Page 23 of My Horrible Arranged Marriage (Bancroft Billionaire Brothers #20)

MINA

“ I don’t want to sound like a jerk, but I’m glad he did, too,” Isaac said. “But why? Why are you glad?”

“Because it made me realize I deserved better,” I said, my voice steady despite the lump in my throat. “I deserved someone who actually saw me. Who didn’t just want me to be a prop in their life.”

Isaac’s eyes softened, and he reached across the counter to take my hand. His touch was warm, grounding. “You do deserve better,” he said quietly. “And Sampson’s an idiot for not seeing that.”

I smiled, but it felt fragile. “It’s not just him, though. It’s my dad, too. He’s always been more concerned with appearances than how I actually feel. He wanted me to marry Sampson because it looked good on paper. And now he’s pushing me toward you because it’s convenient for him.”

Isaac’s grip on my hand tightened slightly. I could see the conflict in his eyes. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something but then hesitated.

“What?” I asked, tilting my head.

He shook his head, forcing a smile. “Nothing. Just, you’re right. Your dad’s an asshole for that.”

I studied him for a moment, sensing there was more he wasn’t saying, but I didn’t push. Instead, I leaned back in my chair and took another sip of my soda. This man? How had I not managed to know him before now?

But he was here now and I was sitting here eating a cheeseburger like I hadn’t eaten in a year. I wanted him. I knew his reputation and wasn’t sure how long I had him. I was going to enjoy every minute I did. Earlier had just been about taking the edge off. I needed him again.

I slid off the chair and moved closer to him, getting right up in his personal space.

I ran my fingers through his hair. He looked into my eyes and kissed me gently.

He quickly picked up what I was offering.

He pushed me against the kitchen island.

I felt his arm reach behind me and heard him sliding the bags and paper packaging out of the way.

My fingers dug into the fabric of his shirt as he explored my neck with gentle nips. For the second time that night, I fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. He unzipped the back of my dress. I stepped out of it, kicking it across the kitchen floor.

“That probably cost a couple grand, right?” he asked.

“Six,” I replied. “I don’t care. I want you.”

His mouth slammed against mine, letting me know he was just as desperate for me as I was for him. He broke away from the kiss to trail hot kisses down my neck and collarbone. His lips found a sensitive spot and sucked gently as I moaned out loud.

A familiar ache began to pulse between my legs. I ground myself against him, feeling his arousal pressing against me. He growled low in his throat and lifted me up, dropping me on the cool surface of the island. I jerked at his shirt. I had to have him naked.

He stepped back long enough to pull it off before quickly undoing his pants and kicking them off as well.

His purple boxers looked even sillier in the bright light of his kitchen.

I didn’t care that we were getting naked under the bright LEDs.

I wasn’t shy. Never had been. And I wanted to see this man in the bright lights.

I watched him walk away, the muscles in his back rippling. He wasn’t overly muscular. Like a baseball player. He pushed open a door and returned with a foil package in his hand.

I cocked an eyebrow. “You keep condoms in your pantry?”

He laughed and pushed off his boxers. “No, but that’s not a bad idea. Powder room.”

He tore open the condom and slowly slid it down his cock.

Fuck me.

This was why he was so popular with the ladies.

He stepped back toward me, his eyes dark with hunger.

My breath hitched. His hands slid up my thighs, spreading them wider, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against the inside of my knee.

The touch was feather light, teasing, and I shivered as he moved higher, his mouth leaving a trail of heat in its wake.

“Isaac,” I whispered, my voice trembling with need. His name felt like a plea, a prayer. He answered it with a low hum that vibrated against my skin. He stood to his full height and kissed me while his hand remained on the inside of my thigh.

His fingers found me, sliding through my wetness with a slow, deliberate stroke that made me arch off the counter. He circled my clit with his thumb, applying just enough pressure to make me gasp. His other hand gripped my hip, holding me steady as he kissed me.

His fingers worked me with a rhythm that was maddening, teasing me to the edge but never letting me fall.

I moaned into his mouth, my hands gripping his shoulders as I tried to pull him closer, to feel more of him.

He broke the kiss, his breath hot against my ear.

“You’re so fucking beautiful like this, Mina. ”

I could feel the heat of his body pressing against mine, the hard length of him brushing against my thigh. My hips moved instinctively, seeking friction, seeking him. He chuckled darkly, his fingers still working me. He leaned back to watch me arch and gasp.

“Isaac,” I gasped again, my voice breaking. “Please.”

He didn’t make me wait any longer. With one swift motion, he positioned himself at my entrance and pushed inside, filling me completely.

I cried out, my nails digging into his back as he began to move, each thrust sending waves of pleasure through me.

He set a slow, deliberate pace at first, his eyes locked on mine as if he wanted to memorize every expression that crossed my face.

But it wasn’t enough. I needed more. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper, urging him to go faster.

He groaned, his control slipping as he obliged, his thrusts becoming harder, more urgent.

The sound of skin against skin filled the kitchen.

He pounded into me, pushing me across the slick countertop.

He grabbed my hips and dragged me back toward him.

I could feel the tension building inside me, coiling tighter and tighter with every movement. I loved feeling completely free. I didn’t have to pretend I liked it and I certainly didn’t have to pretend I didn’t like fucking on his kitchen island.

Isaac’s hands gripped my hips tighter, his rhythm faltering as he leaned down to capture my lips in a searing kiss.

His breath was ragged, his body trembling with the effort to hold back.

I could feel him everywhere—his heat, his strength, his need.

It only fueled my own. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as I met every thrust with equal fervor.

My head dropped back as he slid his mouth down to my breasts.

Behind us, the huge windows that covered one wall gave me a view of the city beyond.

I knew the windows were tinted and no one could see us, but it felt daring.

Wild and crazy, just like the two of us.

My moans mingled with his low growls, the sound raw and unfiltered.

I could feel the edge approaching, that sweet, inevitable release that had been building since the moment we walked out of my bedroom hours ago.

“Mina,” he murmured against my neck, his voice rough and strained. “I can’t—I’m not going to last.”

“Neither am I,” I gasped, my body tightening around him as the first wave of pleasure crashed over me.

It was intense, all-consuming. I cried out as it ripped through me, my nails leaving crescent marks on his shoulders.

Isaac followed moments later, his body shuddering as he buried himself deep inside me, his groan muffled against my skin.

For a long moment, we stayed like that, our bodies still connected, our breaths coming in uneven gasps. His forehead rested against mine. I could feel the rapid beat of his heart. Slowly, he pulled away, his hands gentle now as they brushed my hair back from my face.

“You okay?” he asked.

I smiled. “Oh yeah.”

He stepped back, leaving my body and disappearing into the powder room. I hopped off the counter, suddenly very aware of my nudity. I bent down to pick up my panties and was bumped from behind.

“We’ll do this next,” Isaac teased. “Give me a couple of minutes.”

I laughed, the sound light and carefree.

The kind of laugh that was completely natural.

I slipped my panties back on. My dress was crumpled on the floor, and I scooped it up, holding it against me as I leaned against the counter.

Isaac was still gloriously naked, and I couldn’t help but let my eyes wander over him. He caught me looking and smirked.

“See something you like?” he asked, his voice low and teasing.

“Maybe,” I shot back, grinning. “But don’t let it go to your head.”

He chuckled, stepping closer until he was right in front of me. His hands settled on my hips, pulling me gently toward him. “Too late for that,” he murmured, brushing his lips against mine in a soft kiss that made my stomach flutter.

I sighed into the kiss, letting myself melt into him for just a moment before pulling back. “We should probably clean up,” I said, glancing around the kitchen. The remnants of our meal were scattered across the counter.

“Later,” he growled. “Come on. I’ll show you my room.”

“Oh yeah.” I laughed. “That’s what we’re going to be doing.”

He got very serious as he reached up and held my face. “You’re staying the night, but you won’t be doing much sleeping. I don’t want a sleepover. I want you every which way.”

I wanted that, too. “Lead the way,” I said.

Isaac took my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine as he led me out of the kitchen and down the hallway. His bedroom was at the end of the hall. It was a huge master suite. Not as big as my room, but he had a whole penthouse.

He didn’t waste any time. As soon as the door clicked shut behind us, he turned and pulled me into another kiss, this one deeper, hungrier.

My dress slipped from my hands and pooled at my feet as I pressed myself against him, my fingers tracing the lines of his chest. He broke the kiss long enough to guide me toward the bed, his hands never leaving my skin.

“You’re going to ruin me,” I whispered as he laid me down, his body hovering over mine.

“Good,” he murmured, his lips against my ear. “You deserve to be ruined.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine. I arched into him as his hands explored every inch of me.

There was no rush this time, no urgency—just the slow, deliberate way he touched me, like he was memorizing every curve, every breath.

His mouth followed where his hands had been, leaving a trail of fire in its wake.

I was looking forward to a long night with him.