Chapter 290: Chapter 290 Gift for him
Her lips brushed his left cheek, soft and fleeting.
Leo’s heart lurched, his mind blank for a split second. By the time he realized what had happened, Bella had already darted back, snatching Dorabella from his stunned hands like a thief with treasure. She hopped onto the couch across the room, hugging the bunny tightly to her chest, giggling with pure victory.
Leo sat there, still frozen, his fingers unconsciously lifting to touch the spot on his cheek where she had kissed him. His expression flickered with disbelief, his chest heavy with something he could not name.
Bella only squeezed the pink bunny tighter, peeking at him over its ears with a cheeky smile.
And Leo, still lost in her voice and the ghost of her lips, could only stare at her, silent and entranced.
****
After dinner, Bella’s mind kept drifting to tomorrow, her heart tight with worry about how she would manage her double life. But when Aunty Clara mentioned that her delivery had arrived, her thoughts shifted instantly. Excited, Bella hurried to her favorite room and carefully unpacked each item. Her eyes sparkled at the sight of the gifts she had bought for everyone, but her hands lingered longest on one particular bag.
The gift she had chosen for Leo.
Holding the bag close to her chest, she walked down the hallway quietly. She peeked into their bedroom, only to find it empty. Where is he? she wondered, her lips pressing together in thought. Then it struck her—his office.
She knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in," his voice called, deep and firm.
Pushing the door open, she stepped inside. The atmosphere was different here: the warm glow of the desk lamp, scattered papers, and the faint tension in the air. Leo sat behind his desk, broad shoulders bent over blueprints and diagrams, his brows drawn in irritation. A faint scowl touched his face as he clicked the pen in his hand.
"Leo?" Bella’s voice was soft, hesitant.
His head lifted, and instantly, his eyes softened. The frustration in his features melted away the moment he saw her standing there.
"Hmm?" he answered, his tone lower, gentler.
"I... brought a gift for you." Her lips curved nervously as she lifted the bag, holding it out like a precious offering.
He raised a brow, his gaze unreadable, but he watched her with silent intensity as she carefully pulled out the shirt. The dark violet fabric shimmered faintly under the light, elegant and bold. For a moment, his expression was impossible to read.
"Do you like it?" Bella asked, biting her lip, her lashes fluttering as she stared at him. Her heart pounded, unsure if she had chosen well.
Leo did not answer right away. Instead, he stood slowly, his tall frame towering as he walked toward her. Her breath caught as his fingers moved to the buttons of his shirt.
"Why don’t you try yourself?" he asked smoothly, his voice a low murmur that made her stomach flip.
Before she could grasp what he meant, Bella’s eyes widened as he pulled off his shirt and tossed it aside. The soft light fell across his chest, strong and sculpted, every movement carrying a natural confidence. Her gaze faltered, and she quickly turned away, her cheeks burning with heat.
He stopped in front of her, close enough for her to feel his warmth. "Help me wear it," he said simply, his eyes locked on hers.
"W-why?" she stammered, clutching the violet shirt in her hands.
His smirk deepened as he leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice. "You chose it for me. Shouldn’t you also see how it fits me with your own hands?"
Bella’s throat went dry. Her fingers trembled as she lifted the shirt, trying to slip the fabric up his arms. But he was so tall, so broad, her small hands struggled to reach properly. She stretched on her toes, her face pink, muttering under her breath about how unfair it was.
Leo chuckled, his hands moving to guide hers, his touch brushing her fingers deliberately. "Careful," he teased, his tone thick with amusement. "You’re shaking."
Bella puffed her cheeks, glaring up at him. "It’s because you’re too tall! Not because I’m nervous!" she protested, her voice soft and flustered.
Leo’s eyes darkened with warmth as he looked down at her. His smirk lingered, but behind it was something more, something possessive, something tender. "You’re always cute when you lie," he murmured.
Bella froze, her lashes lowering as her hands finally smoothed the shirt across his chest. The violet fabric hugged him perfectly, making his sharp frame stand out even more. Her breath caught again, her mind going blank.
Leo looked down at her reaction, satisfied, and whispered, "So? How does it look?"
Her lips parted, but no words came out. Her face burned, her fingers still resting lightly on his chest, and Leo’s smile deepened as he caught the way her heart was written across her expression.
He watched every flutter of her lashes, every uneven breath, the way her lips parted as though she had forgotten how to speak. A small smirk tugged at his mouth.
"So?" he asked softly, his voice low and magnetic. "How does it look?"
Bella blinked up at him, startled, her lips pressing together. "I-It looks... good," she whispered quickly, her cheeks burning. "Perfect. You look perfect."
Leo leaned closer, bending slightly so that his face was just above hers. His scent, dark and masculine, surrounded her, making her head spin. "Just good?" he teased, his words brushing against her skin like velvet. "After all your effort, only good?"
Bella’s eyes widened, her back instinctively stepping away. But in her retreat, she bumped against the edge of his desk. Her palms landed against the surface as she stared up at him nervously.
Leo’s smirk deepened. His arms moved deliberately, caging her in on either side as he planted his palms flat on the desk. The wooden surface groaned faintly under the pressure of his strength.
"Leo..." Bella whispered, her heart pounding wildly.
He tilted his head, studying her as if memorizing every inch of her. "Say it again," he murmured, his voice husky now. "Tell me how I look."