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Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Olivia Hayle
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January 27 - February 1, 2024
It’s hard not to imagine those hands… No. I can handle this attraction. So what if he’s tall, broad-shouldered, and handsome? It doesn’t matter that his age makes him distinguished or that his stern calm radiates something I’ve been craving for longer than I can admit. I’ve danced until my feet bled. This kind of discomfort should be nothing at all.
A ghost of amusement flickers in his eyes. “Right. I shouldn’t underestimate you.” “You can, if you’d like,” I say. “Just know that you’ll be proven wrong.” “Consider me warned,” he says.
“So? I don’t care if he’s the Pope’s own brother. He can still be sleazy.”
Not dancing anymore might be good for my hip, but being around this man on a daily basis will be terrible for my health.
Alec has joined us, his shoulders blocking out the light from the chandelier, and his eyes move from me to Evan. He gives Evan a brief nod before returning his attention to me. Holding out his large hand, he says, “Dance with me.”
OH HES JEALOUSSSS
“Oh, Isabel,” he says. “You’re my saving grace.”
He deepens the kiss and brushes my lower lip with his tongue. I’ve never been kissed like this. It’s all-consuming, all-encompassing, pervasive like he would rather die than stop kissing me.
“Isabel,” he mutters. His voice is low and hoarse. “Tell me to stop.”
No thanks. Keep going.
“I care more than I should.” The words feel like a caress. “What are you going to do about it?” I whisper.
He kisses me and then mutters against my lips. “Thank God.”
My fav
“You’re perfect,”
“I’ve wanted you for much longer than I should’ve, and the things I’ve imagined… Isa, I need to have you. I think I might die if I don’t. But I won’t until you can tell me the same thing without blushing.”
I might DIE IF I CANT HAVE YOU DEAR LORD
I never anticipated that she’d ruin me too.
That he’s coming undone, and it’s all because of me.
“Go conquer the world.” “Already conquered,” he says.
Slay
“I was talking about you.”
“I can’t even think about anyone else. There’s only you. There’s only been you for a long time. Even before you became my nanny.”
If you want me… make me yours.”
🙌🏼 SAY IT LOUDER ISABEL
His lips brush mine. “It’s not just sex,” he says. “And so help me, I don’t want it to be. I do want to make you mine.”
“But I’ve also never felt like this before, and that’s why I can’t walk away. God help me, I want us. But wanting doesn’t mean I’m going to be perfect at this. At us. And I can’t bear it if I’m less than what you deserve.”
Because stopping this…” He kisses me, his lips brushing over mine in the faintest of touches. “It would kill me. You’ve become my happiness, Isabel.”
You’ve become my happiness??!! 😭💕
I run a hand through my hair. “I’m not so sure about that. You feel like a part of me, one I never knew I needed. An infinitely better part, and I can’t lose you. The idea of never hearing you laugh again or seeing you smile or feeling…” I shake my head, trying and failing to clear it. The anger is still palpable. “I can’t handle it.”
“No. I want you to take your prejudices, your emotional immaturity, and whatever else sparked your reaction to my relationship with Isabel and shove it up your fucking ass,” I say. “I’m not a neglectful father or an incompetent CEO because I may fall in love and marry again. And I wasn’t a bad husband to Victoria because I’m choosing to move on.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼PERIOD👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
We all hurt in life. That’s inevitable, but we do get to choose. That’s what I did for years. I chose the pain and soreness, all so I could experience the joy of that life, too. And maybe I’m willing to do the same thing with you. Maybe I’m willing to accept the risk of getting hurt… but I don’t think you are.”
‘I think this guy is pretty hot. He’s your brother.’”
“I could watch you forever,”
When he watches her dance and she thinks no one is watching goodbye I’m DECEASED
“You are the most beautiful, unexpected, kindest woman I’ve ever met, and I’m so glad you danced into my life. If you’re going to ruin me, then, Isa, I’ll let you. There’s no one else I want to hurt for.”
🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹
“Maybe we are an accident, or a cosmic mistake. Unplanned and unexpected. But it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“I want to give you everything.” “I don’t need everything. I just need you.”
You make me feel alive.”
But why should that stop either of you? I’m too unfunny to be a stand-up, Isabel’s too injured to perform, and bumblebees are too heavy to fly, and all that. But here we are anyway, doing all of it. Now come on, let’s go upstairs.”
Maybe love is hard. Maybe it’s destined to chafe, to hurt, to break. Maybe love comes with risks… but that shouldn’t stop any of us. And I won’t let it stop me any longer.
SOBBING
