CHAPTER 2 : THE MOST TEMPTING MOMENT

BELLA’S POV

His hands were still on my waist. His breath was warm against my neck.

And for one insane, terrifying second, I wondered what it would feel like if he didn't let go.

I forced myself to sit up straighter, pulling away from him.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

He didn't respond.

The car kept moving.

And I kept trying, and failing, not to notice the way my body seemed to fit perfectly against his.

We hit a red light.

The driver slowed to a stop.

And one of the bags in the back tipped over, tumbling forward and knocking into us.

Dominic reached up to push it back into place.

But his hand, his hand, accidentally landed on my chest, grabbed my nipples.

I gasped.

He froze.

For a heartbeat, neither of us moved.

Then he jerked his hand away like I'd burned him.

"Sorry," he said, his voice tight. "I didn't…"

"It's fine," I said quickly, my face on fire.

It wasn't fine.

I was wearing a thin shirt over a tank top, and I could feel my nipples hardening under his accidental touch.

God, what is wrong with me?

I crossed my arms over my chest, praying he couldn't see.

But when I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, I saw the tension in his jaw. The way his hands were clenched into fists on the seat beside him.

He knew.

And worse, I could feel something hard pressing against me from beneath.

Oh god.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to wrest away the heat pooling low in my stomach.

This is your stepfather. Your mother's husband. Stop.

But my body wasn't listening.

By the time we finally pulled up to the estate, I was a mess.

My underwear was soaked. My heart was racing. And I couldn't look Dominic in the eye.

I practically threw myself out of the car the second it stopped.

"Bella?" Mum called after me. "Where are you going?"

"I need to call Harry," I said without turning around. "I'll be right back."

I didn't wait for a response.

I just ran.

Because if I stayed one more second near Dominic Hayes, I was going to lose my mind.

I just had to get myself to a spot and make this call. I don't know if this so-called new stepfather of mine is intentionally setting me up or what, but I was almost disgraced this afternoon.

So this man is really as rich as my mum said, but he couldn't even bring more of his cars to pack those luggages? Instead, he came with just one car, making me sit on his... on his strong thighs this afternoon, making me go crazy feeling his hardness beneath me.

I shook my head, trying to clear the thoughts.

I looked up and spotted a cool, comfortable-looking bench tucked under a flowering tree. It seemed like the kind of place someone would sit for fresh air. Perfect.

I sat down and dialed Harry's number.

It rang. And rang. And rang.

Pick up, Harry. Please.

When he finally answered, his voice was warm and familiar. "Sweetheart, how are you? I was about to call you before you called. I'm very busy right now, but never too busy for my baby."

I smiled despite myself. "I wanted to tell you that I miss you. I was hoping I could come over and spend a few days with you."

There was a pause. "Really? Babe, I'd love that, but you'll have to wait. I'm on a business trip helping my father with some company arrangements. I'll call you the moment I'm back."

My heart sank. "Oh."

"I'm sorry, love. But I promise I'll make it up to you."

I forced the disappointment down. "Okay. I'll be waiting. I have a surprise for you."

"Can't wait." I could hear the smile in his voice. "I love you, Bella."

"I love you too."

The call ended, and I stared at my phone.

What a bad day. Everything seemed to be going wrong. First the move, then that torturous car ride, and now I couldn't even escape to Harry's place. I was stuck here for the next few days until Harry came back. But I'd make sure I avoided him, Dominic. I just didn't want to be bumping into him every morning I woke up.

Wait.

A thought struck me.

What if I just tell Harry I'm ready? Ready to get married?

He loved me so much. We were so in love. He wouldn't even give it a second thought. I'd tell him I was finally ready to give him my virginity, ready to marry him. At least then I could stay away from my mother and her new married life for good.

The idea made me giddy.

This is perfect!

I jumped up from the bench, a smile breaking across my face.

"Ma'am?"

I spun around.

A maid stood there, looking slightly out of breath. "I've been searching for you. Your mother asked me to call you."

I quickly composed myself and followed her back toward the house, though inside, my heart was still dancing with joy.

When I reached the main living area, my mum was waiting, her face lighting up when she saw me.

"Bella! I've been waiting for you to return. I was afraid you might get lost inside the estate—it's too large for newcomers like us."

"Oh, Mum, I almost did get lost before the maid found me," I said with a small laugh.

"Well, you're here now." Dominic appeared beside her, gesturing down a hallway. "The maid will show you to your room."

I nodded stiffly, avoiding his eyes.

The maid led me down a long corridor lined with expensive-looking artwork. When she finally stopped in front of a door and opened it, I stepped inside.

The room was beautiful. Spacious. Elegant. A massive bed sat in the center, flanked by nightstands with crystal lamps. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the estate gardens.

But it could never be comfortable. Not as long as that man was around me.

My face fell.

"Where is my mum's room?" I asked the maid.

"It's on the other side, just before yours, ma'am."

I nodded. At least my room was far from his. I wouldn't have to see him everywhere I turned.

The maid left, closing the door softly behind her.

I threw myself onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling and thinking about Harry. About how we'd soon be the perfect couple. Married. Together. Away from all of this.

I grabbed my phone and tried calling my best friend, Jennifer.

No answer.

Oh god, I hope Jennifer hasn't gone to my old house to check on me. I'd completely forgotten to tell her we were moving out.

I decided to text her instead so she'd know when she saw it.

Then I paused. I hadn't told Harry about the new place either. I should probably let him know.

I started typing out a message, then glanced at the location tag on his last text.

Wait.

It showed he was still in the city. Not outside it, like he'd claimed when he said he was on a business trip.

I frowned.

Is the map glitching? Or is there an error?

Maybe he was still on his way. Maybe he hadn't left yet and I just didn't confirm it with him.

It's not a big deal, I told myself.

I started typing again when there was a knock on my door.

"Come in," I called out, setting my phone down.

The door opened.

Dominic stepped inside.

I froze.

"Oh, Bella, my dear, feel at home," he said smoothly. "I came to check on you, to make sure the maid serviced you well. You can ask them for anything you want."

I rolled my eyes internally. Yeah, anything I want.

What if I told him the only thing I wanted right now was to never see his pretty, seductive face again? Not anywhere near me?

"Did you say something?" he asked, tilting his head.

"Oh, no, sir. I was just checking if my friend replied to my text."

"Okay. Like I said, just relax and have some rest."

He moved toward the closet, frowning slightly. "I told the maid to make sure everything was well organized, but they keep messing things around…"

He reached up to adjust something on the top shelf.

At the same moment, I leaned back and accidentally knocked my bag off the bed.

It tumbled to the floor, spilling its contents everywhere.

Dominic immediately turned and bent down to help me pick things up.

And then we both reached for the same item at the same time.

My red lace underwear.

Our hands touched.

Time stopped.

He froze, staring down at the fabric in his hand. Then his eyes slowly lifted to mine.

I felt my face burst into flames.

What the fuck?