“Is this more of what you had in mind?”
“Not really, but it’ll do.”
After he slid his gym shorts on, he sat against the headboard while I perched on the edge of the bed.
“Why so far away?” I baited.
“If I go near you, then one thing leads to another, and you know… When was the last time you left this place?”
“Is that your way of asking me if I’ve hung out with Kraven?”
He didn’t respond, but he didn’t have to. His solid composure spoke for him.
“I’ve spent a lot of time alone.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“Would you prefer the alternative?”
He abruptly stood. “I’d prefer to have spent it with you.”
I guess this conversation is over.
After we got dressed, we made our way downstairs. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous to run into Kraven. I knew Julius hadn’t because I didn’t hear any screaming or holes being put in the walls. I wanted to believe it was a positive sign, but I knew better. It probably just meant that Kraven wasn’t home, and he took off somewhere.
Anytime Julius was at the house, Kraven avoided this place, so this wasn’t new. If anything, this seemed like our normal routine. I wasn’t naive enough to believe this wouldn’t come to a head, though, for the day, I could pretend.
I wanted to spend time with Julius. It’d been so long since we were together yet alone with one another. We didn’t say much atbreakfast, but I caught him glancing at my stomach a few times. Once we finished, we walked over to the park to feed the ducks.
It was beautiful out. The day was perfect, and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend it or with whom.
JULIUS
I was doing this for her and for myself. The expression on her face was worth making my way back to her. I watched as she walked over the wooden bridge in the center of the flower garden to get a better view of all the flowers and roses.
Her enticing, bright green eyes glanced back at me over her shoulder, and I couldn’t gather a thought. The bright sun heightened her features, emphasizing the freckles across her nose and cheeks.
She’s stunning.
All these emotions crept to the forefront of my mind, and I couldn’t control any of them. Isla didn’t look like my best friend, but like the woman who was pregnant with my child. She was gorgeous, with her long red hair flowing loosely around her face. I’d seen Isla in all forms.
Happy.
Sad.
Devastated.
Excited.
She stood against the railing with her lips slightly parted, and I wanted to know what she was thinking and especially what she was feeling. My feet moved on their own accord until I suddenly stood behind her. Her breathing hitched as soon as she felt my chest against her back.
She didn’t turn around.
She didn’t move.
I felt the heat of her body burning into me more and more with each second that passed between us. Leaning in, I was just inches away from the back of her neck, letting my breath brush against her ear. I sensed her eyes following the movement of my strong arms as they came around her body. Skimming the sides of her ribs, I placed my hands on the railing in front of her, caging her against my torso.
I felt her inhale a deep breath, knowing she was happy. In the grand scheme of things, this was a simple gesture, but to Isla, this meant everything. Kissing her neck, I let my lips linger.
