Page 117 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
I stop scrolling through reports when the heat of a gaze captures my attention. Tina is gawking at me, her lashes excessively fluttering. “Did you need something?”
My tone comes out clipped. I’m not in the right frame of mind to deal with her inexorable attempts to get back between my sheets. Tina in the bedroom was precisely how I had anticipated. Her look and personality match her sexual prowess to perfection— she’s both feisty and wild. With her small height and petite frame, she can bend more ways than an Olympic gymnast. She was the first girl in a long time who could keep up with my intensity in the bedroom, but I pride myself on my ability to read people, and what was relayed through her eyes was enough to have me running for the hills.
Before Isabelle, I had no intention of securing a long-term relationship. My goals were solely dedicated to my empire. I didn’t think anything would deter my goals. Isabelle did. She flipped the coin on everything and had me believing I could love again. If I were smart, I would have walked away from her the instant she crashed into me at the airport. Alas, she was more cunning than her humble eyes give her credit for.
My thoughts return to the present when Tina crosses her legs in front of herself. Her tiny denim shorts ride up high on her thigh, exposing inches upon inches of creamy skin. As she rakes her teeth over her red-painted lip, her infatuated eyes peer down at me. “An FBI agent is requesting to see you. Travis has her holed up at the front entrance.”
I'd be lying if I said my first thought didn’t go to Isabelle. It’s only been three days since she was beneath me, but it feels like months. My sexual drive has always been excessive, but with Isabelle, it was tenfold, reaching levels even I didn’t know existed.
Tina's overly-manicured brow shoots up into her hairline. “Did you want me to let her in or tell her you’ve left for the day?”
Although no other words spill from her lips, her eyes beg me to request for Isabelle to leave. I kept quiet on my relationship, but Tina is very perceptive, so she knows something is more askew with my private life than I’m letting on.
“Boss—?”
“Give me five minutes, then let her in.”
Tina huffs before sauntering toward the door. Even pissed, her hips swing provocatively with every step she takes. Once she’s back into the main area of the club, I close my laptop screen then head for the inbuilt bar at the side of my office. I need to distract my hands from touching Isabelle. When she's in my vicinity, not even deceit can quell my desire to have her beneath me.
My back molars grind together when I discover my bottle of Teeling 30-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey is empty. “Nick,” I grumble under my breath.
My little brother Nick, whom I love dearly, would happily polish off a three-thousand-dollar bottle of whiskey without seeking permission. I can’t blame him. He would have needed a stiff drink after dealing with the psychotic lady who accosted him in my nightclub earlier in the week.
I’ve only just selected a second bottle when a female voice filters into my office. “This is more impressive than the last office I saw you in.”
My grip on the crystal decanter I’m holding firms so tightly, the glass nearly shatters. I shift my gaze to the other side of the room, the pulse in my jaw unmissable when they land on a set of eyes I’d give anything not to see again.
“I should have put two and two together. Corruption and the FBI generally go hand in hand.”
Theresa’s lips furl. “I see your sense of humor hasn’t improved any.”
When she takes a step closer to me, my gaze floats over her body. There’s no doubt her outer shell is attractive, but her rotten insides make her hideously ugly, not even the most captivating face could have you looking past them.
If you haven’t worked this out yet, Theresa and I have met previously. Our meetings were held in my apartment or ‘fuck pad’ as Isabelle refers to it. Once I grew tired of our prearranged gatherings, I cut ties with Theresa. She didn’t take my decision too well. She’s one of many women the past five years who has staged ostentatious ruses to coerce me into interacting with them. Although her attempts were vigorous and undermining, they weren’t intricate enough to get past my astuteness.
Isabelle is the only one who has played me for a fool.
Theresa endeavors to conceal her excitement at my glance of her body, but the pink hue on her cheek and the unbridled desire of lust reflecting in her eyes, unearths her deceit. She's hopeful for a trip down memory lane. I'd give up everything I have before that wouldeverhappen.
“Humor was never my strong point, but you already know that isn’t my finest quality.” Call me conceited, but I'm aware my strongest assets are displayed in the office and between the sheets.
“You’re still not lacking any cockiness.”
When I take a step closer to her, her pupils dilate. “You and I both know if I wanted to fuck you on my desk, I could.”
The pulse in her neck increases as her heavy-hooded gaze flicks to the desk I’m standing next to. When her tongue darts out to replenish her dry lips, I know I have her exactly where I want her.
“But we also know that’llneverhappen.”
The vein in her neck is still thrumming, but now, it's more from anger than desire.
“So, either tell me why you're wasting my time or get the fuck out of my office.”
Not waiting for her to reply, I undo the button on my jacket, then take a seat in my leather chair. She remains quiet, but I don’t need to see her to know she's still in the room. If her overly floral perfume isn’t enough of a hint, her ragged breaths are a sure-fire indication.
I stop pretending to read a business proposal when Theresa questions, “Are you familiar with a lady named Isabelle Brahn?”
Slowly, my eyes lift from the document I'm now clasping so firmly it has a crinkle down the middle. Theresa is glaring at me, her face blemished with not only disdain but jealousy as well. I smirk egotistically, unwilling to play the game she’s had us playing the past four years.
