Something in the way she was looking at me…
The unease.
The sorrow.
The comprehension in her eyes.
That made me confess, “You’re the first and last place that’s ever felt like home to me.” Without thinking, my hands immediately traveled up the back of her thighs.
They were as soft as they were inviting.
And I knew I was done for.
“Nothing compares to you,” I vowed. Gently, my hands roamed up her bare legs, never taking my eyes off her beautiful face. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Her legs trembled.
Her body shuddered.
Her hips swayed without even realizing she was doing so.
“You’re gorgeous, Isla. You’ve really come into your own this last year and a half since we met.”
“It’s not a year and a half until next month.”
I chuckled. “Look who’s keeping track.”
“Why wouldn’t I keep track of the best and worst days of my life?” she blurted, the alcohol stripping away her filter.
“What—”
She changed the subject, flirting, “Charming as ever, I see.”
I winced, fully aware she didn’t mean to share that with me.
“Is that what you think I’m doing?” I played along. “Charming you?”
It was her bright green eyes that truly captivated me. Sometimes it was easier to give people what they wanted than to try to make sense of anything. The world chewed you up and spit you out if you let it. To go through the ups and downs of sharing your life with someone was a ride I never expected to be on.
But that was just the beginning of our complicated relationship of firsts.
Her perfume.
Her heat.
Her touch.
She was hypnotizing.
“Julius, the day I met you,” she said, finally giving me what I wanted. “I?—”
“Hey, Julius!” Marco interrupted, abruptly turning my attention to him. “How about you introduce me to your arm candy?”
Reluctantly, I let her go.
Setting her beside me, I introduced them. “Marco, this is Isla. Isla, Marco.”
He extended his hand for her to shake. “Nice to meet you, darlin’.”
