CHAPTER 264: CHAPTER 264 KIND?

Bella had finished her dinner in the room earlier and now sat curled on the couch, half absorbed in another one of those cheesy romance dramas she adored. The screen glowed softly against her face, her doe eyes blinking rapidly whenever something emotional happened on TV.

Leo entered, shoulders broad and presence heavy. His shirt clung to him just right, and the faint trail of his cologne followed him into the living room. For a moment, he just stood there, watching her as if she were something foreign in his world. The TV had never been touched before she came, but now it was the centerpiece of his evenings.

He didn’t say a word, only moved upstairs to change, then came back down and lowered himself beside her. The couch dipped slightly under his weight. His eyes flicked once at the screen, but he didn’t care about what she was watching. What mattered was how her eyelashes fluttered nervously as she realized he was close.

Bella finally turned to him, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her dress. "Hi," she whispered.

Leo arched a brow, draping his arm over the back of the sofa in that casual yet dominating way. He smirked faintly at her hesitation. She wants something, he thought, amused. If she wants to go shopping or anywhere at all, she will have to coax me first.

"What?" he asked smoothly, his tone rich, velvety, and threaded with curiosity.

Bella’s lips broke into a grin, her eyes lighting up like a child’s on her birthday. She leaned closer, her voice almost bursting with excitement. "Scarlett is coming back here!"

The smirk on Leo’s lips vanished. His jaw tightened, his gray eyes flashing with irritation. "Why," he asked, his voice gravelly and low, "is that loud woman coming here?" His teeth ground slightly as he spoke, barely concealing his distaste.

Bella, oblivious to the storm building in him, clasped her hands together happily. "She’s not coming to our home. She’s coming here to work. Your friend Zion is her boss!" Her voice sang with joy. "I’m so happy. I missed her so much!"

Leo leaned back, narrowing his eyes. Zion? Of all people, Scarlett’s new boss was Zion? He didn’t like this, not one bit.

His fingers tapped the back of the couch, his mind racing, while his gaze stayed sharp on Bella.

"And I will hang out with Scarlett! And you will not ask me any questions! And don’t worry about me!" Bella declared, her cheeks puffed like a rabbit ready to bite. Her voice carried both determination and that childish stubbornness she often used when she wanted her way.

Leo’s jaw tightened, his gaze sharp as steel. "It’s dangerous, Bella," he said through gritted teeth. His deep voice rumbled low, like distant thunder warning of a storm.

Bella tilted her head, eyes narrowing. "Why dangerous? I can’t stay here all the time, right? I want to go outside too." Her small hands clenched on the hem of her dress, her tone braver than she felt.

"No," he said firmly, his voice final.

"Yes," she shot back immediately, refusing to back down.

"No," he repeated, his gray eyes locking onto hers, daring her to challenge him.

"Yes," she insisted, leaning forward stubbornly, her lips curving in defiance.

The space between them tightened. Bella’s heart was pounding, but she didn’t look away. Leo leaned back slightly, studying her, his jaw ticking as if weighing whether to cage her or let her win. Then, to her surprise, he exhaled sharply and muttered, "Fine."

For a moment, Bella blinked in shock, then her face broke into the brightest smile. She clasped her hands together and almost bounced on the sofa. "You’re so kind!" she squealed, reaching out to pat his thigh in excitement.

Leo froze. His thigh. She had touched his thigh. His gray eyes darkened instantly, heat flooding through him as he looked at her tiny hand resting there. What was this girl doing? Did she not understand how dangerous it was to tease him like that?

Bella looked at him innocently, her smile wide and eyes sparkling, completely unaware of the effect she had on him. "Really, Leo, you’re the best!" she added, her fingers giving him another little pat.

His hand twitched against the couch, veins standing out on his forearm as he tried to keep control. This girl.

"You think I’m kind?" he asked slowly, his voice dropping lower, huskier, making Bella’s smile falter.

"Yes!" she said quickly, though her cheeks warmed under his intense stare.

He leaned closer, his arm still stretched along the back of the sofa, his shoulders towering over her small frame. His face tilted down until his lips hovered near her ear, his breath warm enough to make her shiver.

"You have no idea," Leo murmured, his voice low and dangerous, "how unkind I can be when I want. And of course, you’re no exception. You need to pay me, Bella."

Her ear turned scarlet, heat shooting down her neck as her body trembled. "P-payment? I... I’ll pay you," she whispered nervously, clutching the cushion as if it could shield her.

Leo’s mouth curved into a slow smile, his gray eyes glinting. His nose almost brushed hers as he said huskily, "I’m not talking about money..." His breath fanned across her lips, his voice too close, too heavy.

Bella blinked rapidly, her wide eyes darting to his. "Then... then what...?"

The corner of his lips lifted higher. He leaned so close she had no choice but to lean back against the sofa, trapped between the hard frame and his body. "Then let me tell you," he whispered, his nose grazing hers, "in our bedroom."

Bella’s breath caught. Her cheeks flamed. "W-wait—"

Before she could protest, he scooped her into his arms effortlessly. Her small body pressed against his solid chest, and she could feel the steady thump of his heartbeat under her palm.

"Everyone is looking!" she squeaked, her hands pushing against him lightly, her face burying in his shirt to hide from the maids whose muffled giggles echoed from the side.

Leo’s eyes snapped to them with a single glare, cold and sharp, enough to make them instantly bow their heads and scatter.