Page 95 of Isaia

I catch her hand, pressing it flat against my chest, my heartbeat still uneven under her palm.

“This is real, troublemaker,” I tell her, the words slipping out before I can stop them. “You and me. We’re fucking real.”

Her breath catches, and she nods slowly, eyes locked on mine, wide and searching.

And for the first time, I think she might believe it.

Chapter 28

EVERLY

The ride back to my house is quieter than I expected. The hum of Isaia’s bike fills the space between us, but his presence feels solid, like an anchor keeping me steady.

Tonight wasn’t like any other night with him. He seemed different, like he was letting me see a part of himself he keeps hidden from the rest of the world. It feels like I matter to him in a way I didn’t expect. It’s not just the way he watched me or held back when I knew he could’ve demanded more—it’s the care in his restraint, like my comfort outweighed his own desires.

I hug him tighter as we near my street, my stomach sinking as reality edges back in. The idea of stepping off this bike, of breaking this fragile connection, makes my heart ache. Isaia isn’t just intense—he’s overwhelming, the kind of person who consumes everything around him. But tonight, he’s let me see another side, something quieter, almost tender.

Every look, every touch, every moment is all burned into my mind, and I don’t want it to fade. He’s dangerous, I know that, but that doesn’t scare me as much as how fast and deep I’m falling for him.

Isaia parks the bike at the curb, killing the engine. The sudden stillness leaves my ears ringing, or maybe it’s the thundering of my pulse.

We take off our helmets, and I hand mine to him, about to slide off when he leans back and rests his palm on my thigh, fingers lazily caressing my skin.

I place my hands on his waist and rest my cheek on his back. We don’t speak; we don’t let go. It almost feels like a frozen moment, a pause in time so stark it’s like the world has slipped its axis.

My body burns where he touches, a silent promise in the cool night air. Articulating words seems impossible now, so we let silence become our language instead.

There’s a tug inside my chest, the weight of it all sinking in. If I let myself fall any harder, there will be no turning back. But as his hand stays steady on my leg and his presence envelops me like a shield, I realize I don’t want to stop falling.

“You okay back there?”

I nod against him, and he chuckles. “Words, baby.”

I smile. “Yeah. I’m good.” Finally, I manage the courage to let go and swing my leg off the bike. “I had fun tonight,” I say, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Thanks.”

He shoots me the hottest grin. “Anytime, troublemaker.”

The way my cheeks heat up, one would think I’m back in fucking high school. “Are you coming in?” The words tumble out before I can stop them, and I don’t miss the flicker of something dark in his eyes.

“You have no idea how much I want to go in that house with you,” he murmurs and grabs my wrist, pulling me close, our lips a breath apart. “All I can think about is burying myself in you, fucking you from the second we hit your front door until we reach your bed, making you come so hard, so many times, you’ll beg me to stop.” My breath catches, but before I can respond, he cups my cheek in his warm palm. “But I’m trying to be less of a selfish prick… even if it’s just for one night.”

Heat floods me, and I manage a smile. “Trying, huh?”

“Don’t make me regret it.” His lips twitch into something that’s not quite a smile, and I hate how much I love it.

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Then you better go before I throw my dignity to the wind and beg you to stay.”

The sound of his groan does something to me, and he catches my mouth with his, the kiss slow and sensual, lighting my insides on fire for him, and I swear I’m two seconds away from asking him to stay when he pulls back.

We’re both breathing heavily, and I lean into him, pressing my forehead against his with a sigh.

“You’re too tempting for your own good, troublemaker.” He starts the ignition, revving the bike, and the gravel crunches beneath his powerful frame as he rolls the motorcycle back, ready to leave.

My whole body hums as I watch him disappear into the night, the rumble of his bike echoing through the stillness.

For a minute, I stand there, my gaze pinned on the bend where he had disappeared, and I trace my fingers over the leather jacket wrapped around me, inhaling the faint scent of him stillclinging to it. It’s stupid how much comfort it gives me, how much it feels like him holding me even when he’s gone.

And that’s the moment I realize…

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