"Darling, is there any trouble in your family in East City?" Tristan asked, his tone showing a genuine worry.
Bella turned her gaze back to Tristan. "No. Nothing happens. Everything is fine as far as I know," she answered, maintaining her smile.
She didn’t want to ruin Tristan’s mood on their first day back together, living under the same roof.
"Are you sure?" Tristan slowly raised his hand, gently stroking her hair. He continued his words when he didn’t hear her response and saw her avoiding his gaze. "I mean... you still seem worried about something. You can share it with me, Bella. I’ll try to help no matter what..." He meant it.
Hearing the sincerity in his voice, Bella turns to see him again. "Thank you, Tristan. But I also don’t know what happened there. I will let you know if anything is wrong and ask for help if necessary."
His worried gaze slowly faded, replaced with his spring-like smile.
However, before Tristan could say anything, Bella said, "Let’s enter the house. Dax must be waiting for us!" She stepped into the house without waiting for Tristan.
Even though Bella was already familiar with this house—she visited almost every day—when she entered it again after deciding to return to Tristan as his wife, she felt joy, excitement, and fear. Those emotions were mixed so well that Bella couldn’t determine which one she felt the most.
Bella tried to calm her heart and mind as she continued walking towards the living room. However, upon entering, she found it empty. She didn’t see Dax there.
She turned to look at Tristan beside her, but he spoke before she could. "Dax is not in the living room. Maybe Dax has gone to his bedroom," Tristan said, taking Bella’s hand. "Let’s check on him..."
Bella nodded. There was no reason to stay on this floor; there was no dinner tonight. They had already eaten on the plane before landing. Her son must be tired and sleepy now.
....
Bella and Tristan entered Dax’s room just as he finished changing into his pajamas.
"Hi, Dax. I thought I would see you in the living room. Are you going to bed early, buddy...?" Tristan walked over to his son’s bed and sat on the edge, helping him with his blanket.
"Are you tired, my son?" Bella asked in worry.
"Mom, Dad, my activities will continue tomorrow. So I decided to go to bed early because I will be busy from morning to evening." Dax smiled back at his mother before bidding them goodnight.
Bella was always amazed by the maturity of her son’s mind. She never imagined this young man would think and talk like an old man, just like his father.
They finally left his room after showering Dax with kisses,
...
Later,
Bella narrowed her eyes at Tristan after she saw him close the bedroom door.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Tristan chuckled as he approached her. He placed his hands on her waist and pulled her closer to him.
Even though they were still fully clothed, the moment his body came into contact with hers, Tristan could feel his blood sizzling, rushing to certain parts of his body.
"My beautiful wife, I know... you can’t wait to sleep with me, but can we clean up first? Or do you want to take a bath together?" A faint smile slowly appeared on his lips as he leaned closer to her face to kiss her.
Bella, "..."
’Jeez!! Tristan Shameless Sinclair... who wants to make love with you!?’
She pulled her head away from him, avoiding his kiss. When she saw his shocked expression, she rolled her eyes before answering. "Throw away what you’re thinking, Mr. Sinclair... That’s not what I’m thinking right now."
Suddenly, a faint line appeared on his forehead as he said, "Huh! So, am I wrong?"
"Yes... Yes... You are!"
"Ha ha ha..." Tristan awkwardly laughed. "I’m sorry, darling. I thought you couldn’t wait any longer," he said while gently rubbing her dainty nose.
Tristan led her to the sofa at the end of the room. After they sat side by side, he asked, "Then, why were you looking at me like that? Like you want to swallow me through your gaze. Is there something you want to say?"
"Do you realize that you are increasingly influencing Dax?" Bella said. She was amused when she saw him frown. "I mean, the way he talks and his attitude in serious mode is the same as you."
Tristan tried to remember his son’s behavior in the last few weeks. Moments later, he laughed.
"Wow! You are right, dear. Dax literally copied-pasted me..." Tristan said as he slid his arms behind Bella, placed them on her waist, and pulled her closer to him. There was no space between them; he could feel her body heat increasing like his.
He tried to calm his heartbeat for a few more seconds before saying, "Thank you, Bella. You have given birth to my mini-me... I love you so much." Tristan leaned closer, kissed her lips, and pulled her into his arms.
The light kiss and his tight embrace suddenly made Bella feel her whole body heat up. Even the air conditioner in the room failed to make the room temperature comfortable. She wanted to immediately take off her clothes and take a cold shower.
They hadn’t made love since the last time they almost did it at the beach house. Tristan wanted to make their first experience memorable, a honeymoon experience. Because in the past, they had never been on a honeymoon.
"Bella, I can’t wait any longer..." His hoarse voice near her ears sped up her heartbeat.
"Have you forgotten what you said yesterday!?" Bella answered him calmly.
Tristan pulled himself away from Bella, trying to hold back his lust. He rested his back against the sofa, looking at the ceiling.
Second later,
He closed his eyes, trying to calm his mind so that his little brother down there wouldn’t wake up. Or he will betray his promise.