Hot and Spicy

"Are you hungry?" Rhys asked after their tour at the zoo. Beatrix had so much fun. They had taken pictures, visited the different animals and now she was hungry. She had eaten little due to her nerves.

Beatrix nodded, "Yeah."

Rhys placed his hands in his Jean pockets, rocking back and forth with a mischievous smile on his face.

"What do you want to eat?"

Beatrix arched her brows as she thought of a food that she had wanted to eat so bad but couldn't.

"Hmm something spicy!" She said a pang of excitement burning within her.

Rhys leaned in closer, so close that she couldn't help but witness his hazel eyes darkened.

"Oh so my little mouse likes it hot and spicy eh?" He whispered, his voice low and smooth.

Beatrix's stomach twisted and she felt like the air in her body was being sucked out of her at how intensely he was watching her, there was something about his question that seemed ambiguous, and she was not entirely sure how to answer it.

"Erm…yes. Eating spicy food can cause your body –pituitary gland and hypothalamus specifically, to release endorphins. Endorphins can be known as a trigger happy chemical, which gives you an instant feeling of pleasurrom head to toe. "

Beatrix blabbered before thinking, as usual the first thought that popped in her head. It seems something she did as a nerd.

Rhys straightened as his brows lifted, a slow deep smirk formed, while he rested his hand against his chin fiddling with his lips with his fingers.

"A nerd?" He questioned , his deep voice raising slightly higher at how entertained he seemed by her absurd answer.

Beatrix flushed in embarrassment , she pulled her glasses at the bridge of her nose. Avoiding his gaze. Now he would think she was stupid. Gosh. Stupid Bey.

Beatrix lifted and dropped her shoulders timidly, averting her eyes back down to the ground

"So my little mouse is a hot nerd. Hmm….finally the phrase, there is nothing sexier than a smart woman makes sense."

Beatrix smiled shyly, feeling an ever so small boost of confidence that he complimented her. He thought she was hot and sexy? Well that was new.

Her breath caught in her throat as she felt butterflies erupt in her stomach.

"Well it will be a pleasure to accompany you to burn. " He smirked, outstretching his hand out for her ,

"I know the perfect place, let's go. After that we have a little fun." He said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Something fun?" Beatrix asked as she fiddled with her fingers, chewing on the inside of her cheek.

Rhys nodded, a smirk etched on his face as he blinked slowly at her.

"Why do I feel like I'm not going to like your definition of fun?" Beatrix asked as she fiddled with her fingers, chewing on the inside of her cheek.

Rhys nodded, a smirk etched on his face as he blinked slowly at her.

Rhys chuckled, "Don't worry, love, just want to make sure we have beautiful memories together." He whispered, his lips twitching at the corner.

Beatrix's heart dropped when she realized that she might not see him again after today. That's why he wanted to create memories with her.

Her lips pulled up in a sad smile and she slipped her hand in his, immediately feeling wonder struck by the sparks that ignited when they touched.

His hands were warm, and much larger than hers, which seemed to enveloped hers in a way that seemed to have been created just for her.

***

Twenty minutes later, Rhys parked his bike at an old diner, swearing on his life that she was about to taste the world's greatest spicy hot pot.

Beatrix had never had one before so she was curious about how it tasted.

When they entered the warm room, she was immediately enthralled by the coziness and the chinese aesthetic of the place.

A Chinese woman who looked to be in her mid sixties came rushing towards them, embracing Rhys and kissing both his cheeks.

A faint blushed tainted Rhys' cheeks and Beatrix's heart thudded at how cute he was. He looked so different right now.

"My boy, it's been so long since I last saw you. You have grown big." She said with a wide smile on her face.

"How are you,Eva?"

She gave him a toothy smile, "Better now that you are here!"

She turned to Beatrix, as if noticing her for the first time.

"And who is this pretty girl?"

Beatrix blushed at her compliment, "Hi, I'm Beatrix ," She greeted, outstretching her hand for her to shake.

The lady took it, and pulled her into a hug, shocking her.

"So nice to meet you." She said warmly, before directing them to a nearby table for two.

"You two sit here. I will bring you your favourite,Rhys."

Eva instructed, giving the both of them a look of adoration before heading away.

"Do you used to come here often?" Beatrix asked once they sat down.

"Yeah, her hot pots are to die for." He said, biting his lips.

Beatrix hardly comprehend what he had said, she was too distracted by the way his perfectly straight teeth gently bit down on his pink lips.

"Beatrix?"

Beatrix snapped back to reality, blushing, "Sorry?"

Rhys smirked, "Distracted by my good looks?"

Of course she was. Who wouldn't?"

"W-what no-I-I"

"Sure." He interjected looking smug.