Chapter 103: Chapter 103 Distracted by him
"Don’t look so stiff," the photographer said. "Miss, lean back into him slightly. Relax your shoulders. That’s your husband, not a stranger."
Bella’s cheeks were burning.
She did as told, leaning back, but it was too much. His chest was pressed to her back now, warm and strong. She could feel the rise and fall of his breath. She didn’t dare look at him.
"Perfect. Now tilt your head just a little—yes, like that. You’re about to kiss, but don’t actually do it."
Kiss?
Her heart thudded so hard she was scared it might explode. Leonardo hadn’t said a word, but she could feel the way his gaze slid down to her lips. His hand on her waist didn’t move, but it tightened slightly, like he was grounding her—or maybe grounding himself.
"Hold it."
Click.
Bella blinked up at him for a moment, caught in the stillness, in the almost-intimacy.
The photographer lowered his camera. "Good. Very believable."
She wasn’t sure if he was talking about the pose... or the blush that refused to leave her face.
Bella thought it was finally over—her heart was still thumping from that last pose but the photographer didn’t seem satisfied.
"We still need a few more shots," he said, checking his camera screen with a frown. "Something playful. More natural. Pick her up."
Bella’s eyes widened. "Huh?"
Leonardo didn’t say anything. He just stepped forward, rolling his sleeves higher on his forearms, exposing the veins that ran down his strong arms. The breeze blew slightly, ruffling his hair as he looked at her.
Before she could protest or prepare herself, he leaned down and swept her off the ground effortlessly.
"A-ah!" Bella gasped, clutching his shoulders in surprise. Her sandals dangled mid-air, and her sundress fluttered with the sudden movement.
"I said playful, not bridal-carry—throw her over your shoulder if you have to!" the photographer shouted like a commander.
Leonardo didn’t throw her over, but he shifted her slightly in his arms until her legs dangled across one arm and his other arm supported her back. It was casual... but far too intimate.
Bella’s heart wouldn’t stop racing. She looked up and saw his face—completely calm. As if holding her like that didn’t affect him at all. As if she didn’t weigh a thing.
She lowered her gaze quickly, her cheeks hot. "Y-You can put me down now..."
"Not yet," he replied, voice low and smooth.
"Eyes on her," the photographer called. "And miss, look at him like he’s your everything."
Bella hesitated.
She slowly lifted her gaze. His eyes were already on her.
The moment stretched... her arms were still around his neck, and the warmth of his chest pressed close. His eyes, deep and unreadable, didn’t look away.
The camera clicked again.
But Bella no longer heard it.
Bella’s cheeks were burning. Absolutely burning.
She didn’t even know where to look—her lashes trembled as she kept her gaze down, heart hammering like it was about to escape her chest. Her hands were still resting on Leonardo’s shoulders, but the feel of his solid muscles underneath made it worse. His cologne was warm, clean, faintly salty from the sea breeze, and far too close for her to think straight.
She tried to wiggle, just a little. "Um... I-I think we got the photo..."
But Leo didn’t move.
Instead, he tilted his head, watching her with a calm expression but there was a clear curve at the corner of his lips. Slight. Amused.
"You’re really this flustered just from being carried?" he asked quietly, like he was teasing.
Bella opened her mouth, but no words came out. Not when his voice was that low. Not when her face felt like it was glowing red. She quickly turned her head to the side to avoid his gaze, looking at the distant ocean instead. "I-It’s not that... I’m just not used to this."
"What, being close to your husband?"
Her eyes widened. That word—husband. It rolled off his tongue so naturally. And she wasn’t ready for it. Not when he was still holding her like that. Not when their faces were barely inches apart.
"I... I think we should do the next pose!" she said too quickly.
He chuckled. Actually chuckled.
That was worse.
Bella wanted the earth to swallow her whole.
When he finally put her down, Bella sighed in relief, her arms still clinging slightly to his shoulders before she quickly let go. Her cheeks were hot and her heart was doing somersaults from all the posing, lifting, and the way his eyes had looked into hers during those photo shots.
Thankfully, the photoshoot was over.
They were now walking back toward the car, side by side in quiet air, the sound of the waves behind them.
Bella kept stealing glances at his hand—the one that had held her waist just moments ago, the one that had lifted her so effortlessly.
His hands were so big... and strong... yet the shape of his fingers looked elegant. Neat nails. Smooth skin. Almost like they didn’t belong to a mafia man at all.
She didn’t realize she had slowed down a little, still looking at his hand, completely distracted by her own thoughts.
And then—
"Oof!" Her forehead lightly bumped against something hard and warm.
"Ouch..." she cried out, reaching up to hold her head as she blinked.
Leo had stopped walking.
She looked up and saw his broad back right in front of her. He had turned slightly now, staring down at her with that unreadable face.
"You okay?" His voice was cool, but there was something else—something slightly amused in his tone.
Bella’s eyes widened. "I-I didn’t know you stopped!"
"Clearly," he said, arching a brow. "What were you staring at?"
"I... nothing..." she muttered, taking a step back.
Leo’s gaze dropped briefly to her pink cheeks, and something flickered in his eyes before he turned forward again. "Walk properly," he said casually, continuing toward the car.
Bella followed quietly, pressing her lips together.
But Leo’s lips curled up faintly when she couldn’t see.
She was so soft. Even her bump felt like a feather touch.