Grace Under Fire (Buchanan-Renard 14)

“You do?”

“It’s very sexy,” he whispered into her ear. “Can you breathe?”

“It has a lot of spandex. It isn’t indecent, is it?”

“No, it isn’t,” he answered. “It’s the way you fill it out, sweetheart.”

The endearment flustered her, and she didn’t know how to respond.

He smiled down at her and said, “You’re blushing.”

A couple of young men called out to Michael. Both he and Isabel turned in their direction, and Isabel caught a glimpse of Amanda standing at the edge of the dance floor, still watching, but this time her laser-sharp glare was directed toward Isabel.

Michael smiled and nodded to his friends, but when he turned his attention to her again, his expression had changed. He looked very serious when he said, “Isabel, we need to talk.”

She leaned back. “Yes?”

“Last night was great,” he said. “But it shouldn’t have happened. I should have gotten up and walked out of that bedroom. You were...” He paused as if searching for the perfect words.

“I was what?”

“Inexperienced... and I feel I took advantage of you.” He looked truly sincere when he added, “I’m sorry about that.”

“You think having sex with me was a mistake?”

“Yes... but...”

“Wow. You sure know how to flatter a girl.”

“Isabel, I’m trying to explain...”

“I’d rather you didn’t,” she whispered.

Before Isabel could utter another word, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned her head to find Amanda standing behind her.

“My turn,” Amanda announced in a breathy voice. “I’d like to dance with my guy.”

My guy?“Of course,” Isabel said. She took a step away from Michael. “He’s all yours.”

Fighting back the tears, she walked away. Michael called her name. She ignored him. More than anything she needed a few minutes alone. She was angry and hurt and had no one to blame but herself. Michael had been brutally honest with her when he told her he regretted their night together. Isabel didn’t want to know all of his reasons for wishing it hadn’t happened. He’d said quite enough.

Isabel headed to the house. Her goal was to go up to the third-floor bedroom, shut the door, and take a few minutes to get her emotions under control. She was so close to losing it. Unfortunately, she was waylaid again and again by guests at the party who wanted to meet her... and yes, to know what XO was like. She almost made it to the stairs a second time when the MacAlisters got hold of her and dragged her to the dance floor again. Their flirting was so outrageous, they had her smiling in no time at all. An hour later, in a much better frame of mind, Isabel finally made it all the way to the stairs.

Just two steps up, she was halted by Amanda. “Isabel. A moment, please.”

Isabel sighed. “Yes?”

“I’ve been wanting to catch you alone so I could ask you.”

“Yes,” she prompted again, trying her best to hide her irritation.

“Will you sing at our wedding? Michael and I would love it if you would.”

Isabel’s reaction was so swift, it even surprised her. She laughed. “No. I don’t do weddings.”

She didn’t waste another minute discussing it. She now had only one thought in mind: to get away from Michael and his soon-to-be bride. She couldn’t seem to stop laughing as she ascended the stairs to gather her things.

The laughter saved her from crying. Either that, or she was becoming hysterical. She got her wristlet with her phone and room card out of the credenza and hurried down through the kitchen to get to the back door. She was determined to get off the island as quickly as possible. If she had to walk to the Hamilton, then, by God, she would.