CHAPTER 409: CHAPTER 409 AFTERCARE

After arranging everything in the bathroom, Leo came out and gathered Bella gently into his arms, lifting her with an ease that made her melt against his chest. Her legs dangled loosely around him, her arms curling around his shoulders in a lazy, sleepy hug. The exhaustion from everything they had shared washed over her in a warm wave, and her eyelids drooped as she rested her head against his neck.

"Where are we going..." she murmured, her lips brushing his skin as she pouted softly, clearly not ready to move anywhere. "Can we sleep..." Her voice was small, tired, and adorably whiny, like a kitten refusing to leave its warm spot.

Leo chuckled, the sound low and warm as he pressed a kiss to the side of her head. "Bunny, we have to take a bath," he said, tightening his hold on her waist so she would not slip. "We both are sweaty and smell like... you know."

The teasing smirk on his face made her open one eye suspiciously.

And then it hit her.

She sniffed once. Froze. Sniffed again.

Her cheeks turned bright red in an instant.

"Oh no..." she whispered, burying her face in his neck. "I smell like... like..." She refused to complete the sentence, too embarrassed to even think about it.

Leo laughed quietly, the sound vibrating through his chest as he hugged her closer. "Exactly," he said, brushing his thumb across her lower back in slow circles. "Come on. A warm bath will feel good."

Bella groaned softly, her face still hidden against him. "Carry me then," she muttered, too tired to even lift her head.

"I already am," he whispered, smiling as he walked toward the bathroom with her tucked safely in his arms, her soft breaths brushing over his collarbone.

The bathroom lights glowed softly, casting a warm golden sheen over the tiles as Leo pushed the door open with his shoulder, carrying Bella against his chest. Steam curled gently from the tub he had turned on earlier, warm water filling the room with a soothing mist. Bella blinked slowly at the sight, her sleepy face pressed against his collarbone, her arms refusing to unwrap from around his neck.

"Leo..." she whispered, sounding half-asleep already, "it is warm..."

"That is the idea, bunny," he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "I want you comfortable."

He sat her on the counter carefully, keeping one hand on her waist as if afraid she might topple over from sheer tiredness. Bella rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, letting out the tiniest yawn that made his heart squeeze.

"Don’t look at me," she muttered shyly, cheeks still red from earlier.

"You say that," Leo said with the faintest smile, brushing a strand of hair off her forehead, "but you cling to me like a sleepy koala every two seconds."

"No I don’t," she argued weakly, immediately leaning forward and hugging him again.

He laughed softly.

With slow, gentle movements, Leo helped her into the warm water, making sure she eased into it instead of slipping. Bella let out a small sigh the moment her skin touched the water, her whole body relaxing as if the warmth soothed every tired muscle.

"Mmm... this feels so good..."

"I know," he whispered, rolling up his sleeves before joining her inside the tub, sitting behind her. "Come here."

She leaned back without hesitation, her back resting against his chest, her head tucked beneath his chin. His arms slid around her waist, holding her as if she was the most fragile thing he had ever touched. Her fingers played lazily with the water, but she kept sinking deeper into him, finding comfort in the slow rise and fall of his breathing behind her.

Leo reached for a small cup and slowly poured warm water over her shoulders, letting it cascade down her skin in soft streams. Bella shivered at the sensation and relaxed even more, her eyes fluttering shut.

"You take care of me too much," she murmured, sleepy and warm.

"Not enough," he whispered back, brushing his lips against her damp shoulder. "Not even close."

She turned her face slightly toward him, her cheek touching his chest. "Why are you so sweet suddenly..."

"Because you’re tired," he said simply, caressing her arm. "And because holding you like this feels better than anything I imagined."

Bella’s heart fluttered at the sincerity in his tone.

He reached for her hair next, wetting it gently, threading his fingers through her strands with slow, careful movements. Bella felt her breath catch, not from heat but from how delicate he was being, how quiet and respectful the moment felt. There was nothing hurried about him, nothing rough. Only warmth, safety, and a tenderness that made her heart beat like a drum.

"Leo..." she whispered.

"Hm?"

"Don’t let go."

He tightened his arms around her instantly, resting his chin on her shoulder as he pulled her closer in the warm water.

"I won’t," he murmured. "Not tonight. Not ever."

Bella’s eyes softened. Her fingers found his hand under the water and intertwined with it gently, needing the reassurance of his touch.

Bella did not even have to lift a finger. Leo made sure of that. He held her with a quiet devotion she was not used to, taking over every movement with a tenderness that surprised her again and again. For someone who carried so much strength in his arms and shoulders, his touch in the bath felt almost impossibly gentle. His rough, hardworking hands moved slowly over her skin, making sure warm water washed every place she was too tired to reach. Whenever she shifted as if trying to help, he stopped her with a soft murmur and guided her back against his chest, as if telling her the only thing she needed to do tonight was breathe and let him take care of her.

He cleaned her carefully, reverently, tracing the path of the warm water with smooth strokes, making sure she felt safe, cherished, and utterly relaxed. His thumbs brushed over her arms, her shoulders, her back, treating her as if she was something precious he had been entrusted with. Even the movements that should have felt simple suddenly carried a warmth that seeped under her skin, leaving her cheeks warm and her heart fluttering. She melted further into him, her body sinking into the comfort of the moment, her eyes half-closed as the steam curled around them.