***POV ISABELA***
I was frozen, speechless, and unable to react to what I had just heard.
I fought an internal battle within myself. My brain told me to react, but my body wouldn’t obey.
I searched Noah’s eyes for something that might reveal he was lying, joking with me. But what I saw was very different... he was being sincere.
My God!!!!
Noah Cooper loves me...
“You don’t have to say you love me just because I did,” he said, breaking the silence that had settled between us. “I know that sometimes love is unequal. I understand you. Always.”
“I’m sorry.” I apologized. Because I really couldn’t say that I loved him. Not yet.
Not that I don’t feel it. I have strong feelings for him; I feel things I’ve never felt before, but, wow, I can’t say it.
Maybe I think that by opening my heart like that, I would be even more vulnerable.
Noah held my hands; he didn’t let go for a moment. And his expression didn’t change when he realized I wouldn’t say those three words. He remained the same, always understanding.
My heart, on the other hand, was restless.
I quickly got up, not caring that some water had spilled around the bathtub. I got out of the tub and grabbed a towel that was hanging, wrapping it around my body.
I left the bathroom quickly, not knowing what to do. I was in shock.
I didn’t expect this.
I didn’t expect him to say he loved me.
“Isa...” I heard his voice a little distantly and walked to the balcony of my room. I opened the curtains and the large glass door that gave access to the balcony, where there were two chairs and a small table. “Why are you like this? Don’t run away from me, damn it.” I felt his presence behind me, and my whole body shivered.
“Sorry. You know I have this gift, don’t you? I run away from situations, things, and people. You know I’m like this, so please, don’t let me go. I know I can be a huge pain in the ass; I do everything wrong. But, in some inexplicable way, I know you’re always here for me. Not in a million years would I ever deserve someone like you in my life. So, sorry. But also, thank you. Thank you for staying. Sorry for giving you the option to leave. I swear, I’ll try to be better. I guess it’s kind of hard not to be, right? I have you; I have everything. If I screw it all up, just know that I’m a fucking idiot, but a fucking idiot who...” I said everything quickly without pausing, getting breathless.
Noah didn’t let me continue speaking so frantically. He pulled me by the arm, turning me to face him, and he placed his finger over my lips, silencing me.
“What kind of bastard would I be if I let you go? You’re engraved in me, Isabela. Like a damn tattoo. Engraved here,” he pointed with his index finger to his head. “And here,” he held my hand, placing it over his chest, where I could feel his heart beating fast.
I looked at our hands on his chest and raised my eyes to his face, staring into his eyes, and for a second, I thought they were tearful.
“I said I love you, and it’s not just words; it’s what I feel. I’ve always been honest with you, and now wouldn’t be any different. I have this need to tell you about my feelings.”
He raised his free hand to my face, caressing it, and making me close my eyes for a moment. I opened my eyes, and he was inches away.
“Now, I’m going to kiss you and take care of you as you deserve,” he whispered, pressing our lips together.
As always, our kiss drove me completely crazy. Noah had that gift. He has the gift of making me crazy, hot, and out of my mind.
Without detaching our lips, I took two steps backward, which was enough to bump into the parapet of my balcony.
“Noah,” I let out a moan as soon as his naughty hands invaded the inside of my towel and pinched my right breast.
“Say it, my love," he whispered, now kissing my neck.
Noah was about to undo the knot in my towel when a bang on the door startled us. I jumped in shock, and Noah positioned himself in front of me, covering my body with his.
"Oh, God, I'm sorry!" said Alex, turning around. Only then did I remember that Noah was completely naked. He seemed to remember the same fact as he put his hands in front of his parts, but obviously he couldn't cover everything. He was huge.
"What happened?" I asked my friend, knowing from his expression that something had happened. "I hope you didn't set fire to my kitchen."
"Worse than that, girlfriend," he said shakily, making me even more alert.
"Worse?”
“Daniel's downstairs,” he said apprehensively. “I swear I tried everything to get him to leave, but it didn't help. He even threatened me; can you believe it?He almost climbed up here; thank God I managed to stop him.”
“What does he want?” I asked, starting to get annoyed.
“I'll go and put him in his place,” Noah said, turning to face me.
“No!" I said it quickly, desperately.
Daniel couldn't have known about our involvement. He'd make my life hell, and worse, he'd turn my daughter against me.
"Isabela," he started to say, but I held his hand, silencing him. Noah looked at our joined hands and turned his gaze back to me.
"I'm going to sort this out. I don't want you to get hurt because of me."
"I don't want to know. I'm not leaving you alone with that man, especially after yesterday. What the fuck does he want?" he asked angrily.
"I'll tell him you're coming down," Alex announced and left the room, leaving us alone.
"Daniel is the worst human being I've ever had the displeasure of meeting. I didn't know him; I thought I did, but I didn't. He turned out to be a monster yesterday, and he's capable of anything. Seriously, wait here for me, please.”
Noah looked at me for long minutes, I knew he would debate my request.
“Please," I asked, looking into his eyes.
He ran his hands through his face and hair in a nervous gesture. He sighed.
"Okay." He turned his back and walked into the bathroom, slamming the door.
I know he's furious. But what can I do?
I can't hurt him.
I know that Daniel is capable of damaging Noah's career, and I would never allow that to happen.
I sighed.
I'll face him, and this time I won't answer for myself.