The ride back was quiet, the hum of the car filling the spaces between them. Bella leaned her temple against the cool glass, watching the streets slide past. Somehow, the morning felt like every other morning — and yet not at all. Lucas's hand rested firmly on the wheel, his other draped casually on the gear shift, and she realized with a soft exhale that she didn't mind being with him. Maybe… she even liked it.
By the time they reached the apartment, Lucas had already decided she wasn't going to lift a finger. He piled every bag onto his arms, ignoring her protests. The sheer amount of groceries made him look almost absurd, but he carried them as if proving something.
"Lucas," Bella groaned, trailing behind with only her purse, "this is exactly what I warned you about. You don't have to turn into a hero every single time."
He glanced at her over his shoulder, eyes glinting. "Hero?" His voice carried a low amusement, but his gaze flicked toward her, sharp. "There's a difference between buying too much and making sure you don't run out of anything you need."
"Prepared?" she echoed, incredulous. "You bought ten boxes of cereal. Who exactly are we feeding — the neighborhood?"
His smirk was quick and shameless. "No, these are all for my pregnant wife. You'll thank me later."
Inside, he dropped the bags onto the table with a huff, rolling his shoulders like a man who'd just fought a war.
Bella crossed her arms, raising a brow. "All that bravado when you carried them in, but now you're out of breath? That's disappointing."
His head turned slowly, his gaze narrowing.
"Are you mocking my strength, sweetheart?" His voice was soft, too soft — the kind that always made her heart stumble. His wife — his own wife — questioning his strength. Had she forgotten how easily he'd proven it the very first night they met?
Bella tilted her head, lips twitching with a dangerous smile. "Maybe just a little."
"Careful," he murmured, though the corner of his mouth curved.
She should've stopped, but instead she leaned in further. "I mean… you were breathing like an old man just now."
Something flickered in his eyes — not amusement this time, but challenge. The smirk that followed was sharp. "Old man?"
Before she could retreat, his hands were at her waist, lifting her effortlessly and setting her down on the table amidst the bags. She gasped, clutching his shoulders. For a heartbeat, she was certain she might slip or hit the edge.
"Lucas!"
He leaned close, breath grazing her cheek, his gaze burning straight through her. His self-control was fraying, and he knew it. "This? This is nothing, Bella. I could break this table with you on it. Don't tempt me to prove my strength that way."
Her pulse thundered, but she forced her chin higher. "So what? You want applause?"
His chuckle rumbled low. My sweetheart thinks this is a joke. "No applause just acknowledgement."
"Oh, well then—congratulations." Her lips quirked. "You can carry groceries and women. Truly impressive. Should I order you a trophy?"
His eyes darkened, a teasing spark lurking there. She was getting bolder, sharper every day. Pregnancy really brought out the sass in her. "Careful with that sharp tongue, or I'll find a way to keep it busy, mia cara."
The heat shot up her neck. Words stuck in her throat, so she slid quickly off the table with a nervous laugh. "I—uh—I'm going to take a bath."
He didn't move to stop her, just let the smirk linger. She was the one who started it, and now she was the one backing off. "Run, Bella. I'll be waiting when you're done."
Steam curled into the hall when she returned, her cotton gown clinging softly to her curves, damp hair spilling over her shoulders. The faint vanilla scent of her skin drifted toward him where he sat on the couch.
Lucas looked up from his phone — once, then not again, because he couldn't look away. Her body was changing, becoming even more defined. He liked the change, maybe too much. Not that he hadn't liked her before, but now she was… different. More beautiful.
Bella shifted under his stare. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked lightly, though her pulse was racing.
He leaned back, his voice darker now, rougher. "You don't want to know how hard I'm holding myself back, Bella."
Her breath caught.
He rose and closed the space between them, stopping just a breath away. His jaw tightened, eyes unreadable, before he released a slow, measured exhale. "At our next appointment, we're asking the doctor if it's safe. I won't touch you unless I know you and the baby won't be harmed."
She swallowed, words abandoning her.
And then, without waiting for an answer, he turned and disappeared into the other bathroom. Water began to run, muffling the silence he left behind.
Bella stayed rooted to the spot, clutching her gown tighter, a helpless laugh escaping — half nerves, half disbelief.
How had she, who'd never even dated, ended up here — married, blushing at her husband's voice, and secretly wondering when it might finally be the right time and what would happen when he finally stopped restraining himself?
She shook her head, lips curving in spite of herself. "What are you doing to me, Lucas Costanzo?" she whispered.