Isabella

Chapter 12

Tyler was buzzing with excitement, practically bouncing around the house all day. He couldn’t believe Adrian had actually agreed to take him hiking on the most challenging trail he’d ever wanted to try. The whole morning, he kept checking his backpack, making sure he had packed everything he needed—water, snacks, a first aid kit—just like Adrian had told him to.

He even spent some time talking to his mom about the trip, her amused smile never fading as she watched him buzz about.

By noon, he was fully packed, sitting by the window, waiting for Adrian’s Jeep to pull up. When it finally did, Tyler bolted out the door, barely saying goodbye to his mom before climbing into the Jeep.

The ride was filled with light conversation, mostly Tyler talking about the trail and how much he’d read about it online. It was known for being tough, with steep inclines, loose rocks, and narrow paths, making it risky for inexperienced hikers.

But Adrian wasn’t just anyone—he was a soldier, someone who had been through way worse. Tyler felt safe knowing he’d be with him.

As they reached the trailhead, they set everything up—adjusting their backpacks, making sure they had enough water, and going over safety tips Adrian drilled into him. The hike started off steady, the first few miles manageable, though Tyler could already feel the burn in his legs.

Adrian was quiet for the most part, but when he did speak, his advice was practical, his tone patient as he guided Tyler through some of the trickier sections. The higher they went, the more dangerous the trail became.

At one point, the path narrowed, with steep drops on either side. Tyler could feel his heart racing, but Adrian’s calm demeanor kept him grounded. It was intense, the kind of hike that had earned its reputation for being risky, but they were almost at the top when Adrian slowed down, turning to Tyler with a serious look. “I need a favor,” Adrian said, his voice carrying a weight that made Tyler pause mid-step.

From that moment on, everything seemed to blur together for Tyler.

Whatever Adrian had said, whatever favor he had asked for, was overshadowed by the thrill of the hike and the strange feeling that lingered afterward. He hopped out of the Jeep, thanking Adrian with a huge grin, still buzzing from the adventure, but something about Adrian’s demeanor had shifted.

Tyler didn’t know what it was, but as he walked into his house, something about the hike—and Adrian—stuck with him in a way that felt both exhilarating and unsettling.

**************

Adrian pulled up to Tyler’s house, watching as the boy practically leaped out of the Jeep, still buzzing with excitement from their hiking trip. The kid turned back, beaming, and Adrian forced a smile in return.

“Thanks again, Adrian!” Tyler called, waving as he bounded toward the front door.

Adrian nodded, feeling a strange mixture of relief and irritation settle over him. “Anytime,” he muttered under his breath, watching as Tyler disappeared inside.

Adrian watched Tyler bound off with his usual excitement, a stark contrast to the darkness that often settled in his chest. He sat in the driver's seat for a moment, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel, letting the faint echoes of the conversation they had on the mountain linger. The kid had been eager, too eager— he couldn't help but feel amused. But that wasn't his concern now.

What was his concern? The woman waiting for him back home.

The moment the door closed, Adrian’s hand gripped the steering wheel tightly, his smile instantly fading. He hated how much time the kid spent around her. Every casual comment, every easy smile, grated on him. Tyler wasn’t a threat—Adrian knew that. But there was something about the way the boy looked at her that triggered a possessiveness he couldn’t shake.

As he turned the Jeep around and started the short drive home, his thoughts immediately shifted back to her. Isabella. His Isabella. He’d left her behind that morning to take Tyler on this little adventure, but every step of that trail, every second of the day, had been spent thinking about her. He was obsessed.

The way she moved, the sound of her soft footsteps tapping on the floorboards when she thought he wasn’t listening. The scent she always left lingering in the house, sweet and familiar, like a comforting reminder that she belonged to him. The way she hummed while cooking, her voice low and gentle, sending chills down his spine.

Tyler had been happy, and that was good—no, that was necessary. Keeping things smooth between them was all part of his plan. But the truth? The truth was that it had nothing to do with Tyler. He didn’t care about the kid.

His mind was on her.

As he drove back to the house, his thoughts spiraled into a familiar rabbit hole. Her. Every single detail about her consumed him. The way she moved with that natural grace, her soft feet tapping on the floorboards, like she was floating through the house. The scent she left behind—clean, floral, a mixture of her perfume and the soap she used. He could track her through a room just by following that scent. And her voice, always so gentle, whether she was speaking to him or humming in the kitchen while she cooked.

Adrian clenched his fist on the steering wheel. How could he ever have thought it was okay to leave her alone? For years, he’d been away on deployment, trusting that everything would be fine, that she’d be waiting for him. But he knew better now. He knew how vulnerable she was, how easily the wrong person could sweep in and take her away. He had been a fool to leave her for so long. A fool to think that anyone could take care of her, the way he could. The way he should.

He pulled into the driveway, feeling a shiver of anticipation as he parked and headed inside. The house smelled like her—she was everywhere, in every room, every corner. But it wasn’t enough. He needed more than just the scent of her, more than the memory of her footsteps. He needed her, in his arms, completely under his control.

He climbed the stairs, his body buzzing with need, picturing what she’d look like when he found her. What she’d be doing. Maybe she was still in the bath, unwinding after the day. He loved the way she looked when she relaxed, so unguarded, so peaceful. His fingers itched to touch her, to see her eyes widen in that instant where she realized he was there, that she was no longer alone.

When he stepped into the living room, she wasn’t there, but he knew exactly where she’d be. The thought sent a thrill through him. She was his.

He found her in the kitchen, humming quietly to herself as she wiped down the counter, completely unaware of his presence. His gaze raked over her body, and he swallowed hard, the familiar possessiveness flaring up inside him. Mine.

As Adrian stepped through the door, his heart raced at the sight of her. She was there, just as he left her, a vision of warmth and comfort in their home. The way her hair fell in soft waves around her face, the faint scent of vanilla from the cookies she had baked earlier—it consumed him.

He loved coming home to her, loved knowing she was always waiting. But she was just waiting — she was his, and the thought of anyone else even thinking otherwise made his blood boil.

Without a word, he moved towards her, his hands already curling around her waist as he gently hoisted her onto the kitchen counter. The surprised gasp she gave only fueled the fire burning inside him. She tilted her head back to say something, but he cut her off by pressing his lips against her neck, the soft pulse point he knew so well. Her body instantly responded, her fingers curling in his hair a sound escaping her that made him groan against her skin

He moved closer, drawn to her like a moth to a flame, and pressed a tender kiss against her neck again

She twisted in his arms, but not to pull away. No, she knew better than that by now. Instead, she tilted her head to give him better access

"How was the hike with Tyler?" she asked quietly, curious to know if they were getting along well

Adrian smirked, "The kid needs to build up his stamina if he ever wants to keep up with me," he teased, flexing his hand in an attempt to show off.

She couldn’t help but laugh softly, shaking her head. "Take it easy on the guy. He’s trying his best."

"Yeah, well, his best isn’t good enough," Adrian said with a wry grin, his tone playfully arrogant. "But enough talking about other men.", his voice dropping to a deeper tone. He pulled back just enough to look at her, his hand slipping under her shirt, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath his palm, "I missed you.” he muttered, but it was more than just missing her, He needed her, needed to feel her under him, to remind himself that she was his

Her sweet smile lit up the room, and he reveled in the innocence radiating from her. “I missed you too,” she replied, and his chest tightened with an overwhelming need to possess her.

His gaze was dark, hungry, and intense as it roamed over her taking in the way she looked sitting there in front of him completely at his mercy

She looked up at him, her lips parted slightly, her eyes widening as his hands slid up her thighs, parting her legs. He loved the way she looked in these moments— innocent yet knowing, trusting him even though she had no idea what he was thinking. He felt like he could devour her whole. The need to claim her, to remind her that she was his, surged through him with a possessiveness he couldn't control.

"You have no idea how much I missed this," he murmured his voice low and rough. His fingers brushing against the inside of her thighs, teasing, causing her breath to itch.

She shivered at his words, her body instinctively pushing back into his embrace, surprised by the sudden heat of his touch. He couldn’t help but let the control slip from his grasp. It was as if a dam had broken within him, unleashing the flood of his obsession.

He could see the blush spreading as cross her cheeks, and it only fueled his desire. The ways he reacted to him, the way her body responded— it drove him wild.

Adrian leaned in, kissing her neck as his hands continued their path upward, inching closer to where he knew she wanted him most, her quiet anticipation filling the room.

His lips trailed down her throat, tasting her skin, leaving as path of heat in their wake."I love how you smell...how you feel," he whispered against her skin. She shuddered biting her lips to suppress a soft moan, but he wanted to hear it. He wanted her completely undone beneath his touch.

With a swift movement, his hands moved to the hem of her skirt, pushing it up slowly, savoring the moment.His eyes locked with hers, dark and unyielding as a his fingers found their way to her core. She gasped arching her back slightly, her hands now clenching the fabric of his shirt as she clung to him.

He pressed his thumb against her, rubbing slow, deliberate circles that made her head fall back, her lips parting in a quiet moan that made him grin wickedly. The power he had over her in moments like this made him feel invincible.She was his, completely, and he wasn't going to stop until he had her exactly where he wanted her.

"Adrian..." she whispered, her voice a breathless plea, that only spurred him on.

His slipped a finger inside her, his other hand moved to her thigh, gripping it to keep her in place, She gasped, her hips moving instinctively against his hand, seeking more. He added another finger, watching the way her body responded to him, the way her breathing grew more ragged with every movement. He loved watching her like this— loved watching her fall apart under his touch.

"You like that?" he asked, his voice dark and teasing, knowing full well how much she loved it

She couldn't even respond, her head falling back against the cabinets, as her moans filled the kitchen, her body trembling under his touch. He leaned in, lips brushing against her ears as he kept pleasuring her, his fingers moving now faster and faster pushing her closer to the edge.

"You're mine," he whispered, his voice possessive, almost dangerous, "All mine."

There was no more holding back; he pressed against her, a predator finally claiming his prey.

With one final push, she shattered, her moans breaking into soft cries as she came undone, her body convulsing around his hand. He kept going, milking every last bit bit of pleasure from her until she was left trembling, gasping for air, her body slumped against him in exhaustion.

Adrian pulled back slightly, watching her with satisfaction as she tried to catch her breath, her eyes half-lidded as she basked in the aftermath glow. He leaned down, kissing her softly on the lips, savoring the taste of her, the feel of her.

"Never forget that," he whispered against her lips, his tone softer now but no less intense. "You belong to me."

she nodded weakly, still breathless to speak but the look in her eyes said everything. He loved her like this— unguarded and vulnerable. And most of all he loved that she was his. Completely and utterly his.

He had her now, and she was never going to get away from him. Not after everything they had. Not after he tasted what it was like to come home to her warmth, her body, her love. She was his and no one would ever come close.

And the world could burn before he ever let her go.