Isabella - Book One

by Thompson, Jamie Brook

I’m basically done entertaining predators. I want this woman all to myself. “Gentlemen, it’s been great, but I think the little lady needs some dinner before she starts on Coronas.” I take the beer from her hand and hand it to Javier.

  He gladly accepts the gesture and holds it up to toast us goodbye.

  I flash him a fake smile.

  Isabella completely cooperates as I wrap my arm around her and inch my fingers toward her stomach again before I move us away from the crowd. She softens against my touch. I like that she’s going back to normal and not being that sensual monster she’s been trained to be.

  I roll my fingers over the fabric near her navel and wonder if a few babies would put up a warning sign to men that she’s taken, or maybe I’ll always be fighting them off. I could get used to that. She’s a girl you never stop hunting.

  A soft patch of chills covers her arms.

  “Are you cold?” I speak into her ear, pulling her against me so I can wrap my other arm around her, resting both of my hands on her stomach. Several naughty thoughts enter my mind. But the one that surprises me is wondering what she’ll feel like when she’s pregnant. Would it be this good? Probably better. Damn it, Reef. Get your mind off the subject. I can’t stop thinking about her having my child.

  “I’m not sure Madame X would approve of this behavior.” She turns her head and a soft mint scent excites me even more.

  “Then we just won’t tell her.” My breath catches in my throat as her lips are only inches away. Just let me kiss you, I need this. I lean my head closer. She doesn’t pull away. Slowly I move in to peck her lips before she has a chance to move.

  She shakes her head.

  I open my eyes to see her frightened face.

  She pulls away.

  “Did you want me to ask first?” I reach for her delicate arm, but end up catching the heavy bracelet covering her thin wrist. “How about we don’t let that ruin the night?”

  She nods and pulls her hand away, covering the front of her body.

  Damn. Don’t play bashful like that. I try to refocus, hoping I don’t totally screw up the evening. “Are you hungry?” I ask, taking her hand and tangling our fingers together so I can move us to a table as far away from the music as I can possibly get.

  She won’t quit staring at our hands.

  I’m wondering if I’m being too forward again.

  “Reef, I’m sorry. It’s just—” She drops the sentence once I hold out my hand to where I have in mind of her sitting.

  “It’s just what?” I ask, nudging her to scoot in the corner. By hell if I’m not sitting next to you. I want her locked in that little place where I can do who knows what if she’ll let me.

  “I haven’t kissed a guy in six years.” She turns her head.

  Ouch. Didn’t see that one coming. Now I feel bad. But not really.

  “What are you talking about?” I laugh because it’s the only thing I can think of.

  She stares out into the sparkling black ocean where a few boats are glowing with nightlife. “That’s why they call me the ice queen. I take my job very seriously. I’ve never let a man get as close to me as I’m allowing you.”

  “And that’s a bad thing?” I wrap my arm around her, squeezing her into me, trying to hold back the desires burning in my stomach. Please, don’t stop making me feel like this.

  “I shouldn’t like it when you touch me, Reef.” Her head lowers. “It started on the flight. And now I’m feeling that way here. It’s wrong.”

  I lift her chin and want to take advantage of pecking her on the lips again, but I don’t. I just stare into her innocent brown eyes that are driving me insane.

  She doesn’t pull away. “I just don’t want to get in trouble at work.”

  “I won’t tell the boss,” I say because it’s easier than telling her that my body is on fire just sitting next to her on this hard, little bench seat. “I’ve paid plenty for this. I think I’m entitled to a few perks.”

  She nods, and quickly lowers her gaze. I take a deep breath of the clean, wet air. What the hell did you just say? Could I be more insulting?

  She quickly focuses on her fingernails.

  “Forget I just said that. I was just being Reef Vanguard talking of out his ass again,” I try to correct myself. “Seriously can we wipe that from the mental slate? Like I said, it’s been a while since I’ve been with a woman. And I really need this feeling I’m having with you.” I can’t imagine telling her I’ve never welcomed a woman in my head the way I’ve allowed her to take up residence.

  “Maybe we should create some new boundaries so you get your money’s worth.” The edge in her voice makes me realize she’s terrified of losing her job, and the wicked part of me is willing to take it.

  “What do you have in mind?” I wave the staff member away who’s coming toward us only because I’m a businessman and I don’t mind playing my cards when the dealer hands me a full house.

  “I’m not really sure. I’ve never had this type of conversation with a date before. I always excuse myself if a man touches me.” She fiddles with her fingers resting against the table.

  “Has anyone ever told you that you’re terrible at negotiating? You give out way too much information.” My body wants to climb on top of her and take full advantage, but I hold back. “Not that I’m complaining.”

  “It’s probably because I’ve always been told what to do. You wouldn’t understand unless you grew up with a Mexican father like mine.” She blinks, and it makes me chuckle just watching her. “I’ve always had to explain myself. The only control I’ve ever had has been working this job.”

  My heart stops at the sound of what she’s saying. I can’t imagine anyone taking advantage of her. “I need to be able to kiss you,” I say and reach up to cup her chin in my hand. “Don’t pull away. Just let me show you what I need.” I notice her chest is rising and falling as my breath touches her face. “I will never hurt you,” I whisper, making my mouth skim across her lips. “Can I kiss you?”

  She nods.

  My heart pounds as I press my lips against her playful pout. Damn. I’ve never felt something so soft. “Isabella, I only want you kissing me like this. I’ll pay extra if you’ll guarantee this part belongs to me.” I kiss her again and lightly suck on her lower lip until a heavy groan escapes my throat because I’m making this so hard on myself. “Okay, that’s as far as I can go on the lips before I’m going to need more. How does that sound?”

  “I’m okay with that.” She playfully nods.

  “And I want to be able to touch you like this.” I slowly slip my hand down the side of her body and rest my fingers over her stomach. A tingling sensation tickles my skin. “Is this okay?” I ask, not bothering to hide the hollow, hungering sound of my voice.

  “I think that should be fine.” She looks down at my fingers toying with the fabric of her dress again completely oblivious of my intentions of what I want to put in there.

  “I’m going to have to touch you like this whenever I want.” A cruel smile tugs at my lips.

  “It can’t be where Madame X will see us.” The soft yet naughty way my mind takes her response is making it hard to breathe.

  “Damn, I need a drink. Do you need a drink?” I tug at the collar of my shirt, and lift my hand to motion for the waiter.

  “I’m good.” She shivers from the cool night air, and then she places my hand back on her stomach as though that part of her body is an open invitation.

  “Are you cold? I can have a staff member grab you a jacket.” I reach up to rub her thin, bare shoulders.

  “Maybe we could get a blanket and go down to the beach and talk.” She gazes at the large crowd that’s partying hard just a few yards away. “Unless you’re worried about your guests.”

  This man ain’t got nothing on the brain but Issi with a flower next to her name. “Yeah, that’d be nice. Just give me a second.”

  I wander to the staff member and give him specific instructions on setting out some
blankets and starting a campfire down by the beach behind the gated area. My phone buzzes and I pull it out of my pocket. A deep scowl permeates my face at the sight of my brother’s name glowing across the screen. Dude, go put your kids to bed. I’m not answering that. I don’t have time for his drama. I turn off the ringer and drop it back into my pocket.

  “Everything go okay?” Isabella asks once I step back to the table.

  “Perfect,” I say and reach down to grab her hand. “I ordered some food and drinks. They’ll bring it down to the beach as soon as it’s ready.”

  “Nice.” She smiles.

  I nudge her shoulder as she stands. “Are you always this easy to please?” I’m curious to know if she’s being real with me.

  “I probably don’t expect much because I’ve worked for everything I have.” She softly falls into that perfect position that’s right smack dab in front of me. Our fingers tangle so the palms of my hands can rest against her stomach.

  “So, tell me what life was like growing up in Mexico?” I use my chin to move her coppery-brown hair away so I can gently kiss at her neck. “If you’re going to wear perfume that smells this good, I’m going to have to bite at your neck. That’s part of the new rules.”

  She giggles, but doesn’t pull away. In fact, it’s as though she’s arching her skin towards me. “My father has always been a farmer. From the time I was a little girl he grew things.” She takes the first step down towards the beach. “Mainly it’s just vegetable starts and flowers now. I got him a small contract with the garden center where I work.”

  I loosen my grip and allow her to use the stairs without tripping either of us.

  “My mother came from America to marry him.” She holds out her wrists. “That’s where the lighter skin comes from.”

  I nod. She’s half Mexican. It doesn’t show from her pride.

  “My mother never liked that my father was a farmer so she found other men to make her happy.” Isabella’s words sound as though it’s natural for a woman to act this way, making my chest tighten. “My father allowed her to have an open relationship for years until he took me and my sister in the middle of the night and brought us to California with my uncles.”

  “But you wouldn’t want an open relationship I’m gathering?” I spin her around as she steps onto the sandy beach, hoping to see the honesty in her eyes as she answers.

  “No, I want the fairy tale.” She softly presses her finger against my chin. “With five kids, remember?” she mocks.

  I nod and pretend to bite at her finger. My heart slows a bit.

  “My sister Nikki is most like my mother. She will never be satisfied with one man.” Isabella bends down to take off her heels, and I can’t help but think the contrast between them only makes her more sensual and tempting.

  “I take it Nikki doesn’t follow the rules at your agency.” I tickle her waist and she giggles as she tries to escape my grasp while our feet crush into the cold sand. The gritty texture covers my flip-flops.

  “Nikki is her own person. She isn’t anything like me or Mia.”

  “And who’s Mia?” I pull her in front of me again and softly breathe down her neck. The warm breath leads trail of heated air to her collarbone. I take a quick peek at her chest only because the fire burning a few feet in front of us has her dress lit up. It’s fair game. I paid for this.

  She gives me a funny look.

  Don’t be pissed you just caught me taking my first real peek. After the encounter with all those vultures at the bar, I’m basically being a gentleman.

  “You were telling me about Mia,” I remind her while a heavy wave crashes against the shoreline so she can’t ask what I was looking at.

  “Oh, yes, Mia is my cousin.” She shakes her head as though she’s lost her concentration. “She has a little boy, Lucas.”

  “And she works for your virgin dating service?” I raise my brows, totally caught off guard.

  “Okay so this is going to have to be one of my rules.” Isabella turns to face me. “You can’t tell anyone about Lucas. Do you understand? Madame X has no idea. And I didn’t figure it could hurt anything since the rules are we’re not allowed to sleep with anyone.”

  I nod, wondering how many other things she’s not worried about telling me.

  “This is my last year, and Mia will be taking my place. Madame X doesn’t need to know Mia’s history.” She lifts her face and teases me with a look that’s so sensual I can hardly keep my hands from ripping off that dress.

  A deep moan finds its way out of my throat. “That should probably be against the rules if I’m going to remain a gentleman.” I smile, crushing her body against mine because I don’t want to freak her out with the kind of kiss a face like that deserves.

  “Sorry,” she says, lowering her head with that bashful game again.

  “And this should be off limits as well.” I lift her chin. “When you play pouty like that it drives me nuts.”

  “So like this?” She makes that same sensual face only now she’s adding a pout that’s much younger than her age, but entirely tempting to a man like me.

  “Yep, that’s totally off limits.” I make myself turn away from that playful face not wanting to do something I’ll regret. I step inside the gated area, tugging her with me. The picnic is perfectly set out. I’m pleased as I pop open a bottle of champagne and pour it into two glasses, noticing a do not disturb sign they’ve hung out front of the gate.

  “Oh, no, I don’t drink.” Isabella fans her hands.

  I take a swallow. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m positive.” She turns away.

  “You okay?” I wrap a blanket over her shoulders and pull her to the ground so that she’s sitting between my legs, settling her back against my chest.

  “I can’t believe I’ve been this open with a guy I barely know.” She pushes a loose strand of hair from her face.

  “Technically we met at your work, and then sat next to each other on the flight so we know each other better than you think.” I take another sip of the champagne and set the empty glass in the sand.

  “It’s nothing, really.”

  “I can see it’s something.” I graze my fingers against the blanket and search for an opening. It takes me a second, but I finally find a way to wiggle underneath the cover and touch that stomach again.

  “It’s just…well…my uncle’s friend used to drink a lot.”

  Oh, man. I can see where this is going. I straighten my spine.

  “He never did anything to me,” she says as though she can see I’m uncomfortable. “I never knew the guy, but he hurt Mia and that’s how we have Lucas.” She lets the sentence drop and doesn’t say another word.

  The waves crashing against the shoreline are the only sounds around other than the music playing in the far off distance.

  “Wow. That’s pretty heavy stuff.” I have no idea how to respond other than just to listen if she wants to open up.

  “I’ve never told anyone this.” She pulls off the blanket that’s wrapped around her and leans back onto my chest. “It feels so nice to finally get it out in the open.”

  “I’m flattered you feel you can trust me.” I take the blanket and wrap it around both of us.

  “Don’t get a big head.” She gently elbows me in the ribs. “I probably just needed to tell someone. I’ve been hiding it for so long from Madame X that I can’t take it anymore. And, since we’re both into hiding things I figured I could tell you.”

  “Nice.” I lean down and playfully bite her neck.

  “Easy,” she says, and pulls away, covering the spot. “I can’t have marks when I go back to work on Monday.”

  “You wish you could get away from me that easy.” I tickle her sides and she squirms. The way her small body moves in front of me is totally helpless and only entices me more. I flex my arms around her, pulling her into me. “Relax, I don’t bite,” I whisper into her ear.

  She whimpers and those soft set of chills crawl ov
er her arms.

  “Just let me kiss you,” my yearning encourages before I place my lips to her mouth and press my tongue to part her lips. The soft mint flavor welcomes me to roll it around several times. My hand begins to travel up her stomach. She gently stops it before I can check to see if she’s wearing an underwire.

  “Sorry,” I mumble with our lips tightly locked.

  “Reef, we can’t do this.” She pulls her chin back. “I think we’re getting too emotionally involved.”

  “Uh, it’s a little hard when you’re telling me your whole life story,” I mock, defending my ego.

  “It’s just I don’t want to make this harder than it has to be when we leave Sunday.”

  “Maybe I’ll keep you longer than Sunday. How does that sound?” I sneak my hand over her stomach.

  “Didn’t you read the contract? I’m a one-time girl. Madame X doesn’t allow the same man to take me out twice. It’s been that way since I started.” Her eyes are full of confusion. “I’m sorry if I led you to believe this could be something more. I thought you knew that.”

  “I must’ve missed that part,” I say, hoping she’ll tell me just kidding any minute now.

  “I’m the girl that hooks them for the other girls to feed off of. It’s sort of a food chain.” Her laughter is cruel, leaving me full of vulnerability. “I’ve been training for years at the art of capturing a man’s attention and letting him go. Trust me, there’s not a man out there that wants to pay the fine for breaking his contract to take me out twice. Men are happy to hunt for another meal by taking out the other girls in our agency. How do you think I became her one time girl? It’s just how it is, Reef.”

  “I totally get it,” I say, leaning back and pretending to yawn. “I think we should call it a night. I have a ton of work I need to catch up on. And you’re free to fly out tomorrow. I won’t need you the rest of the weekend.”

  “Are you upset?” She tilts her head almost making me believe she’s being real.

  “Not at all. It was a long day trying to pinch numbers that don’t want to add up. I don’t want you sitting around bored all weekend because I’ll probably be tied up at the office.”