Page 47 of Bound to You

I don’t know why I expected him to let me off easy, but that question? The answer to it I’m not certain about myself, but after talking with Miles, something tempts me to open up. Caio just gave me a sliver of himself, and the way he’s looking at me makes me want to give him one in return.

“I don’t know where to start,” I admit.

“Well, when did you used to paint?”

“Whenever I saw something beautiful.”

The corner of his mouth quirks up. “Well, surely you’ve seen many beautiful things since you’ve been here.”

“I have.” I try my hardest to suppress my own smirk at his obvious comment.

“So why haven’t you painted any of it?” He inquires softly, his finger starting up in soft circles once again, and the small movement gives me the reassurance I need to try to talk about this.

“There are high expectations in my family.”

“How do you mean?” He gently pushes me to open up.

“Well, you know Miles, wildly successful. So let’s just say my parents weren’t as impressed with my choices for my career path. It turns out that maybe they weren’t so thrilled about Miles’s choice either at the beginning, but he’s good at what he does, and success was guaranteed with him.”

“They don’t think you’d be successful as well?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. I didn’t really give them the chance to tell me that they didn’t. I was roped into some kind of intervention, it was like they felt the need to interfere before it was too late to save my career, and my boyfriend was there with them.”

Caio shakes his head as I continue, the words spilling out now. “I used to feel so present in my art. When I was painting, I felt truly connected to myself. It was my safe place, where I could express whatever I felt in whatever way I wanted to. But now, when I even think about it, I’m just reminded that it’s not enough for my parents to be proud of me the way they are of Miles. I feel kind of disconnected from it now.” I finally say the words, opening up to the one person I should be staying far away from.

“I know what it is to lose the people that you love because they disagree with your choices.” After hearing about his past I don’t doubt he knows exactly how I feel. “But love shouldn’t beconditional on how successful you are Isla. I have no doubt that you would be wildly successful if you tried, but that shouldn’t affect the way your family or your partner feel about you.” He sweeps a strand of hair behind my ear. “They should love you for your soul, for the way you light up a room when you smile. For your kind heart and your stubborn mind, anyone that isn’t willing to give you that isn’t deserving of everything you give in return. You’re electric Isla.”

We are barely moving now, as if he doesn’t want to give any energy to anything but me in this moment.

“Their affection shouldn’t depend on your success, any success you make in your life doesn’t define you, Isla, this does,” He points a finger to my beating heart. “You should do what you love purely because you love it, that is enough.”

His words strike a chord within me, validating my inner thoughts, and slightly digging up that root of doubt that’s been riddling my mind. He’s looking down at me with something like hope and fear mixed in his eyes, almost like he’s hoping he hasn’t said the wrong thing, but unknowingly he’s said the exact words that I needed to hear.

The lines I’ve carefully tried to draw between us are starting to blur. Caio is insistent on breaking down my walls, and I don’t know how to stop it. I don’t know if I want to. One part of me says run as far as you can, and the other says to jump into his arms and never let go.

He pulls me in close, his hands linked and resting low on my back, and I instinctively wrap my arms around his neck, leaning into his tall frame and resting my head against his shoulder. Holding him this way feels effortless, natural, like my body is made to be held in his arms, and it’s daunting.

My attention catches on Leo and May dancing together over Caio’s shoulder. May’s laugh echoes through the room makingme smile. Behind them I can see Rafael sitting at the bar with a drink watching the two of them with disdain.

“Why does he dislike her so much?” I ask Caio, nodding my head in Rafael’s direction. “I mean I know May gives him shit but he’s been frosty from the beginning.”

“I think it might be because he doesn’t really dislike her at all.” Caio says with quiet confidence.

“Hmm.” I never thought that was even an option. But I don’t give it another thought as Caio pulls me in close, his body flush to mine. I rest my head against his chest, allowing myself this moment of comfort with a man who quiets my racing mind, even if that’s just for this moment.

chapter eighteen

ISLA

When Marina mentioned headingout to Heath’s estate so casually last night, I didn’t think much of it, but now as we drive through wrought-iron gates, I’m thinking ‘estate’ wasn’t the exaggeration I had initially thought it was. Security cameras sit on top of poles, tracking us as we cruise down the paved driveway lined with cypress trees. It’s like something out of a Hollywood movie, especially considering the fact we are all riding in Caio’s Ferrari. Heath doesn’t quite strike me as a bougie guy, so this feels a tad extra for his needs.

“This is hella fancy.” May has her gaze fixed out the front windscreen of Caio’s car. “Doesn’t really seem like Heath’s vibe,” she continues, voicing my own thoughts.

“It’s not really,” Marina says from the front seat. “He inherited this place from his grandparents when they passed, and it’s not like he could complain. It’s not really his style, but he’s made it his over the years.”

Caio pulls up in front of the main building, it’s incredible and exactly what you’d expect to see in this area, we are about forty minutes out of town, so all of the places out here are insane.

It’s got that real Mediterranean look with a terracotta tiled roof and paving, which pops perfectly against the lush green surroundings.

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