Thirty

Belle, waking up to Keo's intense gaze, questioned, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

With a smirk, Keo sarcastically quipped, "Well, your beauty is just too irresistible. I couldn't resist the urge to admire it."

Belle, feigning innocence, teased, "Oh, should I be charging an 'admiration fee' then?"

They both burst into laughter, and the playful banter continued as Belle playfully retorted, "Good thing I woke up, or you might have been mesmerized forever."

The atmosphere lightened further as they engaged in a spontaneous pillow fight. Feathers floated around as they exchanged playful blows, laughter echoing in the room. Exhausted and grinning, they collapsed onto the bed, wrapping each other in a tight hug.

Belle, breaking the moment, suggested, "We should go and take a shower to wash off." Keo, adopting a playful tone, sarcastically teased, "Oh, sure, because we definitely don't want to be too clean." Their banter continued, creating a playful ambiance as they headed towards the shower, the teasing becoming a delightful part of their shared connection.

Belle and Keo made their way to the shower, the steam already filling the room as they stepped inside. Keo winced slightly as the water hit his bandaged knuckles, the pain still fresh from their earlier altercation.

Belle noticed his discomfort and immediately took charge, gently guiding him under the warm spray of water. She reached for the soap, lathering up her hands before starting to wash his body, her touch gentle and soothing.

Keo couldn't help but smirk as Belle's hands moved over his skin, the sensation sending shivers down his spine. "Enjoying yourself, princess?" he teased, his voice low and husky.

Belle rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide the smile that tugged at her lips. "Just trying to help you out, tough guy," she shot back, her hands moving over his chest and down his arms.

Keo chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest. "I think you just enjoy having an excuse to touch me," he said, his eyes dancing with mischief.

Belle raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "And what if I do?" she countered, her hands moving lower, washing his stomach and hips.

Keo's breath hitched at her touch, his body responding to her proximity. "Well, in that case, I might just have to return the favor," he replied, his hands reaching for the soap as he turned the tables on her.

The shower filled with laughter and playful banter as Belle and Keo continued to wash each other, their teasing and flirting turning into something more intimate and sensual. And as the water cascaded over their bodies, they both knew that this was just the beginning of something much deeper between them.

As the water continued its gentle cascade, Keo, mindful of his bandaged knuckles, kept his hands on the sides of Belle's bathroom to shield his wound. Belle, with a delicate touch, continued to bathe him, her hands moving with sensual grace over his body.

In the midst of the intimate shower, Keo's voice, laced with desire, broke the tender ambiance. "Belle," he began, his eyes locked with hers, "be my girlfriend."

Belle, initially thinking it was one of Keo's playful remarks, playfully hit him. "You're joking, right?" she teased.

But Keo, looking into her eyes with sincerity, shook his head. "No, Belle. I'm serious. Be my girlfriend."

A moment of surprise hung in the air before a smile graced Belle's lips. She kissed him, a soft affirmation of her feelings. Keo, overcome with a surge of desire, lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist, though wincing as his wounded hand pressed against her. The kiss deepened, their shared passion woven into the steamy ambiance of the shower.

Breaking the kiss, Belle, with a playful glint in her eyes, remarked, "Well, you definitely know how to make things interesting."

Keo chuckled, the intimacy of the moment enveloping them. The shower became a canvas for their shared desires and the blossoming connection that had now taken the shape of a new chapter in their relationship.

Belle stepped out of the bathroom, the steam from the hot shower still lingering in the air. She wrapped a towel around Keo, his muscular frame glistening with water droplets. She then slipped on her robe, the soft fabric clinging to her curves.

As she reached for her phone, Belle's heart sank when she saw the message reminding her to move out of her house. She had grown attached to the cozy little place, and the thought of leaving was disheartening. But then, another message popped up, informing her that the house now belonged to a certain Keo Ryder Storm.

Belle's eyes widened in surprise as she turned to see Keo smirking at her. She couldn't believe it. He had bought the house for her. A wave of gratitude and affection washed over her, and she couldn't help but smile.

Without a word, Belle ran towards Keo and threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. "Thank you, Keo," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "I can't believe you did this for me."

Keo wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "I wanted to make sure you had a place to call home," he murmured, his voice low and husky. "I want to take care of you, Belle. Always."

Belle looked up at him, her eyes shining with tears. "I don't know what I did to deserve you," she said softly. "But I'm so grateful that you're in my life."

Keo brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his touch gentle and loving. "You deserve the world, Belle," he said, his gaze intense. "And I'll do everything in my power to give it to you."

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the love and connection between them palpable, Belle knew that she had found something truly special in Keo. And she vowed to cherish and nurture their relationship for as long as they both shall live.

Their laughter echoed as Keo playfully remarked, "You know, I think I should've bought a yacht instead of this house."

Belle, with a raised eyebrow, teased back, "Oh yes, because a yacht is the perfect accessory for our secret-agent lifestyle."

Keo, with a smirk, retorted, "You never know when we might need to make a dramatic getaway."

Their banter continued, a playful exchange that revealed the easy rhythm of their connection. As they got dressed, Keo, with a nonchalant tone, dropped a bombshell, "By the way, I sold the illegal racing event."

Belle, in mock surprise, gasped, "You did what now?"

Keo, meeting her gaze, explained, "Sold it. Last night. While you were blissfully asleep."

Belle, a mixture of curiosity and amusement on her face, asked, "How did you manage that?"

Keo, with a sly grin, replied, "A bit of charm, a sprinkle of persuasion. People are surprisingly open to selling things when you make them an offer they can't refuse."

Belle, shaking her head with a smile, kissed him. "You never cease to amaze me."

As they continued to get dressed, their conversation shifted into a sensual realm. Words danced between them, a symphony of desires and connection that intertwined seamlessly with the rustle of clothes and the intimacy of shared space. In this quiet dance of getting dressed, their closeness deepened, and the morning unfolded with the promise of a new chapter in their intertwined lives.

Belle, still basking in the afterglow of Keo's departure, received a message from Olivia that her books were in high demand and she should come to sign them for eager readers. Excitement sparkled in Belle's eyes as she rushed down to the location, where Olivia awaited with a mischievous grin.

As Belle arrived, Olivia greeted her with an infectious smile. "Look who's here, the best-selling author!" she exclaimed.

With a shared laugh, Belle joined Olivia at the table, where stacks of her books awaited her signature. As she began signing, Olivia couldn't help but interject with playful comments. "So, any exciting news in your life, Belle?" she asked with a sly wink.

Belle, trying to focus on signing, couldn't escape Olivia's persistent curiosity. "Oh, you know, the usual. Just had a nice morning with Keo," she replied, attempting to be nonchalant.

Olivia's eyes widened with intrigue, "Keo, huh? Spill the details! What's going on between you two?"

Belle, rolling her eyes with a smile, continued signing, "Olivia, we're just figuring things out. No need for a front-page scoop."

But Olivia, relentless in her quest for information, persisted, "Come on, Belle! Give me the juicy bits. Is it all steamy romance, or are there secret missions involved?"

Their banter continued as Belle signed each book, the air filled with laughter and the thrill of success. As they handed the signed copies to eager readers, Belle thanked them for their patronage, her joy radiating with each interaction.

Throughout the event, Olivia's questions about Belle and Keo's romance remained a constant, providing a lighthearted backdrop to the celebration of Belle's success. In the end, amidst the laughter and book signings, Belle couldn't help but appreciate the genuine friendship that accompanied the twists and turns of her romantic journey.