Chapter 232
CHAPTER 24
Graham opened his mouth to speak, the words hanging in the air before he could even form them fully. “Isla, about New York…” But
before he could say anything more, Isla’s sharp response interrupted
him.
“Not going,” she said, her voice firm, a clear and resolute rejection.
“But you didn’t let me finish,” he replied, his tone teasing, but with
an edge of persistence.
This time, though, Isla didn’t cut him off again. She gave him a
sidelong glance, her eyes narrowing with suspicion, though curiosity
was slowly beginning to creep in. “I’ve been invited to a party
tonight, in New York,” Graham continued, watching the subtle shift in
her expression. He didn’t need to look away from her to know the
precise moment her interest piqued.
“A party?” Her voice wavered just enough for him to catch it-
suddenly all ears, as if she couldn’t quite hide her excitement at the
very mention of the word. Her gaze locked onto his, wide–eyed and alert, her entire attention now captured by the prospect of it.
1/4
Chapter 232
Graham felt a sharp, almost painful twist in his chest. It wasn’t the
idea of the party itself–it was the realization of how much he could give her, how much he could offer her if she were just willing to step into this world with him. The thought of her sitting in a cramped,
empty house while he lived out this life made him ache in a way he
couldn’t quite explain. He wanted more for her. More than this small
town. More than the limits she had placed on herself.
“Like I said,” he went on, his voice softening just slightly, “I’ve been
invited to this party in New York, and since Vanessa left, I don’t have
anyone to go with. I was thinking… if you might consider
accompanying me.”
Isla froze, her eyes still locked on him, no words escaping her lips.
There was a flicker in her expression–a subtle, but unmistakable
excitement hidden beneath her feigned indifference. Graham could
see it, though. The way her fingers began drumming lightly against
the table in rhythm, tapping out a quick beat, betraying the careful
calm she was trying to project.
She pretended to pause, as though she were mulling it over, but he
could see right through it. Her eyes–bright, sparkling with
anticipation–told him everything. She was excited. Her body was practically humming with the thought of it. She wanted to go.
And yet, Isla wasn’t willing to admit it just yet. She was playing it
cool, trying to maintain control, but the joy in her gaze was
2/4
Chapter 232
undeniable.
Graham couldn’t help the faint, satisfied grin that curled at the
corner of his mouth, seeing the way her usual reserve faltered under
the weight of his offer. There was something endearing about her
innocence,
Isla’s voice trembled slightly as she asked, “I–I… Is it really
important?” Her uncertainty was palpable, but there was something
else in her eyes too–curiosity, hesitation, perhaps even a spark of
excitement.
Graham, for a moment, couldn’t quite understand where she was
coming from. “What?” he asked, his gaze narrowing as he tried to
read the flicker of emotion in her eyes.
“I mean… is it really important for your business, or anything?” she
clarified, her voice trailing off. “If so, I wouldn’t want you to go
alone… That could look bad.”
Something that shone through her gaze–an eagerness she couldn’t
entirely mask. She wanted to go. She needed to go, though she didn’t
want to admit it.
A mischievous grin curled at the corners of Graham’s lips, but he concealed it quickly. “Oh, sure. Very important business party,” he
3/4
Chapter 232
said smoothly, his voice laced with teasing assurance. The words were
playful, but he knew they were enough to entice her.
Her eyes were wide, sparkling now, though she tried to mask her
enthusiasm. “Then, I suppose I’ll have to go with you after all,” she
said, her tone light, as if she were making some grand concession-
perhaps to humor him, or to ease the discomfort of what she was
really feeling. But Graham saw it. He saw the subtle shift in her
posture–the way her body seemed to lean in, even if only for a brief
moment.
A wave of desire hit him, fierce and consuming. He wanted to sweep
her into his arms right there, kiss her until she forgot everything else,
until there was nothing but the two of them. She was so… innocent,
so utterly priceless in her vulnerability, and that innocence was part
of what made her so captivating.
Comments
Write Comments
Bo
SHARE
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
