Page 28 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
I stammer a quick goodbye before yanking open the passenger door and rushing into Regina’s house, not once risking a glance back. When I close the front door, I glide down to sit on the floor and cradle my knees in my arms.
When did my life become so complicated?
When I’m immersed in Isaac’s world, I completely forget he’s under investigation. When I’m with him, I only see him, a man who makes my hairs bristle to attention with a single touch. Then I turn up to work, and my head clutters with confusion. It’s like he’s two different people because that incredibly appealing man I can’t force myself to forget can’t be the same Isaac Holt his FBI file leads me to believe he is.
He can’t be.
CHAPTER15
“You have to cancel the cake orders before my ass explodes.”
Isaac’s gorgeous face is puzzled until he realizes who is accosting him in the street. When I saw his sleek black town car in front of the restaurant I’d initially spotted him at several months ago, I decided to approach him regarding his extravagant but heartfelt gift.
The day after my birthday when I arrived at Harlow’s bakery to place my morning coffee order, Harlow presented me with a giant decorative cupcake. It was red velvet, and it was the most scrumptious cake I’d ever eaten.
The second day, I was presented with another cupcake. That time, the enticing flavor was chocolate mint. By the third day, my curiosity intensified.
After wrangling Harlow for nearly thirty minutes, she finally enlightened me. Because Isaac and I had left the restaurant before I sampled my birthday cake, Isaac requested for Harlow to supply me with one originally flavored cupcake per day for an entire year.A YEAR!
“It was very sweet of you, but after only five days, the struggle to squeeze into my jeans is already real.”
Isaac’s lips curve into an authentic smile, making my heart palpitate faster. When his eyes dart down to my jeans, I stand straighter and suck in my bottom. I may not yet have a Kim Kardashian butt, but if I keep eating the cupcakes Harlow is supplying me with, I don’t think it will be too far off.
“That just means there will be more Isabelle to explore.”
He can say that, I’ve seen him naked. I swear there isn’t an ounce of fat on his entire body. Well, except for that one area where thickness is a necessary and wanted requirement. However, someone with my lagging metabolism will have to run a minimum of three miles a day just to ensure those cupcakes don’t make it onto my already curvy backside and squidgy belly.
Before I can derive a witty comeback to his remark, a lady joins our conversation. She looks to be a similar age to me, but she has an aura of grace and dignity that makes her appear more mature.
“Isaac, honey, are you going to introduce me to your friend?”
Her tone is friendly, and her interest in me appears genuine, but my irritation still irks from her calling Isaac ‘honey.’
“Isabelle, this is Clara. Clara, this is Isabelle Brahn.”
My brows meet my hairline, surprised Isaac knows my last name, but considering I’ve slept in his bed half-naked, kissed him on the lips without permission, and am spying on him every day as a career, I brush off any concerns over the fact he knows my last name.
Clara inhales as her blue eyes drift between Isaac and me. After a beat, she extends her manicured hand to accept the greeting I’m offering.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Isabelle.”
After the awkward introduction, our gathering plummets toward uncomfortable. Isaac, as always, is impeccably dressed in a tailored black suit. Clara is wearing a gorgeous pale blue slip dress, so I stand out like a sore thumb in a pair of jeans I squeezed into, a short-sleeve blouse, and a pair of black ballet flats. I couldn’t feel any more out of place if I tried.
“Well, I better get going.” My eyes nervously shift to Isaac. “I just wanted to thank you for the gift, although it was completely unnecessary.”
His lips tug high as he dips his chin.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Clara,” I inform her before spinning on my heels and head toward the bakery.
“Oh, don’t go. Can’t you join us?” Clara requests.
I hesitate, then turn back around. Isaac’s eyes are staring into mine, but they don’t give me any indication if he objects to Clara’s invitation.
“Umm, thank you for the offer, but I’m slightly underdressed.” I motion to my jeans.
The last time I attempted to enter this restaurant dressed as I am, I was advised there’s a public restroom located one block over.
Isaac’s eyes wander over my body before returning to my face. “You look perfectly fine.”
