Chương 24: Chapter 24
Della didn't know when exactly she'd fallen asleep, but she was gently brought back to consciousness by a light tap on her shoulder.
"Emily," came the familiar voice. Her eyes fluttered open to find Hunter standing over her, looking at her with a hint of amusement mixed with something more tender.
"You're back…" she whispered, blinking against the fading light, trying to shake off her sleepiness.
"Couldn't stay away, could I?" He extended a hand to help her up, and she accepted it, feeling a spark of warmth at his touch. His gaze held hers.
"I didn't mean to stay away for long," he said, his voice soft. "Thought I'd give you a little time to enjoy the beach." He paused, glancing at the setup he'd arranged around her. "But I couldn't resist joining you… and, I thought I'd make it up to you."
"Oh?" Della raised an eyebrow, trying to keep her tone light, though her heart raced.
He nodded, gesturing back toward the house. "I prepared something… a surprise, actually. A bubble bath, rose petals, candles…" His voice lowered to a near whisper, "and maybe even a little music. Why don't you go change? I'll have everything ready for you."
The gentle command in his voice stirred something inside her, anticipation. She couldn't read his full intentions, but the idea of his planning something so intimate made her feel warmth. Perhaps it was the act, or maybe the way he looked at her, like she was someone worth the effort. She felt vulnerable yet enchanted.
With a soft nod, she made her way up the steps and into the house. Once in the master bedroom, she closed the door, leaning against it for a moment. Her thoughts swirled, and her heart pounded, each beat a little reminder of how out of place yet strangely at home she felt.
What was she supposed to wear for this? She felt herself linger at the wardrobe, fingers brushing over the silken robes and soft fabrics, feeling a strange urge to make this moment memorable, like it mattered. Finally, she chose a robe—a delicate, blush-pink silk that draped elegantly over her frame, hinting at a softness she hadn't dared to embrace for a long time. Dressed, she took a breath, steadying herself, and stepped out.
The bathroom door was slightly ajar,As she stepped in, Della's breath caught—before her was a large, luxurious bubble bath, sprinkled generously with rose petals. The room was filled with the soft, inviting scent of roses, she saw the warm glow of candles across the walls. The scene before her was nothing short of a romantic dream. The tub was filled to the brim with soft bubbles, rose petals scattered over the surface like floating whispers of color, and the soothing, low hum of music filled the air.
Hunter's voice broke through her awe. "Go ahead." His gaze lingered on her,She looked up at him, meeting his eyes with a soft smile. "Thank you, Hunter i... for all of this.
He stayed by the door for a moment longer than necessary, his eyes drifting over her. "I'll be just outside." he murmured, his voice soft that left her heartbeat fluttering as he left the room.
As she slipped out of her clothes and into the warm, fragrant water, Della let her head rest back, closing her eyes. The scent of roses mixed with the warmth of the water left her senses pleasantly dulled, but her mind kept wandering back to Hunter, replaying the way he looked at her, the gentle touch of his hand on her shoulder, the softness in his voice. She wondered if he felt this connection too, a pull that left her feeling exposed and alive all at once.
When she finally emerged from the bath, wrapped in a plush robe, she stepped into the hall to find Hunter waiting just outside. He straightened, his gaze holding hers, and for a moment, she thought she saw something flicker there—a barely restrained intensity.
"Feel better?" he asked, his voice softer, deeper.
"Much better," she answered, offering him a shy smile, trying to mask the way her heart was racing. But his eyes held hers, drawing her in until she couldn't look away. He led her into the living room, where he'd set up a small spread—a tray of dark chocolates, strawberries, and a glass of chilled champagne.They sat on the cushions he'd arranged by the window, the soft candlelight around them, making everything feel intimate, almost secretive. He poured her a glass, their fingers brushing as he handed it to her, the brief touch sending a thrill through her.
For a while, they ate in silence, exchanging looks that felt charged, At one point, a drop of chocolate lingered on her lip, and before she could react, he reached out, brushing it away with his thumb, his touch lingering just a moment too long.
"Sorry," he murmured, his gaze dropping to her lips. His hand remained close, as if hesitating to let go.
She felt her breath hitch, her heart racing wildly. Unable to stop herself, she whispered, "It's alright… I didn't mind."
His eyes met hers, darker now, the look in them making her feel as if the air between them was charged with electricity. She felt herself leaning in, drawn to the warmth of his presence, the closeness that seemed to consume them both. Her murmured warnings, reminding her of the risks, but her heart urged her forward.
Just as their breaths mingled, he pulled back slightly, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips. "I'm afraid if I keep looking at you like this, I won't be able to stop myself."
Della's cheeks burned, her pulse thrumming as his words left her feeling completely exposed. "Then don't stop," she whispered, her voice trembling as she reached out, her hand resting on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her fingers.
Hunter closed his eyes, drawing a deep breath, as if grounding himself before meeting her gaze once more. "You're making it very difficult for me to behave myself, Emily," he murmured, his hand coming up to cup her face, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her cheek.
Without another thought, she closed the distance between them, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that felt both inevitable and intoxicating. The world around them melted away, leaving only the warmth of his touch, the taste of him, the way he held her as if she were something precious.
His fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss until she felt as though she might dissolve beneath the intensity of it. His other hand rested on her waist, grounding her, making her feel wanted in a way she hadn't known before. They broke apart only when breathless, their foreheads resting together as they caught their breath.
*What have I done?* The thought burned in her mind, sharp and unrelenting. *I shouldn't have kissed him. I shouldn't have initiated it. This wasn't supposed to happen.* Her hands trembled slightly, still resting on his chest.
Her throat tightened as she stepped back slightly, her gaze darting away. *He thinks I'm Emily,* she reminded herself bitterly. *He doesn't know the truth. This isn't real.*
The silence stretched awkwardly, and she felt her cheeks flush under his piercing gaze. Struggling to collect herself, she forced a small, nervous smile. "Good night," she murmured hastily, her voice barely audible, before turning and retreating toward the masters bedroom.
She didn't dare look back, afraid of what she might see in his eyes—or worse, what she might feel in her own.
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