Bruno, noticing Beauty's flushed face and the entire situation, finally decided to take action.
He awkwardly cleared his throat and excused himself.
"I'll, uh... go put on my clothes," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck as he hurried out of the kitchen.
Beauty, still by the counter, took deep breaths, trying to slow her pounding heart.
How am I supposed to act normal after all that? she thought, fanning herself with a hand.
The image of Bruno in the kitchen apron was seared into her mind, and the lower half of his body... she couldn’t stop the blush creeping up her neck.
She shook her head, then something struck her.
“My clothes!”
A few minutes later, Bruno returned, thankfully now in his regular clothes—a simple T-shirt and jeans, much more covered.
He found Beauty hugging herself as if she were exposed.
"You... you changed my clothes?" she asked slowly.
"I... apologize for that. I had to take them off because of your temperature. I didn’t mean any harm," Bruno said politely, his gaze lowered.
Beauty nodded absentmindedly.
Not his first time... The day I was drunk, he changed my clothes, and now this! He didn’t do anything? Am I that unattractive, or is he just gay? she wondered.
"Are you okay?" Bruno asked softly, interrupting her thoughts.
"Yeah... it’s just..."
Before she could finish, he scooped her up into his arms. Her breath stopped instantly; she felt so small in his hold, despite being a large woman.
Bruno laid her down on the bed.
"You need to conserve your energy," he said huskily.
Beauty nodded, though inside, she had already pictured scenes of him dropping her roughly onto the bed, his strong masculine hand gripping her neck, smothering her with kisses, then forcing her down to his groin, making her taste his lollipop. Actually, for that size, it could be giant cotton candy.
Unfortunately for her, Bruno had no intention of putting on a freak show. He walked back to the kitchen, and her eyes trailed after him.
Just then, Beauty’s phone rang. It was Jessie.
"Jessi? Why is she—oh my! What if she comes and sees him here?" Beauty muttered under her breath.
Immediately, she grabbed her phone and texted Jessie, assuring her she was fine and there was no need to panic.
Jessie replied, "are you sure, babe? The text was disturbing. I wish I saw it last night".
Beauty had to convince her.
"I’ll visit tonight and tell you all about it. I’m taking the day off work today".
"Alright, love you, and take care!"
Beauty sighed and set her phone beside her.
Bruno returned a few minutes later and approached with a plate of pancakes and coffee, a gentle smile on his face.
"Here," he said, placing the plate in front of her. Beauty’s eyes met his.
Even fully dressed, he still had that magnetic presence. She watched as he pulled out a chair for her.
Beauty pushed herself up from the bed and sat in the chair carefully, staring at the plate, trying to erase the awkwardness left from earlier.
Deep down, she couldn’t deny how sweet it was that Bruno had cared for her.
Her mind, however, wandered elsewhere, imagining how nice and full his... weapon would feel in her palms if she could just hold it.
Where did that come from?! Thank goodness no one can read minds, Beauty thought.
"Thanks," she mumbled, nervously picking up her fork.
Bruno leaned against the bed stand, watching her with a hint of worry in his eyes.
"You really scared me last night. I’m glad you’re feeling better."
His voice was soft, sincere, but the way he looked at her sent a shiver along her spine.
Even when he wasn’t trying, his aura and presence overwhelmed Beauty.
"I’m sorry I made you worry," Beauty replied, uncertain if that was the answer he wanted.
Bruno chuckled, folding his arms.
"You don’t have to apologize."
Beauty nodded and kept chewing the pancakes, her nerves making them feel like rocks. Everything felt different with him watching her so closely.
"Sorry, I’m not very good at cooking," Bruno said, rubbing the back of his neck again.
Beauty glanced up at him, mouth full, chewing but deep in thought.
Is that a habit of his? Rubbing his neck? Is he nervous? Why would someone like him care what I think?
She took a few more bites. He did well for a first-time cook... not amazing, but definitely deserving of praise. She made herself eat them, no matter the taste, because he’d worked hard.
Still, she struggled with the pancakes, nerves making it tough to eat with Bruno standing across, silently watching. Every time she looked up, his intense gaze was fixed on her, like a hawk eyeing a chick.
Well, this hawk is a good hawk... or maybe not.
She swallowed nervously, trying to keep her composure, but a bite got stuck in her throat.
Suddenly, she began coughing, the sound shattering the heavy silence.
Without a word, Bruno quickly grabbed a glass of water and knelt beside her, pressing the cool glass to her lips.
"Careful," he murmured, his voice low and deep, barely above a whisper.
Beauty’s fingers brushed his as she took the glass, and a spark shot through her again. Her heart pounded, cheeks ablaze.
She took a few sips, calming her cough, but all she could focus on was how close Bruno was—kneeling right there, eyes never leaving her face.
When she finally quieted her cough, she glanced up at him, still kneeling by her side, watching her with those deep, concerned eyes.
She tried to smile, to break the awkward tension.
"Thanks," she said, voice a bit shaky.
Bruno didn’t answer at first. He just stood there, staring at her longer than he should have. Then, slowly, he reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek with his finger.
"The hair was... a bit out of place," he said huskily.
Great timing, Sir Bruno! Great timing! Beauty screamed internally.
The touch was gentle, almost hesitant, but it did something to her. She didn’t just want him to touch her hair. She wanted him to touch every single part of her body!