Page 44 of Isaia

“Open the door,” he demands, and a sliver of courage rakes up my spine.

“I’m not opening this door until you leave.”

He lets out a hollow laugh, shaking his head before shoving me back against the door. “Open the fucking door, Everly.” The intensity in his eyes pulls a knot of nerves tight in my stomach, and I can barely breathe as I hear Luna’s frantic barking from inside, mirroring the wild pounding of my heart.

Swallowing, I turn to face the door, and Isaia doesn’t move an inch, his chest hard against my back. His breath skims over my neck as I slide the key into the lock, and I feel him lean in closer, hear the deep inhale like he’s smelling me, savoring me.

I freeze, my blood running cold, but something darker pulses beneath it. Lust. Raw and consuming, twisting through my veins like venom, fighting every ounce of my common sense. He doesn’t touch me, but I feel his presence in every nerve, every heartbeat like he’s already claimed me. Like I’m already his.

The lock clicks open, and I start to move, desperate to break the tension, but his hand covers mine on the doorknob, his other arm rising to brace against the doorframe above, boxing me in, trapping me between him and the wood.

“You’re trembling,” he rasps against my ear.

“Because you’re scaring me.”

“You sure that’s it?”

Heat swirls deep in my core, my breath coming faster as his words settle over me, thick with intent. I swallow, trying to find my voice, but it’s lost somewhere in the ache he’s left in its place.

“Please move,” I whisper, though it’s the last thing I want, and he knows it. I can feel his smirk without seeing it, his hand tightening against the doorframe. And for a dangerous second, I don’t know if I want him to let me go—or to pull me deeper into his dark hold.

He lingers, and I’m holding my breath as he finally inches back, letting go.

The door swings open, and Luna barrels out, her tail wagging wildly as she noses my ankles. I step inside, a shaky wave ofrelief washing over me as I bend to pet her, but Isaia follows, closing the door with a quiet finality. His presence looms behind me, his gaze heavy, a reminder that whatever this is between us, it’s nowhere near finished.

I straighten, meeting his gaze head-on. “I’d offer you a drink, but I save those for invited guests only.”

“Bourbon,” he replies, shrugging off his jacket and tossing it over the couch.

“I don’t have bourbon.”

“Yeah, you do. Bottom cabinet.”

Disbelief flares as I stomp to the kitchen, open the cabinet, and stare at the sealed bottle. “You were in my house?”

He doesn’t answer, only leans against the wall, raising a dark brow.

“What are you playing at? Following me. Breaking into my house.” I glance at Luna, now happily sitting at his feet. “How did you get past my dog?”

With maddening calm, he pulls a treat from his pocket and drops it in front of her.

“Wow.” I cross my arms, giving Luna an exasperated look. “Really? A treat?”

“We need to talk,” Isaia says, his tone clipped.

“No.” I grab the bourbon and shove it against his chest. “You need to leave.”

He drops the bottle, his hand shooting out to grab my arm, spinning me right into him. In one swift movement, he backs meup until my spine meets the cool edge of the kitchen counter. My breath hitches as he reaches down, his hands beneath my ass, and in one fluid motion, he lifts me, settling me on the counter, his body pressed between my thighs, leaving no space between us.

I gasp as he weaves his hand through my hair, pulling back, causing me to crane my neck. “You’re fucking with my head, Everly, and I don’t like it.”

“I’m changing the locks.”

“Put on all the locks you want.” His gaze falls to my mouth. “It won’t keep me out if I want in.”

“You can’t?—”

His mouth crashes against mine, abrupt and hungry, his free hand gripping my hip with a bruising intensity that sends a jolt of heat through me.

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