Page 34 of Square Deal

“Sorry,” Isaac said, strutting out of the guest room, pulling a rolling suitcase behind him.

“Sorry?” I parroted. “Chase thinks I had a booty call over! And you’resorry?”

Isaac chuckled, confident in the fact that I wouldn’t slug him in the gut. “You’re a grown woman.”

“So?!”

He parked his suitcase at the top of the stairs and strutted across the hall in his bespoke suit and patent leather dress shoes. “And a very attractive one at that.”

Embarrassment flooded my face. Sure, I worked hard to maintain my appearance, but hearing Isaac Lawson say I was attractive made me want to preen like a peacock.

Damn him for getting under my skin like that.

Isaac pushed me up against the hallway wall, pinning my hips down with his. He looked down at me with a ruthless gaze, and suddenly I understood why he was an intimidating businessman. He could go from goofing off to making savage moves in the blink of an eye.

I swallowed and prepared for the kiss, but it never came.

The backs of his knuckles stroked my cheek and down my neck until his hands were resting squarely on my waist.

“Thank you for letting me stay here,” he said honestly.

“You’re leaving?”

He nodded. “My pilot called and said there’s a pocket of good weather for us to fly out of the private airstrip here. A driver will be here in a minute.” Isaac rested his forehead on mine as he cupped my jaw and brushed his thumb across my cheek. “It’s been a pleasure, Miss Hayes.”

His poignant rasp sent shockwaves racing down my spine. I chewed on my lip.

“Think about my offer.” It wasn’t a request. It was an order.

I heard a car pull up outside, and Isaac’s phone buzzed. Time was up. I closed my eyes and leaned into him, savoring the luxurious spice of his cologne.

Had anything ever smelled as good? Why was I so sad to see him go?

Hell’s bells—the man offered me a damn sex contract. I should have been throwing him out on his William Westmancott suit-covered ass, not pining over him leaving.

I pushed that thought away.

“Where are you off to?” I asked softly.

“Luxembourg. A few days there and then back to New York.” He hesitated before adding on, “Just think about it, Han. It could be good for you.”

“Have a safe trip.” It was the best I could do.

No catching feelings.

10

HANNAH JANE

Itugged my knee-length overcoat tighter as I hurried down the sidewalk. The winter chill was setting in, but all that really meant was that I had to suffer through wearing pantyhose under my skirts for a few months.

My stilettos clicked against the cement as I made my way to Queen’s Coffee for a morning jolt.

It was the second night in a row that I hadn’t slept a wink.

After giving me hell about having someone stay over, Chase came back in the afternoon and helped me clean up my yard. Of course, he took every opportunity to try to figure out who had been in my bed.

The joke was on him. We didn’t do it in my bed. We did it at the inn. We just fooled around in my bed. And on the couch.

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