CHAPTER 36

ISAAC

The rhythm HE uses is slow, tentative, measured. But then she GRABS hold of HIS shoulders and pushes against HIM. Both of them groan.

"I want…"

Her pursed nipples rub against HIS chest again.

"Anything you want, baby, I'LL give you." HE'S going to give her everything.

HIS hips snap forward, faster now. Again and again, harder and harder until her cries resound in the room and blend with the gasping sound of their breathing.

HIS rate grows frantic, needy, desperate.

Pumping into her, the soft moans and pants of HIS name upon her lips drive HIM mad.

She's possessing HIM as hard and fast as HE'S possessing her. "You're mine, baby," HE whisperS against her ear as HE feelS how tightly she clenches around HIM.

She consumes HIM so thoroughly as HIS hips continue to move against hers. Until she explodes around HIM, her pussy clenching around HIM so hard. "Oh, ISAAC…"

"I know, baby. I got you," HE growls against her neck. That HE did this to her is nearly as exciting as the taste of her on HIS tongue.

"ISAAC…"

Maybe it's the way she utters HIS name, like some kind of prayer on the kiss-puffy lips. Maybe it's how she clings to and claws at HIM so hungry for this as HE IS. Or maybe it's just that it's KYOLINE and nobody ever did anything like this to HIM before. But it drives HIM mad.

HIS entire body stiffened above her as raw ecstasy washes over HIM from the inside out. HE provides one last pump into her, and HE senses her tighten and erupt about HIM again, her pussy milking every last drop of cum out of HIM.

Gasping for breath, HE strokes the hairs from her forehead and temple, kissing it before HE lifts her to bed. And HE takes her in—the sheen of perspiration, the flush on her neck and tits, the contented look on her green eyes.

That warmth inside HIM, that comforting sensation in HIS chest, sootheS over HIS whole body. There's no doubt in HIS mind now. HE'S going to find a way to keep her. One way or another.

"You've got your brooding expression going on," KYOLINE says the next morning. She's still in her robe, and they're sitting on the plush couches in the suite's living room and drinking coffee.

"I'M just thinking."

"About?"

"Anything. MY mind never ceases." HE strokes a hand over HIS face. KYOLINE fidgets in her seat, and HIS gaze roams over her body, her silky curves beckoning HIM like honey tempts a bee.

She looks at HIM. "So, we just tell everyone we're engaged now, and then what? Just hope Carmine realizes I'M off-limits?"

"Ah, trust ME, HE'LL know.". But now on, you don't go anywhere without ME or MY men to guard you. Nobody else knows that all this is an illusion except for you and ME, so you must mind your mouth around MY men. We must have word travel fast, so we'll have to be spotted about town. What guy wouldn't want to show off the world the woman HE'LOVES, particularly when she looks like you?

"

Her cheeks bloom pink, and she shifts a little. "Okay…"

"Okay?"

"I guess that'll have to do."

"You'll need to do a little more convincingly than that, KYOLINE."

Her nose scrunches up. "I'M not really good at lying. I mean, you've told ME that yourself often enough. I'M just not sure that I can be convincing enough."

HE sighS. "You're right. You are terrible at lying. So, let ME make this easy for you by putting some rules in place." Because this plot has to work. HE has to keep her safe no matter what. And HE don't know why, but HE wantS to see her smile that beautiful smile of hers again…

"Rules?" "Yeah, I'VE got three rules for you.". One, when we are in public, you do what I tell you and don't talk back to me with any attitude." She shoots HIM a glare. "Two, you act like you can't keep your paws from me." Her jaw goes slightly agape. "And three, you let anyone else touch you, I shoot a hole right through their damn head." And she snorts. Seriously snorts. "Aww, come on, Carmine needs to think that you're special to ME. This is not how it usually goes down, so there are going to be questions. So, making HIM think we're irrevocably in love will only occur if we make it look real. The rest of the world and Carmine get to witness the show we give.

Kissing, hands on the waist, fingers in the hair, arm around you sorts of things."

Okay, I have to make it look real," she speaks slowly, even though she remains not convinced by HIS scheme.

From now on, we'll have to use KASH MANCHESTER events and go out on dates together. As soon as we begin that, Carmine will keep HIS distance, and I can figure out a way to take the fucker out for good. Be prepared to go out a lot the next few weeks. There's a lot of bullshit events we'll be summoned to go to. That should give us a little time. Another hum leaves her, and HE swallows a curse. It's better this way, HE reminds HIMSELF. This can ever be is pretence. Not that HE don't wish it to be real. But because HE'S not capable of it. When HE first told VINCENT HE wanted her, HE hadn't thought about it.

And to tell her about it, HE could not, and all HE could actually provide for her was a fake engagement to keep Carmine away from her.

HE looks at KYOLINE from the corner of HIS eye. And that cold dead pumping thing in HIS chest beats and constricts in unison. To know what she's going to think at a time like this would be invaluable. But as good as HE is at reading people, at knowing how they'll react, KYOLINE is a mystery HE can't solve. No matter how diligently HE attempts to.

But if this is the closest to getting something HE can't have, then HE'LL fucking take it.

KYOLINE

I can't wait to see the kids later. WE'RE letting them go to school as normal this morning, and then WE'LL pick them up tonight to bring them home.

I'VE just finished MY breakfast and am about to go and get dressed when ISAAC stopS ME. "We need word about the engagement to spread fast so that it reaches Carmine's ears as soon as possible. And you'll need to buy a ring for yourself today if this engagement's going to be at all believable," HE says.

MY eyes widen, and I cannot say anything for a few seconds. "Get a ring for myself? You're not going with ME?"