The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 93

The sound of the shower echoed from the bathroom, a tall figure reflected on the glass door.

Arabella was none the wiser, engrossed in her phone dealing with private matters. Only when she heard the bathroom door open did she look up. Romeo, all wet-haired and clad in a white robe, gave off a strong masculine vibe.

Just then, her phone rang. It was an unusually long number, not like the typical mobile number. She shifted her attention back to her phone, answering it calmly, "Spill it."

Whatever the person on the other end said, Arabella moved to the balcony, responding with a nonchalant “So?”

Before long, she felt arms wrap around her from behind. Romeo's breath lightly caressed her ear, making her a bit jittery.

He nuzzled her ear affectionately, like a clingy cat. Arabella could feel his body heat. She told the person on the phone, "Gotcha, I'm hanging up now."

"Was that a dude?" Romeo caught a hint of a male voice on the other end, which ruffled his feathers.

She'd just been checking him out when he came out of the shower. But as soon as the phone rang, she didn't even give him a second glance, just went straight to the balcony.

"Just a friend." Arabella didn't know why she felt the need to explain. Her voice hinted at resignation, "Let go."

"What kind of friend?" Romeo dipped his head, inhaling the scent on her neck, which was seductive to him.

"Just a regular friend or a special friend?" His voice was soft and tender, his actions unchanging.

"Not just a regular friend." Arabella said.

After all, they had been through life and death together, their bond was pretty deep.

"So, he's pretty important?" His dissatisfaction was evident as he gazed at her pretty profile, "More important than me?"

"Romeo." Arabella tried to wriggle out of his grip, but he held her tight. She sounded helpless, "We've only known each other for a few days, haven't we?"

"To me, it feels like we've known each other for years." Romeo said.

His masculine aura combined with his tender voice towards her made him all the more charming, almost overwhelming her.

"I'm thirsty." Arabella pushed him away, went inside to pour a glass of water, her face inexplicably flushed.

"Where am I sleeping tonight?" Romeo followed her in, his lust not yet extinguished, but rather more fired up.

"Bed or floor, take your pick." Arabella said.

"Bed." Romeo looked at her, proposing, "So, we sleep together?"

"In your dreams!" Arabella put down her glass. Noticing there was only one pillow and a small blanket on the bed, and no couch in the spacious room, she finally caught on.

"Then I'll take the floor." Romeo plopped down, leaving the only blanket and pillow to her, "I'm not sleepy, you go ahead."

The antique lantern casting a Zen-like glow went out, plunging the bedroom into darkness.

Arabella lay down under the blanket, his soft breaths still audible to her.

Romeo sat by the bed, gently stroking her hair, "Goodnight."

He held her hand as she drifted off to sleep.