Page 35 of Beauty and her Billionaire Beast
16
Knox
I wake up to Isabelle on top of me, sleeping sideways across my chest. Her face is turned to the side, arms wrapped around my neck, her breasts at my ribs, and her legs stretched out next tome.
The bedside clock says it’s one in theafternoon.
I’m wide awake now, but she’s sleepingso peacefully that I lie there for a while, not wanting to disturb her. I watch her, in awe of how something so simple can bring me such calm. Like the way her heart beats against my ribcage. Or that when I take a breath, it lifts her body too, as though she’s a part of me. Or seeing some of her hair fall over her shoulder ontomine.
The sound of heels clicking on the granite floors getsmy attention. There are only two other female guests staying with us this weekend, but really, that noise can also be coming from one of the event staff or day cleaners. They shouldn’t be here. No one else has a key to this place. I try to remember if I locked the front door or the sliding doors to the pool area. Probably not. The regular staff know not to come in. I assume that the error was mine,and gently slide Isabelle off my chest to her side of the bed so I can check itout.
“Who’s there?” I ask after pulling my bedroom door closed behind me to keep the sounds from waking Isabelle. I neglect to throw a t-shirt on, but at least I’m covered from the waist down with a pair of sweatpants slung low on my hips, even if there’s nothingunderneath.
“Good morning, Knox and Isabelle!”says the voice coming from down thehall.
It can’t be any of the staff. These people are professionals. They don’t call their bosses or clients by their first names. Ever. Even when we ask them to doso.
I follow the sound of their voice, and find Tandy sitting in a high back bar stool at the kitchen’s breakfast island. She has a cup of coffee in one hand and her eyes are cast downwardas she flips through some type of trade magazine on the counter. There’s also a folded newspaper next toher.
“Hi, Mrs. Harrison,” I say politely. “If you’re looking for Isabelle, she’s stillasleep.”
She turns to look at me, noticing that I’m not wearing as much as I probably should, and averts her eyes. Well, serves her right for showing up unannounced. I chose to stay in the poolroom for privacy reasons. I don’t apologize for the lack of clothing, and I also won’t excuse myself to throw anything elseon.
“Knox dear, I actually came by to talk toyou.”
I raise my eyebrows, surprised that she’d have any reason at all to want to deal with me about an item. “Me? I’m not sure how I can help you, but I’ll do mybest.”
“It’s aboutIsabelle.”
Wow.Well fuck, I’m nowhere near ready to have a one-on-one with the mother of the woman in my bed. We don’t even know what we are to each otheryet.
“What abouther?”
“I was curious as to whether you’ve noticed how tired and weak she seems lately. Has she been sleeping okay? Is she eating? She looks so thin. Toothin.”
I shrug my shoulders, even though I do agree with her observations.I won’t get between women, and I refuse to be a part of the he said, she said drama that usually results from it. “All I’m aware of is that she seemed to be fighting off a bug,” I tellher.
“Interesting. I’ll make a note to pick up something at the pharmacy when Joseph and I go into townlater.”
“Sounds great. That should help.” I shove my hands into my pocket then realize that themove has pushed the waistband of my sweatpants even lower, revealing some of my pubic hairs. Quickly, I adjust the pants and let my hands drop to my sides. “Is there anything else? If there is, we can probably speak a little later when Isabelle wakesup.”
“In fact, there is something. I’d just like to say that Joseph and I are thrilled that you and our daughter are back in each other’slivesagain.”
“Thanks,” I answer to keep it short, but she opens her mouth tocontinue.
“You were always such great friends. We hoped you’d remain close over the years, and although you lost touch for a while, it’s a relief to see how easily the two of you have hit it off… as friends, of course. Or perhaps there’smore?”
Now I get it. She’s here to see whether our friendshiphas developed or evolved. Isabelle and I haven’t put any labels on our closeness, so I’m not about to insinuate a thing hermother.
“That’s definitely a conversation you should have with Isabelle,” I say, dismissing the topic as respectfully as Ican.
“Well, of course, but I’d love to hear your take on how things are going. Your grandfather was saying that you weren’t too keen onthe idea of getting serious right now. Joseph and I would just like you to know that we have Isabelle’s best interest atheart.”
“I do aswell.”
“That’s excellent. I’m sure you know how it is, with Joseph being in the public eye. He’s under constant scrutiny by his constituents, and so are his family members, byextension.”
“I’m not sure if I get what you’re trying to say.Are you telling me that Isabelle and I should avoid being seentogether?”
