Chapter Eighteen
A breeze fluttered in through the patio door, gently rippling the crisp linen shades. Coffee beans and the sweet floral perfume of golden trumpet flowers surrounding the resort spiced the air. Then there was the masculine scent that belonged to Isaac alone. One that had her burying her face into the pillow beside her and inhaling. For three nights, he’d held her as they slept and not just an arm thrown over her shoulder. He’d intertwined their bodies and tucked her so close she felt untouchable, which was a miracle given that she’d been abducted, held against her will, and sold to another freaking person across seas. She shuddered and sat up in bed, searching for Isaac. Just having him in her line of sight soothed her.
“Morning, beautiful.” He was standing by the coffee machine, his dark hair damp around his shoulders. There was a smile on his face, one of those rare, open expressions that was meant only for her.
“Hi.” She stretched her arms above her head ignoring the slight twinge of pain in her ribs and turned her body, laying on her side so she could take in the view of Isaac making coffee. The tenderness and love in his expression made her breath catch. She’d always known he felt those things, but he’d blocked those emotions from everyone, especially her. Now he was holding nothing back. Giving her everything she needed and more as he moved toward the bed with two mugs of coffee. He set down both on the nightstand and reached over her to grab the pillows on his side of the bed.
“Gonna help you sit up.” He fluffed out the pillows. stacking them above her head. She sighed as he gently scooped her, moving her up toward the headboard, propped up by a mountain of pillows.
“You know I can move around myself, right?” There was no heat in her words, but for three days, Isaac had insisted that she focus on healing. Their mornings started this way. Isaac making coffee and waking her with his quiet stirrings. He’d order room service, and have it set outside by their private pool, before helping her out to the patio. They’d sit and eat breakfast together under a canopy of lush palm trees and the showy fuchsia blooms of hibiscus flowers. For the first two days they’d been here after her initial overnight at the hospital, Isaac insisted she take it easy. The furthest she got from the bed was floating weightlessly in the pool cradled in Isaac’s arms. Yesterday, she’d insisted on leaving, and they went for a short walk around the resort. It was hard to believe she’d gone from a steel container bobbing in the ocean to a view of white sand leading to the calm turquoise water of the island.
A soft chuff whispered over her forehead as he leaned in and kissed the top of her head, breathing her in deep. “It’s only been a couple days since you got out of the hospital. I don’t want anything causing you more pain.”
“This is the fourth day since I was released from the hospital. That’s nearly a week.”
“Not quite, baby,” he chuckled as he slid his arms beneath her legs and the other behind her back. “Up we go.”
There was no doubt that Isaac’s care made her feel precious, but he was holding back. His kisses were sweet. Touches reverent. He was afraid of hurting her—logically she got that. “I healed fast because I have the best nurse around.”
“Uh huh.” He raised a brow then turned to the nightstand and picked up one of the mugs. “Be careful, it’s hot.”
She breathed it in and took a sip. Even in a hotel, Isaac made the best coffee. He’d somehow procured her favorite coconut vanilla creamer and made it extra sweet. The rest of her family ribbed her about her ridiculous morning sugar consumption, but Isaac simply indulged her. She took a sip and looked at him over the rim of her cup. “You always make it just right.”
“I know my girl’s not a morning person and needs a little extra jolt of sweet.” The mattress dipped when he sat on the side of the bed. He lifted his hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered on her skin, and she closed her eyes, absorbing his touch.
“This all feels so surreal.” When she opened her eyes, his were locked on hers.
“I never thought this was possible. Me and you. Being together like this. Now that we are, it feels so right. I never apologized for leaving you and Sabrina in the safe house. My gut was telling me to stay and protect you, but my mind was analyzing the logistics. The number of men outside. The distance and obstacles in our path to eliminate them.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. You did what you thought was best in the moment. If you didn’t leave the safe house, Rowan could’ve been killed and there would’ve been more men storming the house. If we hadn’t been taken by Greco’s men, Agent Dawson might be dead right now because Vesey wouldn’t have gone to Greco’s compound to save Sabrina, which also saved Dawson. Don’t think of the what-ifs. We’re here. Alive and together.”
Isaac shook his head. “I should’ve known better than to ignore that instinct telling me to stay behind and let Rowan neutralize the threat. I’ll never ignore a gut reaction again. You know what else I’ll never overlook?”
Her heart picked up speed, and she put her coffee to the side, taking his hand. The way he was looking at her suggested he was about to share something important. “What?”
“My heart.”
Her breath hitched. That wasn’t what she had expected, but the relief inside her was palpable. She’d been waiting for the moment when Isaac told her he was called back out on a mission. That his commander had reached out and needed him back on base. She was still fully aware that it was only a matter of time before that happened, and when it did, she’d be strong. Right now, though, all she wanted was Isaac and the protective bubble of bliss they’d found on this beautiful island.
“I was outside tossing a football with Easton when the social worker’s car pulled up to the foster home. You got out of the backseat, and I couldn’t fucking breathe. You looked at me, and what I felt for you, even in that moment scared the hell out of me. The power you held in those beautiful hazel eyes had me dropping the ball to the grass and following you inside. Gus was guarding you like a sentry, but you slipped by him and hugged Easton and me.”
She remembered that day so clearly. “At that point it had been about a week from the day I came home to discover my father had murdered our mother, then he went after me, and Gus still bears the scars. Our whole world had been shattered, but the look in your eyes … it grounded me. Somehow, I knew we were in the right place. That our being there was the start of something profound. When I wrapped my arms around your waist, everything felt like it was going to be okay.”
Isaac’s eyes filled and he nodded. “That quick touch held more warmth than I’d ever experienced, and I knew why your brother was so protective. You shine so bright, are so deeply precious. You brought us together and made us a family. Call it what you want, but you were our North Star. A compass guiding us in the right direction despite what we’d been through. You were so much more than that to me, though. The love I have for you struck fast and hard and it started the day you arrived and morphed into something I couldn’t control. Instead of recognizing the power of those emotions, they made me feel powerless and I ran like a coward.”
Isaac released a long, pained breath and cupped her face. “I told myself I was doing right by you, but that was a lie. Before you, the kind of love I was shown wasn’t really love at all. It was conditional.” He dropped his hands now and looked to the side, jaw tight. “A sick, obscene game.” When Isaac closed his eyes, she remained silent, giving him time to compartmentalize the pain of his past. When he opened them, they were blazing. Not with anger or hate, though, even when he had every right to feel that way after what he had been through. Passion and love crackled and burned in those dark forbidding eyes. “You showed me beauty and trust. I threw it in your face and put as much distance between us as I could. I was wrong, Jules. My heart knew, and I pushed it aside. You’ve loved me unconditionally and you must know each day moving forward I’m going to show you how much you mean to me. I’ll put you first, give you anything you need to believe I’m here to stay. My heart is yours and yours alone. I’ve never loved another and I never will.” A tear slipped down his cheek, and she tenderly brushed it away. He gave her a reassuring smile that made her stomach dip, then reached over her and opened the nightstand drawer.
“This might seem too soon, but I’m listening to what my heart’s been telling me for years. You’re mine to love and protect. To have and to hold through all the ups and downs.” Her eyes widened as he withdrew a turquoise box and slowly cracked it open. “A colorless diamond doesn’t suit you. You’re far too bright and warm for that. My sunshine. My light in the dark. Everything that is warm and happy and good.”
“Isaac…” She glanced at him to the ring and back again. “How … when…” The words jammed in her throat. The gentle morning light hit the yellow gem, made more brilliant by the halo of clear diamonds encircling the ring. The rich center diamond seemed to pulse with an ethereal glow as though it had been plucked from the center of the sun.
“Marry me, Julie, because I can’t imagine a life without you. Let me love and keep you for the rest of our lives. Forever.” He took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger. It slid home like it was made specifically for her.
She shifted to her knees and launched herself at Isaac, knocking him back on the bed. She ignored the twinge of pain and peppered his face with kisses. “You’re it for me, Isaac. I love you. Will always love you.”
“Is that a yes, then?” he grinned and kissed her nose, then her mouth, waiting for a reply.
“Definitely a yes.” She smiled through the happy tears rolling silently down her cheeks. Issac rolled them to their sides and framed her face, lowered his head, and drew her bottom lip into his mouth. She encouraged him by deepening the kiss until they were both frantically pulling at each other’s clothing.
“Slow.” Isaac murmured against her lips. “We need to slow down. I don’t want to hurt you.” His lips were parted. Jet colored eyes glazed with desire.
She grabbed the hem of her shirt, lifting it over her head, and threw it to the side. “The only thing hurting is not having you inside me where you belong.”
Isaac’s gaze locked on her bare skin, and he hissed out a breath. She wasn’t sure if that involuntary sound was because he wanted her, too, or that the bruising on her torso was on full display. Maybe it was a mix of both. “It’s too soon.” His heated palms caressed her shoulders.
“Please, Isaac. Trust me.” She wiggled past him and stood up, discarding her sleep shorts as she went.
The only sound was his heavy breathing, and then his arms came around her, scooping her up. Isaac cradled her in his arms and walked through the breezeway to their private lagoon. The water rippled quietly as he stepped into the pool, sinking down until the surface lapped against her back. “You are everything to me.” Isaac’s gaze matched the tone of his voice. Intense. So purely Isaac. Warmth burst through her, spreading from her heart outward. He didn’t give her time to respond, capturing her mouth in a claiming kiss. She shuddered when his lips dropped to her neck and twisted in his arms, so they were facing. When she wrapped her legs around his waist, his thick erection pulsed against her. She started to fumble with the top of his swim shorts, desperate to have him.
“Not yet.” Isaac cupped her bottom and lifted her, bringing her breasts closer to his mouth. His tongue swirled and nipped the hard tips as she arched against him. The ache between her thighs grew more intense, spiking each time he drew one of the sensitive peaks into his mouth.
“Isaac, now.” She was impatient but he was clearly on his own timeline. He shook his head, strands of wet hair swaying with the motion. “On the float.” He lifted her again, placing her on the edge of the pink striped inflatable. “Lay back.” She obeyed, easing down until the sun washed plastic was warming her skin. Isaac was hooking her legs over his shoulders, so she was completely exposed to him. He trailed kisses over her thighs and stomach before dipping his head, stroking the flat of his tongue from her opening to clit. She gripped his hair, drawing him closer. His chuckle vibrated against the sensitive bundle of nerves, making her thighs quiver. Isaac doubled his efforts, lapping and sucking her sex until the pressure was so great she was rocking against his lips. She cried out, shaking uncontrollably as she came. Isaac brought her down gently, slowing his movements.
“So beautiful. I’ll never be able to get enough.” His warm breath and the light stubble on his cheeks tickled her inner thigh. “Never want to leave your side again.” He gripped her hips and helped her slide off the float. She waded in the water as he removed his shorts. Once again, she circled her legs around him, until the tip of his hard length was right against her opening, intensifying the ache that was quickly building. “Are you sure, Jules?”
“So sure.” She gripped his shoulders, kissing him as he sank inside her. Isaac moved carefully. Despite his whole body trembling with need, he gave her time to adjust before beginning to move in a steady rhythm. Weightless in the water, there was no pain. Only breathless pleasure building as Isaac reached between them, stroking her as his movements became more frantic. White light flashed behind her lids as pleasure slammed through her. Isaac followed seconds later, body rigid as he chanted her name. Whoever said good things come to those who wait didn’t know how right they had it. What she hadn’t understood until recently was that Isaac had never held back because of her . While she’d been feeling sorry for herself, thinking he didn’t see her as a woman or as an equal, he’d been struggling with his self-worth and the trauma he’d experienced. She’d waited for years to have Isaac look at her, be with her, like he was right now. To finally trust himself enough to admit that despite who and what he’d come from he was good and honest and dependable.
“Have I told you lately how much I love you?” His expression softened at her words, and she knew he felt them deep in his heart. Nothing gave her more pleasure than lifting some of the shadows, those dark heavy memories, from his eyes. She’d spend every day pouring light into his life. Giving him kind and sweet. Showing him just how special and worthy he was. How loved.
“I’ll never get tired of hearing it, baby. If you hadn’t been so strong for us, believed in us so hard … fuck, I feel sick thinking of all I could’ve missed. You are the single most precious thing in my life. Loving you like this, it’s scary as hell and fills me up in ways I could never put into words. Ways you wouldn’t understand. I’ll never give you reason to question what I feel. I’ll never let you go a day without knowing you are the center of my universe. The woman who’s buried so deep in my soul, she’s part of every breath I take. You’re the blood in my veins. In my heart. I love you.” Isaac’s lips feathered over hers.
She kissed him back, capturing his mouth with the same ferocity that he stole her heart.