Page 42 of The Game Changer
“I’m not ashamed of my condition at all. And it’s not that I thought for one second that you would be that way. Especially not after meeting Charlie. It’s just become second nature to me not to share that part of my story. If it comes up somehow, or someone finds out, I try to downplay it and just move on. That’s why there’s nothing online about me having ABS, or my involvement designing GaitSync. The sale was private because I didn’t want to draw any attention away from the good the product could do. But I know that wasn’t fair to you. I’ve wanted to tell you for a while now, I just could never find the right way, or the right time. And then when things…changed between us…” I trail off, suddenly feeling warm and exposed.
I meant it when I said I trust Isla not to think of me any differently because of my leg. But the old wounds that still fester beneath the surface from people in my past whohavejudged me before are hard to ignore.
“Let’s just say, I haven’t always received the bestreactions from women when they discover my difference.”
Isla sighs. “Let’s sit down.”
Together, we move to the small couch pressed against a wall. I sit in one corner, giving her space to sit wherever she wants. When she chooses to sit close to me, I mentally breathe a sigh of relief.
Toying with her hands in her lap, Isla says, “Things were already complicated between us, Luca. I understand not wanting to let me in any further. Letting me know something that not many other people know would be a level of connection that could turn against you. I get it. But I would never think of you as any different, or any less wonderful just because of a limb difference.”
“I know you wouldn’t,” I say quickly, covering her hand in mine. “I know. I should have opened up to you a lot sooner.”
She turns her hand over, lacing our fingers together, a smile playing at her lips as she looks down at our connection.
“You know, it’s hard for me to let people in as well. Hard to trust that they won’t hurt me or leave me.” She lifts her gaze to meet mine. “Charlie’s bio dad is the only guy I’ve been with, and the second he found out I was pregnant at seventeen, he bailed. A baby wasn’t a part of his plan to become a professional football player.”
She lets out a pained laugh. “And of course, it didn’t matter that it takes two people to make a baby, he was the high school quarterback and I was the slut who got pregnant.”
My blood boils hearing her call herself that.
“Isla,” I start to say, but she squeezes my hand and nods.
“I know. It’s not who I am. I’m Charlie’s mom and I don’t regret it.” She lifts a hand and cups my cheek. “I just want you to know why I can understand being nervous to let someone in. To show your vulnerable parts to someone else. But” —she pauses, and I watch her take a deep breath in— “I want to be vulnerable with you. Hearing your speech, seeing this side of you, it makes me want to know more. I can’t deny my attraction to you, Luca. Even if it’s complicated. Even if it’s scary.”
I stare at her, my heart thudding in my chest. I can tell she’s only given me part of her story. A rough sketch of how difficult it must have been for her. But the fact that she’s letting me in, sharing so much of herself? It floors me.
“How can you be so amazing?” I’m not sure I meant to say that out loud, but when Isla blushes, and ducks her head down, I can’t hold back from grasping her chin and tipping it back up so she’s looking at me.
“I mean it. Thank you for trusting me with your story. I know now how hard it must be to let me in. I take that honour very seriously, Isla.”
Moving slowly, I lean in and kiss her forehead lightly. When I draw back, I see her mouth slightly parted, her eyes wide, the green of her irises almost swallowed by the black of her pupils.
“I don’t want to push you into anything you’re not ready for. But I have to be honest with you. Being with you might be complicated, but not being with you iseven worse. Now that I know what your lips feel like against mine, I’m finding it almost impossible to ignore the craving to feel you again.”
“Luca.” My name is a breathy plea falling from her lips, and it’s the spark that reignites the embers that have been smouldering ever since I first kissed her at the gala.
She moves first, kissing me tentatively at first, then deeper, and everything in my world rights itself in an instant. Then, in one shocking move, Isla stands, pivots, and resettles herself straddling my lap, her pelvis pressed into mine. Her arms are around my neck, her fingers teasing my hair as we take the kiss deeper. She’s the first rain after a drought. The first rays of sunshine bringing light to the day.
She’s everything I’ve ever wanted and everything I never let myself dream of.
I tug her lip in between my teeth and she whimpers as I feel her body sag into mine even farther. Tightening my grip on her, I force myself to pull my mouth back.
“Isla. Are you sure about this?”
Her eyes are glazed with desire, and I watch her slowly blink as she registers my question.
“Are you?” She throws the question back at me.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I want this. I want you. There’s no question of that. But the reasons we put the brakes on are still there. I need to know you won’t regret this later, because I don’t think I could survive it if I hurt you.”
My voice is gravely with unspoken emotion. How hasthis woman come to mean so much to me in such a short amount of time?
She rakes her fingers through my hair again, a small smile cresting her lips. “I want this, want you, as well. And I trust you not to hurt me, Luca.” Her tongue darts out to swipe her lower lip. “I’m nervous. I don’t know how us being together will work, but I don’t think I can resist you for much longer.”
Oh fuck.
I stand up, needing to move to somewhere more comfortable. Somewhere it’ll be easier to explore and feel each other. Isla’s legs wrap around my waist, but not for long as I take a few steps to the bed and lower her down onto the soft surface.
