As Bella untangled herself from Reid's unexpected embrace, she found herself flustered and taken aback by the flood of emotions that moment had unleashed. His tight hug, so filled with sincerity and emotion, was a side of him she had never seen before. She had anticipated a confrontation, perhaps even a demand or threat, but certainly not this display of vulnerability.Looking at Reid's face, she realized she had only seen such expressiveness once before—on the night they had conceived their baby. It was a stark contrast to the usual cold and impassive demeanor he wore like armor, an impenetrable shield.Outside, the sky was transitioning into twilight, signaling the approaching darkness. Bella felt a sudden urgency to use the washroom, a common occurrence in her pregnancy. She glanced at Reid, who seemed momentarily lost in his thoughts, and then asked if he'd like to join her for tea. His nod of agreement was almost eager, surprising her once again.Bella quickly hurried from the ro
In the midst of their intense conversation, Reid couldn't help but notice the turmoil etched on Bella's face, her eyes reflecting a mix of confusion, skepticism, and a hint of vulnerability. He understood her hesitation, knowing he had caused her pain and uncertainty.He observed Bella stifling a yawn, and it struck him that she might be exhausted, mentally and emotionally. He didn't want to push her further; he knew he needed to tread lightly, especially considering her condition, and allowing her space and time to process everything without feeling pressured."Bella," Reid began, his voice calm and measured, "I don't want to overwhelm you. It's been a long day today." He paused, trying to gauge her reaction.Bella's eyes met his, a hint of relief flashing across her face, grateful for his understanding. "I appreciate that," she replied softly, a hint of weariness in her voice."I want a chance to make things right," he continued, his tone gentle. "But I don't want to impose. For ton
After his encounter with Bella, Reid stepped out into the cool Texas night, the door closing behind him with a soft creak. Boris, his loyal head of security, waited for him outside, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the farm."Boris," Reid began, placing a hand on his shoulder, "You stay here overnight. Watch over Bella. She and the child are my top priorities now."Boris furrowed his brow, his usual stoic expression reflecting his uncertainty. "But sir, what about your safety? Shouldn't I be with you?"Reid shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Boris, my safety is of no concern tonight, I have the rest of the team with me. Bella needs protection, and I trust you with that task. Besides, I want you to get to know her. She'll be an essential part of my life."Boris blinked, trying to process the unexpected turn of events. "Mr. Carter, I thought we were here to find her, not… not to become her protector
As Reid read Bella's message, a wave of confusion washed over him. They had confirmed their lunch plans earlier, and now, without warning, she was canceling. Disappointment settled in his chest, followed by a tinge of frustration. What could have changed so drastically in such a short span of time?He dialed Boris's number swiftly, needing to understand what might have transpired."Boris, any updates on the situation?" Reid inquired, attempting to maintain his composed demeanor despite the brewing turmoil within.Boris, ever reliable, quickly responded, "All's quiet here. Bella and Kate invited me in for a coffee and breakfast. They seemed fine.""How did Bella look?" Reid's question was laced with curiosity, seeking clues to Boris's observation."In the morning, she seemed a bit flustered but smiling. Last time I saw her, though, she seemed a bit off, a tad disappointed," Boris explained, his tone reflecting the concern in his observations.Reid felt a sense of frustration rising wit
After Reid released her from his arms, after a few seconds Bella hurriedly retreated to her room, shutting the door behind her with a soft click. She slid down the door, her heart pounding erratically, emotions swirling like a tempest within her. Flustered and enticed by Reid's unexpected reaction, she needed a moment to collect herself. Her knees were still trembling, and her heart was beating really loudly.Rushing to the small ensuite, she splashed her face with cold water, attempting to regain control over her scattered thoughts. The cool water served as a balm, soothing the intensity of the moment. Leaning on the sink, she stared at her reflection in the mirror, still feeling the imprint of Reid's touch and his passion. He kissed her like a starved man and the way he looked at her, she realised that there was no escape.Shocked by the level of control and attraction Reid had over her, Bella tried to make sense of the turmoil within. She was caught off guard by the resurgence of f
The bombshell hung in the air, reverberating through the quiet farm as Reid declared they were flying to Vegas to get married. Bella's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and disbelief etched on her face."You must be joking," she finally uttered, searching his eyes for any sign of jest.Reid's expression remained serious, devoid of humor. "I'm not joking, Bella."For a moment, she stood there, speechless, grappling with the enormity of his statement. When she found her voice, it was laced with incredulity."Why? Why would you want to marry me all of a sudden?"Reid met her gaze with unwavering intensity. "You're mine, Bella. You've been mine since the moment you opened your heart and your legs for me."His blunt words hung in the air, and Bella felt a mix of anger and disbelief. She couldn't fathom the audacity of his statement and the language he used."That's not a reason for two people to get married," she shot back, her eyes flashing with fury. “Go fuck yourself, you arse.” she cont
The room stood steeped in a thick, palpable silence, heavy with unspoken words and brewing tension. The sudden entrance of Kate brought a brief flicker of normalcy, her bright and cheery demeanor dimming as she glanced around, sensing the turbulent undercurrents.“Is everything okay?” Kate asked, her gaze darting between Bella and Reid, sensing the unease that hung in the air like an ominous cloud.Bella managed a quick nod, a fleeting attempt to assure Kate that all was fine. However, the turbulent emotions swirling inside her threatened to overwhelm her, and she felt like crying, and without another word, she bolted towards her room, seeking refuge in its comforting solitude.Reid remained rooted to the spot, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. Kate fixed a keen, steady gaze on him, her protectiveness for Bella evident in her stance.“You need to tread carefully with Bella,” Kate said, her voice firm yet laced with concern. “She’s been through so much because of her
The room held its breath as Reid waited for Bella's response. The weight of his confession lingered in the air, anticipation, and uncertainty dancing on the edges of the silence.Seconds turned into moments, and the absence of Bella's words began to wear on Reid. He felt exposed, a vulnerability he wasn't accustomed to, hanging in the room like an unspoken truth. He couldn't read the emotions in Bella's eyes, and it unsettled him.Breaking the prolonged eye contact, Bella turned away, her movements deliberate and controlled. The tension in the room heightened as she opened her cupboard, a silent symphony of rustling clothes and shifting items filling the space.Reid watched with growing confusion and a hint of discomfort as Bella methodically selected items and stuffed them into a backpack. The sound of zippers echoed in the room, each pull adding to the mounting tension. It was as if Bella was building a barricade around herself, closing off the vulnerability that had seeped into the