Chapter 69

**Bella-Rose POV**

A sudden brake made me lose the grip on my phone as it fell on the floorboard of the car.

"Ah hell!" I swore as I'm unable to locate my phone against the dark color.

"Sorry. We are here", James said looking apologetically towards me as he pointed towards the entrance of the fair.

"Oh no. Could you please wait? Amanda was saying something. Ah! Where is my phone?" I bent and tried to find it.

James came around the car to open my door, and said, "let me check. You will wrinkle your dress"

"Thanks," I said with a blush as I held his hand to step out of the car. Within two minutes, James was able to find it. However, it looks like it got crushed under my wedge.

"I'm sorry Bella, but your mobile screen seems to be broken. The signal is also lost. You must have stepped foot on it without knowing", James said as he extended my phone to me.

"Oh no! My poor mobile. I swear I would have felt it. James, is this a bad omen? First the almost accident and now this", I said pointing to my phone. Today is going all wrong. It was supposed to be a fun day yet I already cried twice in front of him.

"Don't think like that. It could happen to anyone. We will go to the mobile store later", James said closing my protest.

"Do you think they can repair it?" I asked hopefully as I caressed my mobile. All my contacts are in there. I couldn't utter a single number if my life depends on it.
"We will see", James said with a glint in his eye.

"You must think I whine a lot for everything. I'm sorry James. I'm not usually like this", I said as a red hue colored my cheeks. I would be lucky if James doesn't remember me as clingy and crybaby after this date. Talk about getting deep on the first date.

"Hey! I understand", James said as he cradled my face once again.

"Let's put this behind us and enjoy the day", I said determinedly ready to enjoy my day with James no matter what.

James gave a groan as I dragged him using both of my hands to every stand that was there at the fair.

We tried every ride. I screamed when I tried the speedy ones, I laughed when I shoved his face in candy, I got scared when we tried the haunted house.

In short, I experienced all emotions with him. James behaved like he is enduring this because of me. However, his eyes said another thing. He too is enjoying albeit grudgingly.

"Ahh...I'm full", I said tapping my stomach as I ate my hot dog.

"I haven't eaten this much junk in my life", James said with a scowl.

"You will live. However, if you want to burn some calories, I know a way to do that", I wiggled my eyebrows at him.

"We better get going. It's getting late", James said checking his watch, behaving like he has not seen my teasing expression.

"Of course," I said, my smile dimming a little. Maybe he doesn't like PDA. Looking at his suits, he seems uptight.

"Wait!", I shouted as James walked before me at a quick pace. James turned to me with a questioning look.

"I want a photo. No fair trip is complete without a photo", I said pointing towards the booth.

We then went inside a booth and made funny faces as the camera clicked in succession. I mean, I made funny faces while James scowled at me.

"That's ridiculous. Why do people do that when they can use cameras in their mobile?" James said once we came outside of the booth.

"It's because it's fun James. Don't tell me you never had fun before", I replied as I checked the photos. They came really well. Of course, I was looking at only James. My face is horribly stuck in a mid-pose in all of them. Uhh! I should have stuck to one expression like James. Then at least we both would have looked like stern Teachers.

"I won't", James replied to my question. I looked up from the photos as I scanned his expression. He is serious.

"What must be your childhood like without any fun in it?" I asked in surprise.

"We better get to the mobile store before it closes", James instead chose to change the topic. Understanding his need, I didn't press him for details.

"One of these days James, I'm going to learn all of your secrets. And then I'm going to tease you with them", I said instead to lighten his mood.

"You can try Bella moi", James said, still looking tense.

We were a good distance away from the parking lot when the first drops of rain fell.

"Ahhh!!" A lady before us screamed.

People around us started to run haphazardly towards the shelter. James tried to tug me through that crowd but I held my ground and instead led him in the opposite direction.

"What?" James asked confused

"Let's dance", I stood on my toes and whispered in his ear.

"Here?" James said looking around us.

"Yes," I gave a big goofy smile as I said that.

"You surprise me Bella moi", James whispered as he took hold of my hand and gave a twirl. He smelled of rain adding to his masculine musk that is tempting my libido.

We danced there under that light drizzle, with our clothes slowly getting wet, to the music only we can hear.

As the rain fell harder, James stopped our dance and tugged me towards the car. This time I didn't resist as I didn't want to catch a cold.

Once we were inside the car, James removed his jacket and put it around me. I looked at him confused. In response, James pointedly looked at my chest. I looked down to notice that my nipples are pebbled so hard that they can cut a stone.

A deep blush colored my cheeks. "I...I...", I tried to explain but James cut off with a, "they are meant for only my eyes Bella", in a husky tone. If possible, my blush intensified.

Once we stopped at the mobile store, James turned to me and said, "I will go and ask them. Why don't you relax here while I do that?"

"Are you sure? Here, let me give you the money for it", I extended my card that I took from my purse towards him.

"What did I say about money Bella?" James asked sternly. His tone once again that of a dictator.

"Repeating it doesn't seem to work. So why bother? I won't listen. I don't like to owe to anyone James. I accepted your money previously because of Agatha. But this is different. So please don't argue with this. Pretty please?" I too stood my ground as I said that.

"Fine!"

"Thank you", I said in gratitude, understanding that heeding others' decisions doesn't come easily to him.

James went inside the store. I looked at him from my seat, tracking his progress with my eyes as he went from the counter to the counter.

He doesn't have to bother with such trivial things. He could have easily given it to one of his employees. But James doing this for me by himself made me realize that he really does care for me.

Once he returned from the store, he returned my card to me and said, "all done. Now where to?"

I checked the time. It's 5 pm. Dusk is almost at the border as the sun is slowly setting, changing the color of the sky in the process.

"It's getting dark soon", I said as I nibbled my lip. James' attention zeroed on my lip. Suddenly, the tension in the car increased tenfold. I became aware of the distance or lack there between us. Our eyes locked in a steamy stare.

"Do you...do you like the gift I sent?" I asked to diffuse the tension

"Come to my place to find out", James said with a blazing look.

"Your...your place? Now?" I gulped as I said. Is that a new code for let's do the tango?

Teasing him and instigating him is ok, but am I ready for this step?

Seeing my worried expression, James said, "you don't have to worry about your safety Bella"

"It's not about my safety I am worried about. I trust you, James. It's just", I trailed off unable to voice out my insecurity. I never stood naked before another person. Not even before my friends. And James is a fine specimen with nary an ounce of fat. Overcoming years of shyness takes time.

"I'm asking you to come to my place to talk and relax. Nothing more. No need to feel pressured. If you are still worried, I will keep the car running while I show you where I put the painting in my home and we can drive back to your home. Is that ok with you?" James asked, understanding my inner conflict. How did I get so lucky?
"Yes...yes, thank you for understanding James. This is new to me. I never... I mean", I tried to give it one more tries only to fail in the beginning.

"I understand Bella. No need to explain", James said as he gently gave my hand a squeeze.

Unbeknownst to the couple, a man followed them in his car. He dialed the number of the person who gave this contract and said, "they are on the way to the guy's home"

"Are you sure?" Came a screeching voice

The man tried not to wince as he replied, "yes".

"Good. Keep me informed"