Chapter 2
Chapter 2:
Isla’s back was turned to me. I caught the familiar scent of her chestnut hair, and briefly, I forgot how to breathe. her chestnut hair always smelled like fresh spring water mixed with vanilla. Right now, it was tied up in a messy bun, with loose strands cascading down to her neck. her skin gleamed like porcelain. A small dotted birthmark sat prettily on the right side of her neck, tempting me to kiss her there—and on every other part of her body.
I wanted to kiss her lips and tell her I loved her. But I knew Isla. She would walk out of my house and never speak to me the same way again.
“Asher p>
Her voice slipped into my thoughts like a melody, and also like a warning. This is the voice of the woman you can’t have. So keep your feelings to yourself, Asher.
I coughed, partly to silence the nagging voice in my head and partly to let Isla know I’d heard her call my name. I pulled the diamond necklace from the box. Ethan had gone through hell to reserve this piece for me, considering it was the only one of its kind in the world.
if Isla couldn’t have me, at least I could be comforted by the fact that she would wear a piece of my heart with her.
I placed the necklace around her neck, my breath catching when my fingers grazed her warm, soft skin. The sensation burned like electric fire, but I knew better than to linger. Quickly, I hooked the clasp into its diamond loop and withdrew my hands. “All good.” I trying to sound as light as I could.
She turned around, and nothing prepared me for the flood of adrenaline that rushed through me when I saw the necklace resting perfectly around her neck. The heart pendant sat above her cleavage, and God, I tried so hard not to let my gaze drift further.
“It’s… it’s beautiful,” I managed to stutter.
“Thanks, Asher.” Her blue gaze shone brighter than ever. “I know you’ve got more bucks than me, but I promise I’ll get you something even better for your birthday p>
Damn it. If only she knew that she was the perfect gift I wanted for my birthday.
Our silence flowed around us like quiet, peaceful waves. Isla and I had always been comfortable together, even in the throes of never-ending silence. But I had never told her, or shown her, how badly I wanted to break that silence every now then by crashing my lips against hers. Her full mouth were so tempting, and I always imagined how she would taste if I ever reached kiss her.
She was wearing one of my burgundy shirts. Two of the upper buttons were undone, and without even looking, I knew the gap revealed the curve of her cleavage. I fought against the urge to let my gaze drift lower, forcing myself to focus on her covered shoulders instead. Isla was beautiful. Perfect.
And sometimes, I wondered why the hell I couldn’t seem to tell her how I felt about her.
I had the wealth. I had the properties. I had the power. I had the influence. But when it came to my feelings for Isla, all of that seemed to vanish. I became some dumb nine-year-old boy who couldn’t tell his crush that he liked her.
𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁
Isla Monroe was a special woman. She was strong, with a mind as stubborn as a mule. If she told you she wouldn’t do something, I could bet all my million-dollar estates in Texas and Miami that she would stand by her word.
And maybe, maybe, as much as that aspect of her intrigued me, it was also the part of her that scared the shit out of me.
It terrified me to think that if I ever confessed my feelings to her and she rejected me… God, I didn’t even want to imagine it.
Being friends with her was enough. For now.
“So, Asher,” her voice pulled me out of my thoughts, “my house manager called. They’re done with the repairs, so I’ll be going home soon. Thank you for letting me crash here these past few days p>
For the past few days, Isla’s apartment had been under renovation. When she told me about it, she mentioned she would stay in a hotel while the work continued. But I knew there was no way I was going to let her spend a dime on some hotel when I had eight guest rooms in this house.
“So when are you leaving?” I found myself asking.