Chapter 4: Forbidden Desires For My Best Friend's Dad

Isabella's POV

The loud ringing of my phone shattered the moment completely.

My lips were still tingling from his kiss as we both stared at the glowing screen.

My stomach twisted painfully at the sight of his name.

Reality crashed into me so fast that I physically stepped away from Sebastian.

What the hell was I doing?

My breathing became uneven as I wiped my lips nervously.

This was wrong.

So wrong.

I had just kissed my best friend’s father.

Not just kissed him.

I kissed him back as I had completely lost my mind.

Sebastian’s dark eyes stayed fixed on me while the phone continued ringing loudly between us.

The tension in the room suddenly changed.

A few seconds ago it had felt hot.

Dangerous.

Now it felt complicated.

Messy.

My chest tightened painfully.

“I should go,” I whispered quickly.

Sebastian didn’t move.

“Isabella—”

“No,” I cut him off softly while shaking my head. “We shouldn’t have done that.”

His jaw tightened slightly.

The phone finally stopped ringing, leaving the room in painful silence.

I could barely look at him anymore.

Because the moment I did, I knew I would remember exactly how his lips felt against mine.

How his hands felt on my waist.

How desperately he kissed me.

God.

I needed distance immediately.

“I’m tired,” I said quietly. “I think I should go to my room.”

For a moment, Sebastian stared at me.

Then finally, he nodded once.

“Your room is upstairs. Second door by the hallway.”

I grabbed my suitcase quickly, avoiding his gaze completely.

But just as I turned around, his deep voice stopped me again.

“Isabella.”

I froze.

“You didn’t stop me either.”

Heat rushed into my cheeks instantly.

Without replying, I quickly walked upstairs before my body betrayed me again.

The moment I entered the bedroom, I shut the door and leaned heavily against it.

My heart was racing uncontrollably.

What had just happened downstairs felt unreal.

I touched my lips unconsciously.

I could still feel him.

Still taste the wine and the heat from that kiss.

God.

I squeezed my eyes shut tightly.

“Get yourself together, Isabella.”

This was exactly why I needed to leave.

Nothing good could come from staying here.

Absolutely nothing.

I walked toward the large bed and sat down heavily before grabbing my phone from my bag.

Several missed calls immediately appeared on the screen.

Stephen.

Again.

And again.

And again.

I scoffed bitterly before tossing the phone beside me.

Now he wanted to call?

After humiliating me?

I had no interest in hearing whatever excuse he planned to give.

Another call suddenly came in.

Stephen again.

This time, I rejected it immediately and searched for Amelia’s number instead.

The moment she answered, her familiar cheerful voice filled my ears.

“Bella!”

A small smile appeared on my lips despite everything.

“Hey.”

“How are you feeling?”

I sighed softly. “Still angry. Still heartbroken. Still trying not to kill Stephen.”

Amelia laughed loudly. “That’s my girl.”

I shook my head lightly.

Then I remembered something.

“Why didn’t you tell me your father was here?”

There was immediate silence.

“Wait… my dad is there?”

I frowned. “You seriously didn’t know?”

“No! I swear, Bella. I had no idea he was planning to visit Cornwall.”

I stared at the ceiling suspiciously.

“Amelia…”

“I’m serious,” she insisted quickly. “I didn’t know I would have told knowing how much you wanted to be alone.”

“It’s fine Amelia” I said calmly.

“I tried calling your line some hours back” Amelia said.

“My phone was on flight mode during the drive.”

I said waiting for her complaint of why I would put my phone in flight mode.

Rather she said something shocking.

“Then I need to warn you” she said in a teasing voice.

“Warn me from what exactly?”

“My father.”

Heat instantly crept into my cheeks.

Thank God she couldn’t see me right now.

“What’s wrong with your father?” I asked casually.

“Nothing is wrong with him,” she said quickly. “That’s the problem.”

I frowned slightly.

“What does that mean?”

Amelia groaned dramatically into the phone.

“Bella, my father is a walking problem for women. The man doesn’t even try and women still throw themselves at him.”

I swallowed hard.

Tell me about it.

“He’s handsome,” I admitted carefully.

“Handsome?” Amelia laughed loudly. “Bella, that man has destroyed marriages without even trying.”

I burst out laughing.

The tension in my chest eased slightly.

God, I really needed this conversation.

“I’m sorry though,” Amelia said softly after a moment. “I know you wanted to be alone for a while.”

“It’s okay,” I replied honestly.

And surprisingly…

It was.

Because despite the confusion Sebastian caused me, this place already felt peaceful.

Dangerously peaceful.

Still…

I couldn’t stay.

Not after tonight.

“I’ll probably leave tomorrow morning,” I said quietly.

“What?” Amelia sounded shocked. “Why?”

“Because this is your father’s house.”

“So?”

“So it’s awkward.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” she argued immediately. “Dad won’t care if you stay there.”

I looked toward the bedroom window where rain heavily hit the glass.

If only she knew.

If only she knew her father had kissed me downstairs like he wanted to devour me.

My stomach tightened instantly at the memory.

No.

I definitely needed to leave.

“It’s better this way,” I said softly.

Amelia sighed dramatically. “Fine. But I still think you should stay.”

We continued talking for almost another hour.

Mostly about Stephen.

Or more specifically, how much Amelia hated him now.

“I swear if I ever see that idiot—”

“You’ll kill him?” I finished with a laugh.

“Exactly.”

I smiled softly.

God, I loved her.

Then suddenly Amelia gasped loudly.

“Oh my God.”

“What?”

“You need rebound sex.”

I nearly choked.

“Amelia!”

“I’m serious,” she continued excitedly. “You need some insanely handsome guy to fuck Stephen completely out of your system.”

Heat flooded my cheeks instantly.

And unfortunately…

One very specific handsome man immediately appeared in my mind.

Sebastian Blackwood.

The image of his wet body.

His dark eyes.

The way he kissed me.

My entire body heated embarrassingly fast.

“Bella?” Amelia asked suspiciously. “Why are you suddenly quiet?”

“Nothing!”

She laughed loudly. “You already have someone in mind, don’t you?”

If only she knew.

“No,” I lied quickly. “I’m just tired.”

“Mhm,” she hummed teasingly. “Well whoever he is, I hope he’s hot.”

You have no idea.

We both laughed again before finally saying goodnight.

The moment the call ended, silence filled the room again.

Except for the storm outside.

The rain had become heavier now.

Thunder rumbled loudly across the sky while lightning flashed through the windows.

I immediately stiffened.

I hated thunderstorms.

Ever since I was little, lightning terrified me.

Usually during storms, I liked sleeping beside someone.

Someone comforting.

Someone warm.

But tonight?

That absolutely could not happen.

Because downstairs was Sebastian.

And after that kiss…

I already knew what would happen if I knocked on his bedroom door.

My body betrayed me just thinking about it.

I buried my face into the pillow angrily.

“This is ridiculous.”

The storm continued all night.

Thunder cracked loudly every few minutes, making me jump each time.

Sleep became impossible.

So instead, I stayed awake staring at the ceiling while my thoughts tortured me endlessly.

About Stephen.

About betrayal.

About Sebastian.

Especially Sebastian.

Every time I closed my eyes, I remembered his lips on mine.

The hunger in his touch.

The dangerous look in his eyes.

God.

By morning, I had completely made up my mind.

I needed to leave before things became even more complicated.

The sky outside was still gray when I quietly got out of bed.

The house remained completely silent.

Good.

Maybe Sebastian was still asleep.

I quickly showered, changed clothes, and packed my suitcase carefully.

My plan was simple.

Leave quietly.

No awkward conversation.

No temptation.

No more dangerous kisses.

Once my bags were ready, I quietly carried them downstairs.

The mansion remained silent except for the soft sound of waves outside.

Perfect.

I grabbed my car keys and headed toward the front door quietly.

Almost free.

My hand had barely touched the door handle when a deep voice suddenly spoke behind me.

“Going somewhere, Isabella… without telling me?”

My entire body froze instantly.

Slowly…

I turned around.

And there he was.

Sebastian Blackwood stood at the bottom of the staircase staring directly at me.

Looking dangerously awake.

And insanely handsome.