Page 69 of Beneath the Surface

Isobel’s lips parted, but no words came out. Her eyes filled with unshed tears, and she quickly looked away, her jaw clenched in stubborn silence.

Brad inhaled deeply, his mind made up. He wasn’t going to let her shut down. Not tonight. His hand moved to her chin, tilting her face back to him. “I’m not asking anymore.”

Her breath hitched at the finality in his voice.

“Take your clothes off and get on the bed,” he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

For a moment, she stood still, the tension in her body almost palpable. But then, slowly, she moved. She stripped and climbed onto the bed, her movements slow, deliberate. She was still defiant, still fighting him in her own way, but she obeyed.

Brad watched her carefully, his own emotions a storm beneath the surface. He knew she needed this—needed to be vulnerable, to give up the control she was clinging to. He walked to the bedside drawer and pulled out a set of soft restraints. She hadn’t let him restrain her before. Visible goose bumps broke out across her body.

Without a word, he secured her wrists to the bedposts, his touch firm but gentle, grounding her in the moment. He watched her closely, gauging every flicker of emotion that crossed her face. She was locked down tight, but he could see it—the cracks, the way her chest rose and fell faster, the way her eyes betrayed the fear and anger swirling inside her.

Brad’s hand moved to her thigh, then her waist, a slow, deliberate touch that made her shiver. “I need you to let go,” he said, his voice a quiet command. “I need you to trust me to take care of you.”

Isobel’s eyes squeezed shut, a single tear slipping down her cheek. She was fighting so hard, but Brad knew she couldn’t win this battle on her own. She needed to break, to release, and he was going to make sure she did.

He trailed his hand higher, his touch just enough to make her breath hitch. “You don’t get to hide from me, Isobel,” he said softly. “Not tonight. Not ever.”

She trembled beneath him, her body taut with everything she was holding in. She seemed to be on the edge, teetering between holding on and completely breaking apart.

Brad leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. “You’re mine,” he whispered, his voice dark and commanding. “And I’m not letting you go until youfeelevery bit of what you’re hiding.”

In that moment, he knew she was close—so close to breaking. He pressed his hand between her thighs, the touch both firm and gentle, a reminder of his control. Her breath came faster, her body responding to him despite the turmoil raging insideher. He pushed her to the edge, drawing her further into the moment, away from the pain, away from the guilt, until all that was left was the sensation—the undeniable pull of his dominance, anchoring her to him.

Isobel closed her eyes,surrendering to the sensation. Brad’s hands roamed her body, possessive but gentle, as he moved her exactly how he wanted. He pressed deeply into her, his control absolute, his movements slow but deliberate. Every motion was designed to remind her to whom she belonged, and with each thrust, he claimed more of her.

And when she finally let go, when the dam inside her broke, it wasn’t just pleasure that coursed through her—it was the release of everything she had been holding back, every tear, every scream, every ounce of guilt and anger. She shattered beneath him, and Brad held her through it, his touch the only thing keeping her from falling apart completely.

When it was over, Isobel lay limp on the bed, her body trembling, her breaths coming in ragged sobs. But she was here again,present.

Brad untied her wrists and pulled her into his arms, cradling her against his chest as the last of her tears fell. “I’ve got you,” he whispered, his lips brushing her hair. “I’ve got you, and I’m not letting go.”

As the intensity of the moment faded, Brad helped her off the bed, guiding her gently to the bathroom, where he took her into the shower and bathed her. When he finished, they returned to bed. He wrapped her in his arms, pulling the covers up over them as she settled into his warmth.

“Rest now,” Brad whispered softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Isobel’s eyes fluttered shut, the safety and comfort of Brad’s arms lulling her into a deep, peaceful sleep.

Brad watchedher for a long moment, his mind already moving to what needed to be done next. He slid from the bed and left the room quietly, pulling out his phone. He needed to make arrangements to get her somewhere safe.

Dialing Isobel’s mother, Charlotte, he waited as the line rang twice before she picked up.

“Brad?” Charlotte’s voice was filled with concern. “How is she?”

“Better. I need to get Isobel someplace safe again,” Brad said. “I don’t want her to be alone. I need to make sure she’s somewhere secure.”

Charlotte sighed. “The girls and I will be at Tristan and Sophie’s.” Their home was on the Blackwell Institute grounds. “Molly was told by her OB to stop working. So, we’re all staying together, waiting for the baby.”

Brad smiled to himself, knowing it would be the safest place for Isobel to stay, surrounded by her family. “I’ll take her there,” he said, his tone firm. “I’m going to add some extra security. I’ll give Tristan a call to go over the details.”

“Of course,” Charlotte replied, her voice soft. “We’ll take care of her, Brad. Thank you.”

Brad ended the call, his mind already planning how to move her safely. Tomorrow, he’d take her to the Institute, where shewould be protected, surrounded by people who loved her. But for tonight, she needed rest.

He returned to the bedroom, watching over Isobel as she slept. He would protect her. Whatever it took, whoever he had to face, she would be safe in his care.

And he wouldn’t let anyone take the feeling of safety from her again.

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