Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)

Chapter 265 Desire is Always Mixed with Love

Bella's face flushed. "You're so annoying... I'm just an amateur, not an art major. I've never drawn... you know, nudes. Just sit still like this, okay?" Dominic's teasing left her a little distracted while sketching. What was going on with him? If she had actually agreed to draw him nude, would he really have stripped? Then again, it wasn't surprising he was confident in his body. He was in great shape, after all. Pushing those thoughts aside, Bella focused on her drawing as she was afraid he wouldn't be satisfied with the end result. She paid extra attention, trying to capture every detail as perfectly as possible. When she noticed he might be getting tired from holding the same pose, she suggested taking a photo to finish later, but he refused and insisted on sitting through the whole thing. After spending the entire morning on the portrait, she finally managed to complete it-though barely.

Dominic stood up, stretching his stiff body before coming over to take a look. "I've realized something-you seem to pick up everything quickly, except when it comes to relationships. No matter how much time passes, you never seem to forget anything else." Bella had a feeling he was hinting at something deeper. "Nobody ever taught me how to be in a relationship. You're no expert either, right?"

He reached out, his long, defined fingers gently lifting her chin. "True, I'm no expert. But I'm a much quicker learner than you. Loving someone isn't enough. You've got to want them, to possess them... Love is always mixed with desire."

Bella watched as he leaned in, his lips inching closer. Just before they touched hers, she instinctively turned on the corner of her mouth instead.

her head slightly, causing his kiss to land

He whispered in her ear, "Does that love from seven years ago still count?"

Bella remembered he had asked her a similar question before, back when they were playing Truth or Dare on the island for Leonard's birthday. She hadn't answered him then either.

Maybe it was the coldness he had shown back then that made it so difficult for her to say she loved him now. Even writing it in her diary again felt impossible

She quickly stood up and rushed into the bathroom. "I'm going to wash my hands, I'm starving. Go ask Sylvia if lunch is ready."

Dominic didn't say anything as he turned and headed downstairs. He seemed a little displeased, probably because of how she had deliberately dodged his question.

Once she heard him leave, Bella bet out a long breath.

The thought of saying "I love you" to his face, without blushing or feeling her heart race, felt like a monumental challenge. She had managed it once before, but there was no way she could do it again.

And if she did say it, then what? How would he react? Would he calmly accept her feelings or secretly laugh at her for thinking he might feel the same?

That afternoon, Bella went to

to visit Lia at her apartment

Lia wasn't busy with her studio today. Instead, she was curled up at home and knitting a seart of all things!

Belle looked at her as if she had seen a ghost. "Have you lost your mind? Did you enter your middle-aged knitting-mom phase early? And it's a guy's scarf! Is this for your dad?"

Lia rolled her eyes. "I finished my dad's ages ago. I even made one for my mom. This one's for someone else. Young people these days don't appreciate simple things like this,

"You see all kinds of scarves on the street, but a handmade one is rare and special. It's cold out. You should make one for your big, dumb nemesis too." Bella glanced at the nest, tight stitches and felt completely defeated. "No way, I can't do it. I don't know how. If you need someone dissected, I'm your girl, though."

Lla burst into laughter. "Go away! You and your dissection obsession. You look so calm and sweet on the outside, but the moment you open your mouth, It's all blood and gore. You don't know how? I can teach you!"

Bella waved her off. "No thanks. Dominic wouldn't care anyway. I'm too lazy to bother. So, is this scarf for that guy you've been talking to online? Things seem to be going well, but remember-you can put in the effort, but don't let yourself get scammed out of your money or... anything else."