Chapter Two

ISABELLA

I wake to find the bed empty.

Much like last time, I sit up slowly and lean against my pillow, the sheet pooling around my waist as my body aches with the reminder of having him inside me.

I take in the city outside, still hazy with the remnants of the dawn being washed away with the rising sun pulling it from its slumber. A slight feeling of déjà vu comes over me as I listen intently for any sign of Adam and am met with silence. I risk a glance toward the three doors, biting my lip at the memory of what lies behind the most infamous and can’t stop the blush that taints my cheeks.

“You’re awake,” he says, his voice and the sound of the bedroom door creaking open pulling my attention.

He steps inside, wiping his brow with a towel as the athletic shorts he’s wearing hang low on his hips, the sight doing something to me on a carnal level. His breathing is still slightly heavy as I watch him make his way around to my side of the bed, silently and childishly hoping he hadn’t caught me staring at that door as he takes a seat on my side of the bed.

“Good morning,” I say quietly.

“Good morning,” he answers, the smell of his sweat filling my senses as I take in the sheen covering his broad chest. “How did you sleep?”

“Really well,” I admit, making him give me a small smile.

“I’m glad,” he nods, resting his palm over the sheet covering my knee, rubbing me affectionately as he hands me a cup of coffee I hadn’t noticed before now. “It’s still early, but I’ll need to leave soon. I have a meeting at eight,” he says quietly, watching me as I take a long sip. “How much time do you need?”

“Not much. I just need to shower and find my clothes,” I start, glancing at my phone once more before rubbing my eyes clear. “I also have to remember where I parked.”

“I prefer driving you, so I had one of my drivers take your car back to your apartment,” he admits, smirking at my expression. He gives me a gentle squeeze before releasing me, staring out the window for a moment in thought before he scratches his chin and faces me again. “You’re quiet.”

“I’m thinking.”

“About?”

“Noth-”

“Don’t lie,” he cuts me off.

“This,” I admit, meeting his eyes. “What happens at the office? What happens now?”

“Who I fuck has nothing to do with how I run my company,” he says, his words blunt though his tone is gentle as he rises from the mattress and extends his hand to me. “For the sake of privacy, we’ll keep it need to know. As far as work goes, the people who make that list are about to be late,” he continues, pushing the sheet away as I stand and staring at me unabashedly. “Come. Let’s start with a shower.”

ADAM

As she lifts herself from the mattress, it’s impossible not to allow my eyes to trace the outline of her skin as the white sheet falls away, pooling at her feet.

Her cheeks heat, my blatant staring causing her to become shy something I find endearing. I know if she chooses to stay instead of run like she did before, some of the shy qualities I’m admiring as I lead her into the bathroom will eventually fade into memories. While she’s still innocent, untainted by me, I’ll enjoy them while I can.

I take her in the shower, the sound of wet flesh and my name on her lips as it ricochets off the shower walls replaying in my mind as we quickly dress before I slip my hand in hers, leading her to the private elevator that will take us to my car.

“Right over here,” I say, gesturing toward the Maserati she’d complimented the week before. I move toward her door, holding it open. When she hesitates, I find her staring at the car beside us. “Isabella?”

“I’m sorry,” she says, shaking her head clear as she glances back at me. “Hey, do you know what kind of car this is?”

“It’s a Keongigsegg CCXR Trevita,” I answer, watching her gaze at the sleek frame, mesmerized. “Do you like it?”

“It’s beautiful,” she nods, my voice finally pulling her from her thoughts. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“It’s one of three in the world,” I offer, smiling gently when her head whips around to mine. “Had I known you’d be so smitten, we’d have taken it instead.”

“This is yours?”

“Yes,” I nod, my eyes traveling from her eyes to the half dozen cars surrounding us. “They all are.”

Her eyes drift with mine, taking in the pristine shine of each of them before her quiet footsteps pull my eyes back to her.

“Holy shit, Adam. That’s insane,” she whispers, her language making me bite my tongue as she shakes her head in disbelief, coming to a stop beside the door. “I drive a Hyundai.”

When I pull up to her apartment twenty minutes later, I cut the engine before stepping out and opening her door.

“Come,” I say quietly, savoring in the feel of her skin on mine as she takes my hand.

We make our way upstairs and I watch her make quick work of the lock, glancing over her shoulder with a small smile.

“Thank you for that, by the way,” she says, pushing the door open and stepping inside, tossing her keys onto the kitchen table before moving into the kitchen and turning the coffee pot on. “I can take it from here if you need to get to your meeting,” she offers, my feet moving quietly behind her as she walks toward her bedroom, stripping her clothes off and coming to a stop in front of her small closet. She thumbs quickly through the hangers before pulling something out and lying it across her bed, heading passed me toward her bathroom. “I’d hate for my hair to be the reason you’re late.”

I lean against the doorframe, watching her dust her cheeks with powder before reaching for mascara and applying it in a hurry. She’s standing in her bra and panties, the pale pink of the lace against her olive skin taking me captive for a moment before I move my eyes back to hers.

“Trust me, sweetheart. If I’m late to this meeting, it will have very little to do with your hair,” I admit, my lips curling up slightly as she giggles quietly to herself, her cheeks heating. “I will need to leave soon,” I continue with a quick glance at my watch. “Would you prefer to drive yourself?”

“I’d prefer to not make you late,” she replies. “I need fifteen more minutes. Go to your meeting.”

“Alright,” I nod, standing upright from the door and taking a step closer. “What are your plans for tonight?”

“Um…” she starts, her eyes moving up in thought as she chews on her lip. “I have a class at my gym at six that lasts an hour. After that, I was planning to come home and binge watch Pretty Little Liars. If you have a better idea, I might be swayed into a compromise.”

“How very pious of you,” I tease. “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

“You’ve got yourself a date, Mr. Avery,” she smiles before leaning up to meet my lips, carefully wiping her lipstick from me.

“Drive safe,” I order gently before pulling away.

“You, too,” she replies, winking at me as I turn to give her a final look. “Have a nice day at the office, dear.”