Chained by our past

Chapter 12

The moment Lucas’s lips touched hers, Isla should have stopped him.

She should have pulled away, should have reminded him—and herself—that this wasn’t supposed to happen. That whatever was brewing between them was dangerous.

But she didn’t.

Instead, her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, her breath hitching as his hands slid around her waist, pulling her closer.

The kiss was slow and deliberate, as if Lucas was making a point—as if he was proving that no matter how much she tried to fight it, this thing between them wasn’t going away.

And the worst part?

He was right.

Her mind screamed at her to stop, but her body?

Her body was betraying her.

Lucas deepened the kiss, his thumb brushing against the bare skin at her hip where her blouse had ridden up. A shiver ran through her, her resolve slipping further.

Then, just as suddenly as it started, she snapped back to reality.

No.

This wasn’t right.

With a sharp inhale, she pulled away, stepping back so fast that she nearly tripped over her own feet.

Lucas caught her wrist, steadying her, his green eyes dark with something unreadable.

For a second, neither of them spoke.

The air between them sizzled with leftover tension, the heat of the moment still lingering like an unspoken challenge.

Then, finally, Isla found her voice.

"This can’t happen," she whispered, her breath still uneven.

Lucas studied her, his gaze too sharp, too knowing.

"Why not?"

She shook her head, forcing herself to ignore the way her lips still tingled from his kiss. "Because this is about Leo. And we agreed—"

"You agreed," Lucas cut in, his voice low. "I never said I wanted to pretend this doesn’t exist."

Her chest tightened. "Lucas—"

"You want me," he said simply. Not a question. A fact.

Her pulse jumped, and she hated how easily he could read her.

"It doesn’t matter," she said, forcing steel into her voice. "Wanting something doesn’t mean it’s a good idea."

Lucas took a slow step closer. "Then tell me you don’t feel anything."

She exhaled sharply. "You’re impossible."

Lucas’s lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk. "And you’re a liar."

Before she could respond, the sound of small footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Leo.

They both turned just as Leo appeared in the doorway, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

"Mama?" he mumbled.

Isla’s heart lurched. She stepped toward him instantly, brushing his hair back. "Hey, sweetheart. What’s wrong?"

Leo yawned, blinking up at her. "I had a dream."

Lucas crouched down beside him, his voice gentle. "Was it a bad dream, buddy?"

Leo shook his head. "No. It was good. We were all at the beach, building a big, big sandcastle." He grinned. "And you helped, Daddy."

Lucas stilled.

Isla did too.

It was the first time Leo had called him that so naturally, so effortlessly—as if it had always been true.

Lucas’s throat worked, his gaze flickering to Isla before settling on Leo.

"Yeah?" Lucas’s voice was quiet. "That sounds like a pretty awesome dream."

Leo nodded, then stretched out his arms toward Lucas. "Can I have a hug?"

Lucas didn’t hesitate.

He pulled Leo into his arms, holding him tight. And Isla?

Isla felt something inside her c***k.

Because this was real.

Leo wasn’t just adjusting to Lucas’s presence in his life—he was embracing it.

And that meant Isla had a choice to make.

After Leo had fallen back asleep, Isla and Lucas stood in the dimly lit hallway, both caught in the gravity of what had just happened.

Lucas ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. "He called me ‘Daddy.’"

Isla nodded. "Yeah. He did."

Lucas turned to her, his expression unreadable. "How long were you planning on keeping me at arm’s length, Isla?"

She stiffened. "I wasn’t—"

"You were," he said, his voice softer now. "I get it. You built a life for him without me. You did everything alone. And you’re scared that letting me in is going to mess that up."

Her breath hitched. Damn him for knowing her so well.

"You don’t understand," she said, crossing her arms. "Leo is my world, Lucas. Every decision I make is for him."

Lucas’s gaze softened, but his voice was firm. "Then let me be part of that world."

She swallowed hard. "I don’t know how."

Lucas reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The touch was gentle, careful.

"Then let me show you," he murmured.

Isla hated how much she wanted to believe him.