“Not married.” He gives her a half-smile. “Yet.” He winks as Rae’s eyes widen.
“I think that’s enough talk of marriage,” my brother cuts in. He’s protective, and I get it. I don’t have a good track record when it comes to men, and he’s had to save me once before.
“Dasher,” Maggie calls as she carries their son into the kitchen. “He’s awake.” She walks over, placing the baby in Dasher’s arms, and my brother relaxes for the first time since he laid eyes on Isaac.
“See how adorable babies are?” Rae says, staring right at Isaac.
Oh my god. I can’t believe her right now. She must really want a sibling more than I thought.
“They are, and it's clear your mom makes beautiful ones too.”
Rae giggles, and I melt. “This is true,” she agrees.
“Are you ready to tuck in for the night?” Maggie asks Rae, but she gives me a look. If it wasn’t for Isaac I’d tell her I can do it, but instead I nod so she can put her to bed tonight. “I found batteries for your robot guy,” she adds quickly before Rae can say she’s not tired yet.
“Yes!” She jumps up from the stool too fast, and her foot snags on one of the metal bars on the base. She starts to fall, but Isaac moves and catches her quickly.
“Be careful,” I call out as he puts her on her feet.
“Sorry, Mommy.”
After I give her a kiss, she grabs Isaac’s legs and hugs him tight. I stand there shocked as I watch it happen.
“Thanks,” she says, bouncing off to hug Dasher and Eve next before leaving the four of us standing there.
“So…” Dasher starts.
“No, not tonight. She’s a grown woman. She can have a man in her room if she wants,” Eve cuts in. God, I love her.
“My intentions with Jillian are good,” Isaac says anyway.
His arm snakes around my waist, and he tucks me into his side. I lean into him because it feels so damn right. I don’t know what it is, but there’s always been something about him that is meant to be. Even when I think back to that night we had together, I don’t regret it. It gave me Rae.
“She’s a very rich woman.” My brother's words sting a bit. I know he doesn’t say it to hurt me, but I still have my own lingering insecurity about that. I know that’s why Paul locked his claws into me, but again, I can’t regret him either because he too had a hand in me having Rae. If it wasn’t for our wedding day, I might have never met Isaac.
“I said not tonight,” Eve snaps. It’s not a tone she uses often, but when she does, everyone stands up a bit straighter.
“I’m a very rich man,” Isaac says blandly. “I don’t need her bank account. I only need her.”
Emotion starts to creep up my throat, and I can’t help but wonder, if this is how he felt, then why did he disappear?
“Good,” Eve says with a bright smile, trying to ease the tension.
“We’ll talk tomorrow,” I say to Dasher, wanting to break away and be alone now that I know Maggie has Rae for the night.
There are so many things to say, but all I really want is Isaac’s mouth on me. More than anything, I need to get lost in him again before I have to face the things I’ve done.
“I didn’t catch your last name,” Dasher says as we’re walking out of the kitchen.
“Not tonight,” I answer, and Eve smirks. I have no doubt my brother wants to dig up everything he can on Isaac. “Isaac is staying the night. Like I said, we can talk tomorrow.”
We walk out of the room, and I lead Isaac up the stairs. For once I’m taking exactly what I want.
Chapter 6
Isaac
“Where does Rae sleep?” I quietly ask as we walk down the long hall.
“This wing of the estate is mine.” She points up ahead to another hallway. “We have our own living room and playroom here. Her room is that way, the third door on the right.”
She watches me as I peer down the hallway, trying to imagine what her room looks like. What kind of toys she likes and what they watch on TV. It’s been so long since I’ve just been at peace. The thought has the muscles in my body sagging with exhaustion.
“This place is so big.” I think about my condo in the city, which was really only a crash pad when I flew back from France.
“Yes, but living here as a family feels nice.” She shrugs one shoulder. “And Rae gets to grow up with a family and not just me.”
“She’s a good kid?” It’s a question, but I already know the answer as she nods. “I want to get to know her.”
“She’d like that.” When she looks up at me, I see a sparkle in her eyes.
I pause as I look down at her, and there’s so much that’s unsaid. “As soon as I could, I made my way to you.”
“Where have you been?” She’s pleading for the truth, but it’s too much for tonight.
“It’s complicated,” I answer honestly. “I’ll explain it all, but for now, I need to hold you.”
She softens against me and nods as we walk into her room. I take a moment to bolt the lock and feel a sense of relief that we’re finally alone. She slips off her shoes as she watches me, and I take off my jacket.
I’m silent, watching her slip off her dress and drape it over the chair nearby. She’s left in a simple black bra and matching panties, and I nod to them.
“All of it,” I demand, taking off my tie and tossing it next to my jacket.
She does as I ask, and I can’t take my eyes off of her naked body as I unbutton my shirt and remove my pants. She walks slowly over to the bed and keeps her eyes low as she climbs on.
I strip naked and walk over to join her, my cock heavy and hard between my legs. There’s no urgency like last time, no desperate stolen moment that could end at any second. This time, my need is greater than getting off, and it’s to just be with her.
She’s beautiful against the gold of the bed, and when she reaches for me, my chest aches. Without hesitation I get in the bed with her but turn her on her side so I can spoon in behind.
“I need to hold you.”
I close my eyes as her warm soft curves fit perfectly against me. Breathing in her scent of juniper berries and cinnamon feels like coming home after so many years away. Maybe that’s exactly what this is. My soul is coming home to its other half, and every inch of me knows it.
My arms tighten around her body as I kiss her neck and her shoulder. Every part of her is touching me, and still I want to get closer.
“Why does it feel this way?” she asks softly.
I press my nose to her neck and inhale as I kiss the same sweet spot. “Because you’re mine.” My hand slides over her hip and around her stomach. “Because we’re meant to be.” She turns in my arms and then looks at me. I lean up on my elbow as I tuck her hair behind her ear. “Because there’s no path in my life that doesn’t end with you.”
“Isaac.” Her voice is barely above a whisper as I bend down and touch my lips to her.
It’s soft at first, tentative and slow, but like a hungry wolf I can’t be leashed. In one swift motion, I sit up and pull her astride me at the same time. She wraps her legs around my back as I grab the shaft of my cock and hold it as she slowly sinks down. The breath in her throat catches, and I have to hold her steady as she tries to accommodate my size. She’s slick and ready, but she’s just as small as our first time, her first time.