Both women stopped talking at once, uncomfortable expressions shaping their faces when she came into view. They promptly slapped smiles in place as all good staff should, but Isabelle could tell they were faking their joy. And for some reason, the two felt sorry for her.
A large decadent and expensive floral array was on the counter between the front desk clerk and the concierge as she approached.
“Hello, ladies, how are you both doing this evening?” she asked in her brightest, happiest voice. She’d quiz Jessica later about what she’d heard and what it might mean. Her mood was too good to worry about anything bad right now.
“Great,” they both said in unison. They traded a guarded glance and one pointed to the flowers. “This bouquet came for you a little while ago. We’re jealous, of course.” But they weren’t.
“Wow. For me. They are lovely. Any other messages?”
They both shook their heads a little too hard and fast. She ignored their discomfort, nodding and smiling to keep up her end of the charade.
Isabelle studied the beautiful bouquet as the overheard phrase kiss-off bouquet came into her mind. She could see the card addressed to her, but couldn’t tell who it was from. How did they know?
“I’ll just take these back to my office.” She picked up the clear vase and negotiated the large bouquet of fragrant exotic blossoms through the several long hallways back to her space.
Once in her office and all alone, she plucked the card from the clear plastic stand embedded in the flowers and opened it.
Isabelle,
Colton and I wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed dinner last night and especially dessert afterward.
We’d very much like to see you on your next day off, if you’re interested.
Thinking of you,
Warrick.
She closed the note and stared at the flowers. They were amazing. Perfect. Obviously, they’d sent this floral arrangement to others before her. Just as obvious was the fact that the other women hadn’t been invited back for more.
Isabelle pondered the last conversation with Warrick. He hadn’t seemed in a hurry to let her go. He’d driven her home after offering her a lush breakfast, then promptly kissed her socks off and said, “See you soon, Isabelle,” in that sexy low voice he possessed guaranteed to get her panties soaked instantly. Not what she would expect if they were about to ditch her.
A little thrill ran down her spine at the idea of being asked back on her next night off. Until she remembered their longest relationship lasted a whole month.
Would she be anxious and on edge for the next several weeks waiting for the awkward morning good-bye she’d always be expecting each day? Would it ruin any possible happy relationship? Would she come into work some night in the near future, where another flower arrangement waiting for her only with the kiss-off message attached instead?
Maybe. Or perhaps she should call things off herself before she got any more attached. Because there was no mistaking that she was already very attached.
Having both of them in her body at the same time had been the pinnacle of her sexual understanding. The whole night from beginning to end had been one amazing carnal experience after another.
She took a moment, letting the memories saturate her mind, reliving every word, touch, thrust, and climax until she figured she’d better get back to work. She wasn’t ready to excuse herself quite yet.
So perhaps she’d go out one more time, soak up what they had to offer, and then call it off before they could. She did have her pride. Better for her to say good-bye first than to endure them doing it. But one more time together in bed wouldn’t hurt, right?
The phone rang, jarring her from her reverie, until Colton’s voice seeped in.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, sounding as relaxed as she felt.
“Hey, yourself.”
“Sorry to bother you at work, but we wanted to see if you were free tomorrow night.”
“I am free.” I’m free from now on.
“Great. I’m in the mood to barbeque something. Bring your appetite to Warrick’s tomorrow evening.”
“Okay.”
“Can you find your way back?”
“I think so. Do I need a gate code?”
“Yep.” Colton gave her the access numbers to the big gate guarding the Old West Town owners compound, and a few directions. “See you tomorrow night around seven. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me, too.” Isabelle hung up, suppressing a sigh of joy. Maybe she’d be the one to last longer than a month.
The phone rang again. Isabelle grinned. “Hello?”
There was a long silence. “Hello?” she asked again.