CHAPTER 382: CHAPTER 382 ★

He continued upward, kissing the inside of her knee, the softest part of her skin, his lips warm and deliberate. Her breath hitched, her fingers clutching the sheet beside her as an unfamiliar rush traveled through her whole body.

Then he reached her thigh.

Her pulse spiked.

Her breath stilled.

Her toes curled tightly.

He paused there, his lips only a breath away from the scar. Bella froze, every muscle tense with nerves, unsure whether she should pull back or pull him closer.

And then, without hesitation, he lowered his head and kissed her scar. Softly. Slowly. Unhurriedly.

Bella’s breath escaped her in a shaky rush, her eyes widening, her heart pounding so loudly she wondered if he could hear it. His lips pressed again, warmer this time, as if he wanted to wipe away the pain behind the mark with his mouth alone.

Before she could gather her thoughts, his tongue slid gently over the scar, warm and deliberate, and her entire body jolted at the unexpected touch.

Bella’s fingers flew to her mouth, muffling the tiny sound that escaped her as a sharp wave of electricity rushed beneath her skin, her breath tumbling out in uneven, trembling waves.

Her thighs trembled.

Her heart hammered.

Her whole body felt weak in a way she had never known.

Leo lifted his head slowly, his eyes dark and unreadable, his breath warm against her thigh.

By the time he kissed his way up to her stomach, Bella felt as if she had melted into the mattress. A shiver ran up her spine when his mouth brushed her navel, and she arched slightly without meaning to, her breath catching at how close he was without touching the most intimate parts of her. When he finally came up to kiss her lips, a deep warmth spread through her chest, an overwhelming mix of emotion and desire filling her completely. His mouth moved over hers in a deep, consuming kiss.

She hugged him instinctively, her arms sliding around his back as if she needed him closer, and he answered by kissing along her jaw and neck again. Her skin warmed under the patient trail of his lips, every slow nip leaving faint red marks that made her shiver. When he lifted his head again, his gaze drifted lower, taking in the soft curve of her chest beneath the thin fabric.

They weren’t too small or too large. Just perfect for her. Natural and gentle, fitting her slender frame so beautifully that a deep ache curled in his stomach. He swallowed hard, something tight and warm tugging inside him.

Bella, overwhelmed and shy, reached up without thinking. Her fingertips brushed his abdomen lightly, tracing the lines of his abs in a uncertain touch. She looked up at him with wide eyes, fascinated by the feel of him—warm, firm, alive beneath her palms. When she noticed him watching her, she snatched her hand back, cheeks bursting into a deep blush.

Leo chuckled softly, the sound low and warm, and he caught her wrist gently before she could hide it. He placed her hand back against his chest, letting her feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat. His breath brushed her cheek as he leaned closer, his voice dipping into a tone that sent a tremor straight through her.

"It’s alright," he murmured, guiding her hand over him again, letting her fingers explore the firm lines of his abdomen before lifting her hand back up. "Touch me, bunny. I want you to."

He watched every tiny reaction—how her lashes fluttered, how her chest rose in a shaky breath, how her fingertips trembled as they followed the shape of his body. His eyes softened yet darkened all at once, drinking in her innocence and trust, and Bella felt her entire body warm under the intensity of his gaze.

"I touched enough..." she whispered, her cheeks glowing like sunrise. She tried to sound confident, but her voice came out small, her fingers curling shyly into the sheets.

Leo lifted a brow, amusement flickering across his face in a way that made her heart stumble. "Really?" he asked, leaning closer as if he wanted to read each tiny expression she tried to hide.

Bella nodded firmly, almost stubbornly, and that alone made him laugh softly. She looked so innocent, so earnest, as if she truly believed she could handle only that much.

"How about my turn?" he murmured, his gaze drifting to her soft curves resting under her bra—two gentle peaks rising and falling with every trembling breath she took.

At his words, Bella froze for a moment, then nodded slowly. Shyly. Because she loved the way he touched her—warm, careful, as if she were something precious he would never let break. That trust made something deep in Leo loosen, something warm and grateful. She never denied him. She trusted him so easily. She let him see her body and her vulnerability without hesitation. It felt like an honor he couldn’t name.

He inhaled softly, savoring the moment, and then placed his hands where he had wanted to for so long. His palms cupped her gently, and Bella gasped the moment his warm hands closed around her chest. The sensation rolled through her like a wave—heat spreading from his touch all the way down her spine, her breath catching as if he had reached the center of her heartbeat.

He looked at her face first, as if making sure she wasn’t afraid, and what he saw there—wide hazy eyes, parted lips, a trembling softness—made something deep in him tighten. With a slow exhale, his fingers began to move, rubbing her through the soft fabric, learning her, memorizing the way her body rose beneath his hands.

Bella couldn’t stop the tiny whimper that escaped her when he squeezed lightly. Her hands flew to his shoulders, clinging to him because the sensation was too new and too good.

Her back arched on instinct, pressing herself a little closer into his palms, and the way her body responded made Leo’s breath turn rough, his pulse hammering as he leaned closer, his forehead brushing hers.

"Good girl," he whispered, his thumbs stroking the warm curves he was finally allowed to touch.

And Bella felt her whole body melt under him, her breath turning softer and sweeter as he touched her again—slowly, deeply—like he wanted to feel every inch of her softness through his hands.