chapter 3: Lose or Love
329 Words
The air in Alex's penthouse is thick with tension.Isla stands near floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out at the glittering city below,her heart pounding.Behind her, Alex lean against his desk, his posture rigid, his hand clenched into his fists.
"you should leave," he says finally, his voice cold, distant.
Isla turns, her chest tightening at the emotion in his stormy eyes. " You don't mean that."
He exhale sharply, running a hand through his dark hair. Isla, this scandal is tearing my company apart. The media won't stop digging into your past, into mine. They'll destroy you. I won't let that happen."
she crosses the room, refusing to let him push her away. "So your solution is to throw me away first."
His jaw tighten, " I'm protecting you."
Her heart aches, but she won't let him shut her out. "I don't need protection from you, Alex.I need you.I love you."
Something flickers in his eyes-- pain, logging--but he quickly masks it."Love won't fix this."
She step closer, placing a hand on his chest, feeling his heart hammer beneath her palm."Then let's face it together."
For a moment, he doesn't move.Then, with a low curse, he grabs her by the waist and crushes his lips to hers. The kiss is desperate, filled with every unspoken word, every suppressed emotion. Isla clings to him, pouring all her love into the kiss, hoping to break down the walls he's trying to rebuild.
He lifts her onto his desk, depending the kiss his hand gripping her as if she's the only thing keeping him grounded. "you don't understand" he rasps against her lips. " I can't lose you."
"You won't," she whispers. " Not unless you let me go."
His forehead rests against hers, his breath shaky. Slowly, his hand cup her face, his touch gentler now. " I don't want to let you go."
"Then don't"
A long silence stretches between them before he finally exhale, his defenses crumbling. "I love you, Isla."
- Writer
