Page 66 of Guarded from Treachery

To round out the date-related additions, there are two large gift bags waiting beside one of the couches, adorned with huge bows and approximately three packages of sparkly tissue paper. I’ve had the presents for a few days now, just waiting for the right time to give them to Isla, and I’m really hoping she likes them.

“I know it’s not a night out in the city,” I tell her apologetically. “But I wanted to do something special. I’m not the best at planning dates, but I asked Jade and Sarah and Lucy for advice. They told me lights and flowers were good.” Glancing up at the ceiling, I add, “Hopefully it doesn’t look like a disco ball.”

Isla’s forehead creases. “A disco ball?” She follows my gaze, and a moment later, she sucks in her breath. “You made the constellations! There’s the Big Dipper. And Cassiopeia. And Orion!”

“I tried.” Wrapping my arm around her waist, I pull her into my side. “They didn’t come out quite perfect. But?—”

“Matt.” She frames my face with her hands and meets my gaze. “I’m not sure whether to hug you or yell at you for doing something so dangerous.”

“It wasn’t dangerous,” I reply quickly, silently vowing never to tell Isla about hanging from the rafters to create Sagittarius. After a beat, I add, “But I think I’d prefer the hug to being yelled at?”

Isla’s expression softens. “Oh, Matt.” Looping her arms around my neck, she rises up on her toes to kiss me. Her mouth lingers on mine as she leans into me, her breasts pressing tantalizingly against my chest. She lightly nips my lower lip, a tiny sting of pain immediately replaced by the sensual stroke of her tongue, and the need that’s been brimming inside me rushes to the surface.

As the kiss grows deeper, I cup her nape, tunneling my fingers through her silken hair.

I let one hand slide down just past the small of her back, cupping the pert curve of her ass and gently squeezing. Arousal throbs and I go hard, jutting against her belly.

Isla gasps into my mouth. Her nails dig into my shoulders as she stretches up to get closer to me.

Desire erupts into an inferno, touching my skin with flames.

Everything about this is perfect. Her soft lips. The drag of her taut nipples against my chest. The faint scent of Isla’s soap wrapping around me. Her sexy little moans. How she gives me her weight, like she trusts me never to let her fall.

If just kissing Isla feels this good, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to make love to her.

Not that I would. Not now.

The quick reminder ofwhyis a splash of icy water, dousing the flames and bringing me back to reality.

While we’ve kissed dozens of times since we officially started dating a week ago, I’ve been careful to draw the line at that. Cuddling on the couch while we watch TV is okay, just like hugs and holding hands and lingering touches as we pass by each other. But I wouldn’t dare press for more. Not because she’s pregnant—I know that’s safe for quite a while longer—but because of everything else she’s dealing with.

But, damn. It’s hard not to think about it. Especially when Isla is so beautiful tonight, her hair spilling in dark waves down her back, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling. She’s wearing a gold colored dress that wraps around her waist and dips into a slight V in the front, showing off a glimpse of cleavage. The clingy fabric drapes over the small swell of her stomach, the baby bump that only just started to show a few days ago.

She was so excited to show it to me the other day, beaming all over as she displayed it. “Look. I finally have a bump,” she enthused. “Now people will be able to tell I’m pregnant. Isn’t it amazing?”

It was amazing. Itis.And as the days continue, I find myself growing more attached to little Eagle myself.

Eagle. Not Dove. Because I’m convinced it—he—is a boy.

Dragging her mouth from mine, Isla drags in a deep breath. Then she laughs, her eyes lighting up with it. “I forgot to breathe again.”

I run my thumb over her kiss-swollen lips. “Be careful. I don’t want you passing out on me.”

She nuzzles my neck, hitting that spot beneath my jaw that makes all my nerve endings sing. “It would be worth it.”

“Well.” I take her hand. “I’d still rather you didn’t.” Then I lead her into the barn, down the candle-lit path past the dining table and over to the couch. Once we’re seated, I turn towards Isla. Nerves jump to life again. “Do you want to know what I planned for our date?”

Smiling, she replies, “Of course. But you know, you didn’t have to do all this. I love it, but I’m happy hanging out with you at the apartment, too.”

“I love that, too.” And I’m becoming more certain the love doesn’t end there. I used to think love was like a tide slowly rising, creeping up without even noticing. But with Isla, it’s not subtle or gentle. It’s a tidal wave, knocking me off my feet.

Do I love Isla already? Is it possible to be in love this soon?

Being in love doesn’t scare me. But I worry that once Isla’s case is solved, she’ll go back to Dallas or worse, leave the state, and I won’t have a place in her life anymore. If that’s what she wants, obviously, I’ll accept it. I’ll understand it. But it’ll hurt. Badly.

Am I still willing to take the risk? Absolutely.

“What did you plan, then?” She snuggles closer, her head leaning on my shoulder. “Dinner, I’m guessing.”

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