Chapter 76: The Intimate Night (Part-1)
This close to the edge, pulling back would be a herculean effort, but he wouldn’t force her. He’d respect her wishes, no matter how much it might torture him. He needed her to be a willing participant, not a conquered prize.
Bella’s eyes met his, filled with both love and uncertainty. She could see the struggle in his gaze, the deep longing mixed with genuine concern for her feelings.
Her heart swelled with affection for him, appreciating his respect and care. She was indeed nervous and anxious. Yet, a quiet determination flickered in her eyes.
She took a deep breath, her hand gently caressing his cheek. "Yes, Theodore, I’m ready. I want this too. But be gentle. It’s my first time."
Theodore’s breath hitched. The revelation stunned him. A woman as beautiful as Bella, untouched by the world of dating? Excitement surged through him, a jolt that eclipsed even the fiery passion that had been consuming him.
"Really?" he breathed, disbelief coloring his voice. "You never dated? No boyfriends in school or workplace?"
He had initially thought she liked Zack. But hearing her words, it seemed that she didn’t have feelings for Zack.
Bella shook her head. "No... I was too consumed with my family issues— Dating never crossed my mind." She tilted her head, her gaze searching his. "What about you? With your looks, I bet women threw themselves at you."
Theodore couldn’t help but chuckle. He couldn’t deny it. There had been no shortage of women vying for his attention since his school days, but none of them captivated him. They were all brash, self-serving gold diggers who disgusted him.
Besides, love was a concept he had sworn off entirely. His parents’ bitter marriage had left a deep scar. He used to believe a relationship never lasted forever. Commitment was a word he’d never considered until he met Isabella on that fateful night.