*Isabella's POV*
Please. This house is too big when I'm alone." He pleaded "But I have my own place," I said. Total bullshit. By next week, I'd be homeless—thanks to Cole asking for privacy… which is just the polite way of saying get the hell out. "Please. I'll do anything," Jacob added, leaning forward, his voice low and insistent. "Anything?" I asked, my greedy little mind instantly running through all the perks this could come with. I'd wanted him for so damn long, and if I said yes… maybe I'd finally get what I wanted.
My eyes betrayed me, flicking down to his perfectly chiseled chest. Oh. My. God. I bit my lip before I could stop myself. "Isabella, you have a weird way of enjoying eggs," he said suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Told you they were good." "Yeah… they're good," I replied quickly, praying he hadn't caught me blatantly ogling him.
"Okay, I'll stay," I finally said. "Just let me go home and grab some things." "I'll come with you," he said instantly. "Oh, that won't be necessary," I tried. "Please. I've got nothing else to do anyway," he insisted, his tone tipping dangerously close to begging.
Fuck. He had me cornered. There was no graceful way out of this, so I gave a reluctant nod. We finished breakfast in a quiet sort of truce, but my mind wouldn't stop racing, not about eggs, but about the fact that I was about to share a roof with Jacob-. The moment I slid into his car, those damn fuzzy feelings hit me again—warm, tingly, and all-consuming. It was ridiculous how easily he could make me melt. The way his lips curved into that effortlessly charming smile, the way he'd turn his head just slightly toward me while driving, one hand on the wheel, the other tapping against his thigh to whatever song was playing.
Every playful glance he threw my way made me feel like I was the only person in his world that mattered. I couldn't lie, though—part of me still missed Damien. He had been my constant, the dependable presence in my life. With him, I always knew where I stood.
But Jacob? Jacob was a whirlwind. His energy, his teasing, his unpredictability… it was intoxicating. Being around him felt like stepping onto a roller coaster I never wanted to get off. And I knew, even as I stared at the sharp line of his jaw and the mischievous glint in his eyes, that I was already addicted. Addicted to this feeling. Addicted to his presence. Addicted to him.
I stepped into the apartment, calling out casually, "Hi, Cole—" But the words died in my throat. He was standing in the middle of the living room, shirtless, with his arms wrapped firmly around a half-naked woman. Her long hair tumbled over her bare shoulders as she turned to look at me, her face a perfect mask of guilt. "Oh… shit."
She immediately stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest like that would somehow erase what I'd just walked in on. "Hi, Isabella," she said, her voice tight and nervous. "Hi, Laura." My own tone matched hers in awkwardness. My brain was already connecting the dots, and suddenly everything made sense. So this is why Cole's been so desperate for me to move out. This is why he's been all secretive about his love life.
Laura wasn't just some random hookup. Laura was his boss. I opened my mouth to say something, but Cole's sharp voice cut through the tension like a whip. "Haven't you ever heard of knocking?" "I have a key," I shot back automatically, narrowing my eyes at him. Then, as the realisation fully settled in, I couldn't help adding, "Wow. I can see why you two wanted this to be a secret."
Cole let out a heavy sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Please, Isabella, you can't tell anyone. This has to stay low key. It's… very inappropriate considering she's my boss. She signs all my appraisals and approves my bonuses." "I promise I won't tell a soul," I said, holding up my hands.
"Damn right you won't—if you want to live," he replied, trying for intimidation but landing somewhere between serious and ridiculous. "Oh, you're so dangerous," I deadpanned, letting out a laugh. "I just came to pick up some clothes anyway," I continued, moving toward my room. "I'll be gone for the weekend." "Just for the weekend? Isabella, I told you to find another place. I really do need some privacy."
His tone was less sharp now, more concerned. But still...it stung.
"Hey, man. How's it going?" The voice came from behind me—smooth, confident, and annoyingly familiar. My stomach gave a little twist. Jacob.
I turned just in time to see Cole's eyebrows shoot up. "Mr. Lancaster," he said, straightening slightly, clearly not expecting him to walk through the door.
I crossed my arms, my irritation bubbling. "I thought I told you to wait in the car," I said flatly turning to face him
"The car's boring," Jacob replied with a shrug, that damn smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Whatever," I muttered, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of a real reaction. "I'm going to get my shit from the bathroom." I turned and left them there—two very different kinds of trouble standing face-to-face in the living room.
_________________________________________________________________________________
"So… Isabella's living with you," Jacob said once she was out of earshot, his tone light but his eyes sharp, watching Cole's every reaction. "Not for long, sir," Cole replied stiffly. "She's currently searching for her own place."
Jacob leaned back slightly, hands in his pockets, as though that tidbit of information was a piece in some private puzzle only he could see. "Interesting…" he murmured, drawing the word out. The faint curl of his lips suggested the wheels in his head were already turning, a plan forming before Cole even realised he'd given anything away.