Her right hand grips my arm, and I look around to realise we’re back at the hotel doors. I guide her inside and
Yes, Miss
settle her at a table in the bar. I grab some ice and hand it to her. I want to stay and help, but twenty students hover restlessly, ready to mutiny if food isn’t served soon.
Once they’re settled in the hotel restaurant, I return to Isabelle. She’s sitting with her leg raised on a chair, ice pressed to her ankle, her head tilted back and eyes closed. Her long, slender neck arches over the backrest, framing her full, rounded breasts in her dress. I take a deep breath before approaching.
My hand lingers over her shoulder, desperate to touch her but not daring to cross that line. "Isabelle," I say softly.
Her head jerks up, and she smiles. "James. Are they all settled?"
"They are," I reassure her. "It's all sorted. Have you chosen what you want? I'll go order our dinner."
Alexandra Ravensbrook
Chapter 18
Isabelle
I sit in my chair at the bar. James has been the considerate gentleman I know he is. He’s looked after me this evening, and the conversation has flowed well. I almost forgot about last Saturday night. We finish our meal, and a bottle of prosecco he ordered from the bar arrives freshly chilled.
“I figured we should celebrate a weekend without any major disasters.” He smirks, looking pointedly at my ankle.
“I’ll be fine by morning,” I laugh, swatting his arm. I want to leave my hand there on his warm forearm for a little longer, just to feel his body heat.
“Isabelle, can I ask you something?” James asks tentatively, his eyes looking away momentarily.
“Sure,” I respond, hesitating, wondering what could get him looking so nervous.
Yes, Miss
“What’s happening between you and Daniel, you seem to have spent more time with him lately?” he says, looking down at his glass. He seems unsure about himself, but I can't figure out why. He hasn't expressed any obvious interest in me. He has for Belle at the club, but not me. Not Isabelle, except for a few sneaky—or not so sneaky— glances at my cleavage and ass.
“James…” I trail off, unsure how to answer. Daniel has been very courteous and charming, but I'm no idiot. I can see he is a walking red flag, and I wouldn't touch him with a bargepole.
“I’m sorry, Iz,” he says, calling me by a shortened name for the second time today, something that just feels natural. The sound of it settles my soul deep inside.
“What's up, James? Talk to me,” I press. There's something clearly bothering him. His eyes seem clouded, and his shoulders are hunched, closing his body off to mine. I reach across and place my hand on his forearm again, lingering longer this time to savour the feel of his skin against mine.
He sits back, breaking the contact. Too much for him then, I guess. I can't figure him out. One minute, he seems keen. The next, he pulls away. He gets out of his chair, his t-shirt pulling across his chest, framing his broad shoulders. What he does next has me wriggling in my seat.
Alexandra Ravensbrook
He drops to his knees, his gaze settling upon mine. Taking my sprained ankle in his hands, he asks, “Do you mind?” He nods his head at my ankle.
“No… Not at all…” My voice is a strained whisper.
Strong, warm fingers encircle my ankle completely as his thumb starts to rub my inner ankle. My whole body melts with the contact. With just the touch of his fingertips, he possesses me entirely.
“How does it feel now? I'm used to working out a few injuries. Our rugby team coach was a physio.” he says, his voice soft and gravelly, his eyes roaming down my thighs and calves.
I can barely talk, my stomach tight and my heart pounding, his thumb working up slowly from my ankle to my calf, massaging in circles. “Good,” I manage to breathe out softly.
I grip the armrests of the chair, watching his face as his eyes darken with desire, his breaths coming faster. His fingers grip my ankle tighter, his thumb roaming further up my calf. He leans in, and his soft, warm breath plays over my skin. I decide now would be a good time to see how he responds to praise after all he’d said at the club.
“You look good down on your knees, James. It suits you.” His hands freeze, but I can see his chest rise and fall quicker. He looks up at me. I feel his grip tighten, and he
Yes, Miss
