When Bella woke up the next morning, she found herself enveloped in the comfort of a fluffy, warm bed. The sweet lime scent of the room freshener filled her nostrils, adding a touch of freshness to the cozy room. Soft sunlight filtered through the cracks of the thick beige curtains, bathing the room in a gentle glow.
Still groggy with sleep, Bella sat up and looked around, squinting slightly. It took a moment for her to recognize where she was. The recognition seeped through her conscience – this was Theodore’s place, where she had deposited a very inebriated him a few nights ago. Apparently, the roles had reversed last night.
She had fallen into such a deep sleep that she hadn’t been aware of how she had arrived here. A warmth spread through her heart, gratitude welling up for his care and consideration. She climbed out of bed and left the bedroom, padding softly down the hallway, her eyes scanning for Theodore.
She didn’t see him, but she heard his voice coming from the right. It seemed that he was speaking on the phone.
Following the sound, she stepped out onto the porch and came to an abrupt halt. There he was, standing tall with his back to her, phone pressed against his ear. His bare skin was glistening with sweat beads, highlighting the sculpted muscles of his back and shoulders.
The sight was mesmerizing. The morning light glinted off the sculpted planes of Theodore’s bare back. His physique, honed to perfection, seemed the work of a meticulous craftsman. Broad shoulders tapered to a powerful V-shaped torso, giving him an athletic look. Defined biceps, like those of a seasoned boxer, flexed beneath sun-kissed skin.
Bella’s breath hitched slightly as she took in the scene, her eyes wide and appreciative. She was momentarily frozen, unable to tear her gaze away from him. A heat, both unexpected and unwelcome, bloomed on Bella’s cheeks.
This was the first time she had seen him shirtless, and the sight was enticing to behold. Butterflies erupted in her stomach, anchoring her feet to the spot. The gratitude she had intended to offer evaporated completely.
"Yes, keep updating me." With those words, Theodore turned, his gaze collided with Bella’s, catching her red-handed in her surprised admiration.
She almost leaped in surprise, her cheeks burning hotter. Self-consciousness washed over her, and she fumbled for words, her mind a frustrating blank slate.
"Good morning," he said, his voice smooth and teasing. "Did you sleep well?"
Theodore’s knowing smirk only intensified her mortification. Bella struggled to regain her composure, finally managing to find her voice. "Yes, thank you. I—um—I was," she stammered.
Her gaze dropped to the expanse of his chest as if drawn like a moth to a flame. The rest of her words died in her throat.
Theodore found her flustered expression undeniably charming. The blush blooming across her cheeks held a magnetism he couldn’t resist. A playful glint flickered in his eyes as he decided to tease her a little.
"You were about to say something," he prompted, taking a step closer.
His nearness intensified her nervousness. Words seemed to evaporate from Bella’s mind.
"I-um... I woke up and..." she stammered, her gaze still snagged on the defined planes of his chest, tracing the path of sweat beads as they trickled down his sculpted abs.
"You woke up and..." he echoed, another step bridging the gap between them. He was close enough now that the heat radiating from his body blurred her vision slightly.
Bella instinctively shuffled back, only to feel a sudden tug on her arm that pulled her closer. Her startled gaze flew up to meet his, both pairs locking in a heated stare.
"Are you looking for me?" he asked, beholding her.
In a daze, Bella nodded. "I wanted to thank you," she managed in a husky whisper, surprised by the depth of her own voice.
"For what?" he asked, mirroring her low tone with a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.
"For..." Bella again forgot why she had wanted to thank him. All she could focus on was the handsome face hovering mere inches away, so close it sent her heart into a frantic drumbeat.
Theodore dipped his head, his lips hovering tantalizingly close to hers.
Bella’s mind became a blank canvas. All thoughts evaporated, replaced by the singular focus of Theodore’s lips hovering a hair’s breadth from hers.
Her breath hitched, her senses overwhelmed by his nearness. She could feel his warm breath on her skin, the tension between them thick and palpable. The wait and anticipation were spine-tingling, a mix of thrilling fear and delicious temptation. Every fiber of her being screamed to surrender, to melt into his kiss. Her fingers trembled, and she sought to grasp something—anything.
Only then did she realize her hands were on his chest, sending a jolt of electricity through her. The shock jolted her back to her senses, breaking the spell and prompting her to jump back.
Startled, Theodore’s gaze flickered with confusion.
"I’ll go freshen up first," Bella stammered and sprinted back to the room before he could respond.
Theodore watched her retreat, a slow, mischievous smile spreading across his face. How long could she keep running from what was clearly building between them? He wouldn’t wait much longer to make her his.
In the bedroom, Bella leaned against the closed door, her heart pounding. She touched her flushed cheeks, feeling the warmth spread.
Gasps wracked her body, each inhale a desperate attempt to quell the whirlwind of emotions churning within her. The phantom heat of Theodore’s body lingered on her skin, the tingling sensations crossing her spine.
They were this close to kissing each other. The memory sent a fresh wave of heat scorching her cheeks, already flushed a rosy pink. Her imagination ran wild. She even envisioned herself entangled with him, making out to each other. Passionate love-making scenes, his hot naked body pressing hers, flashed in the back of her mind.
A shy smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She hid her face behind her hands. "What am I thinking?" she whispered.
Several minutes bled into one another. Finally, Bella emerged from the bathroom after freshening up, blinking against the brightness of the bedroom. Her gaze fell upon her handbag and a manila folder perched primly on the bed.
"He found my bag!" she exclaimed, a spark of relief igniting in her chest. She snatched it up, her fingers flying as she checked the contents. Phone, purse – everything was present and accounted for. A smile, unbidden and wide, spread across her lips.
Curiosity gnawed at her as she picked up the folder. With a soft click, it opened, revealing the documents for her house. A wave of warmth washed over her, threatening to spill over into tears.
After that incident, she thought she had lost her house, but she got it back. It was possible only because of him. Gratitude, immense and powerful, surged through her like a tidal wave.
Throwing on clothes in a flurry of nervous energy, Bella hurried out of the bedroom. Theodore stood in the dining area, already dressed for work. Clad in a sharp grey suit, his features seemed even more pronounced, his allure undeniable. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
Bella’s knees weakened, her heart fluttering in her chest like a trapped bird.
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