The Contract Bride of Mr. Reid-Chapter 70: Intimacy in the bathroom

In the washroom, Bella splashed cold water on her face, trying to calm her racing heart. The nerve of Theodore! She felt a mix of frustration and embarrassment.

She muttered a curse under her breath. "So brazen! Doesn’t he realize I’m with my boss? Why is he flirting with me? Pervert!"

She scrubbed her hands with unnecessary vigor, glaring at her flushed reflection in the mirror. Her mind flickered back to the previous night—the images of Theodore and Willow holding hands and looking at each other affectionately flashed in her mind. Her mouth contorted disdainfully.

"He clearly fancies Willow," she muttered. "Then why the intimacy here?"

The thought of Theodore playing both sides, her and Willow, churned her stomach. She decided she would keep her distance from him.

"Moving in with him? Absolutely not!" she hissed, her resolve hardening.

The sudden click of the restroom door sent her head snapping around. Theodore stood there, a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips.

"What are you...?" her question died unfinished as he lunged forward, his hand clamping over her mouth.

"Shh! Don’t shout," he warned her in a hushed tone.

Bella’s eyes widened in outrage. She struggled against his hold, a muffled "Mmm!" escaping her constricted lips.

Theodore, sensing her rising anger, finally relented. "Alright, alright," he soothed, "I am releasing you." Theodore hesitated for a moment but pulled his hand down.

Bella gasped, sucking in a much-needed breath. "Have you gone mad?" she hissed, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is the women’s restroom!"

Theodore’s eyes were intense, filled with unspoken urgency. "I had to talk to you," he said quietly.

Bella’s eyes narrowed. "Talk what? Why you were touching me under the table? Or why you’re here, in the women’s restroom?"

Theodore held his hands up in a placating gesture. "Whoa, Bella, calm down. I just wanted to talk to you for a second." His gaze swept over her, a flicker of concern marring his usual composure. "Are you alright?"

"Alright? How can I be alright when you barge into the ladies’ room?" she shot back with indignation.

"Bella, I am your husband," he countered.

"And being my husband doesn’t grant you magical access to the women’s restroom, does it?" Bella rolled her eyes, exasperated.

"Look," he began, his voice softening, "seeing you here with Zack was unexpected. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay." He paused, then added with a hint of possessiveness, "The moment I saw you, I couldn’t wait to check on you."

Bella studied him intently, searching for the source of his agitation. Had anything happened that she didn’t know about?

"I know everything," Theodore murmured, his gaze turning gentle. "Don’t worry; I won’t spare anyone who troubled you."

She came to the realization that Theodore had learned everything that had happened at the office. Her eyes widened in surprise. Knew everything? Who had told him? Zack? "But how?" she blurted out, her mind racing.

Theodore smirked, a knowing glint in his eyes. He wouldn’t reveal his secret source, Amy, just yet. Blowing his cover could unravel everything. "Let’s just say I have my ways," he said with a hint of mystery. "Protecting my wife’s safety is my top priority."

Bella bristled. "So you’ve been spying on me?" Her annoyance flared, hot and sharp.

Theodore’s hands shot up defensively. "Spying? No way! It’s all about keeping you safe, understand?"

His words struck a chord within her. She had saved him once, and in return, Theodore had saved her on several occasions and even helped in her mother’s treatment. Gratitude warred with a strange simmering jealousy within her.

Bella took a step back, her eyes narrowing. "Protection? Or control?"

"Bella, please, I’m just looking out for you. After knowing how hostile Olivia is toward you, I can’t help but worry."

Bella’s eyes softened, her annoyance subsiding. "I can handle myself," she insisted, jutting her chin out defiantly.

"Really?" He chuckled, her stubbornness amusing him.

The sting of his sarcasm sent a wave of embarrassment crashing over Bella. Reality hammered into her. Every time she had stumbled, Theodore had shown up and helped her. There was no denying he had become her protector.

"Just leave, Theodore," she pleaded. "Before someone sees you."

But Theodore, a mischievous glint in his eyes, seemed determined to tease her further. He moved towards her, a playful smirk twisting his lips. "What if I don’t want to leave?" he challenged.

Bella gaped at him, bewildered. What had gotten to him? The Theodore she knew was a serious, aloof businessman. This man was playful, almost flirtatious. When had this transformation occurred?

Her initial shock gave way to a steely resolve. She wasn’t going to let him toy with her, no matter how charming he seemed at the moment. "Then I’ll leave," she declared

She made a move to bypass him, only to feel his hand clamp around her arm.

"Do you want to leave me here alone?" He asked sarcastically. "Aren’t you afraid of another woman taking advantage of me?"

"You!" she sputtered, indignation boiling over.

With a swift motion, he pulled her closer, her body colliding with the hard wall of his chest. The breath caught in her throat as their gazes locked. Theodore’s eyes darkened with desire. The fire of her proximity was undeniable, and he leaned in, his lips a breath away from hers.

In that charged moment, all the barriers she had built around her heart seemed to crumble. Theodore’s face inched closer, his eyes flickering down to her lips. Bella’s mind screamed at her to pull away, to maintain her composure, but her body betrayed her, leaning into his touch.

Theodore closed the distance, his lips brushing against hers with a tenderness that took her breath away. The kiss was tentative at first, but the electric connection between them was undeniable.

As their lips pressed together more firmly, a wave of longing washed over Bella, her hands instinctively reaching up to grasp the front of his shirt.

"You drive me crazy, Bella," Theodore whispered. "I can’t stay away from you, no matter how hard I try." His arms encircled her waist, pulling her even closer, deepening the kiss.

Their heated moment shattered as a voice boomed from outside the door. "Bella!" Zack called, followed by a series of insistent knocks. "Are you there?"