Page 75 of Beneath the Surface

He reached down, gently caressing her cheek, his touch firm but tender. His voice was low, thick with desire. "I’ll teach you, but follow your instincts. You’re already perfect."

Isobel didn’t hesitate, her lips brushing against him in a way that made his body tense with pleasure. A groan escaped his throat, deep and unrestrained, as her touch grew more confident with each passing second. Her hands, once tentative, became bolder, exploring him with an eagerness that sent waves of heat through his body.

Brad let himself go, allowing the control he usually held so tightly slip through his fingers. Every time her lips moved against him, every stroke of her hand brought him closer to the edge, his breath growing ragged as the sensation overwhelmed him. He closed his eyes, savoring the moment, feeling the pleasure build with every touch, every movement.

But as much as he wanted to let her continue, he needed more. With a soft groan, he gently stopped her, his hand coming to rest under her chin as he tilted her face upward to meet his gaze.

“Belle, I need to be inside you,” he murmured, his voice thick with desire.

Without another word, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms, carrying her toward the bedroom. As he laid her down on the bed, their eyes locked in an unspoken connection, their need for each other as raw as it had ever been. Brad leaned down, kissing her deeply, his body pressing against hers as he lost himself in the intensity of the moment.

Isobel wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as their bodies moved together, the passion between them undeniable. It wasn’t just about physical pleasure—it was about the connection, the trust, the love they had built between them.Every movement, every touch, was filled with that unspoken bond, and Brad knew this moment would stay with him forever.

As they made love, everything else faded away—the fear, the danger, the uncertainty of what lay ahead. All that mattered was them, her body moving beneath his, their breaths mingling as they reached for the same release, the same connection.

When they finally came down from the high, their bodies tangled together in the sheets, Brad pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his heart pounding. He pulled her into his arms, holding her close as they lay there in the quiet stillness of the room.

“I love you,” he whispered.

Isobel smiled against his chest, her fingers tracing lazy patterns across his skin. “I love you too,” she whispered back.

But just as the peace of the moment began to settle around them, Isobel’s body tensed slightly. “We didn’t use protection… Brad, what if…”

He stroked her hair gently, his voice calm and soothing as he pulled her closer. “That’s on me, Belle. I should’ve been more careful.”

Isobel’s eyes filled with uncertainty, and she looked up at him, her brow furrowed. “But what if I get pregnant?”

Brad’s heart swelled at her words, and, without hesitation, he cupped her face in his hands, his gaze locking onto hers. “How would you feel if you did?”

For a moment, she was silent, her eyes searching his, and then she smiled, her expression softening. “Blessed. I would feel blessed.”

Brad’s thumb brushed across her cheek, and he leaned in to kiss her. “I’ve been in love with you for a long time, Belle. No matter what happens, I’m with you.”

Tears welled up in Isobel’s eyes as she rested her head against his chest, her hand clutching his. “I’m with you too, Brad. Always.”

Twenty-Seven

The next morning, Isobel awoke to the cold emptiness of the bed beside her, the absence palpable. The sheets, cool against her skin, offered no solace. She reached out instinctively, hoping to find the warmth of Brad's presence, but there was only silence.

Her heart fluttered with unease as she sat up, brushing her tangled hair from her face. She slipped on her silk robe, the familiar fabric hugging her as she padded barefoot across the wooden floor. The house was still, the quiet unnerving.

She found Brad in his office, asleep, slumped over his desk. The morning light crept through the half-drawn curtains, casting long shadows over his tired form. Papers were scattered, half-written notes and numbers jotted down in a frenzy. His laptop screen blinked with notifications, a digital echo of the stress consuming him.

Isobel’s chest tightened at the sight of him like this—exhausted, his body folded in on itself, surrendering to his responsibilities. She moved closer, the faint scent of coffee and ink mingling in the air. Gently, she reached out, her fingers brushing against the back of his hand, feeling the rough edges ofhis knuckles, the pulse beneath his skin. "Brad," she whispered softly, her voice tender, full of concern.

He startled awake, his body jerking upright nearly sending Isobel tumbling to the floor. She let out a startled scream, more from the shock of his abrupt movement than anything else.

Brad’s face crumbled into instant regret. "God, Belle, I'm so sorry," he muttered, standing up too quickly, his hands fumbling to steady her. "I didn’t mean to—I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you come in."

Tears of frustration stung Isobel’s eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. "It’s okay," she tried to soothe him, even though her pulse raced. "You just startled me. That’s all."

He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, his eyes rimmed with the sleeplessness she had come to know too well. "I shouldn’t be working like this. I know it’s too much." His voice cracked.

Isobel placed her hand on his cheek, her thumb brushing lightly against his stubble. "Brad, you can’t keep going like this," she pleaded, her voice filled with the quiet desperation of someone watching the person they love slowly slip away. "You have to rest. You’re working yourself to the bone, and it’s not just for your job anymore. It’s about him, isn’t it? Malcolm Hale is eating away at you."

Brad’s eyes darkened at the mention of Hale. He nodded but didn’t say a word, his silence a heavy confirmation.

"I know what he's doing," she continued, her voice growing stronger. "But you can’t let him destroy you from the inside out. Your family needs you. I need you."

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