Page 76 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
I halt, rendered motionless by his pinning gaze. Smirking at my passiveness, he glides toward me, his steps as striking and bold as his handsome face.
He stands so close to me, his whiskey-scented breath fans my lips. “As ravishing as you look right now, I don’t like other men eyeing what’s mine.” His words are only for my ears.
Although his warning could be mistaken as intimidating, his tone doesn’t reflect that.
“There are clothes in the closet for you. Go and get dressed, then I’ll take you home.” He runs his thumb under my eyes to remove the mascara caked there.
Ignoring the disappointment clawing my chest that he already wants to take me home, I pivot on my heels and stalk back to his bedroom. I’m barely two feet away from Isaac when he calls my name. My heart beats at an irregular rhythm when I crank my neck back to peer at him. It grows wilder when I spot the dominant gleam brightening his dark eyes.
“From now on, anytime you leave my room, you’re only to wear my shirts,” he commands as his eyes scan my body.
My brows squeeze together as I hesitantly nod.Didn’t I just get reprimanded for wearing his shirt out of his bedroom?
Shrugging off my confusion, I head for the hidden walk-in closet. My bewilderment intensifies when I enter the expensive space. The vast collection of suits that were housed here months ago have been removed, replaced with a handful of dry-cleaning bags.
My toes dig into the plush carpet as I saunter further inside. My breathing labors when I spot over a dozen Jimmy Choo shoe boxes lined underneath a handful of designer dresses and ball gowns. Allowing my love of Jimmy Choo to overrule logical thinking, I stoop down and pry open the lid on the first box.
An excited squeal emits from my lips when I spot a pair of Kia 110 boots. My eyes absorb every perfect stitch and exquisite design when I lift them from their box. My excitement is squashed when I see they’re a petite size six. Even on a non-humid day, my size eight feet will never squeeze into them. After giving them one final hug, I place the shoes back into their box.
Once I’ve changed into a fresh set of clothes, I saunter back to the living room. My pulse quickens when Isaac’s eyes lift and lock with mine. The dominant gleam I spotted in his eyes earlier triples when he absorbs the white-wash jeans and light pink cashmere sweater I chose from the women’s clothing in his closet that was my size. All the designer dresses were two sizes too small for my generous breasts.
As I glide past a grinning Hugo, I mouth a silent apology for the awkward predicament I placed him in.
“It’s all good, Isabelle. I saw more the night you climbed over the privacy partition,” Hugo replies to my wordless apology, a sassy wink adding to the playfulness in his tone.
My eyes snap to Isaac when he growls at Hugo’s taunt. His jaw is quivering, and his hands are balled at his sides.
“I’m joking,” Hugo assures as his confused eyes flick between Isaac and me. “You know me, boss, I never water another man’s turf.”
Remaining quiet, Isaac lifts a crystal glass to his mouth. He downs the generous nip of brown liquid inside in one swift motion. After running the back of his hand across his stern lips, he sets the glass on the coffee table, then rises from the white leather sofa he’s sitting on. Although Hugo’s eyes show his apprehension, he’s the first man I’ve met who doesn’t cower from Isaac’s infuriating glare.
Pretending he can’t feel the tension in the air, Hugo rubs his hands together. “So, where are we off to?” His inquisitiveness conceals his unease.
“Your services won’t be required again until Monday morning.” Isaac’s words are for Hugo, but his eyes are for me.
An unexpected giggle erupts from my mouth when Hugo vaults off the sofa. His excitement at having the weekend off is displayed all over his ruggedly handsome face. “Hell, you don’t have to tell me twice.” He wiggles his brows. “You’ve got my number if you need me.”
He bolts for the door so fast, air glides over my forearms.
Once the vault-like door slams shut, I drift my eyes to Isaac. “You need to give him more days off,” I jest, my tone lighthearted.
Isaac doesn’t grace me with a reply, but a smirk tugs his full lips higher. “You ready?”
Smiling, I nod.
My brows join together in a scrunch when Isaac turns left at Remington Avenue T-intersection, instead of right.
“My apartment is that way?”
Isaac has been to my apartment on three occasions, so I’m somewhat surprised he has forgotten the directions.I never expected a man with an astute business mind like Isaac to be forgetful.
“We’re not going to your apartment.” His grip on his steering wheel tightens.
I arch a brow. “You said you were taking me home.”
Isaac shakes his head. “No, I said I’ll take you home. I didn’t say whose home we were going to,” he corrects as his gaze drifts from the road to me. Excitement slicks my skin when he clarifies, “I’m taking you to my private residence.”
In a nanosecond, my eagerness dampens, and anger takes its place. “Where did we just leave if that isn’t your home?” I ask, my tone indicating to my growing aggravation.
