*Isabella's POV*
"You know you missed the Phoenix visit " he said " You know I needed you the but-"
"I should've be there to take notes" I cutting him off. I took a deep breath "That was reckless of me and I should be punished" as soon as those words left my mouth I regret it. I don't know why I said that, but I pretty much have to go on with it now.
Damien walked even closer bridging the small gap between us coming so close I could almost here his heartbeat. He put a finger under my chin lifting my head up so I can look him in the eyes.
"You want a punishment, Ms. Williams" he ask his tone cold yet laced with dominance. The look in his eyes could not be confused for anything else, it was lust. His finger only grazed my skin, barely touching my cheek, but the proximity of his body made me tremble.
"Sir-" I began but was interrupted by yet another person clearing their throat. " Am I interrupting" Jacob said as he walked into the office 'uhm yes you are' I thought to myself. Damien quickly composed himself and walked back to his seat and stood there. "I had a meeting with Phoenix today" he said addressing Jacob.
"What the competition?" Jacob exclaimed.
"Competition for eLanc, yes. But we have a shot in buying them. We'll talk this through at the Coun Country head next week" Damien replied.
"Speaking of the country head meeting Ms. Williams will be accompanying us" he added.
"Oh will she. Well you are both welcome in my humble adobe" Jacob said sounding intrigued as he winked at me causing me to roll my eyes.
"Out of the question" Damien countered.
"Why?"
"Ms. Williams and I will be checking into a hotel" he replied.
"But..."
"End of story" he said his dominant tone returning.
I brushed of the moment I shared with Damien as I got back to work, treated it as a product of my vivid imagination.
And the rest of the week passed uneventfully. Too uneventful if you asked me.Jacob stayed true to his word and behaved. But it felt a bit strange, he behaved to the extent of almost ignoring me.
"Morning Ms. Williams " Jacob greeted. "Hello Mr. Lancaster " I returned the greeting as he retreated into his brother's office. Wow there he goes again ignoring me. I stood up from my sat and followed him in.
"Jacob wait" I said as I entered the office. "Yes Ms. Williams?" He replied formally.
"Don't Ms. Williams me. What have I done?" I asked angrily.
"What are you talking about"
"You been avoiding me, in fact your still avoiding me" I said feeling defeated.
"I am not, I was just working " he replied nonchalantly.
"Would you like tk have lunch together?" I asked nervously. I don't know why I asked but I missed his company so I wanted to have lunch with him again.
"Isabella..." He said a confident smile plastered on his face. His cocky smile appeared again, and for some reason I didn't know if I was annoyed or turned on.
"Did you miss me?" He added as he winked at me. He didn't need to know this– but I did miss him. I missed that motherf***er. "I was wondering-" I started but couldn't finish as Jacob walked closer to me. He leaned over me, his breath in my face. He was standing so close I could smell his cologne. Jacob's cologne was milder than his brother's. A woddy fragrance with lemon tones. It was refreshing, as refreshing as his playful smile.
He took my chin between his thumb and forefinger and turned my head to face him. "Tell me Isabella, tell me if you missed me" he said his eyes lingering on my lips and I took liberty to do the same. His full lips look delicious that I forgot where I was for a moment. While he ran his tongue over his lips he leaned in and....
"Mpho, Jacob?"
I heard Damien voice loud and clear and it sent shivers down my spine. He cleared his throat as we quickly composed of ourselves. "Mr. Lancaster, I was just leaving" I said feeling embarrassed.
"Stay. I want to talk to you about New York. We have to leave tomorrow "he countered.
"My pilot wants time off this weekend so we will fly to New York on Friday" he added.
"But sir I travel by train" I said and for some reason it amused Jacob causing him to laugh. "I mean it's not that far... a plane in not necessary " I added.
"She's cute" Jacob whispered to Damien but loud enough for me to hear too.
"Isabella, have your things ready. At 5 PM after work we will board the plane" Damien said maintaining his calm collected demeanor.
–————–————–————–————–
I was packing my bags at Cole's place when reality struck me like a bolt of lightning."This is a disaster!" I exclaimed, starting to panic.
"That's it, I'm not going. What else could he do, fire me?"
Cole entered the living room from the kitchen. "OK, what's the fuss about? I could hear you from the kitchen."
"I have nothing to wear," I replied. "I haven't had time to do laundry, and the rest of my clothes... well, I left some stuff at Harry's."
Cole asked sarcastically, "So you're going to New York in your underwear?"
I replied, "Not funny."
Cole chuckled and said, "Tell you what. You can have my credit card."
I protested, "I couldn't possibly—"
Cole countered, "Take it, no big deal."
I pointed out, "Even if I took it, when would I go shopping? We're leaving tomorrow after work."
Cole exclaimed, "You lucky bi***! Anyway, you could go shopping on Saturday. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that you're going to fly on a private jet with Damien Lancaster to NYC, and you can still find time to complain about it."
*Friday, 4:50 P.M*
Cole looked at my panicked face and said, "Deep breaths, calm down."
I took a deep breath and let out a sigh. "Calm down, you'll be alright."
I confessed, "I feel nervous – flying with my boss, seeing NYC... it all just makes me feel excited."
Cole retorted, "Don't wet the floor with that excitement."
Damien arrived to pick me up as agreed, and I sat with him in the back seat.
I broke the silence, asking, "So, your brother won't be joining us?"
Damien replied, "He will meet us there."
I smiled at the memory of Jacob changing gears and throwing me playful glances. I wasn't the first time this week that I'd been thinking about him. I hated to admit it, but that playboy was making himself at home in my heart.