Chapter 36: Touch of Tenderness
Thea was engrossed in the kitchen, busily preparing the dishes for lunch. She opened the refrigerator and carefully retrieved the fresh vegetables, tender meat, and other essential ingredients she needed.
Thea’s hands moved swiftly as she chopped the vegetables, but her rhythm was disrupted by a sudden sense of being watched. She spun around to find Ryder standing in the doorway, his eyes fixed intently on hers.
"What are you doing here?" Thea asked, a hint of surprise in her voice. "Your meeting is important. Don’t waste your time here."
Ryder’s gaze lingered on hers for a moment before he replied, "Didn’t you hear Grandma’s words?"
Thea shook her head,she didn’t hear the words her grandma said before.
"The meeting was cancelled," Ryder explained. "I’ll be staying for lunch instead."
"Ooh..." she replied, before resuming her work, her hands moving deftly as she chopped the vegetables.
Ryder took a step forward, offering to help. "Do you want a hand?"
Thea shook her head, . "Don’t worry about it. Go spend some quality time with Grandma."
"She went to her room to take some rest."
She moved to fetch a large stockpot from the highest shelf, her arms stretching upward, her fingers straining to reach it, but ultimately falling just short.
Barefoot, Thea stood on tiptoes, her slender body stretched to its limits as she strained to reach the large stockpot on the top shelf. Her face was contorted in effort.
As she strained to reach the container, Thea suddenly felt Ryder’s presence behind her. She sensed his approach, but before she could react, his hand closed around the Stockpot, his body almost touching hers. Thea’s heart skipped a beat as she felt the warmth of his chest against her back.
Thea’s eyes widened as she stood frozen, still turned away from Ryder. A rosy flush spread across her cheeks, warmth creeping down her neck. She held her breath, every sense sharpened by how near he was.
Ryder’s nearness sent a wave of nerves through her, leaving Thea both bashful and alert. The charged silence between them made her pulse quicken, and she found herself rooted to the spot, acutely aware of how little distance separated them.
He grasped the pot and stepped back, creating a sudden distance between them. Thea’s eyes darted downward for a moment, her lips parting slightly before she bit them, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. Then, with a quiet composure, she swung around to face him, her eyes connecting with his in a soft, tentative glance.
"Here..." he said, his voice low and smooth, as he handed her the pot. Thea’s gaze lingered on the container cradled in Ryder’s palm, her eyes tracing the curves of the ceramic. Then, as their fingers touched, she looked up, her voice a soft breath, "Thanks."
"Anytime," he said, his lips curving into a subtle grin.
"You’re so small," he joked, his tone teasing and affectionate.
Thea’s face deepened to a vibrant crimson as she accepted the cooking stockpot from him.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her voice.
"Are you saying I’m short?" she replied, a hint of playful offense in her voice.
Ryder’s grin deepened, his eyes shining with playful mischief. Thea straightened up, her voice steady. "I’m hardly that small, if you ask me."
Ryder’s eyebrow shot up as he asked, "You’re what, five-two? Five-three?" His gaze locked onto hers, a hint of teasing in his eyes.
Thea’s cheeks warmed, yet she held his gaze steadily. "Sir, you couldn’t be more mistaken," she replied, a touch of challenge in her tone. "I’m five-foot-five."
Ryder’s eyes softened as he gazed at Thea, "When did the little girl grow up so fast?" he asked, a gentle smile on his lips.
A flush crept up Thea’s cheeks as she squared her shoulders. "Ryder, I am not little anymore," she insisted, her tone steady. "I am already eighteen now."
Ryder lifted his hands, laughing softly. "Okay, okay, no need to be upset." he said, his eyes smiling warmly. "I get it-the little girl has grown into a beautiful woman."
Thea’s heart skipped a beat at his remark. She glanced up to meet his eyes, but the intensity made her look away, a rosy blush coloring her cheeks.
She began to slice the meat, the knife gliding smoothly through the tender flesh. Ryder suddenly asked, "About the chocolate, what did Grandma mean?" His curious gaze locked onto hers, making Thea feel like he was trying to uncover a hidden secret.
Thea’s hands paused, and she avoided his eyes. "I...it’s nothing," she stammered, trying to downplay the significance. But her voice trembled slightly, betraying her attempt to hide the truth.
Ryder didn’t press the issue further, and an uncomfortable silence fell between them. Thea’s mind began to wander, her eyes gazing absent-mindedly at the knife in her hand. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t even notice her grip on the knife slipping.
Suddenly, the knife sliced through her ring finger on her left hand, the sharp pain jolting her back to reality. Thea’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at the blood welling up from the cut.
Thea felt a sharp pain shoot through her finger, like a stinging sensation that refused to subside. She gasped, her eyes widening in shock, as a large trickle of blood began to flow from the cut. The knife clattered to the counter.
Ryder immediately darted over, his focus shifting to her injured hand. "Thea, you really should be more careful.." he said, worry etched in his voice as he examined the cut.
Thea’s face flushed with embarrassment as she struggled to explain. "I-I was just distracted.." she stammered, her voice trembling.
Ryder reacted instantly, taking Thea’s hand with a gentle firmness. He brought her bleeding finger to his mouth, his lips closing softly around the wound in an attempt to stop the bleeding. Thea tensed at the unexpected touch, a brief flash of pain making her draw back, but Ryder’s calm, caring gaze reassured her. The sting faded, replaced by a quiet sense of comfort in his attentive presence.
