A Lone Star Love Affair / Falling for the Princess: A Lone Star Love Affair / Falling for the Princess. Sara Orwig

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      In spite of the workout and Jada’s company, Isabelle couldn’t keep memories of Tony from distracting her.

      After a leisurely dinner she dropped Jada off at the office parking lot, where Jada could get her own car.

      “Thanks again, Jada. The dinner was delicious.”

      “Have a super time in San Diego. I’ll see you next Monday. Bring back pictures.”

      “I intend to. I haven’t had many trips.”

      Isabelle waited while Jada climbed into her car and then she drove home. As she unlocked her door, her cell phone rang. When she answered, she heard Tony’s voice. With a racing heartbeat, she shook her head while she listened to him, even though each phone call involved her more deeply with him.

      “How’s my most beautiful vice president?”

      “Tony! That is so politically incorrect,” she chided with a smile.

      “First of all, I’m talking to you. Secondly, this isn’t a business call and you surely never considered it as such. Third, it’s definitely the truth.”

      She laughed, unable to be annoyed or take the question seriously. “So for now this call is not one between an entrepreneur and his employee.”

      “Definitely not. A man calling a woman he wants to be with, take out, make love to …”

      “Stop right there. You always move too fast,” she complained breathlessly, imagining his dark eyes holding their seductive look, aware for this moment she had his full attention.

      “Always? Is everything too fast?” he asked, changing her meaning and stirring memories of standing in his arms while he kissed her slowly and thoroughly. “I’ll have to work on that one,” he said as if talking to himself.

      “You know not always and not everything,” she replied, knowing she sounded even more breathless than before. “Sometimes I would describe you as slow and deliberate,” she said in a sultry voice, drawing out her words and enjoying flirting with him in return, even though she knew better and even though he was far away and not as much a temptation.

      She heard his intake of breath. “We would have hundreds of miles between us,” he said in a thick, husky voice, echoing her thoughts.

      “You began this,” she replied sweetly. “Maybe we should talk about business. Or far more safe, end this call that I really never intended to take.”

      “Business is the last thing on my mind now,” Tony replied. “I have appointments tomorrow or I’d fly home earlier. Unfortunately, I can’t. Why wouldn’t you take my call?”

      “We’re headed nowhere, Tony. This friendship should not be pursued for some basic reasons.”

      “A minute ago you were enjoying our conversation.”

      “It was nothing but harmless flirting that you started.”

      “Harmless is not a good description. You set me on fire.”

      “You brought it on yourself.”

      “I tried to call you earlier when I had a break in my meeting. I missed you.”

      “Sorry, I switched the phone to vibrate and had it in my purse. I worked out and then ate dinner with Jada, one of my friends from work. You probably don’t know a lot of the people yet.”

      “I know some. Jada Picard, lawyer?”

      “Right,” she said, surprised and wondering how many of the employees he could identify and if he learned only the names of those he planned to retain.

      “I’m glad you weren’t working late again.”

      “You did,” she reminded him.

      “That’s also different. If I can get out of here a little earlier tomorrow, I’m going to. Snow is predicted and I don’t want to get snowed in.”

      “No danger on my Dallas to San Diego flight,” she said. She kicked off her shoes and carried the phone to a favorite chair to sit and relax while she talked, taking her hair down and combing her fingers through it, promising herself she would end the talk in ten minutes as she glanced at her watch.

      It was half-past twelve when she wondered why she couldn’t bring herself to cut him short on his calls. Even though she wasn’t seeing him, they were getting to know each other better with the long phone calls.

      “Tony, I have to say good-night. I was only going to talk a few minutes. It’s after midnight.”

      “So you’re enjoying this call as much as I am. We have a great time together, Isabelle. Let me hear you admit it.”

      “Not now or tomorrow or anytime after that,” she replied, laughing.

      “Just wait, I’ll prove it to you. Let me tell you how—”

      “Good night,” she interrupted and broke the connection, laughing again. “Unfortunately, Tony Ryder, you’re right,” she admitted to no one.

      Before dawn Thursday she was at the airport, looking for her colleagues in the waiting area at the gate. Since joining Morris she had worked closely with Nancy and George and she looked forward to traveling with them.

      It was easy to spot Nancy’s red hair and tall George’s thick, wheat-colored blond hair. As they waited for their flight to board, she listened to them talk about their kids, thinking about Tony’s determination to avoid marriage, preferring his work to a family.

      “Lucky you,” George kidded her, “you slept peacefully last night while Nancy was up at three with one of hers and my Billy had a basketball game, then dinner, then homework which included a project he needed help with so I had four hours’ sleep.”

      Isabelle smiled with them. “What was the trouble with Molly?”

      “Nightmares. She’s going through a stage,” Nancy replied.

      “That’s one thing—it should be quiet in the hotel. Nancy and I have dreamed of the few hours we’ll be the only one in our rooms and absolutely no demands after midnight,” George said.

      “Once we’re free tonight, I’ll bet both of you spend the evening calling home and talking to your families,” Isabelle said, knowing they kept in close touch. Their smiles confirmed her statement.

      “After a call home,” Nancy said, “I’m taking a swim in the pool. We’ve seen a hundred pictures as they built the hotel and the pool looked gorgeous. Either of you want to join me, feel free to do so.”

      “I will,” Isabelle said, thinking how much a swim would be welcome as a relief in her busy schedule.

      While they flew, Isabelle went over appointments and brochures, names of California people she would meet. When they came into San Diego she gazed eagerly at the blue ocean below. Her anticipation grew. She looked forward to this trip for several reasons, business СКАЧАТЬ