Chapter 6-Impossible to Forget.

6

ISABELLA

For the first time in what felt like forever, something other than the crushing dread of Derek gripped me. 

I was too stunned to speak.

Too stunned to move.

For a heartbeat, he held my gaze, seizing the air from my lungs, the background faded leaving only him and me in its wake.

I couldn't help but feel a tingling under my skin, like an invisible, dangerous string that pulled me toward him.

Why did this man have so much power over me?

The moment he looked away, the fantasy was ripped and I was dragged back to reality.

“How long will you stay, brother?” Derek questioned and another shockwave hit!

I blinked, feeling a throb on my temples as I recalled his introduction…

They were… stepbrothers???

I had sex with my husband's stepbrother!

Everything became blurry and I had to hold the pillar for support, 

Rohan noticed my reaction, a temporary look of concern crossing his features.

In an instant the reaction was gone and his eyes turned cold as he returned his attention to Derek.

“I don't know how long I'll be here. Maybe long enough until the pack is thriving then I'll get out of your hair, Alpha.” There was a resonance of acknowledgment in his tone like he wanted Derek not to feel threatened by his presence.

I still couldn't get a grip on reality, my fingers digging into the concrete as a million thoughts crossed my mind.

“Prepare the guest room Isabella,” Derek ordered, his eyes fixed on his brother like a predator studying its prey.

I nodded though I knew he couldn't see me. Despite my confusion it was automatic, I had to obey every word he said.

My hands pushed me off the wall before my mind caught up, my legs turning in the direction of the room when his voice brought me to a halt.

“Wait…

He called. I stayed frozen for a minute and when he didn't complete his words I had to turn to see why he requested I stop.

There was nothing in his eyes I could decipher. His lips formed a thin line, yet it felt as though he could see right through me.

“Is…” He paused, looking away, his fingers tapping on the worn out couch. “Is she still… your wife?”

A chill traced its way down my spine as I questioned my identity and the reason for his question.

A week ago, he would have had no trouble making me claim I was his alone, especially when his lips had worshiped every inch of my skin.

And now, with Derek sitting between us everything about it felt wrong.

“Yes, she still is.” Derek replied, wheeling his chair back and picking up the morning paper. “Considering you’ll be working together, you’ll get to know her soon enough.”

“Trust I know enough.” He said with a conviction that made my eyes pop.

I didn't wait to see how badly things could escalate so taking the stairs two at a time I hurried to the equipment room.

My hands moved mechanically as I tried to keep my hold on the tools steady.

The thought to come clean and confess to Derek what we'd done crossed my mind.

I didn't have a choice. He insisted. I did it to make him happy, to make him love me again.

It wasn't intentional.

He'd understand right?

If only I was courageous enough to find out. 

Grabbing the tools I went to the guest room which was just beside my room.

It just kept getting worse!

Since Derek took the master's floor, he instructed me to stay in one of the guest rooms to give him his privacy to grieve the loss of his legs. 

Not only was he going to stay in the house, he was also going to be sleeping next-door.

I loathed the thoughts that infiltrated my mind. This was a man that should be off limits.

Someone whose conversation shouldn't cross the borders of formalities yet we explored all kinds of sexualities.

How was I to move on now from the night that was impossible to forget?

A sigh escaped me as I pushed it to the deepest, darkest part of my mind and got to work.

When I stepped into the guest room. The smell of dust and old linen hit me immediately. I told myself to focus on cleaning, but Rohan kept slipping into my mind. 

I tried to push the thoughts away, but I couldn’t help imagining what it would be like to stay next door to him, after all the nasty things we had done.

Would he tell Derek about it? Or could we pretend like it never happened?

I didn't have an answer so I began cleaning the bed, wardrobe, floors and even the windows.

By the time I managed to finish up, I was soaked and dirty, there was no debate. I had to go to the bathroom. A long, hot bath was the only way I could clean up.

I returned the cleaning equipment quickly, then hurried to go bathe making a mental note that I wasn’t done cooking breakfast.

When I was done bathing, I stretched my hand without looking, searching for a towel on the rack then I realized I had forgotten to bring it.

I didn't want to get the rug wet but I had no choice but to tip toe into the main room and just as I stepped into the room, the door opened and Rohan stepped in.

My heart stopped for a second before I hurried to grab the towel off the bed covering what I could hoping he would realize he was in the wrong room and close the door.

However, he stayed glued to the frame of the door, his eyes tracing me like the water that dripped from my hair down to the sole of my feet.

“I should have fucked you with the lights on.”