My own eyes sweep down her tight black dress, and I feast on every inch of her. She’s as perfect as I remember, and I take a step toward her before the dream can fade away. I have to touch her, make sure she’s real before this all goes up in smoke.
“I-Isaac,” she whispers, and the sound of my name on her lips is like a healing balm on my damaged body.
A door opening to the right has me turning my head when I see a man come out of the bathroom.
“We better get back before people start to talk,” he says to Jillian before seeing me standing there. “Oh hey, I’m Chris Kabler.” He smiles brightly at me as he introduces himself then walks over to stand next to Jillian. My Jillian.
I watch in horror as he begins to put his arm around her. I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but I’m about to rip this castle apart, stone by stone.
Chapter 3
Jillian
I lean into Chris because otherwise I might fall over. He holds his hand out, but Isaac doesn't take it. “Okay.” He lets out a small laugh. In the short time I’ve gotten to know Chris, I’ve seen he’s good with people. Even with me, it felt easy to talk to him.
The conversation flowed easily, but there was no spark between us, and I’m pretty sure he felt the same way. I think we’ve been using each other tonight so we didn't have to fend off anyone else hitting on us because there was no way to miss how women were looking at him.
Isaac has come in and made it awkward, but Chris doesn't falter as he keeps smiling. He really is going to make a good politician one day. “I take it you two know each other?” he tries again, glancing between Isaac and me, trying to read the situation.
“He’s my ex-husband's brother,” I manage to say when the silence starts to grow again. Isaac’s nostrils flare at the mention of his brother. I take it they still aren't on good terms.
What the hell is he doing here after all this time? I reach up and touch my neck as my heart races. A million possibilities bloom in my mind, the main one being Rae.
“Paul?” Chris doesn't hide his distaste for my ex. “Do you need a minute or…” He trails off, asking if he should stay, letting me know he’ll follow my lead. To be honest I’m not sure what to say. I’m still leaning into Chris, afraid my knees might give out. How many times have I dreamed of Isaac showing up again?
“We need a minute,” Isaac gets out through clenched teeth. Whatever reason he’s here tonight, it’s clear it’s over something he’s angry about. It only makes my heart pound harder.
Isaac looks edgier than I remember, and there’s no softness to his eyes. In fact, they don’t look as bright as they once did. I know because I’m reminded of it every day when I look into Rae’s eyes. Chris doesn't move as he waits for me to say something.
“I really think we should all get back to the party,” I say, trying to buy time. Time for what, I have no idea. This isn't something I can really run from. He’s Rae’s father, and I wouldn’t keep him from her if he wants to be involved in her life. Maybe that’s why he’s here, and why he’s angry.
“All right,” Chris agrees.
We’d only stepped into my wing to get away from the crowd of people for a moment. He needed to use the bathroom, and I wanted to change out of my heels because they’d been killing my feet.
Chris tries to move us past him, but Isaac’s hand flies out to grab Chris by the upper arm. We stop dead, and Chris looks into Isaac’s eyes. “Don’t.” His tone is low and filled with warning.
Eve was right when she said she thought Chris was a good one. At least from what I’ve seen. That said, I did marry Paul and sleep with Isaac within moments of meeting him. Maybe I’m not the best judge of character.
Tonight I hadn't agreed to a date, but I did say it was okay for her to introduce us. Eve can be relentless when she wants to make something happen.
I didn't want Chris to get into an altercation because of me, even though he looks like he can handle himself. He’s a little over six foot tall and looks like he works out. Isaac is still bigger, and there’s no missing something simmering under his skin right now. He’s pissed. He might have every right to be, and this is my mess, not Chris’s. I don't want to make it messier than it already is, and I also don't want to cause another scene.
“Isaac.” I place my hand on his arm, over his tux. “Please.” I look up at him and then put my other hand on his chest, trying to get his attention. He looks like he’s about to explode, but finally I feel his eyes on me as I turn to Chris. “It’s okay.”
“Are you sure?” he asks, and when Isaac starts to lift his head, I dig my fingers into him, keeping his attention.
“Yes, Isaac and I need to talk.” That is an understatement. “I’ll see you out there.”
“All right.” He finally gives in, but I hear the hesitation in his voice. I have no doubt that if I don’t come out of here soon, Chris will come back to check on things.
I don’t take my eyes off Isaac as Chris leaves the room, and it’s utterly silent until the snick of the door closing echoes in the quiet room.
When I open my mouth, nothing comes out, and just when I realize I don’t know what to say, his lips are on mine. The shock of him kissing me is fleeting, and before I tell my body how to react, I’m kissing him back. He growls into my mouth, and the sound travels through my whole body. When I try to get closer, he’s already grabbing me and lifting me off my feet. I gasp as he pins me to the wall, and he uses the opening to sweep his tongue into my mouth. God, it feels so damn good that I never want it to stop. I’ve dreamed of this for years, but my memory didn’t do it justice. This, this is why I fell into bed so easily the first time. One touch, and I’m done for.
His mouth leaves mine as he kisses lower and goes for my neck. Faster than I can think, he pins both of my hands over my head with one of his while the other starts to pull up my dress.
It’s happening again, and I don’t try to stop it.
It feels too good being close to him and having his body pressed against mine. Every inch of me is starved for attention, and he’s eager to feed me. In one hard pull, my panties are torn from my body, and heat flashes like fire between my legs. Holy hell.
“Wet,” he says against the skin on my neck before he bites down on me.
I cry out and jerk against him as his hand cups my sex and spreads my folds. The pleasure with a bit of pain is sending me higher and higher. I need it.
“Was this for him?”
I push myself into his hand, needing him to do something, but he’s stopped. My clit throbs with the beat of my heart, and all I need is one little touch to get me off. I don’t know how Isaac does this to me, but I would swear my body knows it belongs to him and no other. Why else has it only ever craved this one man?
“Answer me,” he demands, his tone leaving no room for hesitation. “Was this for him?”
“Who?” I have no idea what he’s asking.
“You’re wet. Was it for him or me?” I stare at him, but only a whimper of need leaves my lips. “It doesn’t matter. It’s mine now. Every drop.”