“Get back to work or you’ll be stuck here all night. We can chat later this evening. Call me - if you have time. Otherwise I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
“Fine.” I grin, stealing one last, quick kiss.
I watch Bella’s hips sway as she walks away from me. How the hell did she get put together so perfectly. She walks out of the gallery, collecting her things at the front desk on the wayout, and down the stone steps onto the street, then turns right towards where she parks her car.
I sigh, turning back towards my laptop. I have a lot to do still. And I have to wait to hear about that midnight meeting.
I would love to be driving her home, going inside with her, eating dinner as a family and then carrying her up to her bedroom. That sounds like the perfect night to me - not this shit that I have to deal with because that asshole ex of hers showed up for no reason.
But there is a reason. He’s here for something.
I just need to focus my resources and find out what it is he wants.
And in the meantime, I have also been preparing my forces in case what he wants is Bella - or me and my business.
I slump down into my office chair, pushing my fingers against my temple. It’s a long way to midnight. But I’ll get a few more things done here - then head home and carry on working from there.
A smile spreads across my lips.
Bella and I just became official.
I don’t even get to celebrate it with her tonight - but it is happening.
My heart spins with excitement. But it is tainted by the presence and danger of her ex being so close. Once it is resolved, I will relax - and focus on her.
Chapter 19
Isabella
I have the package I had delivered this afternoon tucked under my arm. It’s a really cute set of dinosaur toys for Dante.
In my other hand I have my work file, my phone, my keys, and my purse over my shoulder.
The phone is ringing, I just want to let Lisa know I’m leaving the office and on the way home.
“Hello.” She answers.
“Hi, I’ve just walked out of the office. I should be home in ten minutes depending on the traffic.”
“Ok, super. I will pop dinner into the oven.”
“Thanks, Lisa. See you soon.”
She hangs up, but I can’t reach the button to hang up because the package has shifted under my other arm and I don’t want to drop it.
As I approach my car, I try to juggle the keys into position so that I can unlock it, but I drop my phone.
“Dammit.” I mutter, stooping to pick it up without dropping anything else.
“Hello, poppet.” The voice cuts through me like broken glass. An ice cold flame lights in my chest. Marcus.
I drop everything except for my car keys. Without even turning to look at him I shove the keys into the door - but his hands are locked around me before I have time to pull it open.
He yanks me away from the car.
I take in a deep breath planning to let it out as the loudest scream I have ever heard - but his hand clamps over my mouth, blocking the only sound that might have alerted someone to help me.
My heart is beating so fast it hurts.