Page 108 of Isla

"That was never in the cards for us, Isla. I always knew this was going to happen."

"That wasn't my question," I whisper, my lips moving against the saltiness of his neck.

"The simple answer is yes."

"And the not simple answer?" I ask, holding my breath.

"I have certain appetites that involve watching you get absolutely ravished in the bedroom. And I'm not willing to do that outside of a committed relationship."

That's the only explanation I need to make that niggling sense of worry in the back of my head completely disappear. I push to my elbows, drowning in his baby blues, seeing the truth written there plain as day.

"Thank you for being honest with me."

"While I'm being honest, I'm just a man, Isla, and your ass pressed against my cock is making me feral." He lifts me off his body, depositing me on my knees beside him, and pushes to his feet.

"What are your plans today?" he asks, helping me up and handing me my clothes.

"My sister Lorna wanted me to stop by today for lunch and a chat. Do you want to come with me?"

"Yes."

The lack of hesitation in his voice gives me the warm fuzzies, and I grin up at him, not even trying to hide how fucking happy I am. "You may regret that decision when you meet Daniel and Lorelei. They're absolute hellions."

"Try me. I've never met a kid I didn't like."

Fuck. This man. My insides are in a constant state of bonelessness with the way he talks.

"Tell me about Lorna."

Memories of my childhood flash through my head as I try to think about what to say. "She's kind. Brilliant. The most loyal person you'll ever meet. She loves with her entire heart."

"Is she married?"

"Her jackass of a husband left her when she was still pregnant with the twins."

"Jesus," Henry mutters, his jaw clenching. "What does she do? Hobbies? Work?"

"I actually think that's what she wants to talk to me about. She finally got her doctorate about six months ago and then took a bit of a break. She's been dabbling in gardening the last few years, and I have a feeling she's thinking about taking it full-time."

"Is that what her doctorate was in?"

I cough, my cheeks flushing. "I'll let you ask her about that." There's no way I'm having a conversation with Henry about how my sister is a literal doctor of orgasms.

Henry raises an eyebrow but doesn't press further. "I will. Should we go up and change and head that way?"

I nod, turning to head back up the path, but he grabs my hand and jerks me toward him, enveloping me in a gigantic bear hug.

"Thank you for coming down and eating breakfast with me," he murmurs into my hair.

"Thank you for cooking breakfast for me and for making this morning so romantic."

"This is only the beginning. Just wait till tonight."

My heart jumps. I'm sure I'm going to love every single thing about tonight, but most of all, it will be the moment he slides inside me, and we make that connection I've been yearning for. I help Henry pack up the breakfast things and then watch as he slings the huge pack over his shoulders like it weighs nothing. I wish I could say I'm being discreet as I flatten my palm to his shoulder and drag my hand over his ridiculously large bicep, tracing the veins riding down his lower arm before I lace my fingers with his. He's so goddamn sexy it hurts.

"You okay?" he asks, chuckling.

"Not at all," I whisper, practically salivating.

---