving hers. "I wanted to give you a special evening," he said softly. "To make up for everything."
Bella felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words. She smiled, her earlier apprehensions melting away. "Thank you for bringing me here. This is... amazing."
"You deserve nothing less." Theodore reached for a menu; its leather cover embossed with the restaurant’s logo in gleaming gold. "What do you like to eat?" he asked, handing her a menu.
As she scanned the pages, a dizzying array of unfamiliar dishes swam before her eyes. French phrases and exotic ingredients danced a confusing jig. A wave of self-consciousness washed over her once more.
"Actually, I...I wouldn’t know where to start. Perhaps you could just... order something you like?"
Theodore, his gaze fixed on her, gently set his own menu aside. "This evening is about you, Bella. Tell me what you like, and I’ll arrange for the chef to prepare it himself."
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