Capítulo 20: Chapter 20
Della stepped out of the bathroom, she turned to the corner and stopped short. Hunter stood near the doorway, his back to her, wearing only a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. Water dripped from his hair and down his sculpted back, his skin gleaming under the soft, warm lighting. For a moment, Della was frozen, unable to look away. The sight of him like this—casual, unguarded, and undeniably attractive—made her heart race.
She felt as emotions swirl inside her. The pull was undeniable, the way her eyes traced the defined muscles of his shoulders, down to the curve of his waist. Her breath quickened as she realized how close she was to him,She knew she should turn away, but her feet felt glued to the spot.
Just then, Hunter turned, catching sight of her. His eyes met hers, and for a second, he looked just as surprised as she felt. Then, a smile slowly spread across his face—one that was both amused and warm.
"I didn't mean to surprise you," he said, holding up the towel in his hand. "I showered in one of the other bathrooms. I figured you'd want some privacy."
Della felt the heat rise to her cheeks, and she offered a small, embarrassed smile. "I—I appreciate that."
He shrugged, his gaze lingering on her. "I know it's been a long day. I didn't want to intrude."
Della swallowed, feeling the tension in the air between them. She realized then that her robe had slipped slightly, revealing more of her shoulder. She pulled it back up, hoping he hadn't noticed, but the way his eyes darkened told her he had.
"Are you settling in okay?" Hunter's asked as he took a step closer.
Della nodded, trying to regain her composure. "Yes, it's all... overwhelming. I've never been somewhere so beautiful."
He chuckled softly, the sound rich and deep. "Yeah, it's a lot to take in. I thought it would be a nice way to start things off—give you a place where you can just... relax."
Della's eyes softened, and for a moment, the guarded wall she held up started to slip. "It's... it's perfect. Thank you."
Hunter smiled, and for a second, his eyes seemed to search hers, as if trying to find the truth behind her words. "I'm glad you like it." He hesitated, then added, "I know this is all new, and... I don't want you to feel pressured. I want you to be comfortable."
His sincerity caught her off guard. She had expected him to be polite, but the warmth in his voice, the genuine concern—it was almost too much. "That means a lot," she whispered.
Hunter reached out, and for a moment, she thought he might touch her again, but he paused, his hand hovering near her cheek. "You deserve to feel happy, Emily."
Her heart clenched. If only he knew the truth, he wouldn't be so kind. She looked away, struggling to steady herself. "I—thank you."
His fingers brushed against her arm, a fleeting touch that sent a shiver down her spine.
Della's breath hitched. "Hunter, I—"
Before she could finish, a soft knock on the door interrupted them. Hunter's eyes held hers for a moment longer before he turned away, pulling back. "I'll let you finish getting ready," he said, a hint of reluctance in his voice.
As he walked away, Della let out a shaky breath, her emotions swirling. She couldn't deny the way her heart pounded when he was close, the way she felt pulled toward him. But she also knew that if she let herself fall for him, everything would crumble. Hunter deserved the truth, and she couldn't give it to him.
Hunter paused at the door, turning back to her with a playful smile.
Della felt her pulse quicken, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
As he left the room, Della stood there, her heart pounding. She knew she had to keep her guard up, but the warmth of his presence and the gentleness of his words made it harder with every passing moment.
Della settled for a black hoodie that reached just above her knees. She glanced at the lingerie she had briefly considered, but decided against it. She wasn't sure what she hoped for tonight; she just needed some space to think. Grabbing her shoes, she quietly left the house and made her way to the beach.
The beach was peaceful, bathed in the soft light of the moon. The sand was cool beneath her feet, its texture fine and smooth. The gentle crash of the waves was a soothing lull, and the air carried the salty scent of the ocean, mingling with the earthy fragrance of the nearby palms. The moon hung high in the sky, its light casting a silvery glow over the water, which shimmered and danced like liquid silver. Della inhaled deeply, feeling the sea breeze brush against her face, its touch cool and refreshing.
She walked close to the water's edge, letting the foam curl around her toes before finding a spot to sit. Slowly, she lowered herself onto the sand, hugging her knees to her chest. The wind tugged at her hair, and she closed her eyes, allowing the sounds of the sea to wrap around her, lulling her into a sense of peace she hadn't felt in days. The beach had always been her escape, a place where she could breathe, a place where the world felt distant.
After a moment, she slipped off her shoes and dug her feet into the sand. It felt colder than she'd expected, making her shiver, but the sensation was oddly grounding. As she wiggled her toes deeper, the cold began to fade, replaced by the warmth. For the first time that day, she felt a quiet settle over her, a stillness that wrapped around her like a blanket.
"Mind if I join you?"
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder