My Wife

At the farmhouse...

Bella's restlessness grew, sweat beads pricking her brow. "It's hot," she mumbled, rubbing her throat. Her fingers danced unsteadily against the buttons of her blouse.

Theodore, seated beside her, watched with growing concern. Just yesterday, they had met, and she had been okay, all enthusiastic and determined. But now she was fragile and vulnerable.

Questions swirled in his mind. Why did she go to a dangerous place like that alone in the first place? What was she doing with those thugs? Those weren't the kind of people common men willingly associated with. Had they taken her by force?

A cold shiver slithered down his spine. Kidnapping? That was the only explanation for Bella's state. Otherwise, she wouldn't end up like that.

'What kind of trouble are you in?' he thought, frustration twisting with his worry. 'What are you hiding, Bella?'

"Why is it so hot here?" she slurred, the heat seemingly more oppressive than before. Her hand fumbled again, this time, unbuttoning her blouse.

"That's enough!" Theodore growled, pinning her hands above her head to stop her.

The closeness seemed to soothe Bella. Her body, radiating heat, leaned instinctively towards his. "You're cool," she murmured, a hazy sweetness in her voice. "You feel so good." Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she leaned in, seeking his touch.

Theodore was momentarily thrown off balance. Her body's heat, the softness of her skin, it all beckoned to him. His dormant desire flared up, and a primal urge to claim her surged within him, almost overpowering his better judgment.

Bella's hands reached for his collar, pulling him even closer. A soft moan escaped her lips, sending a jolt through him. The line between concern and desire blurred, leaving Theodore caught in a whirlwind of emotions as he struggled to keep control of the sweltering heat.

Theodore didn't stop her. He watched, a mix of desire and concern warring within him, as Bella's feverish touch traced scorching marks on his neck. Her every touch electrified him. His Adam's apple bobbed, heat spreading inside out.

Bella's unsteady hands fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, her fingers grazing his bare skin. At this point, Theodore yearned to pull her close, to claim her completely. But a stronger urge, a tenderness for her defenseless state, held him back.

Bella wasn't by herself. She had no idea what she was doing. The last thing he wanted was to take advantage of her vulnerable state.

He wanted her – but not like this. He wanted her to be fully conscious when he made her his own.

With a sharp exhale, he broke the spell. "Enough already." He scooped her up, ignoring the surprised gasp that escaped her lips and carried her towards the bathroom.

"What are you doing?" she slurred, a flicker of anger sparking in her eyes.

Without responding, Theodore shoved her into the cool embrace of the bathtub and then sprayed cold water on her.

"Ugh!" A startled cry erupted from her lips as the cold water cascaded down. "It's cold—too cold."

"Didn't you say you were hot?" he retorted with a mixture of frustration and concern. "I'm cooling you down."

"Stop it!" she shrieked, scrambling to escape the icy torrent. "You! cruel man." She raised her arms in a futile attempt to shield herself from the relentless downpour.

Theodore was adamant and continued spraying it.

The cold water plastered Bella's hair to her face, clinging to her clothes and revealing the enticing curve of her body. Each passing moment made it harder for Theodore to ignore the raw desire gnawing at him.

The effects of the drug had already weakened Bella, and the relentless cold water made her dizzy. As the heat within her began to subside, her body went limp. She could barely lift her hands. The dizziness that swirled in her head intensified with every drop of water.

She slumped against the edge of the bathtub, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Her face drained color, and her lips turned pale. Terrified, Theodore slammed the faucet shut.

"Bella!" he cried, crouching beside the bathtub. He reached out, gently tapping her cheek. "Look at me, Bella."

Her response was a weak whimper, a single word escaping her lips. "Cold."

Theodore grabbed a towel and began drying her hair, his touch brisk but careful. Scooping her up in his arms, he carried her out of the bathroom. He felt a pang of guilt as he felt her shivering against him.

With these wet clothes, she could catch a cold. But there was a problem. This was his farmhouse. He didn't have any women's clothes on hand. The best he could offer was one of his own shirts.

He carried her to his changing room and pulled out a large T-shirt. "I hope you can manage to change on your own."

Despite her weakness, the cold water seemed to have had a sobering effect. Bella nodded slowly, taking the shirt from his grasp.

"I'll get you some soup," Theodore said softly, stepping out of the room to give her some privacy.

The door closed behind him with a soft click, and Theodore let out a deep sigh, the tension draining from his shoulders. Relief washed over him – he hadn't caved to his desire, hadn't crossed a line. Yet, a sliver of disappointment lingered.

He had had the chance to claim her, and yet, here he was, not even having stolen a kiss.

What a shame!

'Maybe someday,' he thought with a wistful smile, rubbing the back of his neck. Pushing the thoughts aside, he headed for the kitchen.

He quickly whipped up a pot of vegetable soup, returning to the bedroom with the steaming bowl in hand. To his surprise, Bella was already asleep.

He stood there for a moment, watching her chest rise and fall with each slow breath. Looking at her sleeping peacefully, he was relieved. Finally, the storm within her had subsided, and she was at peace.

Ding-Dong…

Theodore set the steaming bowl of soup on the side table and hurried to answer the door.

A young man of his age filled the doorway, his expression bleak. "Theo! Are you okay? Are you hurt?" The man inquired in a frenzied manner as soon as he entered the room.

"Relax, Gary," Theodore soothed, ushering him towards the bedroom. "It's not me. Come with me." He nodded to Bella and urged, "Check on her. She's been drugged."

Gary's brow furrowed in surprise as he took in the sight of Bella. He knelt beside her, his movements practiced and efficient as he examined her. After administering a quick injection, he rose and cast a pointed look at Theodore.

"I am the dean of a reputed hospital," he said disdainfully, "and you treat me like a glorified house-call doctor. You dragged me all the way out here to treat a stranger? Do you have any idea how busy I am? Have you seen the overflowing waiting rooms back at the hospital?"

Theodore met his friend's gaze unflinchingly. "You also haven't forgotten," he countered, "that the hospital belongs to my family. You're obligated to answer my call and attend me, whenever it may be."

Gary scoffed, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Fine, fine – you win. You're leveraging our friendship into something fierce. But seriously, who is she?"

"My wife!"

Gary's mouth slaked open, almost hitting the floor.