*Isabella's POV*
"Are we there yet?" I asked, slumping against the leather seats of the car. The sun was setting, painting the sky in fiery strokes of orange and purple, but all I could feel was a bone-deep exhaustion. This whole weekend had been a fucking emotional rollercoaster, and the thought of facing a crowd of Jacob's perfect, polished friends was making my stomach clench.
"God, you're so annoying," Elly said, rolling her eyes, but a playful smile tugged at her lips. "Are you missing someone? Is that why you're so grumpy?"
"I'm just tired from all this travel," I retorted, my voice flat. "And you're not helping."
"Well, we're almost there," she said, her gaze fixed on the sprawling mansions flying past us. "I'm gonna drop you off at the venue and then take your stuff home for the night."
"Home?" I asked, sitting up a little straighter. "I thought you were coming to the party."
"Nah, I'm gonna freshen up and then come back later to bring a hunk with me," she said with a wink.
My brain was still trying to catch up. "Oh"
"My husband, idiot" she said, winking at me.
"Anyway, You'll be alright without me for a while right, don't worry about the party. It's just a casual beach thing" she added flatly.
"Yeah I hope " I replied feeling nervous.
The party didn't look like a casual thing at all. I mean, yeah, the location was right on the beach, and that was the only casual thing about it, but the setting was so luxurious. The people were so fucking stuck up, dripping in designer labels and wearing sunglasses even though the sun was setting. I could feel my legs trembling a little as I navigated through the crowd, a sea of unfamiliar faces and forced laughter, trying to find Jacob.
And fuck, there he was.
He was in the middle of it all, rocking the most casual outfit I've ever seen him wearing. A sleeveless white shirt that made me stop and stare at his ripped, inked arms, fuck. And some simple, blue shorts that hung just right on his hips. It was his birthday, and he was surrounded by all these fancy, stuffy people everywhere, yet he'd decided to exchange the usual expensive, tailored suits for this simple outfit. He was so down to earth, so unbothered by all the fakeness around him, and so fucking hot I was surprised I didn't just jump on him right then and there.
I walked up behind him, my heart doing a nervous little pitter-patter against my ribs. I tapped him on the shoulder. "Jacob?"
He turned, and his face, already lit up with laughter, broke into a wider, more brilliant smile when he saw me. "Isabella!" he exclaimed, his voice full of a genuine, unadulterated delight that made something inside me melt. Before I could even say a word, he set his drink down and pulled me into a hug, lifting me off my feet for a second before claiming my lips in a kiss.
It wasn't like Damien's kisses. It wasn't a punishing claim or a slow, seductive burn. It was... Jacob. Slow, gentle and passionate. It was a kiss that said, "I'm so fucking happy to see you."
When we finally pulled apart, he was still grinning like a idiot. "Well, that was something," I said, my voice a little breathy.
"I've missed you to death, doll," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's been torture."
"I've missed you too, you big softie," I admitted, my voice softer than I intended. I missed him, I sure as hell fucking missed him.
"You wanna get outta here?" he asked, his eyes scanning my face, a hopeful, eager look in them.
God, did I ever. "I wish," I said, my own voice dropping to match his. "I can't wait to show you how much I missed you, too." I leaned in, my lips brushing against his ear. "But there's a time for that later. It's your birthday party."
He let out a frustrated groan, his head falling against my shoulder. "Oh, fuck, yeah. And the press is here too."
"Press?" I asked, pulling back to look at him, my good mood instantly souring.
"Publicity, you know. For my club," he explained, his expression grim. "We may have to speak to them later."
"If the press is here, will you stop it?" I asked, a challenge in my voice.
"Stop what?" he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
He pulled me even closer, until there was no space left between us, his other hand sliding down to squeeze my ass, a firm, possessive grip that made my stomach clench. "You're practically groping me, you horny bastard," I said with a giggle, swatting his hand away playfully.
He pulled back, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Oh, sorry, my bad," he said, but his eyes were still dark with desire. "I just really, really missed you." And with that, he pulled me in for another kiss, this one deeper, more demanding, a silent promise of everything he wanted to do to me later.
We were lost in our own little world, a bubble of easy laughter and lingering touches, when a voice, sharp and familiar, cut right through it.
"Hey girl."
My stomach did a little fucking flip-flop. Jo-anne. Of course. I pasted a smile on my face, trying to hide the sudden spike of nerves. Last time I saw her was when I'd accused Jacob of sleeping with her, right before he'd called her and proved me wrong. Awkward didn't even begin to cover it.
"Hey," I said, my voice a little too bright.
Jo-anne's eyes flickered between me and Jacob, a professional assessment that didn't quite hide her curiosity. "Are you guys having fun? Is everything alright?"
"Everything's alright, Jo," Jacob said, his voice a low, relaxed drawl. He leaned back, looking like he didn't have a care in the world. "You can get out of work mode and have some fun. Are you with someone?" he asked, a teasing glint in his eye.
"Just my friend," Jo responded, a little too quickly.
"Then go and dance and have some fun. You can take a break," Jacob said, his tone gentle but firm, like a big brother dismissing his little sister.
"I can't, J. There's an interview and then the cake. You'll screw things up by yourself," she said, making me giggle.
"I am not alone," Jacob said, his arm snaking around my waist. He pulled me flush against his side, his warmth a comforting weight. "I have this beauty here to assist me." He leaned down and planted a soft, deliberate kiss on my cheek. The public display of affection, so casual and yet so possessive, sent a thrill straight through me.
"Fine, I'll catch you later," Jo said, her eyes rolling playfully before she turned and disappeared back into the crowd.
And the second she was gone, the second her back was turned, Jacob's hand was on my chin, turning my face up to his. His eyes were dark, dancing with mischief and something else, something deeper.
He didn't say a word. He just leaned in and claimed my lips. This wasn't a gentle, brotherly peck on the cheek. This was a kiss. A deep, possessive, claiming kiss that tasted of champagne and a silent promise. He was marking his territory, right here in the middle of his own birthday party, for everyone to see. And as his tongue swept against mine, a small, smug part of my brain couldn't help but think, Yeah, that's right. I'm his.