Dinner passed, and Isabella Sheffield found that things were becoming increasingly harmonious between her and Alexander Cole. Even though she did most of the talking while Alexander quietly listened or occasionally responded, she noticed the difference. Their interactions no longer carried the same awkwardness as before.
To her surprise, when she returned to the room after tidying up, Alexander was already lying in bed with a laptop in his hands, absorbed in whatever he was working on. Isabella paused at the sight.
The soft glow of the screen illuminated his face, casting a faint warmth over his sharp features. From her angle, she could only see his side profile, but it was flawless nonetheless.
"My dear wife, are you enjoying the view?" Alexander teased, sensing Isabella's intense gaze. He turned his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Isabella's cheeks burned crimson as she froze in place. She hovered near the doorway, unsure whether to enter or retreat. Why was he smiling now? That rare smile sent her heart racing uncontrollably. Desperate to mask her embarrassment, she coughed lightly and managed to say, "It's... not bad," before quickly darting into the bathroom. If she stayed any longer, she feared her composure might crack.
Good looks were truly a dangerous weapon.
Watching Isabella's hasty retreat, Alexander chuckled softly. He didn't mind these little moments; they brought a surprising lightness to his otherwise mundane life.
After spending nearly an hour in the bathroom, Isabella finally emerged, now clad in a soft, pink bunny-themed onesie. Her damp hair cascaded down her back, framing her flushed face as she hesitated by the bed. Tiptoeing toward it barefoot, her earlier ease from dinner was now replaced by unease.
To her, Alexander was still a stranger in many ways, and consciously sharing a bed with him felt overwhelming.
"What's wrong? Are you worried I might bite?" Alexander asked, amusement lacing his tone as he glanced at her hesitant steps. "Don't worry, I'm not that easily tempted. You should get some rest—you need to report to Stellar Entertainment at eight tomorrow morning, don't you?"
Reassured by his words, Isabella forced herself to relax. She steeled her nerves, gritted her teeth, and quickly climbed onto the bed, lying stiffly on her side. However, she made sure to leave enough space between them for another person to comfortably fit.
Alexander set aside his laptop and switched off the light. Then, without warning, he reached out and pulled Isabella into his arms.
Feeling his firm yet gentle grip, Isabella instinctively struggled. But his deep voice whispered near her ear, "If you fall off the bed at night, I won't be responsible."
Sure enough, after hearing that, Isabella stilled, although her body remained stiff. If the lights had been on, her crimson face would've been a dead giveaway of her embarrassment.
She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to sleep. But the presence of a man so near—a man who exuded masculinity with every breath—made it nearly impossible to relax. Letting out a faint sigh, she silently questioned if she'd somehow made a wrong decision.
"Um… can you let go now?" Isabella asked hesitantly. She was acutely aware of Alexander's hand resting on her waist. The warmth of his palm seeped through her pajamas, unfamiliar and disconcerting.
"Sleep well," Alexander murmured, patting her shoulder lightly before releasing her.
He got out of bed without another word, picking up his laptop and settling into the recliner by the window. His fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard, the glow of the screen illuminating his face in soft, shifting hues.
Seeing him work so diligently, Isabella turned on her side to watch him briefly. An indescribable feeling stirred in her chest. She knew he had moved away because of her discomfort, and the thought made her heart soften.
Although Alexander often came across as cold and aloof, moments like these revealed an attentive side she hadn't noticed before.
"Good night," Isabella said softly, her voice gentle.
Alexander glanced at her as she closed her eyes, a quiet smile playing on his lips. "Good night," he murmured under his breath.
readability.