I can tell she’s being honest. “If they had known about you back then,” I say quietly, “they would have done the same to you.”
Izzy swallows. “What changed?”
“They know now.”
Her eyes widen. The words hang heavy between us.
“And that means the one thing I tried to do—stay away—no longer protects you.”
I step closer. Close enough to feel the heat from her skin.
“If you let me,” I say quietly, “I will keep you and Noah here. Under my roof. I can protect you. And I can become the dad he deserves.”
Her eyes fill. “You mean that?”
“I do.” I’ve never meant anything more in my life. “I won’t let anything happen to you. Ever.”
Footsteps return. Leone sticks his head back into the room.
“Kid’s out cold,” he says.
“Good,” I tell him. “Now get lost.”
He chuckles and slips out the door.
Silence settles between Izzy and me again.
She looks at me.
I look at her.
All the distance I tried to keep between us suddenly feels impossible.
She steps closer first.
I don’t stop her.
Her hand touches my shirt.
I pull her the rest of the way to me.
And this time, when we kiss, neither of us pretends we’re walking away.
17
IZZY
Nico's hand presses against the small of my back, guiding me through the doorway of his bedroom.
The space feels vast and unfamiliar, all dark wood and crisp white sheets, but his touch grounds me.
We've crossed some invisible line tonight. No more hiding, no more stolen moments in shadows. My pulse races with a mix of fear and longing, seven years of what-ifs crashing into this reality.
He stops at the edge of the bed, turning me to face him. His eyes, those deep, dark eyes, hold mine without flinching. “Izzy,” he murmurs, voice low and steady. “Let me show you how much I want you.”
I nod, throat tight, as he cups my face and kisses me softly. It's different from the frantic hunger earlier. Tender, like he's memorizing me all over again.
His lips trail down my jaw, my neck, sending shivers across my skin. I arch into him, hands clutching his shoulders, but he pulls back just enough to lift my shirt over my head.
