Page 50 of Beneath the Surface

Isobel sighed deeply as she snuggled closer to him, her head resting against his chest. “Brad,” she breathed out his name softly, the single word barely audible. She closed her eyes.

Brad smiled, his hand continuing its soothing strokes down her back as her breathing began to slow. “You okay?”

“Mmm,” she murmured, half asleep, “better than okay. You make everything feel right.”

He kissed the top of her head, holding her tighter, savoring the closeness. “I’ve got you,” he whispered. “I’m not letting you go.”

She drifted off in his arms, her body relaxing completely, her trust in him implicit and total. Brad stayed awake a little longer, resetting his alarm to give them more time together. He watched her sleep, feeling their connection deepen, knowing he was hers, and she was his.

And he wouldn’t let anything take her from him. Not now. Not ever.

Brad stirred from a deep,peaceful sleep, his body still warm from his morning with his Belle. The memories of their lovemaking flooded back—her soft gasps, the way her body responded to his touch, and the trust that had deepened between them with every kiss, every whisper. He turned in bed to look at her. She was still asleep, her face serene, framed by the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. He smiled.

For the first time in a long time, Brad felt complete. The connection they’d shared was more than just physical; it was emotional, raw, and real. He was able to show her a piece of himself, and she accepted it. She trusted him, surrendered to him in a way he never thought possible. His heart swelled with the thought that this was just the beginning for them.

His reset alarm went off, breaking the quiet, but Brad silenced it before it disturbed Isobel. He slipped out of bed, his body still humming, and grabbed his phone from the nightstand. As he checked the time, he noticed a missed message from Jeffrey Brewster.

He rubbed his eyes and dialed his number. “Brewster, any news?” he kept his voice low as he walked out of the bedroom naked.

“Morning, Brad,” Brewster’s energetic voice came through the line. “We found the Viper Lords gang banger, Jace Rodriguez. Our people are bringing him in for questioning now.”

Brad’s brow rose. “You’ve had your coffee this morning,” he muttered, still waking up. Running a hand through his hair, headded, “I want to question him myself. Let me know when he’s in custody.”

After hanging up, Brad padded into the bathroom, the warmth of the heated tiles beneath his feet grounding him in the present. His mind wandered back to Isobel as he stepped into the shower. The hot water cascaded over his skin, doing little to quell the arousal building inside him. He replayed the morning in his head—the way she dropped to her knees, the way she trusted him with her body. He had never felt this connected to anyone before. It was as if everything had finally fallen into place. He turned the shower cold.

With a deep breath, Brad rinsed off and stepped out of the shower, feeling more centered and focused than ever. He dried himself quickly, thinking ahead to the task of unraveling the mystery behind the attacks.

As he dressed in his uniform and prepared for the day, Brad glanced back at the bedroom where Isobel still slept peacefully. He couldn’t wait to see her again, to hold her, to remind her that he would always be there.

He sat beside her and gently traced a finger along her jawline, memorizing every detail of her face. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open, and when she saw him watching her, a slow smile spread across her lips. “Hi, handsome,” she greeted him, her voice soft. She bit her lip before adding, “So… should I call you Master or Sir?”

He chuckled, his chest warming at her playful tone. “Neither unless we are playing,” he replied, pulling her close. “If we’re at the club, Master will do.” He leaned down, capturing her lips in a tender but deep kiss. “How are you feeling? I didn’t hurt you?”

Isobel sighed contentedly. “I feel… amazing. This morning was perfect.”

Brad smiled, his heart swelling. “You are perfect,” he murmured, but then his expression grew serious. “Belle, I don’twant you to feel pressured about the learning curve. We’ll work through things slowly. This is new for you, and that’s okay.”

“Did I make a mistake when I knelt? I mean, I read about it in a book, but if I did it wrong?” she asked, filled with doubt.

“You did nothing wrong. I promise, if you do, you won’t be surprised.”

She looked up at him, her hand cupping his face. “Brad, I trust you. I know this will take time, but I want this. I wantyou. I’ve wanted you for so long, and now that we’ve crossed that line, I don’t want to go back.”

He kissed her forehead. “I’m glad, sweetheart, because I’m not in this for just the moment. I’m in it for the long haul. I wouldn’t have made love to you if I wasn’t.”

Her eyes sparkled with emotion, and she nodded. “I’m in this for the long haul too.”

Brad sighed in relief, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “Good,” he whispered, pulling her even closer. “I was thinking... I don’t want there to be any issues with your sisters. I know they love you, and I hope they’re okay with us.”

“They love you too, Brad,” Isobel reassured him. “They won’t have a problem. I promise.”

He chuckled softly, kissing the tip of her nose. “I hope you’re right.”

They rested in comfortable silence for a few more moments, savoring the intimacy that had blossomed between them. But Brad’s protective instincts wouldn’t let himself relax completely. There was still too much at stake, and he knew he needed to ensure her safety.

“You should get up,” he said. “I need to get to work, but I want to make sure you have everything you need first.”

Isobel shifted slightly in Brad’s arms, her eyes drifting toward the bathroom, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face. She bit her lip, her vulnerability showing as she whispered,“Brad… I don’t think I can get in the shower alone. After what happened… I’m scared.”

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