"Name, please?" the receptionist asked in a polite tone, her fingers poised over the keyboard.

"Mr. and Mrs. Archambeau," I replied with a shy smile, feeling a rush of excitement and a slight blush coloring my cheeks.

Florian, my charming husband, couldn't help but notice my embarrassment. 

"Why are you blushing?" he teased, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me closer to him.

Caught off guard by his sudden closeness, I stammered, "What are you doing?"

"Loving my wife," he whispered in my ear, his words sending shivers down my spine.

 The receptionist, witnessing our sweet exchange, couldn't help but comment, "Your wife is really lucky to have you."

Florian, grinned and retorted, "Ain't you lucky to have me?" 

My cheeks grew even warmer as I nodded in embarrassment, appreciating the love and humor that always seemed to accompany Florian's presence.

As we walked away from the reception desk, Florian continued to hold me close, and we made our way to our room. The hotel hallway was dimly lit, creating an intimate atmosphere. 

The hotel room was elegantly decorated, and an air of romance filled the atmosphere. However, my initial excitement was replaced by a sense of horror as I surveyed the room. There was only one bed, and the realization struck me with disbelief.

"Now what? There's only one bed here," I exclaimed, my voice filled with a mix of shock and horror.

Irwin, seemingly unfazed by the situation, responded casually, "So?"

"What do you mean by 'so'? Where will you sleep?" I asked, my horror escalating.

Irwin, with a nonchalant attitude, questioned, "Is that concern written all over your face?" He took a step closer to me, adding a hint of playfulness to his response.

"Stay right there, don't move," I said sternly, attempting to establish some boundaries in the face of this unexpected dilemma.

He obediently complied, but suddenly, a loud clap of thunder echoed through the room. Startled, I ran towards Irwin and hugged him tightly, seeking comfort in his embrace. My head found a resting place on his chest as I clung to him for support.

"Princess, you okay?" Irwin asked, genuine concern evident in his voice.

"I'm scared," I whispered in a tiny, vulnerable voice.

"Don't be. As long as I am with you, nothing can scare you," he reassured me, tightening his embrace to provide a sense of security. The storm outside continued to rage, but within the shelter of Irwin's arms, I felt a comforting warmth and a sense of protection that eased my fears.

As Irwin continued to stroke my hair, the warmth of his touch gradually eased my anxiety. 

"You feeling better now?" he asked gently.

"Yeah, I am sorry about earlier; it's just that I've never shared a room with a guy before," I admitted, lowering my gaze with a hint of embarrassment.

"You're so precious," he said, brushing the hair off my cheeks with a tenderness that made my heart flutter.

His kindness prompted me to express a question that had been lingering in my mind. 

"You are so gentle to me. Aren't you afraid that I will fall in love with you?" I asked in a tiny, hesitant voice.

Irwin, however, responded with a calm assurance, "I'm not scared. You can't fall in love with me, Bella. I am not of royal blood."

"I don't care," I declared, surprising both him and myself. 

Moved by the moment, I planted a soft kiss on his cheek, feeling a mixture of emotions. Without waiting for a response, I quickly ran to take a shower, leaving Irwin standing there with a thoughtful expression. The sound of running water provided a moment of reflection as I contemplated my own feelings. Little did I know that this unexpected trip and shared hotel room would bring about such moments of vulnerability and connection.

A few minutes later, I returned to the bedside after my shower, attempting to lighten the atmosphere.

"The water is still hot. Take a shower before sleeping; it will help you relax," I suggested with a smile. Irwin nodded appreciatively before heading into the bathroom.

As I was blow-drying my hair, the tranquility of the moment was interrupted by his voice. 

"Bella, I forgot my towel. Can you please bring it to me?" he nearly screamed from inside the bathroom.

"Coming," I responded, not giving it much thought. 

I grabbed the towel beside the sink cabinet, ready to deliver it to him. However, just as I was about to knock on his bathroom door, a sudden crash of thunder echoed through the room. Startled, I froze in place.

Suddenly, warm arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me close in a protective embrace. The action was so quick that my brain struggled to process it. Irwin's comforting presence surrounded me, his strong arms providing a shield from the unexpected storm outside. The sound of the rain intensified, but within the cocoon of his embrace, I felt an odd sense of security. Irwin's closeness and the shared warmth created a moment that transcended the initial awkwardness of the situation, and I found myself grateful for the unexpected comfort he provided.

As if the storm outside had taken control of everything, the power suddenly went off, plunging the room into darkness. Startled, I instinctively hugged Irwin tighter, seeking comfort in the midst of the unexpected blackout. It was only then that I realized he was not wearing his shirt.

"I am so sorry. I didn't mean to touch you naked," I blurted out, my voice trembling with embarrassment and fear.

"Stand still, don't move," he instructed calmly over the loud thunder. 

The darkness heightened my anxiety, and I couldn't help but cling to him even more tightly, closing my eyes as if shutting out the external chaos.

"Why are your eyes closed? The light is back," he informed me, his voice cutting through the darkness.

"I-I..." I stuttered, the words feeling stuck in my throat.

"It's okay; I am not naked," he teased, lightening the tension with a playful comment.

Encouraged by his words, I opened my eyes slowly, only to find him shirtless, revealing well-shaped abs and muscles. A mix of surprise and fascination crossed my face as I took in the unexpected sight. Irwin, seemingly unfazed by the situation, grinned at my reaction.

I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my stomach, a strange sensation as my heartbeat quickened. The room, now illuminated again, showcased the silhouette of Irwin's fit physique. The combination of the stormy atmosphere and the unexpected reveal created a moment that was both amusing and slightly electrifying.

"Don't stare at me like a hungry wolf," Irwin chuckled, breaking the moment.

"I'm not," I protested, feeling a blush creep up on my face.

I instinctively put my hands on my face, creating a makeshift barrier while peeking through my fingers at him.

"I know I'm the most handsome man you've ever seen," he said with a self-assured grin.

"You're delusional," I replied, unable to suppress a laugh.

"You mean delicious," he retorted, adding a playful smirk to his comment.

"What?" I stuttered, caught off guard by his teasing remark.

My attempt to maintain composure failed as I found myself peeking at his well-defined abs and muscular physique. His body exuded a warmth and allure that captivated my attention.

Suddenly, the thunder roared once again, its sound growing even louder. Without a second thought, I ran to his embrace for the third time in 30 minutes. 

"I am so sorry. I am really scared of thunder," I confessed in a small voice.

"It's okay, princess. I am here," Irwin whispered softly, his warm arms enveloping me as he stroked my hair with a comforting touch.

As the storm raged outside, a moment of vulnerability emerged between us. Grateful for his presence, I sought a distraction from the thunder by focusing on something else.

"Thank you, Florian. Why are there so many scars on your back?" I asked, feeling a sudden twinge of sadness for him, realizing there might be a deeper story behind those scars.

"Those are childhood memories, ain't important anymore," Irwin responded, a hint of dismissiveness in his tone as he pulled on his shirt over his head.

"I am sorry. I will protect you from now on," I declared with newfound confidence, determined to be a source of support for him.

"I am your protector," he asserted, perhaps attempting to reassure me.

"It doesn't matter," I insisted, staring into his eyes with sincerity. Before he could question further, I added, "Choose me, Florian."

"Why you?" he asked, curious about my sudden plea.

"I will always stick by your side," I responded with unwavering determination, emphasizing my commitment to being there for him.

"You're the first person who told me that," he revealed, a vulnerability in his admission.

"And I mean it with all of my heart," I said, expressing the depth of my sincerity. 

The atmosphere in the room shifted, and for a moment, it felt like a profound connection had been established between us. The storm outside continued to rage, but within our shared vulnerability, a sense of comfort and understanding blossomed.

As Irwin kissed my forehead, a gentle warmth spread through me. His whispered words, "Let's make our plan for tomorrow," sparked a glimmer of hope. I realized that it would take time to convince him that I am the one who could stand by his side, protect him, and fight alongside him.

In that moment, a profound certainty settled within me. I was sure that Irwin was the one I wanted to spend my life with, my first and last love. The storm outside, with its thunder and lightning, mirrored the uncertainties and challenges ahead. Yet, within the quiet intimacy of that shared space, a connection had been forged — a connection that promised mutual understanding, support, and a shared future.

As we began to discuss our plans for the following day, a sense of excitement and anticipation filled the air. The journey ahead might be filled with twists and turns, but I was determined to stand beside Irwin, facing whatever challenges came our way. The realization that he was the one I wanted to build a life with fueled a newfound strength and determination within me. Together, we would navigate the complexities of life, creating a story that was uniquely ours.