Chapter 42
Chapter Forty-Two
Isla
My back hits the wall the moment we step through the doors, then his lips are devouring mine.
My husband tastes like untamed passion, wild possession, and warm champagne. Everything a girl could want and more.
We barely made it home.
Knox didn’t even bother to wait for Don. He carried me to the car and drove us home himself.
This week is officially six months since we’ve been married.
We were supposed to end this week. But look at us. More crazy in love than ever.
I can’t—and don’t—want to even imagine what my world would look like without Knox.
His tongue caresses my mouth and my racing heart triple-beats to keep up with the hot blood flowing through my veins.
He grabs the hem of my dress—part of my cleverly crafted idea of seduction—then he’s touching me everywhere.
“You fucking broke me, Isla Vale,” he groans in my ear.
“That seems fair. You broke me, too.”
He responds with a hungry kiss that makes me lose my mind.
We tear at each other’s clothes, and I know we won’t even make it up to the bedroom when he strips me naked right there against the wall.
Thank God no one else is around. Though, that wouldn’t stop him.
He’s had me several times in the spur of the moment, not caring where we are or who’s watching.
Like a mindless wanton, I hook my leg around his hip and grind my pussy over the swollen bulge of his cock. He groans his pleasure into his kiss, and I feel it everywhere.
Pulling back, he gazes into my eyes, his own heavy with lust. “Tell me you want me.”
“You know I do.”
“I like to hear you say it.”
“I want you, Knox Vale.” I line his neck with little kisses and savor the deep groan that rumbles within his chest.
He slides his fingers into the slick flesh between my legs.
I shudder.
The slow teasing sensation propels me toward climax with each caress of his fingers.
Knox drags his clothes off and rubs his straining erection against my aching clit.
Then he plunges deep inside me and takes me to that place of pleasure I wish I could stay in forever.
A moan slips past my lips, husky with need. “Oh, God. That feels so good.”
He pushes deeper inside me with a wicked smile on his face.
“Be ready for a long night, love. I plan to fuck you until the sun comes up.”
He withdraws, then buries himself deeper, the penetration powerful and so relentless my nerves go up in flames.
His powerful body crushes me against the wall.
My legs tighten around his waist, and I move with him. And then there’s nothing but intense pleasure. All night.
“Can you two at least behave yourselves for one night?” Mia frowns at me, pretending to be annoyed. “It’s my engagement party.”
“We’re behaving. You’re just too observant.” I laugh and tear my gaze away from Knox. He’s standing across the restaurant with Dorian and Logan, now Mia’s fiancé.
The three are talking, but every time I glance over, Knox is already looking, like there’s no one else in the room worth seeing.
Mom laughs quietly next to me, adjusting the cupcakes Sheila made on the stands. “Leave her alone, Mia. Isla makes married life look good. I hope you and Logan are exactly the same.”
“Me too,” Mia admits with a giggle. “Logan’s extremely rough around the edges, but at least he’s romantic.”
Mom and I both nod and smile at her fondly. Apart from the trip to St. Lucia, where Logan absolutely proposed, he arranged for the party to be hosted here because this was where he met Mia.
“My girls have been fortunate to find the very best men.” Mom places her arm around us both, and I lean into her, smiling.
Gratitude washes over me in abundance. We’re wrapped up in warmth and excitement of celebration, of being together, of the scent of cupcakes, amazing food, and laughter from the guests.
But I take a moment to think about all the good things in my life.
Including my mother, who looks healthier and stronger than she’s looked in years.
My heart warms every time I think about what Knox did for us.
It was clear when Mom was rushed in for the surgery that she was sicker than any of us knew.
Sometimes—because of the horrific way I lost my father—my mind drifts to that dark place where I think of all the terrifying possibilities of what could have happened.
Like what if I hadn’t been with Mom that day at the house? And mostly… what if I didn’t have Knox?
My mother wouldn’t be standing here now with her arm around me.
“Back to celebrating.” Mom releases us and grins, but her eyes are glassy with tears.
“Are you okay?” I ask her.
“We just have a lot to be thankful for.” She looks across at Knox, who nods to her before he falls back into conversation with the guys.
“All’s well that ends well,” Mia declares in her scholarly voice. “The only Shakespeare play that meant anything to me.”
“Isn’t that because you studied it to impress that guy you liked in junior year?” I giggle. “The guy who thought he was Shakespeare’s reincarnate.”
She frowns. “Yes, but that’s not the point. The play had great life lessons.”
Mom shakes her head at us. “You two.”
Mia nudges me with her elbow, but her smile falters when she looks toward the door.
I follow her gaze and go still when I find Chad standing there.
I haven’t seen him since that chaotic day when everything came crashing down.
The sight of him throws me. Though, I have to admit, although our last meeting was painful, I’ve been expecting him. I didn’t think he’d turn up tonight, but I had a feeling he’d come here. He doesn’t know where I live with Knox, and knowing him, he wouldn’t risk going to my mother’s house again.
Like before, he knew this would be the best place to find me.
Chad is the last piece of my old life, and he looks like he has something important to tell me.
He lifts a tentative hand and gives me a curt wave. Like a sign he’s not here for war.
I glance at Knox and see this is the one time he’s not watching me.
I turn to Mom and Mia. “I’m gonna go speak to him.”
They both nod.
I grip my hands and make my way toward him.
He looks smaller somehow. Or maybe it’s the way he’s standing with his shoulders slightly hunched and his hands in his pockets, like he’s not sure he belongs here.
“Hi,” he greets me quietly when I reach him.
“Hey, there.” I offer him a polite smile.
“Looks like I came by at the wrong time.” He glances at the decorations around the room.
“That’s okay. Mia and Logan finally decided to tie the knot.”
“Please tell them I said congratulations.” He nods.
“I will.”
“I wanted to say goodbye,” he says before the awkward silence slips in. “I’m heading back to Australia. Another promotion.”
“That’s wonderful. Well done.”
He shifts his weight, exhales. “I didn’t want to leave without… closing things properly this time.”
My heart warms and aches at the same time. “Chad, you didn’t have to—”
“I did.” He lifts a hand a little, then lets it fall. “I did. I also needed to apologize for what I did. All of it. I didn’t plan to make your life harder. I just… didn’t know how to let you go. I held on too long. Longer than was fair to either of us.”
I swallow thickly. “It’s okay. I’m okay.”
“You look happy, Isla. You look happy with him.” He motions toward Knox.
“I am happy.”
His eyes brighten, and for once, there’s no accusation in them, no bitterness. Just truth. “Then I guess you made the right choice. I just needed to see before I go.”
Emotion crawls up my throat. “Thank you.”
His smile breaks, and sadness fills his eyes. “I’m not sure you’ll see me again, but I hope maybe one day, we can be friends. Like we once were.”
I step closer, not touching him, just letting him see I hear him. “I think so.” A lump forms in my throat. “I really hope you find happiness, too, Chad.”
He gives me a faint smile. “Thanks. I hope so, too.” He takes me in for another moment. “Take care of yourself, Isla.”
“You too.”
He nods once. And then he walks away, giving me the clean ending we never had before.
I stand there for a moment watching him leave through the door.
Then I can’t see him anymore.
The shuffle of footsteps behind me pulls me back.
I turn to find Knox staring at me, his expression curious but light at the same time. “Was that Chad I saw?”
“Yeah.”
“I certainly hope he’s not back to his old tricks.”
“No, he’s heading back to Australia. He came to say goodbye.”
Knox slips an arm around my waist, pulling me closer. “Are you okay?”
“Better than ever.” I smile up at him. “He said he wanted to see that I’d made the right choice before he left.”
“Did you?” he murmurs against my temple.
I nod, leaning into him fully. “A hundred percent.”
“Good.” He presses a kiss to my hair. “Because I love you, love. And I don’t plan to ever stop.”
“I love you, too, so you’re stuck with me.”
I laugh quietly and lace my fingers through his. Then he pulls me in for a deep kiss.
The door on the past is finally closed.
Everything I ever wanted is right in front of me.