*Isabella's POV*
Monday morning had finally arrived, and I was back in the office, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. The familiar surroundings and routine were comforting, but the knowledge that I had to face Jacob again was making my stomach twist into knots. As I sat at my desk, trying to focus on my work, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Where was Damien, anyway? I missed my usual morning chat with him.
Just as I was starting to settle in, Jacob strolled into the office, looking every bit the confident and charming CEO that he was. His black, sleeved button-down shirt was perfectly tailored, accentuating his broad chest and drawing my attention to the tattoo on his upper arm. I felt a flutter in my stomach as he approached me, his smile gleaming with mischief.
"Hey, sweetheart," he greeted, his voice smooth as silk. "What can I do for coffee around here?" I blinked, trying to play it cool, but my heart was racing. I shot back a response, trying to sound casual, but my voice came out a little sharper than I intended. "I'm sure you can figure that out yourself," I said, trying to keep my composure.
But Jacob just chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He leaned in, his face inches from mine, and I felt my pulse quicken. "Isabella, you're gonna bring my coffee, right?" he asked, his tone shifting to a more professional and serious one. I felt a surge of embarrassment, realizing that I had been caught ogling him again.
I sighed, rolling my eyes, trying to brush off the feeling of being caught. "Oh, right. Sorry," I muttered, feeling the familiar heat crawl up my neck. But Jacob just chuckled softly, his grin still plastered on his face. "No problem, sweetheart. Honestly, I find myself zoning out when I look in the mirror sometimes," he teased, winking at me before turning on his heel and heading into Damien's office.
As he walked away, he called over his shoulder, "I'll be in my office, Ms. Williams." I was left sitting there, feeling annoyed at how easily he got under my skin. Why did he have to be so charming and confident? And why did I have to be so attracted to him?
I walked into Jacob's office, carrying his coffee and the day's schedule. "So, at 11 AM, you have a meeting with the legal department," I said, trying to sound professional and detached. Jacob looked up from the papers on his desk, his eyes locking onto mine.
"Will it take long?" he inquired, his voice smooth and casual. I shrugged, trying to keep my tone neutral. "Probably an hour, tops," I replied.
Jacob nodded, his expression thoughtful. Then, he asked, "Can I have lunch with a girl I like after?" I felt a pang of surprise and annoyance. What, wow. I couldn't believe he was asking about another girl after our moment in New York. I thought we had a connection, but I guess I was wrong.
But then, Jacob's expression changed, and he said, "I mean, you, geez, lose the frown." I felt a rush of emotions, confusion, and relief. He was asking about me? I tried to play it cool, but my voice came out a little shaky. "Jacob, we can't. We're at work, we're supposed to be professional," I retorted, trying to remind him of the boundaries.
But Jacob just chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I said I wanted lunch, isn't that professional?" he asked, his tone innocent. I rolled my eyes, skeptical. "Yeah, right. Like you could be professional for a second in your life," I shot back, trying to keep my tone light, but my words were laced with a hint of annoyance and frustration.
Jacob's grin grew wider, and he leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed and confident. "Hey, I can be professional when I want to," he said, his voice low and smooth. I raised an eyebrow, doubting his claim, but a part of me was curious to see if he could actually behave himself.
"I can, I promise," Jacob said, his voice low and smooth, his eyes locked on mine. "I'll keep my lips sealed and my hands to myself. But you have to promise to do the same," he replied, a hint of a challenge in his tone. I smiled, brushing my hair back, trying to appear nonchalant. "That's easy," I said, my voice light, but my heart was already racing.
But Jacob just chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Easy, Ms. Williams," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. He paused, taking a step closer, his presence overwhelming me. He stopped inches away, his finger tracing a path under my chin, gently forcing me to meet his gaze.
"As easy as it was for you on the plane," he said, his voice low and husky, his eyes burning with intensity. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he reminded me of our moment on the plane. "You couldn't keep your hands to yourself," he whispered, his breath caressing my skin. "That's all I could think about last night. Your hands on me..." He paused, his eyes locked on mine, the air thick with tension.
And then, he pulled me by my waist, pressing me against his chest, his lips crashing down on mine. The kiss was intense, passionate, and all-consuming. I felt like I was melting into him, my hands instinctively wrapping around his neck, deepening the kiss. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, lost in the sensation of our lips touching.
As we kissed, I felt like I was drowning in the depths of his eyes, unable to escape the pull of his attraction. It was like we were two magnets, drawn to each other, unable to resist the force of our desire. And in that moment, I knew that I was in trouble, that I was falling deeper into the abyss of my attraction to Jacob, and I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to climb out.