CH 9

Two days without seeing her felt like punishment. Business pulled me to other offices, meetings stacked like bricks, but every quiet moment my mind went straight back to Isabella...her soft smile, the way her thighs trembled when my tongue found her clit, the perfect arch of her back when she came on my fingers. I needed her under me again. Needed her begging. Needed her to remember who she belonged to.

 

This morning I dressed without enthusiasm-charcoal suit, no tie, sleeves rolled to show the ink curling around my forearms. Dissatisfied. Restless. I slid into the back of the Bentley and waited. Nathan appeared seconds later, expression neutral, keys in hand. Good. Today he was driving. Today we were alone.

 

"Good morning, Sir. The Fadex meeting is canceled. Their CEO was in an accident. Still alive." he added.

 

I smiled. Not because I wished the man harm, but because the sudden free hours felt like a gift. No obligations. Just time. Time I intended to spend with her.

 

From the rearview, I locked eyes with him. Watched for any twitch. Any sign he knew why my mood had shifted.

 

"What else is on the schedule?" he asked, scanning the iPad.

 

"Friday. Luci's out of school early-you could spend time with him. Miss Cortez booked a three-month slot to see you. Spa is tomorrow, I can move it to today if-"

 

"Take me to Harmony Wellness Clinic."

 

He didn't question it. Just nodded and pulled into traffic.

 

The ride was silent at first. I leaned back, arms crossed, studying the back of his head. Then I spoke.

 

"That girl. Isabella."

 

His shoulders stiffened. Barely noticeable, but I noticed.

 

"You know her?"

 

Silence stretched three heartbeats too long.

 

"I was assigned to pick her up from the airport when she arrived," he said finally. Voice steady. Too steady.

 

I let the quiet sit heavier.

 

"You know her better than that."

 

Another pause. He took a turn, eyes flicking to the mirror.

 

"We... went to college together in Berlin. Dated for a while."

 

My jaw tightened. Dated. Past tense. But the way he'd groped her ass in the hallway said otherwise.

 

"She's works for me now," I said quietly. "You touch her again-any part of her-and I'll make sure you never work in this city again. Clear?"

 

He swallowed. "Yes, Sir."

 

We pulled into the Harmony parking garage. He killed the engine, rushed around to open my door, briefcase and suit jacket already in hand. In the elevator he stood a step behind me, eyes forward. I could feel his tension like heat off asphalt.

 

"You still want her," I said. Not a question.

 

He didn't answer. Didn't need to.

 

When the doors opened on my private floor, I stepped out without another word.

 

I settled behind my desk, pulled up the internal line, and hit her extension.

 

"Come to my office."

 

Less than five minutes later she knocked.

 

The door opened and there she was-yellow knee-length dress hugging every soft curve, hem flirting with mid-thigh, neckline low enough to show the gentle swell of her cleavage. Sleeveless. Bare arms. Bare knees. Bare collarbones I wanted to mark with my teeth. She looked tired, hair slightly messy, nails bitten down, but fuck-she was beautiful. My cock thickened instantly.

 

Goodness, she likes yellow.

 

"You called, Sir?"

 

I gestured to the chair. She sat. Crossed her legs. The dress rode up an inch. I stared.

 

"You're welcome," she added softly, offering that small, shy smile that always undid me.

 

I drank her in. The dress had been washed too many times-fabric thinning, color faded. Her hair needed deep conditioning, ends split. She looked like she was still trying to survive on whatever scraps life had thrown her.

 

Not anymore.

 

I stood. Walked to the door. Looked back.

 

"Come with me."

 

She followed without question. Perfect.

 

Down to the garage. Into the Bentley. Nathan was already behind the wheel. The second Isabella saw him her entire body locked up-eyes wide, hands fisting the hem of her dress.

 

"Leave us," I told him.

 

He got out. Fast.

 

I moved to the driver's seat. Waited until she slid into the passenger side. She fumbled with the seat belt. Hands shaking. I leaned across her, chest brushing her breasts, and clicked it into place myself. My face hovered inches from her cleavage-soft mounds rising and falling with her quick breaths. Her nipples pebbled under the thin fabric. My cock jerked hard against my zipper.

 

"Sir... your face is..." she whispered, voice trembling.

 

I pulled back slowly. Forced my gaze to the road. Started the engine.

 

"You're getting a full makeover today. Hair. Clothes. Everything."

 

She shook her head. "No. I already owe you too much-the ticket, visa, rent, cash, food... now this? You're trying to trap me. Make it so I can never pay you back."

 

I kept my eyes forward.

 

"It's my money. You're my responsibility. I'm not asking for repayment. You're my woman."

 

Silence.

 

"My... woman?" Her voice cracked on the word.

 

I gripped the wheel tighter. "Your father gave you to me to look after. You're a woman. My woman. I take care of what's mine." I tired to sound convinced.

 

She sucked her lower lip between her teeth. The sight sent heat straight to my groin.

 

"Or do you prefer I call you my girl?" I added, softer. "Your father would skin me alive if I let you go without anything you need."

 

She didn't look convinced. But she nodded once. A small, hesitant smile curved her mouth. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

 

My gaze dropped to her thighs-smooth, bare, glowing in the sunlight slanting through the windshield. Fuck. I wanted them wrapped around my waist while I buried myself inside her.

 

"You're a good girl," I murmured. "I want to give you everything."

 

Her smile widened. Real this time.

 

I leaned over the console. Pressed a slow, deliberate kiss to her chin. Then another. And another. She stayed perfectly still, letting me. Breathing faster. When she finally turned her head, our mouths met-soft at first, then deeper. Hungrier. Her tongue touched mine tentatively. I groaned into her mouth, hand sliding to the back of her neck, holding her exactly where I wanted her.

 

She moaned. Low. Needy. The sound vibrated straight to my cock.

 

Her fingers found the buckle of her seat belt. Click. It released.

 

Horns blared. Tires screeched.

 

I slammed on the brakes-stopping inches from the back of a delivery truck that was behind. I had been inches out the garage and the road. Good thing I wasn't really driving.

 

We both exhaled hard. Chest heaving.

 

"I knew you were going to be the death of me," I chuckled, voice rough.

 

She laughed-shaky, breathless-and leaned her forehead against mine.