Feeling as if my bladder is going to burst, I set the note down, climb out of the bed, and pad into the bathroom. There’s a double sink to the left, a gigantic spa tub that could fit like four people on the right, and farther in is the shower—it can probably fit more people in it than the tub—and the toilet, which has its own door for privacy. I’m not a stranger to the finer things in life, but this bathroom is like what you see on that old MTV show Cribs.
As I relieve myself, staring at the tub with candles surrounding it and a bottle of bubble bath on the edge, I figure having a bath while I decide whether to stay or go won’t hurt. But then my stomach rumbles, reminding me I haven’t eaten since yesterday, so I put the bath on hold and go in search of something to eat. The rest of Isaac’s place is just as gorgeous as his bedroom and bathroom. Gray walls and dark wood floors run throughout the place with different pieces of art hanging in various spots. It’s a typical bachelor pad, but it’s clear Isaac has good taste—or his interior designer does.
When I get to the main area of the house, it’s an open floor plan with a beautiful state of the art kitchen, a dining room with a table that seats six, and a living room that has an open view of the marina thanks to the wall-to-wall glass windows.
Keeping it easy, I find the coffee and brew myself a cup while I make some toast. I cut up some strawberries I find in the fridge and add a bit of whipped cream to the top. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to have extras like whipped cream. There was a time when I would’ve taken items like that for granted… now it’s a luxury I can’t afford.
Once my breakfast is ready, I take my plate and coffee into the library Isaac mentioned in his note. With mahogany floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with books, and a comfy looking couch and reading chair, this room is without a doubt my favorite so far. I set my mug and plate on the end table and then go about searching for a book to read. It seems Isaac has a bit of everything from Knowing the Stock Market, to Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queen. I settle on The Scarlet Letter, a novel I haven’t read since high school. I can’t remember the last time I felt this content, this relaxed. I know what’s waiting for me outside, but for a little while, I’m going to pretend like none of it exists.
I’m several chapters in when I finish eating, once again addicted to the story of Hester Prynne. The bath is calling to me—more so the need to get out of my clothes from last night and scrub myself clean—so I take Hester with me and, after filling the entire tub with hot, soapy bubbles and lighting the candles, get in. It’s been way too long since I’ve had the luxury of soaking in a bath, and I don’t think I’ll ever take such a thing for granted again.
I have my head resting back and my eyes closed, simply enjoying the water, when I hear the door creak open. My eyes pop open and standing in the doorway is Isaac. He’s dressed in a business suit—today it’s gray—and his face is freshly shaven. Our eyes meet and the electrical current that courses through me, from just his look alone, is enough to make my entire body shiver.
Quickly remembering I’m naked in his bathtub, I glance down, thankful the bubbles are mostly covering me.
“You stayed,” he says, a small smile gracing his lips.
“You asked me to.”
He steps farther into the room, his gaze staying trained on my face, not once descending. “You look beautiful like this. How are you feeling?” He shrugs off his jacket and tosses it onto the counter. For a second I wonder if he’s going to join me in the bath—and the idea of him doing so only seems to turn me on—but then he rolls up his sleeves, exposing his muscular forearms and… holy fuck, tattoos. The man has a sleeve of tattoos on his right forearm and I swear my lady parts just wept in desire.
“My head hurts and my body is really sore,” I tell him truthfully. He kneels next to the tub and takes my hand in his, kissing the tops of my knuckles. “But it could’ve been a lot worse. Thank you for saving me.”
His lips flatten in a line and he nods. “I’m just glad I was there.” He rises and kisses my forehead, the simple, sweet gesture causing a pack of butterflies to attack my chest, then walks around behind me, opening the closet. “All morning while I was in my meeting, I imagined you like this.”