Chapter 202: Kitchen mishap
Theodore sighed, carefully turning off the tap and drying his hands, avoiding her eyes. "I tried to cook," he said softly. "I really did, but... everything went wrong. I burned the noodles, and my hands, and before I knew it, the kitchen was a disaster."
He leaned back against the counter, shame washing over him. "I didn’t want to disappoint you, Bella. I didn’t want you to know I messed up, so I asked Skyler to bring the takeout. Then I tried to pretend like I made it myself. I know it’s stupid, but I just wanted to make you happy."
Bella stood there for a moment, gaping at him with disbelief, then finally let out a soft laugh. "You burned your hands trying to impress me with noodles?"
He nodded slowly, not meeting her eyes.
Her eyes softened as she stepped closer, taking his hands in hers. "You didn’t have to go through all of that, you know. The fact that you tried means more to me than any meal could."
Theodore lifted his gaze to meet hers, relief slowly replacing the shame. "Really? You are not mad at me!"
"Of course not," she said, reaching up to gently kiss his cheek. "But next time... maybe we’ll just cook together to avoid such kitchen injuries."
He chuckled, feeling the tension finally ease away. "Suddenly, I feel hungry." He drew her into his arms and kissed her hungrily.
She smiled against his lips, kissing him back. The tenderness of the moment quickly gave way to something deeper, something more primal. His hands gently cupped her face as she responded, her fingers slipping around his neck, pulling him closer.
The leftover food on the table was a distant memory. All that mattered now was the heat building between them, the way their breaths quickened in sync. Theodore pressed her back against the counter, his lips tracing a path from her mouth to her jaw, down her neck, as Bella gasped softly, her fingers threading through his hair.
He paused for a moment, looking into her eyes as if to ask permission. When she didn’t push him away, he lifted her onto the countertop, his hands sliding under the hem of her shirt, feeling the warmth of her skin.
Bella’s legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer, her body craving his touch. She tugged at his shirt, impatient, and soon, the fabric was tossed aside. Theodore’s hands were busy removing the top over her head.