*Isabella's POV*
Cole rolled his eyes, a dramatic, over-the-top gesture that was so him. "Okay, okay, fine. Tell me about the fun brother, then. Details. Size, performance... you know, the important shit," he teased, leaning forward with a conspiratorial grin.
"Wouldn't you like to know," I said, taking a slow sip of my water, a smug little smile playing on my lips.
"Come on, girl, give me something," he whined, practically bouncing in his seat. "I'm dying to know."
"Not gonna happen," I said, shaking my head. He pouted, sticking out his lower lip like a toddler. I couldn't help but laugh. "Not in here at least," I added, my voice dropping to a whisper, which made his eyes widen with excitement.
"So, where is he anyway? And why aren't you having lunch with him?" he asked, changing tactics.
"He's back in New York," I replied, trying to sound casual, but I could hear the nervous waver in my own voice.
"Oh," Cole said, his eyes widening in realization. "So that means... damn. You're alone with the big boss in his house. That should be awkward," he teased, but the word "awkward" felt like a massive fucking understatement.
You don't know the half of it, I thought, suddenly finding my salad incredibly fascinating. I avoided his gaze, not wanting him to see the turmoil churning inside me.
"Anyway," I said, desperate to change the subject. "I missed hanging out with you, though. I'm sorry I've been such a stranger."
"Oh, look at that," he said, clutching his chest dramatically. "The biggest bitch alive is pretending to have a heart for two seconds." He chuckled, and I couldn't help but crack a smile.
"Fuck you," I said, but there was no anger in it. "That's why I don't like people."
He just laughed, a loud, genuine sound that was exactly what I needed to hear. It was a small moment of normalcy in a life that had become anything but.
*Three days later*
I was standing in the office, leaning over Damien's desk as we went over the final numbers for today's finance meeting. The last few days had been a masterclass in professional torture. We were civil, we were efficient, we were Mr. Lancaster and Ms. Williams. And I fucking hated it.
"Will you need me today during your finance meeting?" he asked, his voice a low, neutral rumble.
"I can handle it," I said, not looking up from the report.
"I know you can," he said, his tone softening just a fraction. "When it comes to finance, you are the best. I can count on your presence today."
"Whatever you say," I said flatly, my voice devoid of any emotion. Let him chew on that.
And we made our way to the finance meeting, settling into our usual seats at the long, polished table. We were at the meeting, surrounded by suits and spreadsheets, when I felt it. Shit. My phone. Thank god it's on vibrate. I bet it's from the university, finally calling to confirm the payment. I better call them back.
"You'll have to excuse me," I said to Damien beside me, but loud enough for the rest of the table to hear. "I need to go to my office."
"Will you be coming back, Isabella?" he asked, his eyes fixed on me, a challenge in their depths.
"Of course... sir," I said, the word a deliberate, sharp little jab. "I'll be right back, sir." I stood up, but not before shooting him a secretive, defiant wink.
I don't know why I did it. It was impulsive, stupid, and completely unprofessional. But as I walked out of the room, my heart pounding in my chest, damn it felt good. It felt fucking fantastic.
I made my way to my office, my fingers already tapping out the university's number on my screen. But as I rounded the corner, I heard it. A loud, god-awful humming. Shit. The cleaners. The vacuum noise was a physical assault on my already frayed nerves.
"Do you mind?" I said, my voice sharper than I intended. One of the girls, a sweet-looking blonde, turned around, her eyes wide.
"Isabella! Hey! Sorry, we'll be out of here in 10 minutes," she said, smiling cheerfully.
"Alright," I muttered, backing away. Whatever. I couldn't wait 10 minutes. I couldn't stand here in the hallway like a fucking idiot. My eyes drifted down the hall, to the large, imposing door at the very end. Damien's office. Of course. It was the only other private space on this floor.
A slow, mischievous smile spread across my face. After that little stunt in the meeting, why the hell not? I turned on my heel and headed straight for his office. Let's see how Mr. Lancaster likes me invading his space unannounced.
I was busy on my phone, my thumb scrolling through some mindless bullshit, just finished with a surprisingly pleasant call to the university. The payment had gone through. Just like that. A weight I didn't even realize I was carrying was lifted, and I was feeling a little too fucking pleased with myself. I was so lost in my own little world, I didn't even hear the door click open.
"Well, well, well... Isabella."
His voice boomed from behind me, a low, dangerous rumble that made every hair on my body stand on end. It wasn't happy. It wasn't just angry, either. It was a dark, predatory tone that said I'd been caught, and he was about to do something about it.
"You've been naughty."
I jumped so fucking hard my phone slipped from my grasp. Before I could even process what was happening, two strong arms that I fucking adore snaked around my waist from behind, pulling me flush against him. My back hit his hard chest, and I could feel the steady, rapid beating of his heart against my shoulder blades. The air left my lungs in a rush, a mixture of pure shock and a dizzying, terrifying thrill.