Page 20 of Isla

"Come back to the cottage with me," I blurt out, raging lust making every single line blur.

"Not yet." He grabs my wrist before I can duck away from him, my pride wounded. "This is more than that, Isla, and you know it." He nudges my chin with his finger, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"What if I don't want more than that?" I ask.

"Don't lie."

"Henry–"

"Look. It's too late." He holds his hands up in surrender. "That thorny personality of yours has dug its claws into my heart and isn't letting go. Look me in the eye and tell me you don't want this, and I'll leave you alone." He backs up a step as if to prove his point.

I can't do that because I want it more than anything. "I'll rip you to shreds," I whisper.

"And I'll love every second of it.”

9

*Henry’s POV*

I try not to breathe as Isla shifts through the gears on the way back to the Manor House. Her scent is everywhere, ripping through the car on the wind, wrapping its fingers around my cock and tugging, forcing me to shift in my seat uncomfortably.

"You okay?" She looks over at me, those green eyes sparkling.

"No. No, I'm not." I clutch the handle on the door as she whips into the driveway, tires squealing.

"The offer still stands, you know," she says as she gets out and slams the door. I unfold myself from the seat, using the car to hide behind as I tuck my cock into the waistband of my sweatpants.

"I meant what I said, Isla. Not yet."

"You're right. It probably wouldn't be good anyway."

I walk around the car, chuckling when she juts her chin out stubbornly. I cage her between my arms, bending down to whisper in her ear. "You know it would be fucking amazing, Red."

She lifts an eyebrow at the nickname. "Prove it."

Fuck. I'm not a strong enough man to deny her, to deny that wildness that draws me like a moth to a flame. I step back, undressing herwith my eyes. My cock twitches at the way her nipples harden under my gaze.

"Please," she whispers, her voice cracking. She crosses her legs, trying to ease the ache between them.

"How long has it been since you've been satisfied in bed?"

"A really fucking long time."

"When?"

"Probably never, if I'm being honest."

I growl my disapproval. "If we do this, we're not touching under our clothes until I know you’re not going to rip my heart out of my chest and eat it for dinner. Understand?"

"Do what?" she asks, her rosebud lips dropping open in surprise.

I give in to the primal desire roaring through me, dropping to my knees and burying my face between her legs, breathing her in.

"Henry!" she shrieks, struggling in my grip.

"Do you want me to stop?" I ask, jerking down the front of her sweatpants and dragging my tongue along the seam of her shorts.

"Yes," she groans, angling her hips to give me better access.

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