Chapter 11
735 Words
Isla Calloway had spent years mastering the art of self-control.
She had trained herself not to react—to keep her emotions in check, to never let anyone get close enough to shake her.
But Lucas Reyes?
Lucas was a walking disaster for her self-control.
And last night, she had proven it.
She sat on the edge of the plush bed in the guest room of his penthouse, head in her hands, heart still hammering in her chest. She could still feel the burn of his lips on hers, the way he had kissed her like he had been starving for it.
Like he had been waiting years to taste her again.
And the worst part?
She had kissed him back.
A sharp knock at the door snapped her out of her thoughts.
She lifted her head just as Lucas pushed the door open, standing there with two coffee cups in hand, looking infuriatingly composed.
"Morning, Calloway." His voice was casual, but his eyes? They held heat.
She straightened, crossing her arms. "What do you want?"
Lucas raised a brow. "You kissed me last night, and I’m the one being interrogated?"
Heat rose in her cheeks, but she refused to let him see her flustered. "That was a mistake."
Lucas smirked, stepping into the room. "Didn’t feel like one."
Isla hated that he was right.
She exhaled sharply. "We agreed this isn’t about us. This is about Leo."
Lucas walked closer, setting one of the coffee cups on the nightstand beside her. "I never agreed to that."
She shot him a glare. "Lucas—"
"I’m just saying," he cut her off, his tone teasing, "if you want to pretend last night didn’t happen, fine. But you’re the one who kissed me, sweetheart."
Her pulse spiked. "That was a lapse in judgment."
Lucas tilted his head. "A lapse? Or proof that you’re still running from something you want?"
Her breath hitched.
Because, deep down, she knew he was right.
Later that morning, Isla sat across from Lucas at the dining table, sipping the coffee he had brought her, while Leo sat happily between them, talking about dinosaurs again.
It was too normal.
Too domestic.
And it unnerved her.
Lucas leaned back in his chair, looking far too comfortable. "So, Calloway. Have you thought about my offer?"
Isla sighed. "You mean your insane proposal for us to move in together?"
Lucas smirked. "You say ‘insane.’ I say ‘practical.’"
She rolled her eyes. "You are impossible."
Leo looked up from his pancakes, curiosity in his bright green eyes. "What offer, Mama?"
Isla froze.
Lucas, however, didn’t even hesitate.
"Well, buddy," he said, his tone casual, "I was thinking it’d be fun if you, me, and your mom all lived in the same place for a while."
Leo’s entire face lit up. "Really?"
Lucas nodded. "But your mom’s still thinking about it."
Leo immediately turned to Isla. "Mama, can we? Please?"
Her stomach tightened.
This wasn’t fair.
Lucas had planned this.
He had known Leo would be excited about the idea.
She shot him a glare over the table, and he had the audacity to wink at her.
"Leo," she said carefully, "this is a big decision. We have to make sure it’s the right one."
Leo pouted but nodded. "Okay, Mama."
Lucas watched her, his smirk replaced by something more serious. "You don’t have to give me an answer now," he said. "But you will."
She hated that part of her already knew he was right.
That evening, after Leo had fallen asleep, Isla stood on the balcony of Lucas’s penthouse, staring out at the glittering skyline.
The city was alive with lights, buzzing with energy.
But inside her?
Inside, she felt unsteady.
Lucas stepped outside, standing beside her. He didn’t say anything for a moment, just let the silence stretch between them.
Then, finally, he spoke.
"You don’t have to be afraid, Isla."
She stiffened. "I’m not afraid."
Lucas turned, leaning against the railing, watching her. "Aren’t you?"
She exhaled sharply. "Of what, Lucas? You?"
His lips tugged into a smirk. "Of this."
Her pulse jumped.
"This doesn’t change anything," she said, forcing her voice to stay even.
Lucas’s eyes darkened. "You keep saying that. But tell me something, Calloway—do you believe it?"
She hated that she didn’t have an answer.
And Lucas?
Lucas saw right through her.
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