by Ivy Nelson
Chapter Nineteen
The next morning, Isabelle left work armed with a stack of brochures and three forms to fill out to get fully enrolled in classes. She’d been pleasantly surprised to discover that she was closer to finishing her degree than she thought.
In the car, Jeff asked where she wanted to pick up breakfast. His question made her chuckle because she was quite certain Garrett had put him up to asking.
“I would love to stop and get breakfast burritos. Thank you, Jeff.”
“Of course, Miss Alvarado.”
A half hour later, they were pulling into her driveway with a bag full of food.
“I’ll be sitting right here until it’s time for you to go back to work.”
As she was getting out, she paused. “Why didn’t you travel with Garrett?”
“Under normal circumstances, I would have, but Mr. Oliver’s number one priority right now is your safety.”
Isabelle gave him a kind smile. “Thank you, Jeff.”
By the time she got to the kitchen, the girls were already running down the stairs, lured by the smell of food.
“Burritos!” they exclaimed together. She laughed and let them tear into the bag. When they had picked what they wanted, she grabbed one for herself and went upstairs.
Security would take the girls to school without her, so she ate her food as quickly as possible before climbing into bed for a brief nap.
At the office, she connected her computer to Garrett’s in Pennsylvania and started working on some of the assignments he’d given her. A lot of it was organizational, but she didn’t mind the work. It kept her brain busy so she wouldn’t be tempted to doze off. One of the floor managers came to ask her about a supply order and she was confident enough to speak for Garrett and approve it.
When lunchtime rolled around, Garrett video called her.
“You look tired, Doll. Did you get a nap?”
“I did. Just not quite long enough. I’m off at the hotel tonight though, so I’ll sleep well tonight.”
“You know, if there weren’t so many windows in that damn office, I would make you strip for me right now and show me how you play with yourself again.”
She blushed furiously at his words. “You’re supposed to behave at work, Sir,” she teased, embarrassed by how turned on his dirty words made her.
“Perhaps I’ll send you to my suite at the Glenview to put a show on for me later then,” he teased.
She gave him a mock scowl. “I should probably go eat so somebody doesn’t get cranky with me.”
“I don’t get cranky. I just spank you and put some food in front of you,” he retorted.
“How’s work going there?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Tedious but necessary. I’ll be done soon enough. I’m just ready to be with you again. I’m tempted to move my headquarters to Colorado.”
Her chest tightened at the prospect. Not that she wouldn’t mind being part of his life full time, but she still wasn’t sure how serious he was about their relationship outside of kink.
“That seems drastic,” she said with a grin. “I do miss you though.”
He gave her a slight smile. A phone rang in the background and he sighed. “Guess I should get back to it, Doll. I just wanted to see your face for a few minutes. I’ll call later to say goodnight.”
They ended their call and Isabelle went back to work.
A half hour later, there was a knock on her door.
It was Jeff, holding lunch from the bakery.
“Courtesy of Mr. Oliver,” he said as he handed it to her. She giggled. Of course he’d found a way to feed her.
As she was closing the door, she heard her phone.
I might not be there to spank you, but I’m still capable of feeding you.
She grinned at his text and unwrapped the sandwich. Holding her phone out in front of her, she snapped a selfie while taking a large bite of the turkey club and sent it to him.
He didn’t reply, but he was likely on the phone with the president or something. The thought made her shake her head. If someone had asked her a year ago if she would know someone who talked to the president of the United States on the phone, she would have laughed and called them crazy.
Her life hadn’t been a bad one, but she definitely grew up poor and had remained that way for most of her adult life. In college, she’d worked hard to keep her student loans low, but the debt was still large. Now, she was dealing with her sister’s bills on top of her own.
Garrett had never known poverty, but she had a feeling he had never really known what it was like to have a loving family either. As irritating and troublesome as they could be sometimes, Isabelle wouldn’t trade her family for all the money in the world. The problem was her family might see her dating Garrett as doing exactly that.
Her family reunion was in a few weeks. How would they feel if she showed up with him? Maybe in an environment like that, they would be able to see what she saw.
The day flew by and soon she was locking the office to head downstairs.
A security guard stopped her. “Ma’am, we’re going to ask you to remain in the building for a little while. We’ve spotted a mysterious vehicle in the lot and we want to make sure it’s safe.”
Isabelle felt her heart speed up, but she nodded and turned to go back upstairs where she called Garrett.
“Isabelle, what’s wrong?”
She relayed what the security guard had said. “You’re sure someone is watching the girls?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“I’m sure, Doll. Just hang tight, you’ll be home in no time.”
She paced the office with her phone as worry knotted her stomach.
“Isabelle, sit down.”
She scowled at the phone. “Are you spying on me somehow?”
Garrett laughed. “No. Though that’s not a terrible idea. I can just hear your breathing as you move. Sit down. I’m checking in with the girls’ detail now and everything is fine. They’ve got them picked up and are on their way back to the house.”
She blew out a long breath as she lowered herself into one of the office chairs. In the distance, she heard sirens. Were they coming here? It was difficult to tell, but they were definitely getting louder.
“I’m going to put you on hold for just a minute, Doll.”
She waited in the silence for Garrett to come back on the line. As he did, a knock sounded at the door and she screamed.
“Shhh. It’s OK, Isabelle,” Garrett soothed.
“Ma’am,” the security guard said through the door. “It’s safe now.”
She jumped up to open the door. “Who was it?” she asked, not sure if she was talking to Garrett or the guard.
“It was Darren Gunn, Ma’am. It looks like he was intent on kidnapping you. He is currently in police custody.”
“Does that mean we’re safe?”
Garrett answered before the guard could. “If you’re asking if you can go back to your apartment, not just yet. We still don’t know who he was working with and we don’t know if he’ll get out on bail. We’re going to keep your security pretty tight, but for now, rest easy knowing he’s locked up.”
The guard slipped out to go back downstairs.
“Go home, Isabelle. I’m sorry you were scared, but I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Me too,” she murmured. “I could really use a hug right now.”
Garrett sighed. “You’re killing me, Doll. If I were there to hug you I totally would.”
She ended the call and went downstairs where Jeff, the driver, was waiting.
She was ready for dinner, a bath, and a good night’s rest.
At home, she checked in with the girls. Tonight, she was especially grateful for their self-sufficiency.
“I’ve had an exceedingly long day, girls. I’m going to hide in my room. Just knock if you need me.”
Three hours later, as she was climbing under her covers to read until she fell asleep, her bedroom door open
ed.
A scream bubbled in her throat, but she stifled it when she realized it was Garrett stalking toward her.
“Garrett? What are you doing here? I thought you were gone until Thursday afternoon.”
“I was, but you’re under my skin so fucking bad and you sounded so small and scared on the phone. I knew I had to come home.”
He wrapped her in a tight hug and she willingly let her head rest on his chest as she inhaled his scent.
“Were you going to bed?” he asked a moment later.
She nodded. “I was going to read until you called, or I fell asleep.”
He caressed her cheek. “Can I sit in bed with you and work quietly?”
She nodded and moved to climb in bed, but he stopped her, capturing her mouth in a rough kiss. When he pulled away, he smiled down at her. That’s better. Carry on,” he said with a wink.
She giggled and climbed beneath the fluffy comforter and picked up her book. Garrett stepped into the hallway and picked up his suitcase.
“Wait a minute,” Isabelle said as he made his way to the bathroom. “Who let you in?”
“Uncle Henry,” he said with a grin. “Maybe he doesn’t think I’m so bad after all.”
• • •
Garrett slipped out of bed early the next morning, intent on getting to his office for a conference call with the people he’d intended to meet with in Philadelphia today.
As he was pulling on his slacks, Isabelle stirred.
“Hey,” she mumbled sleepily. “Are you staying in town or do you have to go back to Pennsylvania today?”
He buttoned his pants and sat on the edge of the bed, running his hand through her hair. “Are you saying you would miss me if I left?”
She gave a slow nod and he grinned. “I’m not going anywhere, Doll. At least not until after the weekend.”
Her face lit up as she sat, tugging the blanket up around her chest.
“Speaking of the weekend, I wanted to see if you would go to another event with me on Friday. We would miss the first half of the party at Solitaire, but it’s important that I go. I would feel better having you with me.”
He hadn’t actually secured tickets yet but once his friend Paul, the governor of Colorado, called him back, he knew that would be rectified.
She reached for his hand. “I’ll go if you’ll do something for me.”
“Anything,” he said, tugging her closer to him.
“My family reunion is coming up in a couple of weeks. Will you come with me? It would mean missing a weekend at Solitaire.”
He held his grimace in check. A family reunion sounded horrifying, but there was no way he was telling her that.
“I can handle that,” he said. “One condition, though.”
She frowned. “How is that fair?”
He chuckled. “I didn’t say it was fair. But you haven’t heard my condition yet.”
She huffed. “OK. I’m listening.”
“I get to take you shopping for another dress.”
She shook her head. “I couldn’t possibly let you. I saw the price tag on the last dress.”
“That’s my condition, Isabelle.”
“You are so not playing fair. But OK, fine. I’ll agree.”
He smirked and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “We’ll go at lunch on Friday.”
She rested her head on his shoulder.
“I need to get going, Doll. Send me the date for your family reunion and I’ll make sure Regina clears my schedule.”
“You mean dates,” she said with a smirk.
He scowled. “Dates? How long does a family reunion need to be?”
She giggled. “Have you seriously never been to one?”
“God, no. Why would I?”
“Oh, my dear, sweet, Sir. You are in for a treat. It starts with a beach bonfire on Friday night, free time, and more beach time Saturday afternoon, then the gigantic party on Saturday night. Finally, we’ll have brunch with all the cousins who aren’t too hungover on Sunday afternoon. It only happens every two years, so it’s a big deal.”
None of that sounded like a treat to Garrett.
“Fine,” he said, standing. “But if I don’t get to share a bed with you, I’m out.”
She giggled. “Don’t worry. We all get our own hotel rooms. I usually share with the girls, but they can just share a room on their own this year or maybe stay with some cousins on the beach.”
“Fine. I’m booking the hotel. How will we get there?”
“Since they happen every two years, we save a little at a time and rent an SUV to make a two-day road trip out of it. You can just fly in and meet us though.”
“Wait. You said beach. Where exactly is this?”
“California.”
He frowned as he pulled on his shirt and buttoned it up. “I feel like I didn’t display good negotiating skills here,” he muttered. “I’ll fly us all out on the jet. There’s no need for you to drive that far right now.”
“Please no,” she said climbing out of bed. “I can fly with you but don’t ask my entire family to join us. I don’t want to make my dad and uncle uncomfortable. They don’t mind the road trip.”
“I’m making the offer, Isabelle. End of discussion. Ask your security. They’ll tell you they can keep a better eye on everyone if we all fly together.”
“You really think Darren has a partner who’s going to follow us to California?”
“I’m not taking any chances with your safety. Besides, I may not know a lot about teenagers, but you can’t tell me they won’t love having a story about a ride in a private jet,” he said, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her close.
She sighed. “Fine. You win. As always.”
He chuckled and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’m late for a meeting, Doll. I’ll see you at work in a little while.”
Picking up his suitcase, he walked downstairs where Henry was coming out of his bedroom.
“Good morning, Mr. Alvarado. I was hoping to see you before I left. I wanted to run something past you.”
• • •
Isabelle came downstairs an hour later to find her dad and uncle chatting at the kitchen table. “Good morning, you two,” she said, kissing them both on the cheek before making her way to the coffeepot.
“I’m glad you’re both up. I wanted to talk to you about the family reunion.”
Henry smiled. “Mr. Oliver already talked to me. It’s kind of him to offer to take us.”
Isabelle frowned. “What do you mean he already talked to you?”
“This morning as he was leaving. He told us you invited him and said he doesn’t want me to have to sit in a car for two days with my injuries and suggested we all fly on his jet.”
Isabelle sank into the third chair with her coffee cup. “And you’re OK with this?”
“I just had the shit kicked out of me, Isabelle. I sure as hell don’t want to be trapped in a car with two teenagers for four days.”
She twisted a piece of her dark hair around her finger. “I’m glad you’re OK with it. You both seem to dislike him and his money, so I didn’t want to assume anything. I was going to talk to you about it first. He wasn’t supposed to.”
Henry leaned forward and smiled. “He seems like an OK guy. I’m not saying I trust him completely, but I can see why you fancy him.”
She smiled. “I do like him a lot. I probably should have asked before inviting him to the reunion though. I wonder how Aunt Sandy will feel.”
Her dad shrugged. “Your cousin Tara is bringing her girlfriend with her. Her mom and I are the only ones who know. I suspect you two won’t be the only ones the family talks about,” he said with a smirk.
She chuckled. “Good for Cousin Tara. I’m glad she feels brave enough to come out. I know how our family has a history of being less than open-minded.”
She stood and drained her coffee. “I love you both. I need to get to work. I’m working overnight at the hotel too, so I won’t see you until
morning.”
Henry muttered under his breath about her working too hard, but she ignored it.
Chapter Twenty
Garrett sat in his office having just finished a conference call with a tech group who wanted to further automate his fulfillment process at his order fulfillment centers. He’d spent the morning in a virtual meeting with the rest of the president’s economic advisory panel. They had been tasked with formulating recommendations for the first hundred days of President Donavan’s second term, should he win in November. As always when dealing with egos that big, there had been a lot of talking over each other and getting little done. At the end of the day, it would be interns, assistants and middle managers who provided the meat of the agenda.
Now he was waiting for Regina to connect him with Paul Andrews, a former roommate, and the current governor of Colorado.
He watched Isabelle on her own phone call with a shipping facility in another state and a smile played at his lips. Waking up next to her was proving to be more and more desirable all the time and he wondered if she would let him spend the night at the safe house with her more often.
“I have Governor Andrews for you, Sir,” Regina’s voice crackled through his tablet and soon his desk phone rang.
“Paul, thanks for making the time.”
“Always, Garrett. I’m disappointed we won’t be seeing you on Friday.”
He scowled. “That’s actually what I’m calling about. I think there’s been a mix-up. I absolutely want to attend. Is there a way to get two tickets?”
“Well, that’s a relief. The small business council of Colorado told us you were no longer interested in lending your support to their organization.”
“Where the hell did they get that idea? I’ve been sending them annual donations and contracting with local vendors since we bought Colorado Logistics. I’ve even had the states tech supply contract up until a few months ago when it was suddenly awarded to Maxitech. I’ve been trying to get you on the phone ever since.”
Paul cleared his throat. “I’m sorry I didn’t try to call you and find out more, but you know how day-to-day governance is. I just let my assistants handle most things.”
Garrett knew all too well what that was like. “Well, send me two tickets and I’m going to get on the phone with the president of the council and find out where the mix-up came from.”
