Chapter 46

Waking up next to Isadora was incredible. A sense of contentment washed over me like a warm embrace. I brushed her hair away from my mouth, looked down at her sleeping form, and smiled. I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty and grace she possessed. Last night had been incredible. My body felt relaxed and rejuvenated and completely spent. I felt like she had squeezed every last drop from me. There was not an inch of her body I had not feasted upon.

Unable to resist the urge, I leaned in and pressed soft kisses to her face and neck, reveling in the sweet taste of her skin. Her skin was slightly pink from all the attention I had given it last night. My stubble scratched her smooth skin with every kiss. My tongue lapped out gently, tracing a path from her collarbone to her breasts.

Isadora stirred in her sleep. I pulled back slightly, not wanting to fully wake her. Her eyes fluttered open. She smiled when she saw me. It was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen.

"Good morning," I whispered, my heart swelling with love.

She responded with a gentle kiss.

"It's early," I murmured, my voice filled with warmth and affection. "But I wanted to spend some time with you before Sloane comes home."

"I'd like that," she replied softly, her voice tinged with emotion.

I moved closer and kissed her again, feeling her warmth radiate through me. The sheets were tangled around our bodies.

"I want you," she murmured into my ear, her fingers tracing slow circles on my chest. Her voice was thick with early morning sleep and laced with desire.

"Anything for you," I breathed, capturing her lips in a tender kiss. Our bodies moved in perfect synchrony as we explored each other with a newfound sense of familiarity and fervor. I had only meant to kiss her a bit, but my body had other plans. I listened to her soft sighs and the whispered utterances of my name, each one making me dizzy with need as I broke away long enough to grab a condom.

Isadora was soft and pliant beneath me, her body molding perfectly against mine. She gasped when I slipped inside her, her body welcoming me in a way that felt like coming home. I took my time, wanting to savor every moment and every sensation. Her hands, warm and gentle, explored the muscles of my back as I moved slowly within her. Even in the soft morning light, I could see the spark of passion burning in her eyes.

I watched her beneath me, her face flushed with desire, lips slightly parted as she breathed heavily. I could feel her heartbeat against my chest, fast and erratic just like mine. Everything about her was intoxicating, from the scent of her skin to the feel of her beneath me.

I took it easy, in no real hurry to get to the end. Our lovemaking was slow and sensual, taking us both to the end fairly quickly. I would have loved to stay in bed with her all day, but I knew that wasn't an option. Sloane would be home at some point.

She stretched and moaned as she snuggled against me. "I like waking up like that."

"Me too." I smiled. "Finally putting that morning wood to good use."

She giggled next to me. "Glad I was around."

"I think my body is trying to make up for lost time. I'm pretty sure it isn't normal to have that much sex in a twelve-hour period."

She threw her head back and laughed. "Normal is overrated."

I smirked at her, playfully tickling her side. She squealed and squirmed away from me as I laughed. "You're right," I admitted, pulling her back into my arms. "It doesn't matter what's normal. It just matters that we're happy."

"I need coffee," she sighed.

We made our way to the kitchen. Soon, the scent of steaming coffee filled the apartment. I took a sip, savoring the warmth and caffeine rushing through my veins.

"Hungry?" she asked.

"A little."

"How about some eggs and toast?" she said.

"Works for me."

We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, but we were on borrowed time. Isadora's phone chimed. We both knew what it meant. It was a text message from Sloane, pulling us back to reality. "She's ready to come home," Isadora said.

I knew what that meant. We were back to the secret stuff. Sloane couldn't know about us. "I'll get going."

"Go get some clothes and stay with us tonight. I'll talk to Sloane and let her know how much you want to see her."

"Are you sure?" I asked, my voice tinged with disbelief. "I don't want to impose."

"I'm sure." She nodded. "It'll be good for her and you. You haven't seen her all week."

I smiled. "I do miss the kid. I feel like I've been in the doghouse for a year."

"You're a parent now," she quipped. "It goes with the territory. I miss her, and it's only been like twelve hours. When they're mad at you, they withhold affection. You have to be tough enough to take their warfare. They'll come back around."

"I can't believe I'm a parent now," I admitted. "I have to remind myself constantly."

"You're a good father," she assured me. "Your heart is in the right place. Everything else will work itself out."

"I'll get dressed and get out of here." I grinned. "Doing my walk of shame."

We both dressed and rode the elevator down together. We walked out of the building and shared a kiss before she got into her waiting car. I was looking forward to spending time with Sloane. I knew she was probably still a little mad at me. I hoped if we could hang out and talk, she would forgive me for trying to butt into her love life.

I hailed a cab and headed home. On the way, I looked up things to do with teenagers. If we could do something fun, it would help her forget about the Todd thing a little quicker. I sent Isadora a text with some ideas about what we might do. But if they wanted to hang out at her house, I was cool with that as well.

I hopped out of the cab and walked into my building. I was barely paying attention when a man stepped in front of me.

Not a man. Isadora's father.

"Why are you here?" I demanded when Clive blocked my path. "What do you want?"

"I didn't want to give you the chance to hang up on me again," he replied coldly, his tone dripping with disdain. He looked at me like I was a cockroach that scurried out of a dark hole.

"I can ignore you as easily in person," I said. "I have nothing to say to you. Get out of my way or I'll gladly call security."

"Leave my daughter and granddaughter alone. I sent you away before for a reason, and I still feel that way. Your dad may not work for me anymore, but don't think that means you're safe. I will make your life hell. You are not untouchable."

His words struck me like a blow to the chest, filling me with rage and indignation that threatened to boil over at any moment. The knee-jerk desire to hit the man was powerful. I wouldn't give in to that desire. That would guarantee I lost Isadora and Sloane.

If I hit him, he won.

Summoning every ounce of self-control I possessed, I met his gaze with a defiant glare of my own. "You don't scare me. You did when I was a kid but not anymore. I let you run me off before, but it won't happen again. Sloane is my blood, and I won't leave her or Isadora. Never again. You're kicking a hornet's nest, coming here and trying to bully me. You don't want to try me."

"Don't you dare threaten me," he hissed, his face turning red.

"It's not a threat, you worthless old man. It's a promise to defend myself if you try throwing your weight around." I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. The urge to hit him was strong. "You should stay out of our lives," I said, my voice low and steady. "I won't let you mistreat my daughter the way you mistreated your own. If you come near my family again, I'll make sure you regret it."

Clive's face twisted into a sneer, and I knew I'd struck a nerve. Good.

"That's my family you're talking about," he snapped. "My daughter. My granddaughter. You haven't been around for fifteen years."

"Fifteen years you stole from me!" I growled, my tenuous hold on my temper faltering. "You knew she was pregnant when you forced me to leave, didn't you?"

"You really think that's all it was about?" he asked. "You really think I'd send you away because she was pregnant? You're a fool if you believe that."

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my anger in check. "You don't deserve her. Either of them. You pushed your daughter away all on your own."

"I'm going to tell you one last time, let her go," he said in a low voice. "Send Isadora away. She isn't going to work for you. She's far too good for you and that company."

"Actually, that's where you're wrong," I said calmly. "She was too good for your company, which is why she walked away. You didn't see her value. She was a pawn to you, and she knew it. That's why she left. Do you think it's a coincidence she came to me? She knew exactly what she was doing."

He snorted. "She's a child throwing a fit. She'll come back. You don't know Isadora like I do."

"Exactly," I said. "I know her so much better than you. I know she's brilliant and driven and amazing with clients. I know she gets embarrassed when she laughs too loud, as if she's going to get in trouble." I glared at him, knowing he was to blame. "But mostly, I know she deserves better than you."

Clive let out a bitter laugh, clearly taken aback by my defiance. "You really think you can intimidate me?" He scoffed. "You're just a pathetic excuse for a man. Mark my words, you'll regret this day."

I got right in his face, eye to eye with him. "I regret every day I'm forced to talk to you. Now get the fuck out of my building before I throw you out myself."

Clive stormed off, red-faced and huffing. The old man was going to be a problem. Weak men like him struck out when they felt they were losing control. I couldn't let my guard down. Isadora needed to know her father was trying to break us up. I wasn't sure she would believe me, but I had to try to warn her.

Before the old bastard forced us apart again.