Chapter Five: Breakfast With Temptation
1230 Words
Bella didn’t sleep that night.
No matter how tightly she closed her eyes, Noah’s face refused to leave her mind.
His smile.
His voice.
The way he had looked at her before saying goodnight.
Every memory replayed over and over until the early hours of the morning.
She tossed beneath the blankets, her heartbeat refusing to settle.
“What’s wrong with me…?” she whispered into the darkness.
For some reason, her body felt warmer than usual, and an unfamiliar feeling lingered deep inside her chest.
She hated how easily one man had managed to disturb her peace.
⸻
A soft knock echoed through her bedroom.
“Bella? Are you awake?”
It was Ammy.
Bella quickly sat up.
“Yeah… come in.”
The door opened, revealing Ammy with her usual bright smile.
“Breakfast’s ready. Everyone’s waiting downstairs.”
Bella forced a smile.
“I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Don’t take forever.”
Ammy winked before disappearing down the hallway.
The moment the door closed, Bella let out a long breath.
She walked into the bathroom, splashed cold water across her face, and stared at herself in the mirror.
“Pull yourself together.”
She changed into fresh clothes before finally making her way downstairs.
⸻
The dining room smelled of freshly brewed coffee and warm maple syrup.
As soon as Bella stepped inside…
Her footsteps slowed.
Noah was already seated at the head of the table.
White shirt.
Black tailored trousers.
A sleek black watch wrapped around his wrist.
His hair was neatly styled, exposing the tattoo that disappeared beneath the collar of his shirt.
He looked…
Even more attractive than he had the night before.
Bella mentally cursed herself for noticing.
Maria looked up first.
“Good morning, darling.”
Bella smiled politely.
“Good morning.”
“Did you sleep well?”
“I did.”
The lie came out effortlessly.
She hadn’t slept at all.
Then…
A deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Good morning, Bella.”
Her eyes instinctively found Noah’s.
There it was again.
That same unreadable smile from last night.
Warm.
Dangerous.
Her throat suddenly felt dry.
“G-Good morning, Mr. Jacob…”
She immediately stopped.
“…I mean…”
“Noah.”
A slow smile spread across his face.
“So…”
“You remembered.”
Bella looked away almost immediately.
“I did.”
Ammy laughed.
“Why are you still standing? Sit down.”
Bella nodded before taking the only empty chair.
Directly across from Noah.
Of course.
The maids immediately began serving breakfast.
Fresh pancakes.
Honey toast.
Scrambled eggs.
Crispy bacon.
Fresh fruit.
A cup of steaming coffee.
Maria smiled warmly.
“Please don’t be shy, Bella. Think of this as your own home.”
Bella returned the smile.
“Thank you.”
Everyone began eating.
At least…
Everyone except Bella.
She was trying far too hard not to look up.
Every few seconds, however…
Her eyes betrayed her.
Each time she glanced across the table…
She found Noah already looking at her.
Not speaking.
Not smiling.
Just…
Watching.
Bella quickly looked toward Ammy.
Still scrolling through her phone.
Maria was happily enjoying her breakfast.
Neither of them seemed to notice.
Bella reached for the butter dish.
The moment she looked up…
Their eyes met again.
Noah didn’t even try to hide it.
Bella cleared her throat awkwardly before looking away and spreading butter across her toast.
“Stop looking at me…”
She silently begged.
⸻
Then…
Underneath the table…
Something brushed against her foot.
Bella froze.
She instinctively glanced downward.
She couldn’t see anything beneath the long tablecloth.
She slowly moved her foot away.
A second later…
The touch returned.
This time…
It wasn’t accidental.
Noah’s polished shoe gently nudged hers before resting against it.
Bella’s heartbeat skipped.
She discreetly glanced around the table.
No one seemed to notice.
Very carefully, she tried to pull her foot back.
Noah stopped her.
With the slightest pressure, he trapped her foot beneath his.
Not enough to hurt.
Just enough to keep her from escaping.
Bella gripped her fork a little tighter.
She refused to look at him.
Across the table…
Noah calmly continued cutting his pancakes.
As though nothing unusual was happening.
Only the faint curve of his lips betrayed him.
Bella tried again.
This time with a little more force.
Still…
He didn’t let go.
Instead…
His foot slowly eased the pressure, letting the side of his shoe brush gently along hers before finally releasing it.
The subtle movement sent an unexpected shiver racing up Bella’s spine.
She immediately tucked both feet beneath her chair.
Far away from his reach.
Noah quietly lifted his coffee cup, hiding the amused smile that threatened to appear.
⸻
“So?” Maria suddenly asked.
“How are the pancakes?”
Noah looked toward his wife.
“They’re perfect, honey.”
Maria laughed happily.
“Aww… stop. You’re making me blush.”
Ammy rolled her eyes dramatically.
“You two are impossible.”
Everyone laughed.
Everyone…
Except Bella.
She was still trying to calm the frantic rhythm of her heart.
Maria turned toward her.
“What about you, darling? Do you like breakfast?”
Bella nodded.
“It’s delicious.”
After a brief pause, she added,
“Actually… I should probably head home after breakfast.”
Maria’s smile instantly disappeared.
“What?”
“No.”
“Absolutely not.”
Bella blinked.
“But—”
“You barely enjoyed yesterday’s barbecue.”
“So you’re staying today.”
Before Bella could respond…
Noah spoke.
“I agree.”
His voice was calm.
“You should stay.”
Bella looked at him.
“You didn’t really get to enjoy yesterday.”
“Besides…”
He smiled faintly.
“Maria has been planning today’s menu since this morning.”
Maria laughed proudly.
“Exactly!”
“I’ll cook lunch and dinner myself.”
“You can’t leave before tasting my food.”
“Aww, babe…” Noah teased.
“You’re showing off again.”
Maria lightly nudged his shoulder.
“Oh, stop…”
“You’re embarrassing me.”
“I mean every word.”
Bella couldn’t help smiling at their playful interaction.
Ammy leaned forward.
“Come on, Bella.”
“It’s our day off.”
“Stay today.”
“You can leave tomorrow.”
Three pairs of eyes looked at her expectantly.
Bella sighed in defeat.
“…Alright.”
“I’ll call Lisa and let her know I won’t be coming home today.”
Maria clapped excitedly.
“Yes!”
She immediately stood.
“I’m going to start preparing lunch.”
Ammy followed behind her.
“I’ll help!”
Within seconds…
The two women disappeared into the kitchen.
The dining room suddenly felt…
Much quieter.
Bella slowly stood from her chair.
So did Noah.
She instinctively stepped aside to let him pass.
As he walked by…
He slowed.
Just enough.
Leaning ever so slightly toward her, he lowered his voice until only she could hear.
“Good decision…”
A brief pause.
“…Bells.”
His warm breath brushed softly against her ear.
A shiver ran down Bella’s spine.
Before she could react…
He had already walked away.
Bella remained standing beside the table, completely motionless.
She didn’t dare turn around.
Because somehow…
She already knew.
If she looked back—
She would find Noah smiling.
- Writer
