CHAPTER 354: CHAPTER 354 WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

Her reply came muffled against his chest, soft and uncertain. "Umm..."

He tilted his head, pretending not to hear, his fingers drawing slow circles at the base of her neck. "What was that, Bella? I can’t understand you."

Her lashes trembled. "Yes... help me," she whispered, her voice barely a breath.

His smile deepened, dark, satisfied. His hand slid behind her neck, tilting her face upward until her dazed eyes met his. They were glassy and wet, pupils wide and glimmering like liquid. For a heartbeat, he just looked at her, watching the helpless vulnerability written across her face. Then he leaned down and captured her lips.

The kiss was nothing like before. It was deep, consuming, and raw, his lips moving against hers with a rhythm that left her no room to think. He kissed her like a predator devouring prey, his mouth hungry, his breath hot. His lips pressed harder, demanding more, and she felt herself drowning in the taste of him. Her hands trembled against his chest, clutching his shirt as her heart thudded painfully fast.

When he finally pulled back, her lips were red and swollen, her breath broken into shaky gasps. He chuckled softly, brushing her cheek with his thumb. "Breathe, bunny," he whispered against her trembling mouth, the sound almost a purr.

But before she could even catch her breath, his lips crashed onto hers again, deeper, fiercer this time. One hand gripped her waist, pulling her flush against him, while the other held the back of her head, keeping her right where he wanted her. His kiss stole every ounce of air she had left until she weakly tapped his shoulder, trying to gasp between the burning sweetness of his touch and the dizzying dominance of his lips.

And he let her breathe for a while.

Her fingers curled against his chest as if seeking something to hold onto, but his body was too warm, too close, too consuming. The moment his lips met hers again, the world around her ceased to exist. There was no room for thought, no space for air, only the heavy, intoxicating pull of his mouth claiming hers. His lips moved with deliberate control, alternating between deep, rough pressure and slow, sensual teasing that left her trembling. Each time he caught her lower lip between his teeth, her body jolted with a shiver that ran all the way down her spine.

Her knees weakened, and if not for his hand at her waist, she might have slipped. He held her firmly, his palm pressing into her lower back, forcing her body flush against his until she could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat thudding through his chest. Her breaths came fast and shallow as his tongue brushed hers, tasting, teasing, exploring until she thought she might lose herself entirely.

Bella’s mind went blank. Her hands rose instinctively to his neck, clutching him as though letting go would mean falling apart. His fingers tangled into her hair, holding her still while his kiss grew rougher, needier, his breath mingling with hers until she could no longer tell whose sighs filled the air. The faint sound of their mingled breathing was the only thing breaking the silence of the room.

When he finally parted from her, a thin line of breath connected them. She gasped softly, her lips glistening, her cheeks flushed with color that made her look heartbreakingly, innocently tempting. Her chest rose and fell as she tried to steady herself, but Leo wasn’t done. His eyes, dark and burning, traced the curve of her lips as if memorizing the way she looked, dazed, vulnerable, and utterly lost to him.

He brushed his thumb over her swollen lips and murmured in a low, husky tone, "You taste so sweet, Bella."

Her lashes fluttered at the sound of her name, and a small, involuntary sound escaped her throat. Before she could say anything, he leaned in again, his breath hot against her ear as he whispered, "And I’m not done tasting yet."

Then his lips found her neck, slow, deliberate kisses tracing along her pulse and down to her collarbone. Each brush of his mouth sent waves of shivers through her, her hands tightening in his thick hair as he lingered there, his teeth grazing her skin just enough to make her gasp. The air between them felt electric, every heartbeat echoing like thunder in the silence.

He kissed her again, softer this time, still hungry but slower, deeper, a promise instead of a command. Her lips trembled under his, answering with hesitation and need.

And when he finally pulled back again, his forehead rested against hers. His breath brushed her lips as he whispered, almost teasing but with a hint of something gentler beneath the darkness, "Still want my help, bunny?"

She gasped, her legs trembling so badly she could barely stand. It felt as though her whole body had melted, as if her bones had turned to liquid. Leo chuckled softly, watching the dazed look in her eyes. His amusement was gentle, almost fond, and before she could stumble, he swept her effortlessly into his arms and carried her to the bed.

The world around her blurred. She could only hear the quiet rhythm of his breathing, steady and sure, grounding her as everything inside her spun out of control. When he set her down, he brushed his fingers against her cheek, his touch surprisingly soft after the fire of their kiss. He leaned down and pressed a tender kiss on her forehead, slow, steady, and almost protective, as if to bring her back to herself.

For a moment, Bella lay still, her chest rising and falling unevenly. Slowly, the haze began to lift. Her heartbeat still raced in her ears, her lips still tingled where he had kissed her, and the warmth of his hands seemed imprinted on her skin. What just happened? she thought in a rush of embarrassment, her cheeks burning so hot she could barely breathe.

She turned her face away, too flustered to meet his eyes. Her mind replayed every second, his voice, his closeness, the weight of his touch, and it made her heart twist and flutter in confusion. Her fingers clutched the edge of the sheet, trying to hide how shaken she was, while Leo only watched her with a quiet smile that said he knew exactly the kind of effect he had on her.