His Lovable Klutz (Completed)

Segment Fifty.

♥ Feeling I Never Knew I Had ♥ 

      When Stefan returned home that evening, the house was filled with the sound of Coby's laughter. He paused in the doorway, watching her as she sat on the couch, completely absorbed in the TV show she was watching. A bag of potato chips rested in her lap, and she was munching away, her face alight with pure joy. Stefan couldn't help but smile at the sight before him.

      Clearing his throat to announce his arrival, he stepped into the living room. Coby glanced over at him, still giggling from whatever had just happened on the screen.

      "Hey, Stefan! You're back. I made you some dinner—spaghetti and meatballs, with garlic bread."

      Stefan nodded, appreciating her effort, but his expression turned concerned as he responded. "Coby, you really don't have to stress yourself out cooking because of the baby. You should be resting."

      Coby waved off his concern, shaking her head. "I'm fine, Stefan. The baby isn't keeping me from doing anything. Besides, I like cooking—it helps me relax."

      Stefan wasn't convinced. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "Your mother made it pretty clear she'd skin me alive if anything happened to you or the baby. I'd rather not tempt fate."

      Coby burst out laughing at his words, a sound that was so contagious that Stefan couldn't help but chuckle along.

      "Since when are you afraid of anyone's threats?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

      "Since I met Rosita Cooper," Stefan admitted with a mock-shudder. "Your mom is scarier than half the people I do business with."

      Coby laughed again, this time so hard that she had to wipe away a tear. Stefan watched her, mesmerized by how cute she looked when she laughed so freely.

      Without thinking, he said, "You have a really nice laugh, Coby."

      Coby's laughter faded as she blinked at Stefan, her smile faltering as his words sank in. She suddenly felt nervous, avoiding his gaze as she fidgeted with the bag of chips.

      "Um… thanks," she mumbled, unsure how to respond to the unexpected compliment.

      Stefan noticed the way her hands shook slightly and how she refused to meet his eyes. He took a slow step toward her, his voice gentle. "You're nervous. Why are you nervous?"

      Coby stiffened, her heart starting to race as she realized he was getting closer. She backed up against the couch, holding a hand out to stop him.

      "Don't come any closer!" she warned, her voice a little too high-pitched.

      Stefan smirked, a playful glint in his eyes as he tilted his head. "Why not? Could it be the kiss? Because of the kiss, right? Is that why you're so nervous around me now?"

      Coby's eyes went wide, and before she could stop herself, she yelled, "Ah-ah! So you did kiss me!"

      Stefan stopped, a few feet away from her, and let out a sigh, finally tired of pretending. He was done hiding his feelings, and he was dying to see how she would react if he just told her the truth.

      "Okay, Coby, so what?" he said slowly, his voice dropping to a low, serious tone. "What if I did kiss you? What would you do?"

      Coby's heart pounded in her chest at his sudden change of attitude. She was completely thrown off by how direct he was being.

      "Stop being weird, Stefan," she said, her voice shaky as she tried to regain her composure.

      Stefan took another step closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "Why should I stop? Is my weirdness stirring something up in you, Coby?" His voice was teasing, almost seductive, as he moved even closer, his gaze locked on her face.

      Coby was dumbfounded, her brain scrambling for a coherent response.

      But before she could say anything, Stefan asked, his tone light but his eyes serious, "Wait. Was that your first kiss?"

      Her mouth fell open in shock. "What? No!" she yelled, feeling her cheeks heat up. "It wasn't my first kiss! I've kissed lots of guys before!"

      Stefan, now only inches away from her, leaned in a bit closer, his breath warm on her face. "Then why are you acting so anxious if it wasn't your first kiss?"

      Coby felt her breath catch in her throat, her heart hammering so loudly she was sure Stefan could hear it.

      In a quiet tone, barely above a whisper, she admitted, "I'm... I'm not used to this… k-kind of Stefan." She stammered.

      Stefan's eyes softened as he looked at her, his voice gentle but firm. "What kind of Stefan are you used to then, Coby?" he asked, inching even closer, his gaze drifting down to her lips.

      Coby's heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst out of her chest. Her voice was almost a mumble as she replied, "I'm used to the mean... the mean, cold, and... and arrogant Stefan."

      Stefan's lips curved into a small, almost sad smile as he stared down at her. "Well, you won't be seeing the mean, cold, arrogant Stefan anymore," he whispered, his voice low and filled with emotion.

      Before she could react, Stefan closed the remaining distance between them and pressed his lips against hers. The kiss was slow, gentle, and filled with a tenderness that took Coby by surprise. She felt her eyes flutter shut as she melted into the kiss, her hands instinctively reaching up to grasp his shirt.

      Stefan deepened the kiss, his hand cupping the back of her head, pulling her closer. He could feel her heartbeat against his chest, her warmth enveloping him as he lost himself in the moment. Coby's mind went blank as every thought, every worry, melted away, leaving only the sensation of Stefan's lips moving against hers.

      The kiss seemed to last forever, each second stretching out into an eternity of warmth and connection. When Stefan finally pulled back, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other as they struggled to catch their breath.

      Coby's eyes fluttered open, her heart still racing as she stared up at Stefan. She could see the vulnerability in his eyes, the softness that he usually kept hidden behind his cold exterior. She felt her lips tingle from the kiss, the sensation still fresh and persisting.

      Stefan's eyes were fixed on her, his thumb brushing gently against her cheek. "You're not dreaming this time, Coby," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

      Coby's breath hitched, her heart swelling with emotions she hadn't realized she'd been holding back. She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out, only a soft exhale.

      Stefan smiled at her, a genuine, warm smile that made her heart skip a beat. Then, without another word, he gently let her go and turned away, heading upstairs.

      Coby watched him go, her mind spinning. She touched her lips, the taste of his kiss still looming. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she couldn't shake the feeling that everything had just changed between them.