Page 33 of Bling

Chapter Ten

Sunday morning, Garrett sat in the armchair of his Solitaire suite watching Isabelle sleep. He’d kept her up late last night playing in one of the dungeon alcoves and had continued his exploration of her body after they’d shut the club down for the night.

He’d been up for a couple of hours and was reading on his tablet. He hated to end their weekend together, knowing danger awaited them in the real world, but a glance at the clock in the corner of his screen told him it was probably time to wake her up if he were going to take her shopping before she needed to be back home.

Closing his tablet, he set it on the end table and moved to sit on the edge of the bed where he gave her a gentle nudge.

“What time is it?” she asked as she bolted upright. “Are you late for school? Did you get breakfast?”

Garrett frowned. Poor girl thought she was at home.

“Shhh. We’re still at Solitaire, Doll. It’s almost nine in the morning.”

She rubbed at her eyes and shook her head. “Shit. Sorry. I was having dreams about the girls. They’re usually the only ones who wake me up, and that’s only if I’ve overslept.”

He let the back of his hand trail down her cheek. “You work so hard. I’m taking you shopping today.”

She swung her legs off the bed so she was sitting next to him. “Why would you do that?”

He laughed. “Monday is a black-tie event with a red carpet to walk. I want to get you a dress.”

She scowled. “I’m sure I can come up with something from my closet.”

How did he explain this to her? “I don’t think so. I wouldn’t want you to feel out of place. Most of the women have personal stylists dressing them.”

“So why are you taking me if you don’t think I can handle dressing for it?”

He sighed. This was not going well. “That’s not what I meant, Isabelle, and watch your tone. We’re still at Solitaire. I want to buy you a dress. Let me. You always dress wonderfully, but this is on a completely different level. As for why I’m taking you, I want the pleasure of your company outside of Solitaire and I don’t have a lot of free time. Not to mention, I need a date. When I show up solo at these things, the women are like vultures.”

She giggled. “So, I’m your security?”

He laughed and shook his head. “Again, not what I meant, brat. I’m just not handling this very well, am I? I want to spoil you a bit and take you to a party.”

She gave a slow nod. “OK. I like the sound of that.”

“Well, up with you then. We don’t have much time to get on the road. What time do you need to be back home?”

She leaned over to the nightstand and picked up her phone. “Girls will be home at four, but Uncle Henry will be home. So long as I’m there by six so I can make sure homework was done that will be fine.”

Garrett nodded and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’m going to go downstairs and do a walk of the property with Patrick. Get dressed and meet me down there in half an hour.”

She nodded and he narrowed his eyes at her.

“Yes, Sir,” she murmured, earning a wink of approval. The blush that colored her cheeks made him want to push her back down on the bed, but he knew they needed to get going.

“Half an hour,” he reminded her as he stood and moved to the door.

Downstairs, Patrick was on the sofa in the lobby with Austin snuggled next to him.

“Good morning,” he greeted. “How’s it looking this morning?”

Patrick looked down at his wife and smiled. “I would say my view is pretty damn incredible.”

Austin blushed and sat up straight. “Where’s Isabelle this morning, Master Garrett?”

Garrett smiled. “She’s getting showered and dressed. Ready to check the property, Patrick?”

Patrick stood. “You coming?” he asked Austin.

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