Page 53 of Bling

“You could fly into Pennsylvania tonight. He’ll be in the state most of tomorrow,” Regina said after reviewing his calendar.

“Could I be back in Colorado by tomorrow night? I have things I need to take care of here on Thursday.”

“Yes, Sir. Easy. You could also take a meeting with that Ohio shipping company while you’re here. They’re pestering me again.”

He rolled his eyes. The company had been trying to get his attention for months, but everything in their public record said investing in them or partnering with them would be a risk he wasn’t willing to take right now. He’d thought they would get the hint when he didn’t answer any of their petitions for a meeting, but they were getting persistent.

“Fine. Set it up. I’ll humor them and then maybe they’ll go away.”

“Very good, Sir. Should I arrange to have your plane ready when you get done for the day?”

He held up a finger to the camera. “Give me one minute.”

He leaned to the other side of his desk and pressed the intercom on the phone. “Isabelle, come in here, please.”

The door opened seconds later, and she leaned against his doorframe. Her expression was sultry, and for a moment he forgot Regina was waiting on him.

“You should ditch the jacket and roll your sleeves up like that more often, it’s really hot,” she said as she pushed off the doorway.

He blinked as Regina coughed. Isabelle’s face went red and she mouthed, “sorry.”

He kept his expression neutral. “I need to go to Pennsylvania tonight. Can you come with me?”

She shook her head. “I need to be here for the girls. Sarah has a play at seven tonight.”

He nodded and turned his attention to his assistant on the screen. “Tell the pilot I’ll want to take off at seven-thirty. Also, book a reservation somewhere nice for Miss Alvarado and me for dinner, please.”

Isabelle narrowed her eyes and shook her head.

He muted his microphone.

“Close the door,” he said when she opened her mouth to protest.

She did as he ordered and he stood and leaned over the desk, his palms flat against the dark wooden surface. “What did you have for breakfast?”

She dropped her gaze. “A donut and some coffee.”

“And lunch?”

She shook her head. “Haven’t gotten that far.”

He unmuted Regina but maintained eye contact with Isabelle. “Change my dinner to a late lunch, please, Regina. Something available as soon as possible.”

Isabelle opened her mouth. “But…”

He stopped her with a hand gesture as he pressed mute again.

“You either let me buy you lunch, or you bend over my desk for a spanking. Your choice.”

Her mouth opened, then closed, and finally opened again. “Lunch would be lovely, Sir.”

He smirked as he unmuted Regina just as she was rattling off a restaurant name and address. “Thank you, Regina.”

“That is so not fair,” Isabelle said with a pout as he disconnected.

“What’s not fair? That I demand you take care of yourself?”

“No. That you turn me on with threats of things I hate.”

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