Page 16 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
“It wasn’t a request, Isabelle.”
He runs his index finger over the cupid’s bow of my lip before striding to his awaiting town car. Just as he is about to step into his car, his head swivels back to me.
“Tomorrow,” he instructs before he glides into the back of his car.
The instant his car dashes down Welsh Boulevard, the surveillance van pulls away from the curb and commences its pursuit. I lean into the darkness of the alcove to ensure the surveillance team doesn’t detect me as they zoom by.
While leaning on the peeled-paint door, I calm the erratic beat of my heart. I can’t believe I was so senseless. I nearly kissed Isaac Holt.Isaac Holt!A man currently under investigation by the FBI. A man who has half of the county following his every movement. A man so deliriously handsome and good-smelling, I want to run my cheek along his jaw just to capture his scent.
What? Jesus, Isabelle!
After reprimanding my lack of judgment, I emerge from the niche of the pub and walk back to my workplace.
Approximately halfway there, my phone dings with a text message. When I yank it out of my dark denim jeans, I notice it’s a message from an unknown number. My excitement intensifies, wondering who the message could be from.
It vanishes when I read the message.
Alex:You’re late.
Sighing, I jog down the bustling street, weaving in and out of the heavy foot traffic. My quick strides halt when another message dings on my phone.
Alex:Pick up coffee on your way back.
Dammit!I don’t think I could ever despise someone as much as I do Alex Rogers.
CHAPTER9
“You can stop hiding, you know,” jests Harlow. “He hasn’t returned here since he left you that card on Monday.”
I’ve been eating lunch at a local burger place every day this week just to avoid any more run-ins with Isaac. I can’t trust myself to be in the same room with him. Just one look at his deliriously handsome face, and my inhibitions fly out the window.When I returned to the bakery bright and early Tuesday morning for the agents’ morning coffee fix, Harlow handed me Isaac’s business card. On the back of the card, he simply wrote, ‘When you stop denying what your body wants,’ with his cell phone number at the bottom.
I crumpled the card up and tossed it to the ground, but no matter how hard I acted as if it weren’t there, I couldn’t tear my gaze away from it. By the time Harlow finished preparing my order, I’d gathered the business card off the ground and shoved it into my jeans pocket where it has remained the past four days.
Harlow hands me two crates of coffee. “Do you work seven days a week?”
I freeze as I struggle to think of a legitimate reason why my cover as a secretary would be collecting so many coffees on a Saturday morning. “Umm, no. It was a big night for a few friends and me last night. I was the designated driver, which also means I’m responsible for the morning caffeine fix.”
I cringe at my pathetic excuse, but when Harlow smiles, I realize she’s accepting my explanation.
“Do you work seven days a week?” I ask since I’ve just realized she’s here every morning right alongside me.
“It’s a requirement when you’re the owner,” she answers, staring into space. “I miss late nights and long sleep-ins.”
I gawk at her in surprise. Harlow seems around my age, which is young to own a business already.
Noticing my expression, she smiles. “I’ve always loved to bake. This was a dream of mine since I was a young girl.” She gestures her hand around the bakery. “But I’m slowly realizing dreams don’t always turn out how you envision them.”
I nod. I was so excited when I was accepted into the FBI Academy. I thought I would live a life of suspense and intrigue, but I’m learning what I visualized as an FBI agent varies a great deal from what I do every day. I have nine months, two weeks, and one day left on my contract to work with Alex’s department, then hopefully, I’ll be reassigned to a better unit, and the dreams I envisioned might transpire.
I offer Harlow a sincere smile before I head for the exit. Just as I’m about to walk out into the street, she calls my name. “If you have any more exciting nights planned, can you throw a dog a bone?”
Smiling, I once again nod.
It’s only when I’m in the alcove do I remember I’m going out with Brandon tonight. I invited Brandon out with me under the strict understanding it’s a friends-going-out-for-drinks-night-only invitation. No assumptions, no false promises, just friends. He readily agreed.
When I dart back inside the bakery, Harlow’s head lifts from the cash register.
“Do you have any plans tonight?”
