RENT A HEART

CHRISTOPHER's POV

As soon as we were inside Eve's room, I collapsed onto the bed, physically and emotionally drained.

"Come here," I murmured, holding out my hand to Eve. She smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners, and took it. I gently tugged her down beside me, pulling her close against my chest. Her sweet lavender floral body scent filled my senses, instantly calming and soothing my frayed nerves. It was therapeutic, a balm to my troubled soul.

"I'm really sorry about today," I said, kissing the top of her head.

"What for?" she asked, her voice laced with genuine curiosity as she looked up at me, her eyes sparkling with concern.

"We were supposed to try on my tux today and go for cake tasting, but we couldn't. And now the wedding is on hold… I'm so sorry," I repeated, guilt tugging at my heart.

She offered me a small, reassuring smile before propping herself up on her elbow and pressing a light kiss to my lips. "There's nothing to be sorry about, love," she said, playfully imitating my endearing term, causing my heart to swell with warmth.

"I don't know what I'd do without you in my life," I confessed, my voice thick with emotion.

"Not much, to be honest," she teased, prompting a genuine laugh to escape my lips.

It was the first time that day that I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Somehow, I found myself believing that Mr. Mikleson would get through to my father and convince him. That thought alone brought a measure of calm and relaxation.

"I need to take a shower and change so we can go down and have dinner with the others," she said, gracefully sliding off the bed and heading for her walk-in closet.

She emerged a few minutes later, a short white towel wrapped snugly around her body, completely oblivious to how ridiculously sexy she looked. The sight of her took my breath away.

I sat up straighter, my gaze riveted on her. I just stared, unable to blink.

"Can you come here for a minute, please?" I managed to say, thankful that my voice didn't betray the effect she was having on me.

A knowing smile played on her lips as she sauntered towards me, her hips swaying gently. I reached out and took hold of her waist, pulling her to stand between my legs while she instinctively wrapped her arms around my neck.

As if reading my mind, she lowered her head and brushed her lips against mine, a lingering, tantalizing kiss that sent shivers down my spine. Just as I began to deepen the kiss, increasing the pace and passion, she pulled away, leaving me wanting more.

"I need to shower, Chris," she said softly, gently caressing my brow with her fingertips.

"If you continue to talk with that voice, I might pin you down right here and now and make crazy love to you," I said, my voice low and husky, leaving no room for interpretation.

She zipped her fingers across her lips in a silent, comical gesture, nodding frantically as if acknowledging the danger, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Let's bathe together," I suggested, the words tumbling out before I could fully process them. But as soon as I said it, I knew it was true. Sharing a bath with Eve would feel surreal, an intimate and sensual experience I couldn't resist.

"No, omg… No way," she said, laughing and shaking her head vehemently.

"Why not?" I chuckled, feigning innocence. "It's just a simple bath," I insisted, knowing full well it would be anything but simple.

"There is nothing simple about bathing with the man I love and crave his touches," she said, her eyes locking with mine, the intensity of her gaze sending a fresh wave of desire surging through me.

"We'd be in there for hours if we went in together. We could forget about dinner tonight, because we might not be leaving this room at all," she finished, her voice a husky whisper that promised untold delights.

She was right. I yearned for her every waking moment of every day whenever she wasn't by my side. Seeing her naked body, dripping wet with water and covered in bath foam, would certainly push me over the edge. Not that I'd mind, to be honest.

"I don't mind, love," I said, already getting turned on by the images swirling in my head. "And I'm not hungry," I added, drawing her closer, but just then my stomach let out a loud, embarrassing growl, completely betraying me.

She threw her head back and laughed at me, a melodious sound that warmed me from the inside out.

"Are you sure you aren't hungry? Because your stomach says otherwise," she chuckled before playfully darting off towards the shower.

She stopped at the threshold and turned back, a mischievous glint in her eyes, as if she was about to change her mind, and that made me inwardly excited.

"You can change in the closet and wait while I come out so you can go in and shower quickly," she said before disappearing into the bathroom.

"You were supposed to say, 'Change and join me in the shower, not wait, Eve!'" I shouted after her, but she'd already gone.

"Of all the times in the world, you stupid stomach!" I chided angrily, glaring down at my abdomen.

I made my way to her closet, and, surprise surprise, there was a section dedicated to men's clothing. They were all brand new, still bearing the tags. I smiled at the thoughtful gesture, my heart swelling with affection.

I grabbed a plush black bathrobe and a soft towel, then left the closet. A few minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom, slightly damp, a white towel wrapped securely around her wet hair. She looked incredibly fresh and radiant.

I went in for my own quick shower, trying to keep my thoughts PG-rated, and emerged a short time later. We went downstairs to join the others, and I was surprised to see the twins already at the dinner table. Apparently, everyone had been waiting for us.

"We're so sorry for keeping all of you waiting," I sincerely apologized, inwardly thanking Eve for her earlier resistance.

"Hey, man," Mason said, standing up to greet me.

"We heard what happened. Don't worry, Father is the best cardiologist in the world. Everything will be fine," Romeo added, offering a reassuring smile.

I felt a surge of warmth course through me at the kind gestures this family had shown me ever since I'd gotten to know them, and the continued support they were offering, regardless of everything that had transpired.

"Thank you guys," I said, my voice thick with gratitude, and sat down beside Eve. We started eating, the conversation flowing easily despite the underlying tension.

Suddenly, I heard Eve speak "Baby, I need to go up and get ready. I have an important conference call in like 5 minutes so I'll be right back" "Alright" i said with a sad face.

"Oh... alright then. Should we head back up?" I asked, planting a light kiss on her forehead.

"No, I'll be down in a flash with everything I need for the meeting. I'm going to take the call at the veranda sit-out," she said before quickly heading upstairs.

I stood up, feeling restless, and decided to take a walk. I headed out of the house, drawn to the beautiful garden I'd admired during Eve's cousin's wedding.

The moon still hung in the inky sky, radiating a soft, ethereal glow that bathed the earth in silver light. The air was perfectly balmy, gentle and soothing against my skin, neither too strong nor too humid.

The estate was vast, and it took me a few minutes to reach the garden area. And there, standing beneath the moonlight, was Eve's father, Mr. Adolf Mikleson, engrossed in a video call.

"How about we get the band back together, like the old times, and tackle an impossible heart surgery?" I heard him say to the people on the other end of the line. "It's for a very dear friend of mine."

"Who is it, Adolf? I've never seen you look this distraught," one of the voices on the call said.

"It's Lionel. Lionel is the patient, and we need to save him. Please," he implored.

There was a moment of silence before another voice chimed in. "I've looked at the report. It's not looking good, but it's not impossible, either. We'll assist, of course."

"But does he know that you will be operating on him, considering everything that's happened?" one of them asked, a hint of skepticism in their tone.

"He doesn't know yet. And he's refused the surgery. But I'll have to convince him," he said, a steely determination entering his voice.

They continued to discuss the intricacies of the surgery for a while longer. Overwhelmed with emotion I turned and slipped away, a genuine smile gracing my lips.

I'll sleep peacefully tonight, I thought to myself, a sense of profound gratitude washing over me.