Page 122 of Fractured
Isabell whispers. “Okay, I’ll agree to that.”
“Okay, rule 3, we can smell each other anytime we want.”
“WAIT! I can’t agree to that. I know enough about you Alexander Russo, you’ll come creeping into my house at some weird hour and smell me cause it’s in the rules. Nope, it has to be when we are in the same room. No sneak attacks.”
Shit, I had a plan, but she just ruined it.
“Fine, no sneak attacks.” I look over the notepad. “Anything else you can think of?”
Rose comes in and puts the rather large tray on the table, lifting the lid. Isabella's eyes go wide and she breaks out into a big smile. She loves her pancakes, I guess.
I thank Rose and she leaves us. Isabella already has three pancakes on her plate, she’s pouring syrup on them and then she grabs three pieces of bacon and lays it in the middle of the top one, she turns the plate and begins to roll the pancake and bacon into a burrito style, picks it up and bites it. Shoving the big bite into her cheeks, “Oh, sweet Jessica Simpson, this is so good.”
I chuckle. “Did you just make a burrito out of your pancake?”
She nods enthusiastically as she takes another bite. “Savescutting it up, plus you get every flavor in one bite. Besides, you're going to have to get to know the real me, and I'm not going to pretend I don't like making pancake burritos because it’s not ladylike.”
She sucking the syrup off her fingers and I have to adjust myself in my seat. I should ask if we should make a rule about sexy food, cause I want to grab her hand, suck the syrup off her fingers and taste that syrup and her at the same time.Fuck!
Popping her thumb out of her mouth, “Oh, but the way I am spending the day with Anna, I have a hair appointment.” She points to the top of her head. “No more skunk look. Since you already found me, I can go back to my natural color now.”
Those words sting. I know she didn’t say them to hurt me, but they do all the same. I cut my ham, putting a chunk in my mouth. She is going to be gone all day today. I didn’t have any plan for us, but the thought of her off without me makes my insides shake. She won’t run, at least I hope she won’t. But that's the thing about trust. It has to go both ways.
“So, will you be back later tonight? Do you want to have dinner together if you don’t have any plans?”
Isabella stops mid roll of her second burrito pancake and looks at me, her eyes rolling up at the ceiling as she thinks, then back at me
“How about I text you. I’m not sure what Anna planned. I'd like to pick up some clothes today as well. I seem to be growing out of things faster than I can wear them. But I should be home by dinnertime.”
I relent. “Okay, well, if you need me or a driver, I can always drop you off and pick you up.”
Stuffing the big mouth full of food in her cheek, she covers her mouth with her hand.
“Crap. I might need a driver. I haven’t tried to fit my belly behind the wheel of the car yet.”
She looks down at her tummy and rubs it as syrup drips out ofher pan-rrito onto her plate. Here is my chance and I'm going to take it.
“Well, I have no problem with you driving. Like I said, you are free to come and go. But I can drop you off with no questions asked and no pressure. I’d like to make sure you get there safely. We can take the SUV. I also have your new bank card, and no arguing with me about this. It’s your card. You use it and buy whatever you need.”
I can see the turmoil in her eyes. She wants her independence from me, but at the same time, she’s my wife. I provide for her and the baby, always will. I glower at her.
She glower’s back. “Alexander.”
I raise one eyebrow. “Isabella.”
She looks at me, and then tilts her head. A smile breaks out on her face.
“Fine. I would love a ride and thank you for my card.”
Her pink tongue darts out and she licks the syrup up her wrist to her palm and then takes a bite and my dick jumps. God damn, that was sexy. I can’t help it. I put my fork down, get out of my chair and kiss her. I swipe the tip of my tongue over her bottom lip, tasting the syrup and then I kiss her once hard and sit back down. Isabella just stares at me with her fish lips puckered out, her face is flush.
“Rule 1. I can kiss you whenever I want. And you're welcome.”
I pick up my fork and continue eating like nothing happened. Isabella finally begins to chew the food in her mouth and we remain silent until it is time for her to go change to take her to Annas.
I dropped her off over seven hours ago. By the time she texts me for a ride home, the carpet will be worn out in front of my desk. I didn’t think it would be this hard to let her go. Now that I have her, I just want to be with her all the time. She’s funny.I didn’t realize how funny she is. And it is natural things just pop out of her mouth in the most ridiculous way of saying the truth. You can’t help but laugh.
Six thirty. It’s well past dinner, so I guess she’s eating with Anna. Pulling out my chair, I pick up the phone, telling Rose I’ll have my meal in here. I’ll work till my bunny contacts me. I flip up the laptop and bring up the security cameras for the front gate. If Anna brings her home, I’ll see. Immersing myself in work, Rose comes and goes. Mindlessly, I eat, I check my watch again. It’s nine o’clock. God, it feels like forever since she left.
