Page 38 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
“Oh shit.” Cate’s inquisitive eyes dart between Colby and me.“Don’t go there, Colby,” she warns, staring into Colby’s mischief-filled eyes.
Colby doesn’t grace Cate with a reply, he merely chuckles a boisterous laugh that bellows down the hall. Hearing his laughter, Cate narrows her eyes before securing my hand in hers. She guides me through various hallways, doors, and impressively large rooms. Harlow wasn’t joking. This place is massive. I’m pretty sure I’ll get lost trying to find my way back to my room.
The smell of freshly-baked bread and bacon becomes more prominent the farther we walk. When we enter a massive kitchen that looks like it belongs in a fancy restaurant, Cate relinquishes my hand and approaches an elderly Spanish-looking lady placing muffins into a woven basket sitting on the island bench.
The muffins aren’t the only scrumptious-looking treats on display. Croissants, Danish pastries, donuts, bacon, eggs, fresh-cut fruit, and every possible thing you could think of is laid out. My stomach is rumbling, my hunger more rampant since I failed to eat dinner last night.
“Help yourself to anything you want,” offers Cate, handing me a porcelain plate. “Once you’re done, come join us outside.”
She gives me a nudge with her hip before sauntering her way out a set of French doors at the side of the kitchen. I cram my plate with a range of scrumptious goodies before walking out to the patio.
I feel Isaac’s smoldering gaze before I see him. He’s seated at a table alongside an impressive grotto pool. He glances my way, and our eyes lock before his wander over my body. Once he has finished his robust inspection, he gestures for me to join him.
Smiling, I walk toward him, my body trembling with every step I take. My pulse strums faster when my eyes connect with his. His gaze is powerful and solely focused on me. My smile enlarges to a full grin when he pulls a chair out for me to sit.
“Thank you,” I whisper graciously.
He eyes my plate with a roguish sparkle in his eyes. “Hungry?”
“Starving.” My cheeks heat with embarrassment at my lack of dignity.
When he raises his coffee mug to his mouth, his Adam’s apple bobs up and down in a sensual way.My hunger is no longer associated with food. I can’t stop staring at the handsome features of his face.
When my stomach grumbles, Isaac commands, “Eat, Isabelle.”
Turning my gaze away from him, so I can focus on something other than his captivating eyes, I’m surprised to notice Clara sauntering toward us.What’s she doing here? Is she here with Isaac?She’s wearing a black pleated pencil skirt and a ruffled, red silk sleeveless blouse. She looks extremely elegant compared to the way I’ve seen everyone else casually dressed this morning, everyone but Isaac.
“Isabelle, what a pleasure to see you again,” Clara greets me in a friendly manner before leaning down to press a kiss to Isaac’s cheek.
“Hi, Clara.” I pull off a chunk of the chocolate croissant and pop it into my mouth.
Even though the croissant is delicious and my mouth salivated when graced with its presence, trying to swallow it is like eating cardboard. Clara has all but crawled onto Isaac’s lap. She has her arm draped around his shoulders and has perched herself on his suit-covered thigh.
Clara sneers as she lifts Isaac’s coffee mug to her mouth. Her red-painted lips press against the rim where Isaac’s lips were mere moments ago. It’s the smallest gesture, but it has the most significant impact on my already faltering ego.If they’re this intimate in public, what are they like behind closed doors?
Clara is beautiful, and with her aura of grace, she’d be an ideal partner for Isaac. I can’t stop the wave of jealousy crashing through me, even though I have no right to be jealous. I have no reason to be jealous over a man I have no claim to, but I can’t help the uncontrollable connection I feel when he’s near.
No longer hungry, I leap from my chair. “Excuse me.”
Isaac’s hand shoots out to seize my wrist, then forcefully pulls me back into the wrought iron chair with a thud.
His darkened eyes lift to mine.“Eat.”
His narrowed eyes don’t leave mine until I take a large bite out of a bagel slathered with cream cheese. Clara tumbles to the ground when Isaac stands from his seat. She graciously regains her footing and runs her hand down her black skirt to smooth it back into place before moving in close to Isaac’s side. Her glare is furious and solely focused on me.
“I’ll be back in a minute.”
When I nod, Isaac grasps Clara’s hand and strolls to the French doors. I try to keep my focus on anything but Isaac and Clara, but like you can’t tear your eyes away from a train wreck, my eyes continue to shift to them.
Isaac’s arms cross in front of his well-defined chest, but his composure remains calm. Clara waves her arms frantically in front of her body, and she motions to me several times. Her face constricts with tautness, and her eyes well with tears.
I don’t know how I missed it before, but now it’s as evident as the sun shining in the sky. Clara has the same blonde hair, light blue eyes, and flawless beige skin, just like the rest of the McGregors I’ve met so far this weekend. Mr. and Mrs. McGregor must have a fascination with the letter ‘C,’ considering all their children were given names beginning with ‘C.’
Clara’s loud, exasperated huff echoes in the silence of the morning before she disappears through the French doors. I turn my attention back to my overflowing plate, pretending I wasn’t spying on their private discussion.
When Isaac returns to our table, his sultry gaze locks with me, but he remains quiet. I try to ignore the massive elephant sitting in the room, but my quintessential need to know everything gnaws at my insides until I blurt out, “Have you slept with Clara?”
Isaac freezes with his coffee mug halfway between the table and his lips, his eyes drifting to me. His gaze is unyielding, and it would make most people quake in fear, but my thighs tremor in excitement.
