CHAPTER 16
“The inevitable happens when two bodies connect.”
ISABELLE CAMPBELL
I glanced outside the mansion and noticed the weather turning dangerous—worse than I’d seen in a long time. The storm was so violent that the thought of leaving and going home actually scared me.
“It would be safer if you stayed here tonight.”
“God, you scared me!” I pressed a hand to my chest, my heart racing from the shock of Colin’s voice right behind me.
“Maybe you should pay more attention when someone’s approaching,” he said calmly.
“With all that noise out there? Not exactly easy,” I shot back, turning my gaze to the window again. The storm was getting worse by the second.
“I’ve already talked to Helen,” he continued. “She’ll get a room ready for you and Hanna to spend the night.”
“I haven’t decided if we’re staying yet,” I said, turning to face him—only to find his dark eyes locked on mine.
“That wasn’t a request,” he said, his tone quiet but commanding. “It wouldn’t be responsible of me to let you drive in this storm.”
“Right…”
“What is it, Isabelle?” he asked, a low growl in his voice.
“Nothing. Thank you for... the consideration.”
Colin shook his head and disappeared down the hall.
That man is so strange. He’s like one of those butlers from an old horror movie—shows up out of nowhere, then vanishes the next second.
I checked my phone—midnight. I couldn’t sleep, and judging by the sound outside, the storm had only gotten worse. Deep down, Colin had been right—it wouldn’t have been a good idea to go home tonight.
I’d called my mom about an hour ago, and she’d said everything was fine. That alone eased me a little.
Hanna, on the other hand, was sleeping like a rock. I decided to get up and wander around the mansion for a bit—burn off some energy or something. I didn’t feel comfortable, that much was certain.
For a few minutes, I paced from one side of the house to the other, but it didn’t make me any sleepier. Quite the opposite, actually. To my surprise, I ran into Colin heading toward the kitchen.
“Do you need anything?” I offered. Even though it wasn’t my shift, I liked being helpful when I could.
“No.”
“The storm got worse, huh?” I said, trying to start some small talk for reasons even I didn’t understand.
“Yeah.”
He grabbed an apple and walked straight into the same room I’d been sitting in, gazing out at the storm through the tall windows.
The man was a well of charm. Talking to him was basically a monologue.
“This place is enormous,” I said. “I still get lost sometimes.”
And there I was, the idiot, still trying to make conversation.
“You’ll get used to it.”
He didn’t even look at me once—just stood there, silent. I hated being in a room with someone who clearly didn’t want me there, so I took a few steps toward my room.
“Can’t sleep?” he asked, finally meeting my eyes.
“I never sleep well when I’m not home. I know, it sounds silly.”
“It doesn’t sound silly. It is silly.”
Always the gentleman, this one.
“I figured you’d say something like that. Your words don’t bother me anymore—I guess I’ve gotten used to you.”
“So I’ve become that predictable?”
“I’d use a different word to describe you.” I turned my head slightly.
“Which one?”
“Rude. With everyone. Except Hanna.”
Colin stared at me for a moment, and I could’ve sworn he was going to snap back, but he didn’t.
“I’ve learned to be that way,” he said finally. “My patience ran out a long time ago. Don’t try to understand it.”
“And why is Hanna the exception?” I asked, crossing my arms, genuinely curious.
“Maybe because she’s a kid. I don’t know. I usually have more patience with children—they don’t piss me off on purpose. Adults, on the other hand, love doing that.” His eyes met mine, sharp and deliberate.
“So that was a jab at me, then?”
“I didn’t say that. You did.”
“I’m not stupid. From day one, you’ve made it clear you didn’t like me.”
“If it helps, I didn’t like any of the women I’ve hired.” His tone didn’t waver.
“Have you ever thought about getting professional help? After everything you’ve been through, I think that’d be the normal thing to do.”
“Do you enjoy pissing me off?” he asked, stepping closer—but I didn’t back away. “What do I have to do to get you to stay out of my personal life?”
“Too late for that. You’re a mystery, and I happen to like solving mysteries.”
“No. Deep down, you don’t want to understand me.”
“Oh, I do,” I said softly, holding his gaze. “I really do.”
“What the hell is your problem, woman?”
We were only inches apart now, but that initial fear I used to feel around Colin was gone. If this were my first day on the job, I’d probably be intimidated—but what I felt now wasn’t fear.
It was want. He didn’t scare me. Though, judging by the look in his eyes, that’s exactly what he wanted.
“You’re my problem,” he growled. “I hate not being able to understand people.”
“Colin… what are you doing?” he asked, eyes narrowing. And I could swear there was desire behind that look.
“I didn’t do anything.”
He exhaled sharply, eyes closing for a moment as if something deep inside him was fighting to stay in control.
“Don’t try to figure me out,” he said quietly. “You’ll never manage that.”
“I want to try anyway,” I said, standing my ground.
“Woman…” He stepped closer, his hand sliding into my hair, fingers brushing against my scalp as he pulled a lock toward his face. “The smartest thing you can do is stay away from me.”
“You’re the one closing the distance,” I shot back. “Not my fault if you’re scared of me.”
“I’m not scared of you!” he snarled.
“Then prove it.”
Colin wasn’t the type of man to let a woman like me get away with teasing him. His hand gripped my waist, yanking me forward—and then his mouth was on mine again, fierce and claiming.
When had I—his employee—ever imagined I’d be kissed like this by Colin Adams, the untouchable?
“Don’t push me again, Isabelle,” he warned through clenched teeth, his lips brushing the edge of my ear.
“I… I don’t even know what you’re talking about.” My voice trembled. What are we doing? This isn’t right.
“It’s not,” he whispered, breath warm against my skin, “but I don’t want to stop. Do you?”
My hand slid up, threading through his hair, pulling him closer again.
“If we keep going,” he murmured, his voice rough, “I’m not the one who’ll stop.”
That scent. His mouth. His body against mine. I couldn’t think straight. I needed him—needed to feel him—
“Mom! Mommy!”
We both froze.
Hanna stood in the hallway, watching us with a puzzled expression. Thank God we hadn’t actually been kissing. One or two seconds later, though, and...
“What is it, sweetheart?” I asked quickly.
We both tried to act normal, stepping apart as Colin raked a hand through his hair, looking far too composed for a man caught like that.
“I woke up because of the noise,” Hanna said, still suspicious. “What were you doing with Uncle Colin?”
“Nothing,” Colin answered before I could. “We were… uh… looking outside. At the storm.”
Seriously, Colin? That’s your cover story?
I turned to him, shaking my head slightly. For once, he actually looked embarrassed.
“Good night, you two,” he muttered before flashing Hanna a small smile and heading down the hall toward his room. He didn’t even glance at me.
“Come on, honey. Let’s go back to bed.” I took Hanna’s hand and led her back to the room Colin had given us.
But no matter how many times I closed my eyes, that scene—his touch, his mouth, the way he’d looked at me—kept replaying in my head.
Sleep was not an option tonight.