“That’s cheating,” she says between kisses.
“Really? Feels like winning to me.”
My phone chimes on the counter, and Isa breaks the kiss so I can check it.
It’s a text message from my mother, letting me know she can bring Anna to my game tonight instead of bringing her home this morning.
I groan at the thought of my mother thinking she’s wing-manning for me.
“What is it?” Isabella asks, concerned.
“My mother.” I sigh. “She took one look at you last night and made the call to have the sleepover with Anna at her place. Seems like she hoped, or maybe she knew, this”—I wave betweenus— “would happen. And now she just offered to keep Anna longer.”
Panic is clear in her eyes. “So your mom knows about us?” She takes a big gulp of her coffee.
“Suspects. Probably lighting a candle and praying for, if I go by any of her previous subtle suggestions about you.”
“And by subtle, you mean…”
“Bull in a china shop.”
“Exactly,” Isa huffs. “So what happens now?”
Here comes the part I was concerned about. I never worried about what would happen between Isabella and me behind closed doors. But outside these walls, I know that things can be more complicated, especially for her.
I take her hand in mine, opening her palm and planting a light kiss. “Whatever you want happens. We go at your pace, remember.”
She nods as she looks out at the New York skyline. “Okay, yeah. But what do you want?” She looks up at me, eyes hopeful.
“I already got what I want, Isa. I got you. And however you want to share that news with the world is completely up to you.” I pull her into a hug and kiss the top of her head. “You want to tell your mom and friends? Go for it. Keep it a complete secret? That’s fine as well. Want me to call Nick Stonehaven and have his media company plaster it on the cover of every magazine with professional photos of us? That can be arranged as well.” She stiffens in my hold. “Okay, maybe not that last one.” I chuckle as I lift her chin slightly, placing a kiss on her forehead. “All I need you to know is that this time, it’s different.”
I pause so she can really take in what I’m about to say. “I’m not him. I would never do anything to hurt you, Isa. And this public world I live in plays by rules. I have power and say in things. I can make deals to make sure you’re protected, offer up more personal interviews in return for keeping any type of negativepress in regard to you from being printed. It’s power I’ve never cared for before, but I will use it to protect you.” I hold her face delicately, letting my thumbs rub her soft cheeks.
“Will I mess up along the way and make some mistakes? Sure. But you can bet your ass I will work harder and do better by you every chance I get. Give me all of your heart in return, and I promise to protect it with all that I have.” I bring our foreheads together and release a deep breath.
After a few moments, she responds. “Okay. I can do that.” I lift slightly and see the shy look on her face. “I can also try. I don’t have these big muscles or any other powerful tool in my possession currently. But I can promise to protect your heart. And Anna’s. Which is why I think that before we tell anyone else, we should talk to her. Or maybe you do, and then bring me into the conversation when needed? Either way, you take the lead on that front, however you see fit.”
I don’t have the proper words to respond with, because every time Isabella puts my daughter first, my heart threatens to burst from my chest. So instead, I kiss her. I pour every single bit of my heart into it too.
The kiss starts to pick up heat and hands start to wander. My voice turns gravelly as I say, “Ever since the moment I knew Anna’s heart beat inside her birth mother, I knew she would forever be my number one priority. Never, not once since she was born, have I had the urge to go out and meet someone. I’ve never felt the need to take a step into the dating world. Not once, Isabella.”
“So you’re saying you want to take that step now? With me?”
I shake my head and laugh humorlessly. “No. I want to drop to my damn knees. I want to keep you in that special place that you’ve so delicately carved into my heart. I want to be so pathetic around you and hope that you somehow mistake it for romanticism. Because no, Isabella. I don’t want todate. I wantyou, wholly. Forevermine. Foreverours.” I don’t waste another moment as my lips threaten to devour her. Letting her body know what my words attempt to convey.
“So, is this the part where you ask me to be your girlfriend or something?” She smirks as she pushes on my chest, her brows raised expectantly.
I smirk. “No, this is the part where I beg.”
So much for that sex ban.
thirty-six
I’m on cloud nine.
I don’t think I’ve ever been happier or more sore in my life.
Mateo and I spent the day tangled up in one another until he had to leave for his game.
