Chapter 227

That afternoon, Jack was in his dorm, casually playing on his computer, when his phone rang. It was Bella calling.

She invited him to dinner, but he politely declined, saying he was busy.

Not long after, the door swung open. Bella walked in, carrying a bag in her hand.

Jack froze for a moment.

They hadn't seen each other in over two months. Though she had sent him plenty of selfies over the summer, nothing compared to seeing her in person.

She looked even more stunning than before. Her ponytail bounced lightly as she moved, her bright eyes and delicate lips radiating effortless charm. There was something about her presence-something intoxicating. But what really caught Jack's attention was her outfit.

She was dressed in a fitted athletic top and sleek yoga pants that accentuated every curve of her figure. In the sweltering heat, this choice of attire was particularly distracting.

Jack's heartbeat quickened.

There was an alluring scent around her, a sweetness that made it hard to look away. If she were his girlfriend, he doubted he'd be able to resist pulling her into his arms right then and there. But she wasn't. So, he forced himself to stay composed.

Still, Bella clearly noticed his lingering gaze. A blush crossed her face, a mix of shyness and amusement flashing in her eyes. She placed the bag on the desk, then turned her head slightly, pretending to pout.

"You'd better stop staring, Big Bun. If you keep looking at me like that, I might just have to tie you up."

Jack quickly shifted his focus back to his computer, but her image lingered in his mind.

Just then, a soft breeze carried her scent closer. Bella picked up the bag and held it out to him, smiling.

"I've brought you dinner. You should eat first before we go for a run."

"A run?" Jack looked confused.

Bella's expression turned slightly exasperated.

"Did you forget? You promised me last semester that you'd go running with me! How else am I supposed to stay healthy? And because of you, I even put on this workout outfit!"

She leaned in closer, her slender frame pressing lightly against his back. Her soft hair brushed against his cheek, and her voice turned quiet, almost a whisper.

"Big Bun... if I don't stay healthy, wouldn't that make you feel bad?"

The scent of her hair, the gentle teasing in her voice, and the unspoken emotion in her eyes stirred something dangerous inside Jack.

He clenched his jaw, pushing the feeling down. With a sigh, he said, "Bella, I helped you last semester. You promised you wouldn't keep bothering me."

Bella had a way of pulling at his emotions, but he had convinced himself that she only sought him out when she was bored. He had learned to keep his guard up to protect himself from her unpredictable games.

But the moment he spoke, she pouted dramatically, her eyes welling up with unshed tears. "Jack, you liar! You lied to me! You said you'd go, and now you're going back on your word..." Newest update provided by Find~Novel.net

Faced with her big, teary eyes and that pitiful expression, Jack sighed in defeat. "Fine. I'll go with you."

Bella's tears instantly vanished, replaced by a bright smile. "That's more like it! A promise is a promise. Now, eat up! But don't eat too much. It'll be bad to run on a full stomach."