Page 18 of Until You (Forgive Me)

SCARLETT:Heard you bumped into my big bro?

Isabella shook her head. So much for Scarlett not finding out.

ISABELLA:I did. We’re having dinner tonight.

Isabella watched the three dots appear, letting her know her bestie was typing. What was Scarlett going to say? Although they’d never discussed it, she had a suspicion Scarlett had been very aware of Isabella’s slight obsession with her brother, even though she’d tried to hide it. Would she warn her off?

SCARLETT:Have fun.

That was it? Have fun? Maybe she was overthinking things. Christian had clearly spoken to her. Undoubtedly, he told her they were simply old friends catching up. Nothing romantic about it. Isabella drew up short. Why had her mind gone to romantic? It wasn’t a date. They were merely old friends catching up!

She’d definitely been celibate for too long. She needed to get her head out from between her legs... oh no, that was not a good analogy, as her mind instantly imagined Christian’s head between her thighs. His lips, tongue...

Stop!

May’s comments had struck a nerve. No way was she, Isabella King, going to end up in bed with Christian Dupree, or with his head between her legs... that wasnoton the cards.

Chapter Eleven

Isabella

Isabella arrived at the hotel at seven. She’d grabbed her swimming costume, not that she anticipated swimming, but Christian had mentioned it the night before.

Christian was waiting for her in The Lounge. He grinned with affection as she approached, the twinkle of appreciation in his brilliant blue eyes causing her breath to catch. Isabella had to admit he looked much more relaxed this evening. A navy polo shirt hugged his broad shoulders and chest, while his designer jeans fitted him like a second skin. From his physique, it was clear Christian liked to work out, and that was something Isabella could appreciate.

Christian walked towards her, kissing her cheeks in greeting, his hands enveloping hers. Shivers of electricity pulsed across her skin where his hands and lips touched. It was going to be an interesting evening. She needed to get her libido under control.

“Evening, Isabella. You look beautiful,” Christian said, stepping back without breaking their contact.

“Thank you. You look ratherdashingyourself,” Isabella said, shooting him a cheeky grin.

Christian laughed, and Isabella wanted to hear more of that rich sound.

“Would you like to stay here for a drink, or shall we return to my suite? I thought that way we could have dinner undisturbed.”

Isabella smiled up at him. “We can go to your suite. I’ve heard a lot about them. I hear they’re exquisite.”

Christian looked at her, his eyes furrowed in shock. “Haven’t you seen one?” he asked.

Isabella laughed, “Christian, I work here... occasionally. Staff don’t get to roam around the equivalent of the presidential suite.”

“But...”

“Here I’m Isabella King. No more, no less. I wasn’t joking when I said I’d left that part of my life behind.”

Christian appeared to comprehend, but Isabella was uncertain. How could he?

Her father had tied her money up in a trust fund. When he’d died, she’d been barely twenty. His will had made it so she could not access the full entirety of her trust fund until she was twenty-five. After everything that happened, it triggered a clause in the will, making thirty, the new twenty-five. What no one had considered was her inheritance from her mother’s estate. Despite using half to buy an apartment with Edward, she’d been living off the remainder of it for seven years. Her father’s money was sitting in the UK, invested, waiting until she reached thirty. Not that she cared. She was self-sufficient and living her best life. She didn’t need or want the money or toxicity that went with it.

Isabella followed Christian through the grounds of the hotel to his private villa. The door opened into a small hallway, separated from the main room by a privacy screen. Walking around it, she stepped into a large sitting/dining area. A large dining table, with a beautiful centrepiece filled with fresh local fruit, sat to one side. While the other side held two large sofas with hundreds of scatter cushions. The ceiling was a crisscross of large wooden beams showing off the vaulted ceiling. The room was lit by a combination of wall and hidden beam lights, giving off a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere. Isabella saw why this hotel was one of the most popular in the area.

“This is beautiful,” Isabella said on a long exhale.

A glass window made up the far wall, overlooking a private garden, terrace and lap pool. Floodlights illuminated the area, making the outside blend with the inside. Trees surrounded the villa, offering the resident complete privacy. This was its own tranquil paradise. Isabella walked into the room, made her way to the double doors, and went out to the patio.

She felt rather than saw Christian appear at her shoulder.

“This is why I love Thailand,” Isabella said, dropping her head back and closing her eyes, letting the music of the nature surround her.

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