Scattered Thoughts (Betrayed by Love Book 1) (14 page)

Date: April 23, 2015 4:55 PM

To: Isabella James

From: Alec Payne

Subject: Unclear

Ms. James,

Apparently my instructions were unclear. PRESTON WILL DRIVE YOU. Is that clear enough for you now?

And I didn’t send you flowers.

Alec Payne

Incredibly  Demanding  & 
Now  Irritated 
Control  Freak, Payne Enterprises

How did he possibly know I’d left the office, much less driven myself. But more importantly, he didn’t send the flowers.
Congratulations on your new job
, the card read. There were only a handful of people who knew about my new job and most of them were in this building. Chris must’ve sent them, that was the only explanation that made sense.

Preston was waiting for me in the parking garage when I finally managed to get out of the office. He transferred my bags from my car to the trunk of his then drove me to the hotel I’d booked after having to cancel my flight. My trip to New York for the Payne Enterprises meeting was still on for tomorrow so there was no reason to make the hour long drive back to Ft. Walton Beach. Especially considering Spencer was supposed to be back tonight. Until I figured out exactly how I managed to break my arm there was no way I was sleeping in the same house as him.

Neither of us said much during the ten minute drive from my office to the Crowne Plaza. Alec was pretty mad at me for driving to the appointment by myself and I could only imagine what he’d said to Preston. Plus, I couldn’t stop thinking about the flowers. My favorite flowers.
The flowers Alec didn’t send.

• • • • •

After I settled into my room I ordered a mixed green salad with coconut crusted chicken and a mango salsa from room service before getting into the shower. Dr. Choi used a waterproof cast material but he said it would take an hour or so to dry. Jonathan rescheduled the two meetings I’d had to miss thanks to the ridiculous cast I was wearing for early tomorrow morning and I didn’t want to be up all night waiting for the damn thing to dry.

Alec said he’d call later but I was much too tired to deal with him or his demands, and especially his irritations, so I powered down my cell phone and ordered a wakeup call from the front desk. There would be plenty of time for Alec to freak out about me driving myself to the doctor on the plane ride to New York tomorrow, assuming we were still flying out together.

The next morning I woke feeling refreshed and thankfully nightmare free. I’d left the drapes partially opened last night and could see the sun was just starting to rise. The sky was filled with shades of red and orange and blue as the sun slowly chased away the night. It was a wonderful time of day, watching, patiently waiting for the sun to rise.

Considering I’d woken up early I cancelled the wakeup call then went down to the hotel lobby for a cup of coffee. Business travelers were rushing about gathering their breakfast before heading out to wherever it was they were going. I grabbed an apple then poured myself a cup of coffee before going back to the peacefulness of my room.

After I’d dressed I ran a straightener through my hair then pulled it back into a ponytail. The cast made the process more challenging but I finally managed to get it done. When I’d finished, I sped through my makeup routine, gathered up my luggage, and headed downstairs to find Preston.

The elevator door opened in the lobby where I saw Preston waiting for me. “Good morning, Preston.”

“Good morning, Ms. James.” He reached for my bags. “Here, let me get those.”

I didn’t object as my cast was making almost every task a challenge. “Thanks.” He nodded but didn’t say anything. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I hope you didn’t get into too much trouble.”

“It was nothing, ma’am. But I do hope you’ll let me drive you next time.” He smiled as he said it and I knew I was forgiven.

Preston dropped me at the office with the promise of being back at ten thirty to drive me to the airport. I had to get through the last two meetings held over from yesterday before I could leave though, and the more people who saw me wearing a cast the greater the odds I wouldn’t be ready to go when he got back. I slipped quietly into my office to grab what I needed for both meetings before hurrying down the hall to the conference room.

• • • • •

By the time my last meeting ending I was ahead of schedule. All I had to do now was lay low until Preston came to pick me up. I’d just about made it back to the safety of my office when Jonathan spotted me. “Ohmygosh, Izzy! What happened?”

“It’s nothing. It’s just a small fracture,” I offered.

“So that’s where you ran off to yesterday. You should have told me!” Shit. He was almost shouting. I had to get away from him before everyone in the office took notice.

Holding up the file folder in my hand, I moved past Jonathan in the direction of my office. “I have to get this report finished before I fly out.” Redirection deployed.

Preston wouldn’t be here for another ten minutes so I opened my email to do a quick check before leaving. There were several emails from clients extending their well wishes, but nothing from Alec. He couldn’t still be mad about me driving. Could he?

My phone rang and I answered it quickly. “Izzy James.”

“Bella, hey, I’ve been trying to get ahold of you.”

You have caller ID ya know
, my inner voice chimed in. I shook her off. Preston would be here any minute so I didn’t have a lot of time. “Hey, Val. Sorry I haven’t called. I’ve been traveling a lot lately.”

“I miss you, Izzy. I want to see you.”

I wanted to see her too. I missed my friend. There was so much for us to catch up on, especially now that Spencer told the kids about the divorce. “We’re doing a photo shoot at the Sandestin tomorrow night for prom, you should come.”

There was a knock on my door but it opened before I even had time to answer. “I just heard about your arm. Are you okay?” Shit. Tim. Now I’d never get out of here on time. I held up a finger indicating I’d need a minute.

“Val, I’m so sorry but I’m going to have to call you back.”

She sighed loudly. “Fine! But you better call me back this time.”

“The Sandestin Beach Resort. Tomorrow,” I said before I disconnected the call and turned my attention to Tim. “Hey, Tim, what’s up?”

“Jonathan told me about your arm. What happened?”

“It was just a bad dream.” I shook my head slowly. “I hit it on the bedside table or something.”

“Oh Izzy, only you could break an arm in your sleep,” Tim laughed, and I laughed too. He believed me, thank the Lord for that.

There was another knock. Damn it. I just wanted to hide out in here alone until Preston got back and my office was turning into Grand Central Station. “Excuse me, Izzy, there’s a delivery for you.” Jonathan stood in the doorway holding a vase of tulips, another one of my favorites. My heart started to race as I thought back to the lilies, still unsure who sent them.

Tim stood to leave. “I’m glad you’re okay, Izzy. Call me Monday to let me know how it went with Payne Enterprises.”

“Sure thing.”

Jonathan set the vase on my desk and handed me the card.  I opened it quickly.
I hope these make you smile. IDCF,
it read.

“Who are they from?”

“IDCF, IDCF,” I said over and over again in my mind.

“Earth to Izzy,” Jonathan said bringing me back to the here and now. “Who are they from?”

A smile crossed my face as I remembered Alec’s email from yesterday.
Incredibly Demanding Control Freak
.

“Oh, sorry, they’re from a client.”

“The same client who sent those gorgeous lilies?” Thankfully Jonathan’s phone rang before I had to answer his question and he rushed out to grab it, leaving me to read the card again.
I hope these make you smile. IDCF
. I sat back in my chair, an ear-to-ear smile on my face.

“Your ride’s here,” Jonathan called from his desk.

“Thanks.” Sighing with relief, I packed up and headed out the door, the smile still on my face.

Butterflies filled my stomach as we got closer to the airport. While I was excited to see Alec I was nervous at the same time. I hadn’t heard from him since his angry email yesterday afternoon, with the exception of the flowers, and I hoped he wasn’t still mad.

Preston collected my bags then escorted me up the steps to the waiting jet. “Ms. James, Preston,” Alec said coolly when we boarded.

Preston nodded then stowed my bags.

“Hi,” I said enthusiastically but Alec didn’t say anything more. Shit, he was still mad but I pretended not to notice. “Thank you for the flowers. Tulips are another one of my favorites.” I bit my lip. “But I’m sure you already knew that, IDCF and all.”

Alec’s expression softened. He pulled me onto his lap and kissed me on the lips. I kissed him back, all the excitement to see him exploding in that one kiss that made my sex tingle. I wanted to rip his clothes off and devour him right there.

He pulled back,
No!
my inner voice  shouted.

“Sit,” he said, pointing to the seat next to him. Disappointed, I slid over and buckled my seatbelt. Alec flashed his wicked grin and I knew he wanted me too.

Pointing to my cast, Alec said, “Pink, huh?”

“Yep,” I laughed, still recovering from that kiss.

• • • • •

“Are we in Tampa?” I asked as Alec led me down the jet stairway, confused by why we weren’t in New York.

“Yes. There was another break-in.” He held the car door open so I could get in then slid in next to me. I couldn’t help but notice he’d said another break-in, yet this was the first time he’d mentioned anything about it.

“Another one? Where?”

“Payne Enterprises. This is the second time they’ve gotten past security.”

“What did they take?”

He pulled his hand through his hair. “Information.”

“What kind of information?”

Alec shook his head. “Okay, that’s enough questions.”

“But—”

“No buts about it. This isn’t your problem to solve, Isabella.” Alec kissed my hand softly. “I don’t want you at the office until we figure out how that son-of-a-bitch got in.” He pulled both hands through his hair this time. “You’re used to working from home so plan on doing that for now.”

Trying to hide my disappointment, I looked away. Spending time with Alec was the best part about this new job.

“Don’t pout, Isabella. You know how crazy that makes me.” He leaned over and bit my lip before kissing me, neither of which made the new arrangement any easier to take.

We ate lunch at the Élevage in the newly opened Epicurean Hotel. “You’ll stay here tonight,” Alec said, rubbing his forehead. “I have to go back to New York but Frank will be here to take you anywhere you want to go.”

“Who’s Frank?”

“He’ll be your driver until your ribs heal.”

Wait, did he say until my ribs heal? “Alec I told you, I don’t need a driver.”

His jaw tightened and he pulled both hands through his hair. “We’re not discussing this again, Isabella.” I decided to let it go, for now anyway. The break-in had him pretty shaken and I didn’t want to be the one who pushed him over the edge.

Alec stood to leave and I followed. “I have to go now, baby.”

“Thank you for lunch.”

“Anything for you, Isabella,” he whispered in my ear. “I’ll see you soon.” Pulling me into his arms he kissed me one final time before heading out of the hotel, leaving me standing in the lobby, disappointed that another night alone with him had been foiled.

The bellman appeared out of nowhere and carried my luggage to my room. I thought about flying back to Pensacola but Alec had already paid for the room, and it was a great hotel. Not to mention Spencer was supposed to be home.

Flowers filled the room as I walked inside the spacious suite. Everywhere I looked; vase after vase, tulips, lilies, orchids, all my favorite flowers in all my favorite colors. When I spotted the card with my name on it, I couldn’t wait to read it. I tipped the bellman and as soon as he disappeared I opened the cared.
Do I make you smile? IDCF
, the card read. And it did.

I pulled a bottle of water from the mini bar and walked out onto the balcony to get a closer look at the view of the Hillsborough Bay. Thoughts of Alec occupied my mind, the conference room where we’d first met, dinner at Oishi, sunset in Marsh Harbour, snorkeling in Turtle Cay, the night we spent together at his condo, the break-ins that were keeping us apart.

My phone rang and I ran inside to answer it, hoping it was Alec but when I glanced at the caller ID my heart sank.

It wasn’t Alec but I answered the call anyway, happy at least for the distraction. “Hey, Val.”

“I thought you were going to call me back,” she snapped.

“I planned on calling you after my meeting. So are you coming this weekend?” I asked hoping to redirect the conversation.

“Oh, Bella, I can’t this weekend. But I do want to see you.”

“You’re still coming for graduation though, right?”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” Valerie said. “Will you be able to do a girl’s weekend then?”

“I’ll have family in town but I’m sure we can find some time to catch up. What’s going on with you anyway?” Valerie never called just to say hi, there was always another reason.

“What’s your problem, Izzy? Can’t I just call to tell you I miss you?”

That certainly would be a first but anything was possible. “I just meant what’s new. We haven’t talked in so long.”

“And whose fault is that?” Valerie could be so temperamental when she didn’t get her way, like when Spencer proposed without telling her about it first. She freaked out that day and drove her car right through his garage door. Usually I let her tantrums roll off my back but I just wasn’t in the mood for any of that right now. I’d planned on spending the night with Alec, naked, not getting reprimanded for being busy. I seriously started to rethink answering her call. “Val, that’s my boss calling. I need to go.”