Chapter 67

**Bella-Rose POV**

James moved slowly as he took in my home while I made myself busy with taking out the ingredients. He picked the picture of my family who is displaying goofy smiles to the camera.

"Family?" He asked turning to me with the photo frame in hand

"Yes", I said with a shy smile

He then carefully placed it back and wandered some more looking at little knick-knacks I collected. Seeing him in my home gave me a fuzzy feeling. Even his casual walk is filled with grace.

I sighed internally and shook myself to concentrate on making the batter. I added all the ingredients required in the middle of whisking the batter.

However, as I started whisking the batter, my hand accidentally touched the fruit basket that was placed at the edge of the counter, making it slip on the ground.
"Oh no!", I cried and bend to pick the apples.

A sharp intake of breath behind me made me turn my head, bending in the same position only to see that James' eyes are glued to my shorts that must have risen up.
I couldn't resist but give my booty an extra wiggle as I picked the apples, internally smiling at the pained look James is sporting. James gave a loud groan that made me choke a laugh.

I then turned and asked innocently, "want to have a bite?"

James who stood poised a while ago visibly gulped at my invitation.

"Little Red", he said in a warning tone.

"What? I was just asking about the Apple silly", I said as I gave a joyous laugh.

"You will be the death of me", James muttered under his breath.

"James! Don't ever speak of you and death in one sentence", my eyes welled up instantly, imagining such a scenario.

Looking at my wet eyes, he closed the distance between us to the point of almost touching our front, but not close, as he said deeply, "will that affect you little red?"

He stared at my face, searching my eyes for something with an intense gaze.

"What sort of question is that? Of course, it affects me. I lo-"

I came to a halt before I could declare my love to him. However, James must have noticed my near slip up as his face radiated with deep satisfaction. He smiled at me gently as he tried to coerce my intentions.

"Say it, Bella. I want to hear you say it", he said as he cornered me once again with his hands, my back to the counter.

"What's with you and caging me James?" I asked instead, feeling lightheaded with his proximity. My breaths came faster as he inched closer.

"Because I want you to remember that you are mine. Mine alone", he growled delectably with a dose of possessiveness as he stared into my eyes.

"And are you mine James?" I whispered, questioning him as I searched his eyes for any tell-tale sign.

"I will respond to that question when you answer me this Bella moi. What was that you are going to say to me?" James turned tables and questioned me instead

"I...I... waffles!", I shouted as the burning smell of the waffles, tingled my nose.

I quickly ducked and scrambled towards my waffle-maker. I started dumping the now burnt waffle in the dustbin beside the counter as I gawky said,

"I'm so sorry. I'm not this clumsy in the kitchen. It's only that...". I blushed, unable to explain the reason behind my clumsiness.

"That I fluster you. Good Bella. You don't have to hesitate to say anything to me. Ever. Remember that", James thankfully stepped back once again, bringing my sanity back. However, with sanity came my word vomit. My mouth ran away from me as I poured the batter and said to him,

"Yes...well, it's not easy. I never talked to men in general just to flirt. So I'm new to this. And you can wipe that pleased look from your face", I looked pointedly at his pleased face as I said with snark.

"As you say little red", James said innocently but slipped into a smirk soon.

I groaned louder when his smirk got bigger at my discomfort. "I should have known", I muttered under my breath as I then got busy making waffles and piling them up with the fruits, and drizzling some syrup on the top.

Once I set the plate in front of him, James digs in with a vigor that surprised me.

"Have you been starving?" I asked with my mouth wide open as he quickly polished the food on the plate.

James smirked at me as he teased, "for your taste? Yes Bella"

"James!"

"You are the one who asked me", he said to me with a straight face.

I tried to smack him with the kitchen towel I was holding when my eyes landed on the clock.

"Oh shit!", I said louder than intended.

"What?" James asked seriously, his previous joviality gone

"It's...9", I said pointing to the clock.

"So? You have work?", James asked, his face dropping a little.

"Nothing. It's just my mom usually visits during this time on weekends", I clarified as my mom's imaginary shout of 'fifibel' rang in my ears.

If she sees a man in my home this early in the morning, she will bombard me with a thousand and one questions. And I don't even want to think what she will ask James.

"You want me to leave?" James asked disappointed

"No...", I hesitated, unwilling to part with him yet. At the pace we are going, who knows when we will be able to spend together again? I don't want to postpone my happiness. I want to grab this moment in my life. So when he posed the question "then?", I posed,

"Umm...take me with you?"

"Do you mean that Red?" James said with a fire in his eyes.

"Yes...I mean not permanently, of course. Just to spend some time with you. If you...are ok with it?" I clarified feeling shy all of a sudden

"I will be honored red", James said vehemently ignoring my stumble.

"Give me ten minutes, I will shower, and Umm... Ya ten minutes", I dashed to my bedroom, my cheeks on fire as I heard James laugh at my embarrassment.

I showered taking great care in shaving the unwanted hair and not thinking about James wandering in my bedroom or probably laying on my bed.

As I applied lotion on my body, I couldn't help but think what he must be thinking about my request. Was he thinking I'm too forward? I gnawed my lip as I thought about him.

I never heard him say the word 'love', except shouting 'mine' every time given the chance like the seagulls in the movie "Finding Nemo".

I quickly wrapped myself in a bath towel as per habit and opened the bathroom door.

"Ah!!!!" I shouted at the top of my lungs looking at James really sprawled on my bed.

James however looked unaffected by my vocal excellence as he scanned my body leisurely with his hands behind his head.

"James", I said, feeling shy as I tucked the towel tighter.

"Yes, Bella?", James said with a heated look

"Don't. What are you doing here?" I gave a squeak, as he started advancing towards me

"Waiting for you, Bella. Wear something red for me", James bent his head slightly and whispered in my ear before exiting the room.

I should feel well pleased that he respected my wishes. However, a tinge of disappointment laced through me. Why is he always stopping at the last minute?

Other than touching my hands to guide me, he never touched me sexually. What's with that? Is James shy? I snorted at that thought. Right!

Then what other reason must he have? He always stops within a foot from me. Always. If I haven't seen a desire for me in his eyes, I would have second-guessed everything.

Maybe as he said, he needs some time to adjust to the person before he tries anything. It doesn't sound like James, but this is the only reason I can think of it.
"Bella?" James knocking on my bedroom door made me realize I'm still standing there clad in the towel.

"Two minutes", I said through the door as I haphazardly picked a red summer dress that's held by spaghetti straps.

I put my hair in my usual ponytail and checked myself in the mirror. Slight makeup, a red dress that hugs my breasts, flares at my hips, and stops at my knees, white peep-toe wedges completed my look.

"I'm ready", I said as I clutched my purse.

"Not yet", James said as he circled me.

"Huh?" I looked down to check if I have missed something. Nope. Everything is there.

James then removed the hairband slowly from my hair, letting my strands loose.

"I like it like this", he said into my ear from behind me.

I cleared my throat to dislodge the lustful thoughts my mind is adamant about projecting.

"Before we go any further, I need to ask you something", I said with all seriousness.

James stepped back and came in front of me. His face is devoid of any emotion.