Beginnings (Brady Trilogy) (12 page)

“Hi.” She smiled nervously.

“Hey.” He smiled back.  “Forget something in the office?”

“I needed to pick up a few files to take with me to New York tomorrow. Plus I was hoping to catch you here.” She saw his brows rise in surprise. “I wanted to thank you for sending Jake to install the system.”

“You’re welcome.” He smiled.

“And to thank you for helping me again.” She looked to the floor. “I managed to embarrass myself yet again didn’t I? It’s just so damn pathetic already.” She let out a weak pitiful laugh.

Luke walked in front of her and
lifted her chin. “Hey. How many times do I have to repeat that I’m here for you?” he asked with a stern voice.

“I know you are. Y
ou’ve proved that tremendously.” She searched his emerald green eyes. “But why?”

Her question caught him off guard.
Why Brady? She wants to know why?
He didn’t dare to admit it. He could just bluff his way out of this one as well. Play the boss ensuring the safety of his employee card. But he was tired of hiding his true interest in her. He took a deep breath and brushed his index finger lightly above her brow. “Because I care about you,” he admitted. “I care deeply for you Isabel.” He lightly stroked her face with the back of his fingers then traced her lower lip with his thumb.

It was all the
assurance Isabel needed. She placed her delicate hands on his chest, slowly rose and closed the distance between their lips. She kissed him with confidence. Gently at first but then very profoundly as her lips became slightly demanding. Luke groaned and placed his hands firmly on her hips. He slowly pulled her closer until their bodies molded each other. As much as his mind had warned him to prevent this very moment from happening, his heart had ignored it. He softly sucked on her lower lip causing her to slightly moan. It was the sweetest music to his ears. He wanted to take her on his wide wooden desk which had enough surface to support them both. He thrust his tongue into her parted mouth and turned the embrace into heat and passion.

Isabel’s mind became clouded and her skin burned. Need, sensation, thrill shook her entire body. A reaction she thought she would never feel again. She felt it deep in
her core the powerful urge that made her want more. The slow strokes of tongues continued and Luke’s mouth became harder on hers. He ran his hands up and down her back slowly and seductively, pulling them both into a heated frenzy. At this moment he realized he was pressing a very hard part of his anatomy against her lower stomach. It took every will power, any sense he still had left to pull away and stop himself from ripping her clothes apart and devouring her.

“Isabel,” he forced away to break the kiss. He placed his forehead on hers and was struck for words. Both breathing heavily they gazed into each other’s eyes. He’d reached entirely too close to losing his edge. He wanted her more than anything he had ever wanted and the strong yearning desire thrilled yet frightened him deeply.

“Don’t say anything.”
She breathlessly whispered against his lips. “It was the exact thing I needed.” Her chest felt heavy because she could not distinguish the look in his eyes. She was unable to read satisfaction or regret in them, though either way she did not want to know. She wasn’t sure she was ready for either answer.

They stood in silence until the burning heat cooled down and Luke desperately wanted to ask her if they could try to make this work. He feared he might scare her. That if he pushed, she’d run away. He still didn’t know what she ran away from when she arrived here. But he didn’t want to make any mistakes and lose her before he even had her. He’d let her figure things out on her own pace. He already knew what he felt and knew what he wanted. He wanted her. But he’d never risk hurting her.

“Promise
you’ll still come to New York with me?” He searched her brown eyes. “That this didn’t change anything and won’t hold you back from coming with me.”

She laughed nervously
. This kiss had changed everything she thought. If only he knew how much it had changed her. She no longer denied to herself how quickly she was falling for him. “I’ll be there. Which reminds me, I better go finish packing.”

Luke hesitated to let her go b
ut he finally released her. “See you tomorrow morning.” He called out after her as she closed his double doors.

Isabel didn’t know how she made it to her desk on shaky legs.
Wow
, she thought.
That was intense
. She began arranging her files with shaking hands when moments later Linda appeared.

“Hot date with the boss
last night?” Linda leaned on Isabel’s desk. It’s as if the woman had radar every time she thought about Luke.

“Yes discussing contact details with a big shot client.
Pretty hot.” Isabel was still flushed.

“Uhuh.” Linda raised a brow and studied her. “Don’t act like you don’t possess a fatal attraction towards our sexy as sin boss over there. I see how you get those puppy dog eyes every time you look at him. It’s written all over your face sweetie. I must say he shares the same attraction towards you. He looks a heartbeat away from breaking control and dry humping you.”

“I do not.” Isabel shrieked turning red as a tomato. “And no he does not.”
Oh my God, had Linda just seen them in Luke’s office
? Mortification brightened her face with an even deeper red.

“Not buying it. Look how flushed you are just thinking about it. It’s actually pretty cute. Don’t get all shy with me Isabel I have a sixth sense when it comes to these things. And don’t be embarrassed about it either.” She pointed a finger at her. “We’re all adults and we can speak about sex openly.”

“Ok fine. Maybe I’ve developed a little crush on Luke.”  Isabel lowered her voice. “But it’s out of the question and I need to get over it.”

“Why?”

“Why? Because he is our boss that’s why. I’m just attracted to him because he’s the first good-looking man I have been around for a very long time.”

“How long?” Linda raised a brow.

“Too long.” Isabel laughed.

Linda stared her down. “When was the last time you had sex?”

Isabel began rearranging random items on her desk to avoid Linda’s inquisitive eyes. “Four years ago.” She mumbled under her breath.

“I’m sorry. What? I didn’t hear you?” Linda leaned in closer cupping her ear dramatically.

“Four years ago.” Isabel spoke louder.

“WHAT? Are you crazy? How is that possible? How did you even manage that? I mean look at you?”

Linda’s shocked voice made her cringe. “Hey it’s not that bad.” She said defensively and earned an ‘
oh really
’ look from Linda. “Ok fine it is that bad.” Isabel burst out laughing and Linda joined her. She had developed a great friendship with Linda. In the short period of time they had become good gal pals inside and outside the office. And one night after another round of tequilas at Linda’s house, Isabel had trusted her and blurted out everything that had happened to her in L.A. Linda now knew the big dark secret that lurked through Isabel’s mind. She had told Isabel to get the proper help but she made her promise she would let her deal with it the way she thought best.

“Besides, that’s not why I’m so flushed right now. I’ve completely embarrassed myself in front of Luke. I had an episode in his office a couple of months ago and last night another one of those dreadful nightmares.” She sighed and ran a hand through her hair.

“Oh shit Isabel.” Linda voiced with concern.

“It’s not a big deal. Please don’t worry. I guess it’s because I talked to my mother and you about it recently which freshened up the memory and opened old wounds.”

“You can’t open wounds that haven’t yet been healed sweetie. You never got closure from what happened that’s why it will never leave you. You should do something to cope with it.”

“I’m fine Linda.”

Linda sighed. She’d tried to talk to her numerous times but Isabel just wouldn’t budge. She actually thought if she ignored it then it would go away. “Ok fine. Have it your way. Just take care of yourself better for me please. You know what would get your mind off of all that? Hot and sweaty sex with our delicious boss over there. Trust me it would be great therapy for you.”

“Oh my God Linda.” Isabel chuckled and covering her face with both hands. “You are just too much. Can we please stop talking about Luke?” She hissed. “He’s in his office and might hear you.”

“Not unless you don’t admit it’s more than just a crush.”

Isabel glanced quickly towards Luke’s closed doors. “I’m really attracted to him. Never been this drawn to any man before.” She admitted.

“Oh my God. I
knew
it.” Linda yelled and excitedly jumped up and down.

“
Shhhh
Linda.”

“So do you think something will happen in New York? You do know you and Luke will be alone on his private plane.” Linda’s eyes were gleaming with enough mischief that slightly alarmed Isabel.

“No I did not know that. Thank you that’s just great another thing to be nervous about. And to answer your question, no I don’t think anything will happen. I know he cares about me but he’s not going to get involved with me. We’ve been spending a lot of time together because my position requires it but I can tell Luke prefers to not complicate things and keeps his distance. Every time we get a little too close he pulls away. And I need to accept that.” Isabel recalled Luke’s face after she kissed him. He wasn’t exactly rushing to declare any feelings towards her. It hurt but she knew he wasn’t the type of man to rush into anything. “Besides who’d want to get involved with a woman emotionally as unstable as I am. I’ve had a few episodes in front of him Linda, I’m sure I totally freaked him out.”

“Luke’s not shallow Isabel.” Linda scolded.

“I know.” Isabel sighed heavily. “I’m just saying I understand his reasons for staying away.”

“Well I on the other hand think he won’t be able to control himself sooner or later so my money’s on him. Four years Isabel. Four freakin’ years.” Linda shook her head still stunned how anyone went through life that long without releasing some sexual tension. “Anyway, have a safe trip sweetie.” Linda tightly hugged Isabel. “Call me if you have another nightmare and I’ll stay on the phone with you okay? And as for Luke I’m rooting for him so don’t forget to shave your legs.” Linda playfully swatted Isabel’s butt before she left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For
most the annoyance towards airports came easily. Having to find the right terminal, dealing with security, flight delays and the long dragging departure to their destination would have been a great nuisance. But to Isabel it was a familiarity all too comforting. Her parents loved to travel and by the young age of twelve she had already seen more than most would in a lifetime. Isabel didn’t have an ordinary childhood. She didn’t attend the same school a full two years. In constant traveling with her parents, she had the luxury of seeing many beautiful foreign countries. It wasn’t until her father’s death that her mother finally settled in California.

Now she sat in B. Pentagon Prints’ plush and very spacious company plane and watched Luke speak to his pilot. The soft royal blue carpet felt like velvet underneath her feet. The smooth plump white seating made her feel as though she was floating on a fluffy, weightless cloud. She ran her hand slowly on the exterior of her arm rest and felt the softness of the fabric. She observed Luke in his trim fit, three-piece dark charcoal suit and fiddled nervously with her heart necklace. She wondered how many times he had stood in that exact spot speaking to his staff. How many times has he used this lavish plane for business? And how many women have sat in her exact seat waiting for him to come and join her.

She remembered vividly how Luke’s hands had felt the day before holding her firmly against him. She remembered how desperately her mouth had roamed against his.  How his demanding lips and tongue had stroked hers. She would give anything to taste him again. Since the minute they met her need for him kept building and building. She feared she’d soon explode like an uncontrollable erupted volcano. She did not recognize the woman within herself when she was with Luke. It’s as though an unknown source was feeding her confidence to take what she wanted. Yet her lack of experience kept pulling her back. As if reading her thoughts Luke shifted his attention to Isabel and looked directly into her eyes. She could have sworn the world stopped orbiting as his intense green eyes bore into hers. She knew in some odd bizarre way he could read her mind. She felt naked and slightly vulnerable. Here was the man she was most intimidated by, who she had allowed herself to become close to despite better judgment and he could see right through her. That’s what she loved and feared most about Luke. He saw her as clear as day. He’d witnessed her strengths and insecurities. Yet she did not bother to hide herself from him.