Chapter 42
Isabella Montgomery lay sleeping in deep burgundy silk pajamas. Her porcelain skin glowed in the morning light. Every feature was exquisitely carved, like a slumbering goddess. The top buttons of her pajamas had come undone, revealing the elegant curve of her neck and a tantalizing glimpse of her décolletage.
Nathaniel Blackwood’s throat went dry. He forced himself to turn away, but his movement was clumsy. His shoulder bumped against the doorframe with a dull thud.
Thump. Thump.
Still asleep, Isabella instinctively grabbed a shark-shaped pillow and hurled it toward the noise.
“Shut up!”
Even unconscious, she was commanding. Yet this refusal to wake made her seem more approachable, more human.
Nathaniel’s lips curved into an involuntary smile. “If you don’t get up, I’m coming in.”
She didn’t stir, merely rolling over with a soft sigh. But the sound of footsteps approaching the bed snapped her awake. Her eyes flew open to find Nathaniel’s powerful frame looming over her.
“What do you think you’re doing, you pervert?” she yelled. The shout roused Oliver from his sleep. He peeked, saw the scene, and immediately feigned continued slumber.
Nathaniel had actually been leaning down to pick up Oliver. Seeing her misunderstanding, he decided to play along. He planted his hands on either side of her, caging her in. “What do you think I’m trying to do?”
“You’ve got a one-track mind this early? A CEO like you, reduced to a creep! I’ll teach you some manners!”
Isabella’s leg shot up, aiming a vicious kick straight for his groin.
Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed. He blocked the strike with his thigh, pinning her legs down. A dangerous smirk played on his lips. “Isabella, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider your future happiness?”
“Reconsider this!” She cracked her knuckles, the sound ominous. “My fists don’t discriminate!”
He hadn’t expected such ferocity. A sharp, precise punch landed on his supporting arm. His balance broke, and he crashed forward onto the bed.
His solid weight landed fully on her. Their lips met in a sudden, shocking collision.
Both bodies froze.
A jolt of electricity shot through Isabella. Her mind went completely blank for several seconds. In all her years, no man—regardless of status or looks—had ever affected her like this. But Nathaniel was different. He made her heart race unpredictably.
Nathaniel recovered first. He pushed himself up slightly. “If I said that was an accident, would you believe me?”
“Believe you? Like hell I will!” She shoved him off and scrambled back, frantically wiping her mouth with the back of her hand like an enraged kitten.
Seeing her fury, Nathaniel quickly scooped Oliver into his arms. “I’ll visit another time,” he said, his voice tight. “Take care of yourself. Stay inside.” He adjusted Oliver and strode out of the room.
‘That shameless bastard! He’s not setting foot in here again!’ Isabella fumed inwardly.
Just outside the door, Nathaniel paused as if struck by a sudden thought.