Page 54 of Bling

He tossed his head back and let laughter roll out of him. “Oh, Isabelle. You always delight me, even when you frustrate me. One of these days, I’m going to show you just how much a spanking can turn you on. Get your things. We’re going to lunch and then you’re going home for a nap.”

She didn’t argue anymore, and they were soon in the back of a car on the way to a restaurant.

He watched her eat a bowl of soup and half a sandwich before he was satisfied. She dozed off leaning against his shoulder as he took her back to the safe house.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night, Doll,” he whispered when he kissed her goodbye. “We’ll have a proper conversation about us when I’m back.”

• • •

Isabelle tossed her empty coffee cup in the trashcan under the desk as she sat reading about the various tourist attractions her boss expected her to be able to discuss with guests. It was nearly nine on Wednesday evening and she’d been at work for an hour. Garrett was delayed getting back into town, so they were going to have breakfast in the morning instead of getting together tonight.

“Isabelle,” her supervisor said, leaning on the desk. “I just wanted to say you’re doing really great and your suggestions for hospitality are excellent. You’ll do well in this industry.”

She smiled shyly. “Thanks, Lori. I’m just glad to be helpful. You leaving for the night?”

“Yeah, I’ve been here since six. Just call if you need anything. You’ll have help in about an hour.”

Isabelle nodded and waved as the woman left.

An hour later, she was engrossed in her reading when she heard the lobby doors open.

She raised her head just in time to see Garrett walk through the double doors, wheeling his suitcase behind him.

For a moment, she considered ducking so he didn’t see her, but it was too late.

He paused and did a double take to make sure he was actually seeing her. The look on his face as he strode toward her with purpose told her she was about to get in serious trouble with her Dom.

“Good evening, Isabelle,” he said, making a show of reading her name tag.

She smiled in return as a coworker approached the desk. “Good evening, Mr. Oliver.”

“Do I have any messages?”

He knew damn well he didn’t, but Isabelle checked anyway.

“No, Sir. None that I can see.”

“Now that’s interesting. I was really expecting someone to inform me about some important decisions concerning my business.”

She gave him an apologetic smile. “I’m terribly sorry, Sir. I’ll be sure to let you know if anything comes for you.”

The coworker left to do something else and Garrett leaned over the counter.

“I don’t know what this is about, Isabelle, but we’re going to have a long conversation when you get off.”

She winced. “I’m here all night.”

He looked as if he wanted to swear but didn’t. Instead, he pulled out his cellphone.

“Hunter, sorry to bother you. I need to borrow one of your employees for a couple of hours.”

She strained to hear what Hunter was saying but Garrett stepped away when he saw her trying to listen.

A moment later, the desk phone rang.

“Isabelle,” Hunter’s deep bass voice came over the phone. “Did you really not tell Garrett you were working for me?”

She closed her eyes. “No, Sir. I was planning to, I swear. Things just got crazy.”

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