Lucas groaned softly, his body stirring awake as he felt an all-too-familiar tightness. He exhaled sharply, running a hand over his face before glancing at the small figure curled up beside him.
Rachel slept soundly, her tiny hand resting near Bella's, who was still lost in her dreams. His gaze softened for a moment before he sighed, slipping out of bed carefully to not wake them.
Shaking his head at his predicament, he padded toward the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. Cold showers were usually enough to keep his mind in check, but today, he needed something more. This was getting ridiculous.
Every day since their marriage, he had been painfully aware of Bella—her presence, her scent, the way she moved, even when she wasn't trying to grab his attention, he still can't unsee her. It was becoming a problem.
With another deep sigh, he turned on the shower, letting the water run down his body, attempting to wash away the tension coiling inside him.
By the time he was done, the house was still silent except for the occasional soft sighs of Rachel shifting in bed. Lucas threw on a black T-shirt and gray sweatpants before heading to the kitchen.
Cooking breakfast had become somewhat of a habit ever since they started living together, and if it meant Bella and Rachel get to sleep a little more, he didn't mind at all. As he began pulling out ingredients from the fridge, the soft clinking of plates and utensils filled the quiet morning air.
Meanwhile, in the bedroom...Bella stirred slightly, stretching her arms as her eyes fluttered open. The warmth beside her was gone, and for a second, she blinked in confusion before her ears caught the faint sounds coming from the kitchen. A small smile made its way to her lips. Lucas. She don't know why she feels more safe and comfortable in his presence than when she is alone. Maybe it was just because of her primal instinct that she feels a sense of security and protection with her baby's father.
She sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes before turning to Rachel, who was still snuggled under the blanket, her small breaths even and steady. Bella took a moment to admire her daughter's peaceful face before leaning down and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
"Time to wake up, sweetheart," she murmured gently, running her fingers through Rachel's soft curls. Rachel groaned softly before her little eyes fluttered open. She blinked up at Bella sleepily before rubbing her eyes. "Mama…" she mumbled.
Bella smiled, smoothing back Rachel's hair. "Good morning, my love. Let's get you ready, okay?"
Rachel nodded sleepily, slowly sitting up as Bella helped her out of bed. Hand in hand, they walked toward the bathroom, where Bella carefully helped Rachel with her morning routine—brushing her teeth, bathing her, and changing into a fresh outfit for school.
Once Rachel was done, Bella took a quick shower, enjoying the warmth of the water as she let it wake her up fully. She ran a towel through her damp hair as she stepped out of the bedroom, feeling the cool morning air against her skin. Dressed in an oversized T-shirt and a pair of soft cotton shorts, she sighed in relief—this was much more comfortable in the warm weather.
As she entered the dining area, Lucas and Rachel were already seated, waiting for her to start breakfast. The moment Lucas lifted his gaze and saw her, his grip on his coffee cup tightened. His jaw tensed. His fingers curled. His mind immediately betrayed him. Damn it.
Her bare, slender legs stretched before him, smooth and delicate, while the loose T-shirt hung slightly off her shoulder, teasing at the skin beneath. Strands of Bella's damp hair clung to her neck and shoulders, darkened by water, making her look effortlessly alluring.
A single drop slid down from the ends, disappearing beneath the fabric of her oversized T-shirt, and Lucas had to tear his gaze away before his thoughts strayed too far. Did she have to look this effortlessly tempting so early in the morning?
There was no exchange of love between them, no promises of forever whispered in the dark, no confessions that made his heart race. What they shared was simple—care, respect, and an unspoken understanding.
Yet, as he sat there, watching her move around so effortlessly in those damn shorts, his body betrayed him. A primal need coiled within him, irrational and urgent. He was a man, after all, with normal desires, but this—this was different. It wasn't just lust.
It was the maddening awareness of her, the way she was becoming an integral part of his world without even trying. And it was frustrating because he knew he couldn't act on it, not when there was no place for such feelings between them. At least… not yet.
Lucas clenched his teeth, forcing his gaze to his plate. If he didn't get his thoughts under control, his little friend—who had already given him enough trouble this morning—would wake up again.
Bella, completely unaware of his turmoil, took her seat across from him. Lucas let out a sharp breath and forced himself to focus on his breakfast. But the silence between them didn't last long.
"Why are you wearing that?" His voice came out sharper than he intended, making Bella blink in confusion. She glanced down at herself, then back at him. "What do you mean?"
Lucas scoffed, setting down his fork. His lower lip jutted out in a childish pout, his eyes narrowed slightly as if holding back a complaint. "Those shorts. They're... short." Bella raised an eyebrow. "That's kind of the point, Lucas."
"Since when do you wear something like this?" His shoulders slumped, and he crossed his arms, his pout deepening with each passing moment. How could she be so oblivious to the effect she had on him, looking like that?"
"Since forever. It's hot, and they're comfortable," she replied, taking a bite of her food. Lucas sighed and rubbed his temples. Great. Now he had the image of her walking in those shorts permanently burned into his brain.
Rachel, completely oblivious to the tension at the table, happily munched on her food, swinging her legs under the chair.
Meanwhile, Lucas fought a silent battle with himself. He could handle business rivals, betrayals, and even deadly attacks—but dealing with his beautiful wife, casually sitting in front of him in the tiniest shorts he'd ever seen, acting like it was nothing? Yeah. That was a different kind of torture altogether.