Chapter 30

ISABELLA

I snuggle up to Jax and let my fingers run up and down his torso, then lower and lower, but Jax holds me by the wrist gently.

"I'd like to... you don't want to..."

"Oh yes I do." He cuts me off. "Believe me but I'm tired, I had a good dinner and the best dessert in the world." He says softly before placing a kiss on my temple. "I'd just like to stay like this, cuddling and chatting until we both fall asleep."

"I'm pretty tired myself, I must say," I tell him. I can feel the sincerity when he speaks to me and I can't describe the feeling that runs through me at the thought of knowing that he just wants to spend time with me without expecting anything in return. "I feel so good with you."

"So do I. It's not surprising since we were meant to be together." He sighs in satisfaction. "So what did you do today?"

I laugh, thinking back on my crazy day. I'm sure he wouldn't believe me if I told him. "I spent my day with a group of mature women. I wanted to find inspiration for my project and I did."

"That's the main thing. I'm happy for you, my Bella."

"Bella?" I ask her, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah. Isa is too common... I mean... everyone calls you that. I want to stand out." He tells me and I laugh, thinking back to the nickname Maggie gave me. "But I can call you something else if you prefer."

"No, that's fine. But you're not the first person to call me that."

"Oh yeah?"

"My mother used to call me that." I kiss him on the cheek. "I'm fine with you calling me Bella."

When you're busy, time goes by faster, and I've experienced it. I spent my week between work, the Black brothers and Maggie. I saw her on Wednesday afternoon after she insisted on giving me another kickboxing class. Apparently a young woman like me who lives in a big city has to know how to defend herself if need be. I slept with the three brothers in turn. All three satisfied me, but wouldn't let me return the favor. I appreciate the gesture, but my libido is on fire and I want more. So I decided that tonight would be the night. I stare at my evening gown hanging on the hanger and I'm not so sure of my choice now that I see it like this. Alex and I went shopping the day before and fell in love with this one. He was delighted to be invited to the festivities and I'll feel less lonely as the boys will certainly have things to do and people to say hello to. No one will know me and I'll be able to enjoy my evening to the full without worrying about the looks of the other guests. I've already done my make-up and my hair is slicked back and straightened. I think it's too late to change my mind this time. I take the dress and put it on.

KNOX

I drew straws and won, so I'll be taking Isa to the gala. I adjust my black bow tie and take one last look in the mirror. My hair is perfectly styled in a man bun, my white shirt is tucked into my pants and my black suit is perfect. I'm perfect... not to brag. Asher left almost an hour ago to make sure everything was perfect for the start of the evening, and Jax joined him a little while ago.

I go downstairs and ring the doorbell.

"Oh well, fuck me then." I say open-mouthed as she opens the door. It's a vision I thought I'd only have in my dreams. She's wearing a long, low-cut black dress and it's open all the way down her right leg.

"How are you? It's not too much?"

"Are you fucking kidding me? You're a knockout. You know what? Fuck them, we're staying right here." I tell her, trying to get in but she blocks my way.

"Stop talking nonsense. You've all worked very hard for this party and a lot of people are counting on you so you're going to stop talking nonsense and we're going to go." She replies before grabbing a small pouch and heading out the door. When she turns to lock the door, I'm on the verge of cardiac arrest. Her dress is also low-cut in the back and the opening stops just above her ass. I doubt I'll be able to restrain myself from making love to her tonight, and I already know it'll be the same for my brothers. This woman exerts a power over us that is stronger than anything.

It's going to be a long and painful journey because of the boner I've got.

I didn't want to drive tonight, so I asked Arthur, one of our drivers, to take us there.

Comfortably seated in the back of the car, I decide this is a good time to break the news to Isa. I may have earned the right to accompany her, but I've also earned the right to tell her that we have a surprise guest.

"By the way we had some news today. Our mother has decided to attend the gala. Usually she hates this kind of thing but she decided to come this time apparently she wants to try to see a friend in town tomorrow."

"Ah okay, it's only natural that she'd want to be there for you."

"Yes. And so the others and I thought it might be a good opportunity to tell her about you. I mean, if you want to... you know, it's normal for us... I mean, we already know that we'll be spending our lives with you... not that you don't have your own opinion... well... "

"Knox, I get it." She cuts me off by putting her hand on my thigh and I'm grateful. "You can tell your mother about me and I'll be glad to meet her."