CHAPTER 3 : THE FORBIDDEN FEELING

BELLA’S POV

For a second, neither of us moved. He just stood there, holding my underwear, his dark eyes locked on mine.

I snatched it from his hand and shoved it behind my back. "I, I'm sorry. My bad."

"I'm just going to take this and leave," he said, his voice tight. He grabbed whatever he'd been reaching for in the closet.

But his eyes, his eyes weren't on the closet anymore.

They were on my chest.

I glanced down and realized with horror that my shirt had shifted during the fall. My nipples were clearly visible through the thin fabric, hard and pressing against the material.

He didn't look away.

He just stood there, staring, his jaw clenched, his breathing slightly heavier.

I crossed my arms over my chest. "What?"

He cleared his throat. "You have a mark on your chest."

"What?" I turned toward the mirror.

Sure enough, there was a small scratch just above my collarbone. It was bleeding slightly. I must have gotten it when the bag fell on us in the car.

"Sit down," Dominic said, his voice low. He was already moving toward the bathroom. "I'll get the first aid kit."

"I can do it myself," I protested. "It's just a little scratch."

"Don't be like that." He returned with the kit and sat down on the edge of the bed. "You're my daughter now anyway. Just let me take care of you. After that, you can go clean up and get changed."

Daughter.

The word made my stomach twist.

I sat down reluctantly, and he opened the kit.

His hands were steady as he dabbed at the wound with antiseptic. But his eyes… his eyes kept drifting lower. To my chest. To my nipples, still hard beneath my shirt.

I tried to cover myself, but he stopped me.

"Wait. Stay still. Let me finish taking care of your wound."

Every touch felt like fire. His fingers brushed my skin, and I had to bite my lip to keep from making a sound.

My body was responding in ways I didn't understand. Heat pooled low in my stomach. My breath came faster.

I glanced down.

Between his legs, I could see the outline of something hard pressing against his trousers.

Oh god.

I squeezed my thighs together, trying to ignore the ache building inside me.

Is this the magic this man used on my mum?

I was losing it. I hadn't felt this way before. Maybe it was because I missed Harry. Maybe it was because I'd held onto my virginity for too long and my body was finally rebelling.

It's all about Harry, I told myself. I can't wait for him to return.

"I think the wound is fine now," I said quickly, standing up. "The treatment you just gave me will be enough to heal it."

He stood as well, his eyes still dark. "All right. Good to hear that. You can change and come down for lunch."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

He walked toward the door, but just as he reached it, it opened.

My mum stepped inside.

"Oh, Dominic! You're here?"

"Just checking on Bella," he said smoothly.

She smiled. "I trust you and Bella are getting along very well."

He nodded.

I just stood there, silent, staring.

"Well, let's leave together," Mum said, linking her arm through his. "Darling, hurry up and come down for lunch."

The moment they left, I collapsed onto the bed.

This man nearly made me end up in trouble just now.

Why hadn't I even noticed the scratch on my chest? I'd been so carried away with my thoughts.

I just need to focus.

I got up and started to undress, peeling off my clothes until I was completely naked. I was about to grab my towel when there was a knock on my door.

Before I could say anything, the door opened.

My mum stepped inside.

I yelped, grabbing the towel and pressing it against my body.

"Oh, you're still here?" she said, completely unbothered. "Go shower quickly, Bella. We're going out soon after lunch, and you're still standing there."

"What?" I stared at her. "Where are we going? Mum, haven't you done enough for today? Please, I just want to rest. I'm not interested in going anywhere."

"And tell the maid to bring my lunch up here," I added.

"No. That's not allowed here, Bella." Her tone was firm. "You just moved in today, and you haven't learned the rules of this house yet. First rule: you can't have your lunch in your room. It must be at the family dining table. Do you understand? And this evening, Mr. Dominic will also tell you the rest of the rules so you can follow them while you live here."

I stared at her in disbelief.

"If you're not interested in going out with me, then I'll have no choice but to go alone," she continued. "Julie called to remind me it's her birthday, and I almost forgot because I was so excited about my marriage today. But I'll be going, and I'll return tomorrow. Julie and I haven't seen each other in a long time, and we'd like to spend more time together. So I'll be coming back tomorrow."

My heart dropped. "What? Mum, you can't just bring me here today and then leave me all alone!"

"But you're not alone. Mr. Dominic is here. And the maids."

"He's your stepfather now, Bella. Just give him a chance to be a good father to you. Stop being so hard on yourself."

"Mum, stop this! I don't like it! He will never be my father, and you know that!"

"Stop it now, Bella!" Her voice rose. "You won't be the one to tell me who to be with and who not to be with. He's my husband now, and you're going to respect that."

She turned and walked out, slamming the door behind her.

I stood there, trembling, tears streaming down my face.

Then my phone rang.

I wiped my eyes and grabbed it, checking the screen to see who was calling.