Page 2 of Unraveling an Enigma
That night, Hugo was the one who pointed Isabelle out to me. Her diamond exterior had been polished and was shining in a strapless red dress. I stalked her from afar, noticing several men’s eyes in the club following every move she made.
Blood pumped furiously through my veins when the gentleman she was with handed her an extremely large cocktail. It was a cocktail designed to be shared amongst friends. I only intervened when Isabelle downed the entire cocktail in one hit at the robust encouragement of several college boys around her.
I’ve owned nightclubs the past five years. I purchased my very first club the week I left college. It was rundown and old, and its books never left the red, but within a few months, it was converted into one of the top ten clubs in the state. I’ve come across many disgraceful men in my life, but even more so since I started owning nightclubs.
When Isabelle stumbled while attempting to curtsey, I requested for Hugo to bring my car around. I knew then and there I wasn’t leaving that club without Isabelle. I wasn’t going to risk having something slipped in her drink, or waking up in a stranger’s bed.
I threw caution to the wind when I took her back to my apartment instead of driving her straight home. I’m usually more vigilant with the people I permit in my private life. Exercising control in demanding situations is what has made my business endeavors so successful the past seven years. Maintaining the ability to think rationally and removing personal feelings has ensured my success, but there was something about Isabelle that made me forgo all rational thinking when she was in the same vicinity as me.
She forced me to act as if I was once again a college boy enjoying the thrill of the chase. I’ve never been that way before. Well, except for that one time, but Isabelle and Ophelia couldn’t be any more different if they tried. Comparing them would be like comparing chalk and cheese.
I wasn’t the only one surprised by my interest in Isabelle. Hugo was flabbergasted when I aided an intoxicated Isabelle into the back of my car. The alcohol she had consumed overpowered the confines of my vehicle.
By the time Hugo pulled into the underground garage where my apartment is located, Isabelle was passed out cold. I jumped out of my car, moved around to the other side and carefully opened her door, since she was leaning against it. Even passed out, Isabelle felt as light as a feather in my arms.
“Boss,” Hugo said apprehensively, his troubled gaze planted on Isabelle sleeping in my arms. His genuine concern for Isabelle was marked all over his face.
“I won’t need you again until tomorrow,” I instructed, walking to the elevator banks.
Holding Isabelle with one hand, I placed my thumb onto the security dashboard in the elevator. My fingerprint was the only key I needed to access my penthouse apartment. When my gaze lifted, I spotted Hugo standing by the car. His face etched with concern as he ran his calloused hand over his scalp. I heard his distinctive voice curse loudly the instant the elevator doors snapped shut.
I made my way into the main bedroom and placed Isabelle down on one side of the bed. Her hair glowed against the darkness of my sheets. I stared at her peculiarly. I’d never tended to an inebriated person before, so I was a little perplexed on what to do.
When my eyes raked over her beautiful body, they eventually landed on her stiletto shoes. She obviously needed to get more comfortable. I carefully removed her shoes and placed them at the end of the bed before striding to the walk-in closet. My eyes scanned the room, seeking an article of clothing suitable for her to sleep in.
Most items in my closet were business attire, but I found a shirt I’d worn running earlier in the week. It had not been dry cleaned, but it was the only suitable item I had available.
Since Isabelle’s dress was strapless, I could pull the shirt over her head and remove her dress without getting the slightest glimpse of her bare skin. When I lifted her back into my arms to tug down the bed’s comforter, she snuggled in close to my neck and murmured my name.
Growling in frustration, I made my way to the bathroom, urgently needing a cold shower before I did something I'd regret in the morning. Although my tastes for years have leaned toward blondes, I couldn’t deny my physical attraction to Isabelle. She wasalluring.
By the time I strolled back into the bedroom, Isabelle was awake, and her confused eyes were bouncing around the vast space. Her footing was unsteady as she swayed next to my bedside drawers.
“They aren’t clean underwear, are they?” she questioned, her face morphing into disgust.
Smirking, I shook my head. Isabelle looked like she was about to be ill at any moment.
In a flash, her furious eyes lifted to mine. “This is your fuck pad, isn’t it?” she asked sternly.
I’d never called it that before, but yes, that was technically what my apartment was. I never took women back to my private residence.
“And those are. . .” Her words trailed off as her eyes darted to the drawer.
“My trophies, yes, but I don’t collect them; they're given to me.”
Isabelle’s narrowed eyes snapped back to mine. Her nostrils flared, and her stance grew angry. My cock twitched when she placed her hands under my white shirt to slid her black lace panties down her smooth thighs. Bunching her panties in her hand, she yanked open the drawer, and threw her worn panties inside in one quick motion.
“There you go, another trophy added to your collection,” she said, sauntering toward me, fumbling in her drunken state. “Because that's the only way you’ll ever add my panties to your collection,” she sneered through gritted teeth.
I might have believed her comment if her eyes weren’t showing her deceit.
“Get in bed, Isabelle,” I instructed firmly.
Her stance grew firmer before she shook her head.
“Now!” I barked, causing her to jump.
My irritation wasn’t because of her statement. It was because I was already struggling to restrain myself from touching her in her drunken state, and she just made my internal battle ten times worse by removing her panties.
