A/N: Hi readers! I've been writing long-ass chapters lately, so I thought I'd update with a short but eventful one today. I hope you guys like it. :) More to come, and thank you so much for reading and following this story. I'm still surprised so many people read this daily, especially since its an OC involved story. Grazie.

Chapter 10: Trouble

"Say sorry first," were the first three words out of her lips as Kojiro drew them open. Her voice quivered along with her request.

His brows knit together in confusion, but instead of apologizing, he leaned in and planted a kiss on the crook of her neck. She winced in pleasure, biting her lip down to stop herself from moaning as he continued to trail kisses from the length of her neck to the edge of her collarbone. Her hands quickly held on to his arms, gripping them and attempting to pry him away from her.

"Say sorry." she repeated firmly this time, slightly pushing him away.

"I don't do apologies." he huffed. "Why do you think I sent you food up here?"

"So...you are sorry for what you said?"

Shinomiya gave her an incredulous look and sighed. He was always impatient, especially when dealing with sensitive matters. Explaining his emotions were one of the things that agitated him the most. "Why do you think I went up here too?"

"Huh," she pondered. Because of sex? She bit her tongue from saying her thoughts out loud. Although she kept passing it off as a joke, she needed to know. She wanted so badly to find out. "Because you...missed me?" she asked again, a coy smile playing on the edge of her lips.

He smirked and took a step closer. Shinomiya arched a brow to her as his hand reached the side of her waist. His fingers traced the outline of her curves through her silk robe. Two can play that game.

"And if I don't?" he said, playfulness wielding in the tone of his voice.

"Playing the same guessing game with me, Chef?" Bella chuckled. "Unlike you, I don't read people's faces. So…" she trailed off, taking a step back. "You're gonna have to tell me upfront."

"I hate your stupid games," he flatly replied, pulling her back in. He placed his hands in a covetous hold against her waist. His amber eyes locked on hers, and she found herself drowning in his gaze. "But the two weeks were boring without them."

"Shinomiya…" she muttered, feeling the heat of their bodies as she leaned against his chest. Although she didn't exactly get what she was hoping to hear, the context of his words were clear. She parted her lips and closed them back up, like a fish out of water. I've...missed you.

"Well?"

But somehow, she too, could not get those words out. She tiptoed to meet his lips with hers. His arms slid further down, tightening his hold on her frame. It seemed as if he had been yearning for that warmth for quite some time. In that moment, there was an unusual pounding in his chest as he felt her part his lips to slide her tongue inside him.

Damn it. Shinomiya cursed in his mind as he picked her up and walked with her to the bed. The friction of their skin amplified his heated desire to have her. They stumbled, his arms leaning against the sides of her head as he started to nip and suck on her neck. "Chef, it-it tickles!" she couldn't help but say in between giggles. A smile played on the corner of his lips, finding himself amused at the sound of her laughter. "Stop, Shino...miya!"

As they rolled and fought each other on the sheets, there was a moment when they just needed to stop and come up for air. Two weeks ago, all the games and teasing would be quite usual for their late night rendezvous. But as he brushed off a few strands of hair away from her face, Bella was surprised at the new found sensation swelling in her chest. In that second, she was certain she was in trouble. "Chef?" she gasped, surprised by his gesture.

He stopped and quickly drew his hand away, realizing what he had done. Averting his gaze, he looked down and tried to hide the slight flush that was creeping on his cheeks. Suddenly, they found themselves in new territory. For the first time, they were both in bed, but none of them knew what to do next.

Shinomiya pulled himself away and sat up while she remained flat on the sheets, looking up to the ceiling. No...she scolded herself, feeling a tug in her chest. Bella had never wanted him so badly until now. But something was holding her back, and he seemed to have the same dilemma. She shut her eyes tightly and willed herself to go back to the way things were.

In an event to divert his attention, she placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered, "You never did bother to send me nudes."

Feeling temporary relief, he turned and unknotted her robe. "I said you first."

They kept their eyes locked on each other as he pushed her back down the mattress. She discarded his glasses and set it aside. Their eyes were both clear as day, seeing how badly they needed each other. He took her lips, enveloping them in hot kisses. His hands were sliding up her thighs as he moved his mouth back to her neck. She gasped and arched her back, blissful at his work. For a second, she lost herself.

"I've...missed you," she moaned without thinking. Her body froze and her eyes widened right after. Shit!

She felt his weight over her body as he paused upon hearing those words. Chest to chest, Shinomiya could feel the rapid beating of her heart. Ridding themselves of awkward silence, he pushed himself up and cupped her chin. His eyes narrowed as he gazed at her disheveled form beneath him. Likewise, she looked up at him like a deer caught in headlights.

"Are you -"

"NO!" she yelled frantically, attempting to push him away. "I'm not, okay? I'm not falling in lo -"

He brusquely removed her wrist from his chest and pinned her down. She flinched and looked away. Never had she felt so desperate to hide her emotions until now.

Feeling conflicted, all he could manage to do was nudge her chin to force her to look at him. And as they stared at each other in that continued awkward silence, the only thing that saved them was a knock on the door.

"Isabella?" the heavily accented voice of Donato called from the other side of the door.

Immediately, they jumped away from each other and straightened themselves up. Making her way to the door, she glanced at him one more time before welcoming him in. "Buonasera," she greeted with a smile.

Donato stood agape seeing Shinomiya a few feet away behind her. "Oh…Shinomiya?"

"Donato," he greeted, and placed a hand on Bella's shoulder. "I'll read through Reo's documents. Thanks." he told her in the most diplomatic way that he could before walking out.

"Leaving so soon, Shinomiya?" the blonde chef asked, but the Pluspol chef simply waved his hand off as he made his way to the elevator.

After being left alone, Bella snapped out of her thoughts and let him in. "I'm sorry I missed dinner," she apologized, resting her arms over her chest.

"Yes...I was just checking up on you," his eyes averted to the cart of plates. "Room service?" He questioned with a smile, careful not to sound so accusing despite his gut feel about the situation.

"Yes," she breathed out reluctantly, "Chef Shinomiya and I had an argument earlier. I guess this was his way to apologize."

He paused before speaking, "Yes, I heard about the incident from the other students."

She sighed in relief. "Tea?"

"Sì, grazie."

Donato watched her from a distance as she carefully prepared the tea. He wanted to control himself from prying in the situation, but the second he saw the lining of her robe droop from her neck, he could not longer hold it in.

"Bella, how long has this been going on?" He asked cautiously, making his way to her.

She pursed her lips and clicked her tongue quietly. "How long is what, Chef Donato?" She replied, turning to him.

He reached out and set his eyes on her freshly marred skin. "This..." He started, carefully running his thumb on the purple blotch on the crook of her neck. "is from Shinomiya, is it not?"