Chapter 209
CHAPTER 13
“Talk about what?” Isla asked, her tone casual, but Graham could see
the tension simmering beneath her calm exterior. She leaned back
slightly in the chair, the fluffy pink hotel bathrobe tied loosely
around her slim waist. It was oversized, a shade of pink that was
almost comical against the seriousness of the moment, yet somehow
she managed to make it look effortlessly charming. Beneath it, she
wore a nightgown–one Graham had purposefully avoided thinking
too much about. After all, he had been the one to order the bathrobe
for her the night before, a small act of care that felt like it had carried
more weight than it should.
But now, sitting across from her, he found himself noticing things he
hadn’t before. Isla had always been there, a familiar presence in his
life. Yet in this moment, it was as if he was truly seeing her for the
first time. And it hit him–a realization so sudden and profound that
it left him momentarily breathless. She was beautiful. Not in the way he had allowed himself to acknowledge in the past, but in a way that felt undeniable and consuming.
Her face was delicate, like it had been carved with intention. Wide
blue eyes framed by dark lashes that seemed to hold the weight of the
world in their depths. A small, perfectly buttoned nose that added to
1/4
Chapter 209
her air of innocence. And her lips–those lips. He’d caught himself
staring at them far too often last night, particularly during the quiet
moments in the car when the glow of passing headlights illuminated
her profile. They were full and inviting, and more than once, the
thought of leaning in and tasting them had crossed his mind.
—
The temptation now was almost unbearable. He wanted–no, he
needed to feel the softness of her lips against his, to reach across
the table, cradle the back of her neck, and kiss her with the intensity
of everything he’d been holding back. He imagined the way she might
respond, how her lips might part under his, allowing him to claim her
completely.
And yet, beneath the pull of attraction, there was a stark reminder
that struck him like a sharp jab to the stomach. She was so young.
Too young, perhaps, for him and the life he was proposing. Every time
this thought resurfaced, it brought with it a wave of guilt that
threatened to drown him. What if he was wrong about this? What if
this decision he was on the verge of making ruined the life she hadn’t
even begun to truly live? What if she hated him for it?
He didn’t have the answers. He didn’t have any guarantees. The only
thing he knew for certain was that Isla needed protection, and the
world outside was a cruel, unforgiving place. She was vulnerable in
ways she didn’t fully understand, a fragile figure who deserved a
chance to flourish without the constant weight of survival on her
shoulders.
214
Chapter 209
And Graham couldn’t, wouldn’t, let her face it alone. If marrying her
was the only way to ensure her safety, her security, then he would do
- it. Not out of desire, though that was undeniably present, but out of
an unshakable sense of duty. She deserved a life where she was
cherished and cared for, where she didn’t have to fight for every
ounce of respect and protection.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his gaze steady on
hers. “We need to talk, Isla,” he said softly, his voice carrying the
weight of the decision he was about to make.
“About your future,” Graham said at last, his tone firm but measured.
He watched closely as Isla’s hand paused mid–air, the bowl of fruit
she’d been eating from set quietly back onto the table. Her appetite,
it seemed, had disappeared the moment those words left his mouth.
A small, almost imperceptible “Oh,” escaped her lips. Beyond that,
she said nothing, her gaze drifting down to her feet. Graham’s heart
tightened at the sight. He would have traded every ounce of his
wealth in that moment to peer into her mind and decipher the
thoughts swirling behind her unreadable expression. She was always
so composed, even when she was clearly bracing for something
difficult. It frustrated him, how little she let him in sometimes.
He cleared his throat, determined to press on. “I understand that you
no longer wish to live at Thornfield Manor. You feel as though you’ve
lost your place there, as if you no longer belong.” His voice carried a
3/4
Chapter 209
gravity that matched the seriousness of his words. He was not
prepared, however, for the unexpected turn she was about to take.
Comments
Write Comments
SHARE
4/4
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.
