Chapter 212
CHAPTER 14
For a moment, Isla simply stared at him, her wide, ocean–blue eyes
fixed on his face, her expression a perfect blend of shock and!
disbelief. Graham could feel his patience stretching thin as an
awkward silence settled over them, and he couldn’t help but
internally groan. He’d just laid his heart–and his future–on the line,
offering her everything he had, and she was looking at him as if he’d
grown a second head.
But he reassured himself it was just the initial shock. Of course, she
hadn’t expected him to propose this. How could she? She didn’t yet
understand what he was offering her–how monumental, how life-
changing this was. Once she let it sink in, he was sure she’d see the
opportunity for what it was. He wasn’t just proposing a marriage; he
was offering her a life most people could only dream of.
His lips curved into a slow, self–assured smile. He wasn’t a vain man,
not in the traditional sense, but he knew his worth. He was Graham
Lancaster, a man who turned heads wherever he went, not just
because of his striking looks but because of his power, his wealth, and his influence. With dark, piercing eyes, a strong jawline, and the kind of physique that came from relentless discipline, he’d been called
“irresistible” more times than he could count. Add to that the billions
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Chapter 212
in his bank account, and he was well aware of how the world saw him.
He also knew Isla wasn’t blind or stupid. She was smart–maybe too
smart for her own good sometimes. Surely, she would realize what he
was offering her. As his wife, she wouldn’t just belong somewhere;
she’d belong everywhere. Thornfield Manor, his empire, his life-
they’d all be hers. And when she understood that, she’d be happy.
Excited, even.
The thought made his chest tighten with anticipation. She’d be
radiant, glowing with the joy of realizing she’d finally found what
she’d been searching for a family, a home, a place where she truly
belonged.
–
Graham’s mind drifted to the future, and he couldn’t stop the smile
that spread across his face. He imagined her a few years down the
line, with a softness in her face that came from true happiness, her
hand resting on a swollen belly as she carried their child. He wanted
two children–no, he needed two. A boy to carry his name and legacy,
and a girl who’d inherit Isla’s beauty and gentle spirit.
The thought of making those children with her sent a heated wave
rushing through him. His body tightened instinctively, and he shifted
slightly in his seat to disguise his growing arousal. He could already tell that their chemistry would be explosive. Every glance, every accidental brush of their hands, every charged moment between them had hinted at it. Isla might be innocent, but her body spoke to his in
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Chapter 212
ways words never could.
He imagined their first night together, the way she’d look beneath
him, her cheeks flushed with a mix of nervousness and desire. He’d
take his time with her, guiding her, showing her that she was his and that he would worship her in every way possible. The thought alone
made his breathing shallow, his pulse quicken.
And when they made love, it wouldn’t just be about passion–it would
be about claiming her, body and soul. She’d be his in every way that
mattered, and he’d ensure she knew it with every touch, every kiss,
every whispered word. She would belong to him, not just in name but
in every fiber of her being.
Isla remained silent, her wide, expressive eyes betraying a storm of
emotions she couldn’t seem to voice. Graham’s frown deepened as he
studied her. The thought struck him suddenly–was she shy? Perhaps
overwhelmed? He set his coffee cup down deliberately, the porcelain
clinking softly against the saucer. If she was too stunned to speak,
then it was his job to guide her through this.
“Isla, darling,” he murmured, his voice softening as he reached across
the table to take her hands again. His touch was firm yet gentle,
meant to reassure her, to promise silently that he was here for her,
that he would do whatever it took to be the kind of husband she
deserved. But the moment his fingers brushed hers, she jerked her
hands away as though his touch burned her.
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The End Of a Marriage
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.
