Page 55 of The Billionaire and the Librarian

“I think Miss Cleo here likes you quite a bit. Maybe don’t try taking her over any walls or trees, but I think she’d like to go out riding again sometime,” Thomas says to Isa.

“I’d like that,” Isa replies with a smile.

“Come on, let’s go look at your ankle. Can you take these two knuckleheads back to the stables for me?” I ask Thomas. He nods.

“Nice seeing you, Isa,” Thomas adds as I open the door and help Isa inside.

“Let’s get your ankle soaking in some Epsom salts,” I say as I pick Isa up in my arms and carry her up to my room.

“It’s really not necessary,” Isa protests, but then she wraps her arms tightly around my neck. I like this, Isa in my arms.

I reluctantly set her on the end of my tub, and I see her blush as she looks at it. The memories of what we did in here are thick in the air as I fill the tub with water and salts. I help Isa remove her boots. Her ankle doesn’t look too bad, which is a good sign.

She rolls up her jeans and lets me set her foot in the tub.

I open a cabinet and find some painkillers and hand her one with a cup of water.

“Thank you,” she murmurs as she sets the glass down.

“You’re welcome,” I say, frowning as I realize just how hurt she could have been.

“Sit down. I’m fine, you can relax now,” Isa encourages as she pats the side of the tub next to her. I sit down and look into her eyes. Eyes I’ve become intimately familiar with lately. I brush some hair away from her face.

“Are you cold?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “No, I’m good.”

“I have Bastian making us some steaks and potatoes and brie,” I say.

“Sounds good. I thought we had dinner with someone tonight. Is this our seconddate?” she asks, cocking her head to one side.

“We did. But the meeting got canceled, so I thought maybe we could just hang out anyhow, since I suppose this is the second date,” I say.

“Oh…you didn’t want to use your second date for a meeting or gala or something?” she asks. I want to scream, “No, I just want to spend time with you,” but I decide to play it cool.

“I thought we could talk more about the library and your grant,” I lie.

“Oh, uh, sure,” she says.

“Adam?” she asks.

“Yes.”

“I… never mind,” she says, looking away.

I take her chin in my hand and turn her face back toward me. “What?” I ask, our lips only inches apart.

“I…” she starts again but the intercom buzzes.

“Mr. Wellington, dinner will be served in fifteen minutes in the dining hall,” Bastian says. Fucking Bastian and his horrible timing.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Isa

I clear my throat and look back at my ankle. “I feel much better,” I say as I start to stand. Adam grabs a towel and helps me dry off my foot before slowly rolling my sock back up my foot and sliding my boot back on it.

He takes my hand and leads me to the dining hall. This time, we’re sitting side by side. Well, that’s different. There’s a gift bag sitting by what I assume is my place at the table.

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