Page 162 of Square Deal

The media went ballistic. Cameras followed him around for days after the internet-breaking headline:Infamous Playboy No More.

Lucky for me, Isaac maintained his former reputation in our bedroom. He kept me on our toes there, but the gossip columns didn’t need to know that.

Some things were just best kept between us.

The pressure and endless commentary that accompanied public life didn’t interest me. Beaufort was a reprieve.

Isaac kept me wild, and I gave him a place to stay grounded—a home and a family.

We arrived at the airstrip and hurried up the steps of Isaac’s plane. Two glasses of champagne waited for us onboard. He handed me a flute and lifted the other to his lips.

“You’re drinking?” I asked.

Isaac had settled down. He enjoyed the occasional glass of top shelf whatever, but it was rare.

“You haven’t even closed the deal yet. A little premature, don’t you think?”

We clinked our glasses together. He took a sip and smiled. “I have a good feeling about this one.”

The plane lifted off and bumped through the crosswinds as we rose through the sky. The Taylor Creek Inn and Revanche turned into specks down below. We ascended along the coastline until clouds covered the shore.

The flight lasted barely over an hour. Sunshine and breezy palmettos greeted us when we touched down in Charleston.

“Mr. Lawson, Miss Hayes,” the driver said as he opened the door for us. Isaac held my hand as I slid in first.

“So, where is this meeting?” I asked, pulling my phone out of my handbag and texting Maddie that we landed safely in South Carolina.

"It’s about a thirty-minute drive," Isaac said, cool as a cucumber. He had unshakable confidence. Negotiations never made him sweat.

“Do you want me to meet you at a restaurant for dinner? I can entertain myself until you finish.” The boutiques in the city were calling my name.

He smirked. “You realize how dirty that sounds, right?”

I giggled. “Get your head out of the gutter, Lawson.”

Isaac shook his head. “I’d like you to come with me, if you don’t mind.”

I was surprised. We always cheered each other on, but never felt the need to be overly involved in each other’s careers. “Oh? Yeah, um, sure.” I looked down at my dress. “Is this appropriate to meet with your client?”

He leaned over and pressed his lips to my temple. “Absolutely.”

Half an hour later, the driver pulled through a grove of cypress trees and stopped.

“Um, Isaac?” I looked around, but he was already getting out of the car. “Don’t these business meetings happen in, you know, like offices? Or restaurants? Or a hotel?”

He rested his hand on top of the car and leaned down. “Come on, Princess.”

“Are you going to chop me up into bits and sprinkle me in a swamp? I mean, just tell me now so I can take my shoes off. I don’t think I can get blood out of feathers.”

“You’re turning into Maddie.” Isaac held out his hand. “No blood, no chopping. Just come with me.”

I eyed him warily and clasped my hand with his. He helped me out of the car, and the driver immediately drove away.

“Well, that’s ominous. Now I really think I’m about to get murdered.”

He eyed my shoes. “Want me to carry you? The dirt’s pretty soft here.”

“Pfft—please. I could go hiking in these.”

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