Seduction In Ink

Chapter 18

Whispers in the Rain

Isabela sat by the window, her fingers dancing across the keyboard as raindrops tapped against the glass. The steady rhythm of the rain was soothing, yet her mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts, all circling back to Tyler.

Outside, Tyler leaned against a wooden railing, savoring a drink with Nana's husband. He inhaled deeply, letting the humid air wrap around him like a familiar blanket. The peaceful atmosphere did little to quell the ache in his heart for Batangas, a place where memories lingered like shadows.

A voice broke Isabela's reverie. "I thought you were asleep." She turned to see Nana standing in the doorway, a warm smile lighting up her face. Nana closed the door softly behind her and approached with a playful glint in her eye.

"Feeling a bit peckish? This weather calls for a hot bowl of macaroni soup," she suggested, her tone inviting.

Isabela's face brightened. "Macaroni soup, particularly spicy and peppered, is my favorite. It's one of my best."

Nana chuckled, a sound like tinkling chimes. "Your taste in food is just like Tyler's. He has a knack for spicy dishes, too."

Isabela's cheeks flushed at the mention of Tyler. Nana, noticing her reaction, wisely chose not to probe further. Instead, she leaned in, her voice lowered conspiratorially. "Did you know Tyler is afraid of spiders?"

Isabela's eyes widened. "Tyler is afraid of spiders?" The revelation amused her, reminding her of a character from one of her books—a fearsome mob boss with an irrational phobia.

Nana sighed, her expression turning serious. "Since their parents' passing, Tyler has shown a profound emotional sensitivity, unlike Ezekiel..."

Isabela nodded, reflecting on the brothers. "Yes, I've noticed their differences."

"Tyler was very close to their mother, while Ezekiel had a special bond with their father. After their parents' deaths, Ezekiel felt abandoned despite Tyler's presence. Tyler immersed himself in their father's business, dealing with shareholders and board members with unwavering precision. He focused on the details, adopting a pragmatic approach, as if burying himself in work would shield him from the pain."

Isabela listened intently, her heart aching for Tyler. "But why did he take on so much responsibility?" she asked, trying to piece together their family's puzzle.

Nana's voice softened, filled with empathy. "Tyler felt Ezekiel needed to show himself early. He believed a new start would help Ezekiel improve, albeit it would appear cruel. He was trying to help his brother while wrestling with his grief. But it pushed them apart instead of bringing them together."

Isabela absorbed the explanation thoughtfully, a knot forming in her stomach. "That must have been incredibly lonely for him."

Nana nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It was. Tyler worked hard but disconnected others. He feared surrendering his heart and losing someone. It was as if he believed that love would leave him alone in the end, just like it did after their parents died."

The weight of Nana's words hung in the air, and Isabela felt an overwhelming wave of sympathy for Tyler. She could see now why he seemed aloof, afraid to commit. She saw Tyler was more than a remote figure—he struggled with his past and loved fearfully.

A comfortable silence enveloped them, punctuated only by the gentle patter of rain. Soon after, Tyler walked into the room with a smile.

"Nana, I see Juan managed to get you tipsy again," he teased, glancing at Isabela.

Tyler wrapped his arms around Nana, and Isabela marveled at their affectionate bond. It reminded her of the moments shared with her grandmother, those precious times filled with laughter and warmth.

"Seems like I need to talk to Juan about your fondness for lambanog," Nana said, shaking her head, her eyes twinkling. "He knows it's too much for you."

Tyler laughed, brushing it off. "Relax, Nana—I'm not drunk, just a little dizzy."

Nana helped Tyler settle onto the bed but chose not to join him. Instead, he reached for Isabela's hand, drawing her close. His kiss was passionate, catching her off guard with its intensity.

"Oh my, Tyler," Nana said, amused. "I think he forgot I was here."

Looking at Isabela, Nana exited the room, locking the door behind her. The atmosphere shifted as Tyler's kiss deepened, his hands holding Isabela's firmly above her head. Their mouths moved together with an urgent rhythm, bodies pressed closely.

Isabela's heart raced with longing and frustration, her eyes pleading with Tyler, who sat just inches away, the space between them charged with unspoken desires. She gave him everything—her faith and innocence—but he still wasn't sure.

"Tyler, please," she whispered, desperation tinging her voice. "I want this. I want you."

He looked at her, his eyes darkened by an intensity that made her pulse quicken, but instead of moving closer, he pulled back slightly. "Isabela, I'm taking advantage of you. Why don't you stop me?" His voice was low, thick with longing, each word a struggle against his desires.

"No," she replied, her voice trembling with affection. "You promised to teach me about intimacy. I want to experience it with you and learn."

Tyler smiled slyly, putting butterflies in her stomach. "Isabela, you're unlike anyone else," he said, his tone teasing yet earnest.

But then, he released her hands, leaning back against the headboard, his gaze fixed on the ceiling, a frown pulling at the corners of his mouth. The kiss they shared lingered in the air, bittersweet and suffocating.

"Why did you stop?" she asked softly, her heart racing as the silence stretched between them.

"I had to," he replied, his voice thick with emotion. "The weight of it all was overwhelming. I feared losing control."

"Take me, Tyler," Isabela implored, desperation creeping into her tone, her heart aching for him to close the distance.

His eyes sparkled with want, a storm of emotions. "You're torturing me, Isabela."

"Torturing you?" Her voice quivered, uncertainty weaving through her words. "Tyler, it feels like you're torturing yourself."

He gritted his teeth, resisting the temptation to claim her. Every part of him ached to possess her, to mark her as his own, but an undercurrent of fear held him back. What if she left him? The thought twisted in his gut, a fear he couldn't shake. He couldn't imagine being alone, losing her, and facing a world without her brightness.

The room seemed inhumane, but the rain outside calmed him. Isabela's presence was intoxicating, but the threat of her slipping away was a dark shadow looming over them.

"Why do you have to be so perfect?" he muttered, frustration simmering beneath the surface.

In a sudden rush, Isabela fled the bed, her breath catching in her throat as she held her breath for Tyler's next move. The tension between them felt like an endless dance, swirling with unfulfilled longing and fear, leaving her heart aching for a resolution that remained just out of reach.