Page 25 of Until You (Forgive Me)

With Skylar in his life, he was actively trying to reduce the time he spent travelling. But the thought of not having an excuse to come back was leaving him with a feeling of emptiness in the pit of his stomach.

Christian grabbed his bag and made his way to the entrance. He stopped abruptly in front of the concierge desk.

“Mr Dupree. Is there anything I can help you with, Sir?”

“Yes, there is,” Christian said, turning fully towards the desk. “I’d like to arrange for some flowers to be sent to a friend of mine.”

“Of course, Sir. I can arrange that for you.” Christian watched as she brought up some details on her screen. “Who would you like to send the flowers to, and where?”

Christian gave Isabella’s details.

“Would you like to include a message with the flowers, Sir?”

Christian thought for a moment. What was he doing? He mentally shook himself... he was sending flowers to a friend... a friend he had spent a very enjoyable evening with. As if sensing his unease, the concierge passed him a small card and envelope.

“If you would like to fill out the card, I can ensure they include it with the delivery.”

“Thank you,” Christian said, breathing a sigh of relief.

Isabella

Thank you for a fantastic night.

We should definitely meet up when I’m back in town.

Christian

Christian made sure he sealed the envelope before passing it back. Isabella worked with these people, and he didn’t want to fuel the gossip mill. Scarlett’s words came back to haunt him. That would be unfair. God only knew the woman had suffered enough at the hands of the gossips if what she’d told him last night was anything to go on. Was he being rash and making a promise he was going to regret? It didn’t feel wrong. Isabella was safe. She lived several continents away. She could not misunderstand his intentions. They were both limited in their ability to demand more from each other. Geography saw to that. She’d made a life for herself here and had no desire to return to the hustle and bustle of London. She understood his life was firmly entrenched in the UK. He could not presume she’d even want to see him again or that she’d still be single. For some reason that thought did not sit easily in his stomach.

His life wasn’t in Thailand. It never would be. He needed to get home to put out the fires that had ignited while he was away. That, and see his beautiful daughter. She had a Halloween party to attend, and he’d already missed far too many things in her life. He definitely wasn’t missing any more.

The porter took Christian’s bag as he headed for the hotel entrance, where a driver was waiting for him.

What happened in Thailand, stayed in Thailand. As the car drove out of the hotel, he looked back. Then why did his heart feel so heavy?

Chapter Thirteen

Isabella

Isabella was sore. A six-year hiatus would do that to anyone. She and Christian had spent the night enjoying each other, and Isabella was now on a post-orgasmic high. Every one of her teenage fantasies about Christian Dupree had come true, and her face was now stuck in a Perma-grin. The man knew his way around a woman’s body, that was for sure.

“Someone looks pleased with herself,” May said, coming to stand next to her.

Isabella stooped before hanging out the next item of clothing on the washing line.

“Why do you say that?” Isabella asked, playing dumb.

“You have a silly grin on your face, and you are walking likeJohn Wayne,” May said.

“I am not!” Isabella said, horrified.

May began to laugh, grabbing hold of her swollen stomach as tears streamed down her face.

“No, but the look on your face is an absolute picture. I take it last night went well?” she said, waggling her eyebrows. “Living vicariously, remember?”

Isabella rolled her eyes. “It went very well. I had a lovely evening with Christian.”

“And...”

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