Bella’s breath turned warm and shaky. Her hands slid lower almost on their own, guided by instinct and curiosity, until her palms brushed the firm shape of him, his waist first, then further down, where she felt the smooth curve of his backside.
Her fingers tightened shyly, testing the softness and strength there, and Leo’s breath caught in his throat. His head dropped to her neck as he groaned against her skin, a sound deep enough to make her whole body tingle.
"Bella..." he whispered, his voice hoarse and low against her throat. "Don’t do that unless you want to forget every bit of restraint I am holding on to."
She felt his breath move down her skin, hot and shaky, and a warm flutter rushed through her chest and lower belly. Her fingertips pressed lightly again, curious and innocent, and his arm tightened around her waist, pulling her even closer as if he couldn’t bear a single inch of space between them.
Her heart was pounding wildly, her lips swollen from his kiss, her body lting against his like she belonged nowhere else.
Suddenly—
"I TOLD YOU! BUT YOU DIDN’T BELIEVE , NOW YOU DIE!!" Dominique’s voice echoed across the campsite, furious enough to shake the trees.
Bella jumped a little. "Is... is soone fighting?"
Leo rolled away from Bella and groaned under his breath, already pulling his shirt on. "Of course. Only our group can ruin a romantic night in nature." He buttoned the last button quickly, pulled on his sweatpants, ran a hand through his hair, and opened the tent flap.
Bella followed right behind him, fixing her hair and straightening her pajama top, her cheeks still warm from their earlier closeness. The cool night air brushed her skin gently.
And then Dominique burst out of the boys’ tent, hair ssy, hoodie half on and half off, looking like a wild rooster ready to fight anyone with a pulse.
Right behind him, Jason stumbled out with a controller still in his hand, shouting back in pure outrage, "YOU BACKSTABBED FIRST, YOU GREMLIN!"
Casper erged last like a madman, trying to separate them but failing miserably. "DOM STOP, JASON PUT THAT DOWN, YOU TWO ARE INSANE!"
From the next tent, Scarlett and Zion peeked out, both looking equally startled.
Bella blinked, trying not to laugh at the sight of three grown n screaming over a ga. Leo stood beside her with a cold and dark expression.
Jason pointed dramatically at Dominique. "YOU PROMISED you wouldn’t betray ! We were on the sa team!"
Dominique yelled back, "YOU HEALED THE ENEMY!"
"It was an accident!"
"You’re an accident!"
"Say that again!"
Casper sighed. "I can’t believe I’m friends with you two."
Zion stepped forward, arms folded. "So they’re fighting because Jason stabbed them in-ga."
Bella covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking with soft laughter. "This... this is over a ga?"
Scarlett sighed deeply, patting Bella’s back. "Sweetheart, they once fought two hours over who stole the last cookie."
Leo finally lifted a hand, his voice low and sharp with authority. "Enough."
All three boys froze instantly.
Jason pointed at Dominique. "He started—"
"Jason," Leo said flatly.
Jason straightened like a soldier. "Yes sir. I was wrong sir. Please don’t kill ."
Dominique crossed his arms. "Coward."
Casper nodded. "Coward."
Bella giggled softly, leaning into Leo without even realizing it. Leo glanced down at her, his eyes softening just for her, then looked back at the three idiots who had ruined their mont.
"Apologise," he ordered.
Jason groaned loudly. "Fine... sorry."
Dominique muttered, "Sorry."
Casper sighed. "Sorry."
Scarlett clapped. "Wow. So mature."
Zion chuckled. "Don’t expect it to last."
Leo rubbed a hand over his face, the irritation still tight around his jaw as he ordered the boys back into their tent. Dominique grumbled, Jason rolled his eyes, Casper muttered dramatic threats of never playing gas again. Zion exchanged a quiet nod with Leo, a silent agreent that they would deal with the three clowns in the morning, and then he guided Scarlett back to their tent with a quick, protective touch to her back.
Leo exhaled deeply and pushed open the flap of their tent. Bella followed him inside, her steps soft against the thick blankets, and the mont they entered, she noticed his hair. Normally neat, disciplined, and perfectly styled, it was now a complete ss. Strands fell across his forehead, a few pieces sticking up from where he had dragged his hands through it in frustration. On any other man it might have looked wild or sloppy, but on Leo, it only made him look unfairly handso, a little dangerous, and incredibly sexy.
He muttered a curse under his breath, softer this ti, and Bella couldn’t help it. She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly from the back. Her cheek pressed to his warm back, and his tense shoulders slowly relaxed under her touch.
"It’s okay, Leo..." she said, laughter bubbling in her voice. "They’re like children. Chaotic, noisy, dramatic children. But still cute."
Her sweet laugh filled the tent, light and warm like soft bells on a winter evening, and his irritated expression lted almost instantly. A reluctant smile curved on his lips before he even realized it. He rested his hand on hers, gently squeezing her fingers as if grounding himself in her warmth.
He turned slightly, enough to look at her over his shoulder. "You think this is cute?" he asked, sounding annoyed and at the sa ti amused.
"Yes," Bella said honestly, smiling up at him with those soft doe eyes that always made his heartbeat shift in his chest. "But you’re cuter."
Leo huffed, pretending to be offended, but the soft flush near his ears betrayed him.
They settled onto the cozy bed of layered blankets and cushions. Leo pulled the large, soft comforter over them, tucking it securely around her so she wouldn’t feel the night’s cold. The tent felt cocooned and peaceful. Outside, the forest whispered with crickets and faraway wind, but inside, everything was warm and comfortable.
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