Isabella - Book One

by Thompson, Jamie Brook

  “Oh, we have a code for that.” She smiles and wipes her mouth with a napkin. “I’m usually the distraction. Mia is the scapegoat. And Nikki freaks out over being stung by a bug of some sort. Madame X wouldn’t know what happened to her if she came down here when Lucas was around.”

  “Sounds like you’re prepared.”

  “We don’t come very often, but when we do, Lucas always has a blast.” Her eyes explore the playground. There’s such a gentle sparkle behind them that it makes me realize she really does want to be a mother.

  “Have you always wanted children?” I ask.

  “For as long as I can remember.”

  “Did your mother want children?” I think of my mother and how she wanted a big family, but my dad would only give her two boys.

  “Oh, my mother didn’t want any children.” She pushes her plate away still half full. I’m worried I ruined her appetite. “She wanted to be an actress. Me and Nikki were mistakes as she always put it. Her life was one big disappointment after another. She couldn’t be happy with the simple things. For some reason she was always chasing that dream of glamour and fame.”

  “Where does she live now?” I know I probably shouldn’t push the subject, but I’m in shock a woman like Isabella could be so different from the version she’s telling me about her mother.

  “I haven’t seen my mother in years.” She leans back onto her hands. “Or heard from her for that matter.”

  “Wow. That must be tough. I’m sorry.” I stare down at my plate.

  “It’s all good. I talk to my dad once a day, or at least every other day.”

  “So you’re close to him?” I take a bite of my cornbread muffin.

  “We’re super close. Nikki not so much.”

  I chuckle. “Is it because she reminds him of your mother?”

  “Probably.”

  I sit there and allow a comfortable silence to encompass our conversation as we both stare at the amazing sunset of burnt oranges and reds. Isabella is as beautiful as the first day I saw her at the garden center. Nothing is sensual about our date, and yet I’m still totally enamored by this woman. I’m probably in big trouble. I don’t think I have the power to convince myself it’s only sexual attraction. There’s so much more to her than meets the eye.

  “So tell me what it’s like to work at a dating service.” I ask to spark another conversation.

  “It sounds a lot more glamorous than it is.” She pulls off her shoes and sticks her toes in the grass. “Usually it’s rushing to get from one place to the next and there’s not much time to eat in between.”

  “I take it you’ve never had Murphy’s Fried Chicken on a date?” I push her plate closer.

  “Oh, we don’t eat. We just stand next to the gentleman we’re with and flatter his guests.” She acts surprised I don’t seem to know this.

  “Like you were in Cabo?” I ask.

  “Exactly.”

  I nod my head and wonder how in the world somebody could do that for a living. Constantly kissing ass to people that don’t care. It must be exhausting.

  “Usually it’s older men that produce movies, or plastic surgeons that have a speaking engagement. It makes it handy when people think they can get our natural results, going under his knife. They never tell them we’re real.”

  I stare at her chest. It’s natural. I like that.

  “So basically we get stuck with pathetic men that almost always have bad breath.” She shakes her head. “Nikki flipped out on one the other day and told him to go brush his teeth because she couldn’t stand the smell of his breath for much longer. I thought for sure that would be her last day, but Madame X still keeps her around.”

  “This is fascinating.” I squint my eyes and imagine all the stories she has to tell.

  “It’s not like we get dates with guys like you.” She straightens her legs on the blanket.

  I pull back my chin. “Guys like me?”

  “Yeah, the attractive type that aren’t into weird role-playing crap.” She laughs.

  I’m concerned about the role-playing, but I let it slide. “You find me attractive?”

  She rolls her eyes. “I’m sure you’ve seen yourself in front of a mirror.”

  “Yeah, but you find me attractive?” I’m curious to see if she’ll answer.

  “Of course I do,” she blurts without so much as a reservation.

  I roll my shoulders. “That’s nice to know. I don’t think you’re too bad yourself. That little white dress in Cabo about killed me.”

  She stares at me with hesitation. I assume she’s wondering if I’m going to get handsy again. Little does she know I’m trying to figure out what I’m feeling and have no interest in being that close this evening. I need to find out what’s driving me toward her. What magic spell she’s cast over me.

  “It’s sort of nice just sitting here and talking,” I say, hoping to relax her tense shoulders. “I don’t get much time to just sit and talk with a woman.”

  “Well, I don’t get much time to let my guard down.” She loosens up. “I have to be on the watch 24/7. Even the simplest dates can turn ugly in a matter of seconds.”

  “Kind of like Cabo?”

  “Reef, you’re different.” She wrinkles her forehead. “You’re not a pervert like the others. I’m having a hard time figuring you out.”

  “This should be good.” I lean back, waiting for a response.

  “I don’t know how to explain it. I guess it just comes after years of being around men. A girl like me can spot a creeper a mile away. But you almost seem sincere. I can’t imagine why a guy like you would need a dating service.”

  “Because I work all the time.” I hold up my phone.

  “Right,” she says. “I get that.”

  I glance down and see that I have forty-seven messages from Bonnie. Damn. Something must be wrong. I click on the first one and realize she wants me to call the building contractor on the Cabo project immediately or we’re going to lose the account. She sent the message ten minutes ago. I run my fingers through my hair. I don’t want to cut this date short. But I know I have no choice.

  “Hey, I just got a text from my secretary. There’s been an emergency at work and I’m probably going to have to fly back to Cabo tonight. I’m going to have to cut this short. I feel bad.”

  Isabella jumps to her feet. “No, don’t feel bad. Can I help you with anything?” She starts cleaning up our dinner.

  “Nah, I should be fine. I just need to call a few people and probably head to the airport,” I grumble as she starts to fold the blanket.

  “Do you have a suitcase with some clothes and a toothbrush?” She glances up at me. It’s flattering she cares so much.

  “I’m good.” I take the blanket from her.

  “I could go get anything you need.” She picks up the plastic bags of food. “Mind if I take these to Mia and Lucas?”

  “Not at all.” I smile.

  “I don’t like to waste things.” She scrunches her nose like she expecting me to make her feel embarrassed for being frugal.

  “I started my entire enterprise off of not wasting things. I appreciate when other people are the same.” That by itself makes me even more interested in this beautiful woman. She’s like a dream. A dream that could turn into my worst nightmare if I’m not careful. I’m really falling for this girl.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Nikki sprawls her long body over the crushed velvet couch like a sulking cat trapped in the training center of Madame Alexandria’s office. She slips in her earbuds, avoiding my conversation. I roll my eyes and wonder if she’ll ever grow up. The world isn’t always about Nikki. I want to tell her, but I hold back. Afraid after the weekend I just went through, I might fall apart in front of her. Reef Vanguard is so confusing. I swear I won’t let my guard down again. I can’t believe I went that far. Is this what breaking the emotional barrier feels like? He can’t be that genuine. He’s an act. Just like the rest of them. I’ve been trying to conv
ince myself of this since last night, and it’s not working.

  “Bend your wrist,” I call to Mia, hoping to take my mind off him.

  “I’m trying,” she complains while attempting to buckle a pair of black, strappy sandals.

  I grab her hands and shake them. “You’re too tense. Loosen up. Ease into it.” I pause to think of the right words. “It’s like buckling your shoe like you’re making love to it. Even a virgin like me can imagine that.”

  She laughs.

  “Do you see this bone?” I bend her wrist. “Men want to see that when you put on your shoes. Tease them. They’re watching your every move.”

  Nikki tosses a pillow at my head. “Blah, blah, blah.”

  I spin around. “If you think you can do a better job, you come down here and work with her. She isn’t exactly Mona Lisa.”

  Mia stares into the full-length mirror and runs her hand slowly down her leg to lightly grasp the buckle.

  “Better.” I nod.

  She wraps the straps around her ankle and pauses to watch her wrist.

  “Nice, you’re getting it,” I praise her. “Everything is about timing. Make it last. Make him want you more.”

  The words trigger an attack of the memories from the weekend. I blink, trying to forget his face. The scruff. Those dimples. His hands. I suck in a deep breath and curse my belly for tingling. Stop it. Men like that break hearts. I fight every part of me wanting to think about him. Why can’t you get your mind on something else?

  “What are you thinking about?” Nikki asks. She sits up and leans forward on the couch.

  I turn my head to shake off my train of thoughts. “Nothing.”

  “Right.” She jumps off the couch and rushes next to me.

  “What?” I shrug, trying to hide any evidence of guilt.

  “I’ve only seen this face one time in your life. Frank Flores. Just after high school.” Nikki nudges my arm.

  “Frankie?” Mia lifts her face from the mirror with questioning eyes.

  “I haven’t seen Frankie in years.” I swat at them and walk over to the new stock of clothing Madame X has on a rack next to the table.

  Nikki gives me a settled expression. “So what ever happened on your date?” She strolls next to me and pulls off a thin, red shirt.

  “He had a conference in Cabo.” I take the shirt from her and hold it in front of me not bothering to explain any further details. The color reminds me of his car. I hand it back to Nikki not wanting anything to do with that color.

  Nikki hangs up the shirt and grabs my face. “Did you kiss him?”

  “What?” I blush. “No.”

  “You kissed him. I know it. I can tell by the look on your face,” she squeals.

  Mia climbs to her feet and nearly trips over the unbuckled sandals, sprinting over to us.

  “Stop.” I push against them, avoiding their inquiring eyes, and press my lips together. The thought of the sweet champagne flavor on his tongue in Cabo still haunts me, or that raspberry sweetness from the chocolate torte. I tingle again. I could slap myself for being so stupid.

  “You’re thinking about him again. Aren’t you?” Nikki pinches my arm.

  “Ouch. Stop that.” I pull away.

  “You are. We can tell.” Mia smiles like a young girl hearing about love for the first time in her life.

  “She’s watching,” I say, pointing to the mirror window. “She can see everything we’re doing in here and she’s going to flip if she hears you two talking like this.”

  Nikki drops back to the couch. “You’re pathetic,” she says and lifts her wrist only to lower the back of her hand over her face. “I’m starving. Does she ever feed us? I’m going to shrivel up and die.”

  “Is that how it works on your dates?” I jab. “You act like a little princess baby.”

  Mia watches with pure enjoyment.

  “Don’t get any ideas, Mia. It doesn’t work that way,” I correct any thought she might be having.

  “Of course it does.” Nikki tosses another pillow at me.

  “Not if you want to get referrals.” I laugh, and grab Mia’s thighs. “These are going to be your bread and butter.”

  She giggles.

  “You’ll lead with your legs,” I say, pulling her as tall as she can stand. “This is your best asset. Nikki has none because her metabolism is on steroids.”

  “You’re just jealous.” She tosses her book at me and I duck so it hits the window mirror.

  I cringe just thinking about X coming back here. What will I say? I’ve totally let that woman down. What has Reef told her? My mind fills with a hundred different scenarios. It’s as awful as being a witness to a murder I didn’t commit.

  “So what’s your asset?” Mia asks. The soft sound of her voice politely takes me away from death row.

  “Like that’s hard to guess with a set of knockers like she has.” Nikki laughs and grabs another novel beside the couch.

  “She’s right. I’ve been known for my chest.” I tug at my shirt. “But now it might be my stomach.” I think back to Reef’s hands. Ugh. Stop it! “I have no idea these days. I think I’m losing my touch. Maybe I’m just getting too old for this job.”

  “You’re not too old.” Nikki grumbles with her face shoved in another trashy romance novel. “You’re in love. It works like that. Love can hit you in a split second. It’s the only thing you can control.”

  “What?” I jut my chin.

  She doesn’t look up. “Like I said, I’ve only seen that look once in my life. Right before Frank Flores dumped you on your ass.”

  I press my hand over my chest. It’s as though the pain still hasn’t healed.

  “You just couldn’t put out.” Nikki tips the book down. “Little Miss Ice Queen is still thick as the iceberg that sunk the Titanic. Will you ever learn to have any fun?”

  Mia giggles.

  “Screw you.” I turn away. I’m growing tired of her virgin bullying. She has no idea how much I cut loose this weekend.

  “If you would’ve put out you probably could’ve had those million kids you wanted by now.” Nikki cuts a little deeper.

  “What’s your problem?” I meet her gaze.

  She raises her brows. “You get all the good accounts.”

  “Are you kidding me?” I want to slap her across the face.

  “The Xbox always gives you the big deals.” Nikki holds out the spine of her book to the window mirror. “You’ve always been her favorite.”

  “It’s true.” Mia pulls off her shirt and tries on the red shirt the two of us picked up earlier.

  “You haven’t even started working here yet,” I sigh. “You don’t even have a clue about this business. I get the accounts because I can control myself unlike Miss fire in her panties over there.” I tip my head towards Nikki.

  Mia laughs.

  “Watch it, Miss Bashful.” Nikki barks at Mia. I’ve never heard her call Mia that, but it fits so well. I wished I’d have thought of it.

  Mia lowers her gaze as though she’s raising a white flag asking to surrender in peace.

  The door to the room whips open.

  “Ladies, I need you down on the treadmills in ten,” Madame X hollers. She’s concentrating on a clipboard while chewing on the end of a pen. “Good job this weekend, Isabella.”

  I freeze solid.

  “He left a large amount of bills in an envelope. Take it before you go home tonight,” X says. “It’s your tip.”

  I can’t imagine taking that money. I just want this guy out of my head. I walk to the opposite side of the room to pick up my gym bag so I can get on the treadmill and zone out to my earbuds blaring in my ears like Nikki always does. I swear I don’t want to hear the name Reef Vanguard for as long as I live. I can’t handle it. I don’t know what’s happening. It’s as though I can’t freeze him out of my life.

  “I’m starving.” Nikki whines.

  “You can’t always be hungry.” The Madame walks over and taps her foot. “You
need to lift more weights. Men don’t like scrawny women. I’ll get you a nice cheeseburger to fill out those soon-to-be muscles. I might even get you four if you’re lucky. Skinny is so overrated these days.”

  Nikki jumps to her feet and rushes down the stairs to the basement. Where I assume she’ll lift one dumbbell and call it a day. Mia follows just as fast. I begin to catch up.

  “Hold up,” Madame X says, grabbing my arm.

  Oh, hell. Here it comes. “I can explain,” I blurt out as though I’d never make it through a five-minute interrogation.

  “Explain what?” She raises her upper lip.

  I stare at her. “I probably disappointed you.”

  “He gave you an eighty-five hundred dollar tip.” Her eyes widen. “I don’t care if you slept with the guy when he’s tipping like that.”

  My face lowers.

  “I trust that you didn’t sleep with him?” She lifts my chin.

  I shake my head.

  “Then we’re fine.” She writes a few notes down on her clipboard. “He said the tip was to cover the cost of bringing you home early. I thought you told me you got home Sunday?”

  I bite my bottom lip. “I did…” I start to think of the best lie I can possibly make up on the spot. “We got back early Saturday and I just took it easy until Sunday.” I swear I’ll kill Nikki if she lets the cat out of the bag on this one by bringing up how I borrowed her jeans last night. I refuse to tell X about our little pastry encounter.

  “Well, that sounds nice.” Her lips toy with the pen again. “I’m keeping my usual ten percent, but the rest is yours so don’t forget to pick it up when you leave today.”

  “You keep it,” I say, fighting back the part of me that wants the money.

  She raises her thin, penciled brow. “Is everything all right?”

  “Fine.”

  “You sure?”

  “Mmm. Hmmm.”

  She follows the outline of my body from my head to my feet, and back up to my gaze.

  A flat smile forms at my face. “It’s just that…Reef Vanguard is an interesting man. I don’t want to use the money to buy anything that would remind me of him. Keep it for Mia. As shy as she is it might take a while to find her a date.” I pray she won’t see right through me.