Page 21 of Hot n Bothered

I t didn’t mean anything, get a grip. It’s just that the space there was big enough to fit the image, that’s all.

Isobelle told herself, of course her body and mind completely ignored her as both her heart and her thoughts raced, seeing something special in the gesture when there obviously wasn’t, because why would there be?

Just act normal, don’t be the total mess you normally are.

Fake it until you make it, come on you can do this say something instead of staring at his chest like a complete idiot.

“Wondered when they’d show up.” She tapped the tattoo, turning away before her red face gave her away. “Where’s my towel?”

Had she imagined that quiet sigh she’d just heard from him?

“On that chair. With your sunglasses and sun cream.”

“Thanks. I might need to keep you around if it means knowing where everything is.”

“Glad to know I have my uses. Here.” He passed her a pair of flip-flops. “I think it will be a bit much if I carry you out there because the floor is too hot.”

She gave a burst of laughter, snagging her towel. “That is never happening. Darren would hate me if I broke his best friend. No way can you carry me.”

“One of these days I’m going to prove you wrong.”

He took her hand as they walked through the villa to the pool.

“Jokes aside, what is your ideal woman?”

It was difficult to read his expression with his sunglasses on hiding his eyes. “You should follow me, then you’ll know.”

Maybe she should, that way she can know without a shadow of a doubt that there was no chance for her. Make her face up to the truth so she could move on properly.

“Ah, you’ve decided to join us.” Her mother said, then pulled down her sunglasses and looked her up and down over the top of them. “My, my that’s a bold choice.” There was that fake smile. “I certainly am always impressed how you resolutely continue to do what you think looks best my darling.”

And there was the overwhelming desire to run back to the room, build a blanket fort and never leave until it was time to fly home. Ben squeezed her hand.

“Hmm, I’m surprised you can get steady work with all that.” Her father made a gesture to Ben’s body. “It’s certainly not what you would call responsible.”

“I think you’ll find all that is part of why he’s so successful.

” She retorted, angry that he was trying to look down on Ben and make him feel small.

It was fine with her, she expected it, was used to it, after all she was the mess not Ben.

“The other part is that he’s damn good at what he does.

He is the best cook I’ve ever known. His flavour combinations are like magic.

Not to mention it’s the twenty first century. Having a bit of ink is not an issue.”

“Since when have you spoken so rudely, young lady. I did not bring you up to act like that.”

Brilliant. Not even twelve hours and he’s on the headmaster young lady voice. Her whole original plan of not going and getting into a mountain of debt was looking like it was the better plan already.

“Now, now. It’s a holiday. Let’s not get over emotional.” Why did she feel like that was aimed at her? Her mother’s smile made her stomach churn. “Let’s just forget about all this and enjoy ourselves.”

“Fine.” Isobelle muttered. She glanced over to the twins and smirked to see the reason they were so quiet was because they were frozen in place. Mouths wide open as they stared at Ben.

He seemed to be completely oblivious as he pulled her over to a sun lounger opposite them, laying their towels over it.

“Sun cream. On. Now.” He handed it to her.

“Bossy.”

He grinned. “You love it remember.”

“Nope. Still don’t. What about you?”

“Do I love it when I’m bossy? Why yes, yes I do.”

He always made her laugh, even when she was feeling so shitty. Even now when she wanted to be anywhere but there, he made her laugh and feel comfortable.

“I meant have you got sun cream on?” She covered her arms and chest before rubbing it on her face.

“I put it on in the room. But I need you to do my back please.”

“I can do that.” T practically tripped over her own feet as she sprang up.

“I’ve got it. Don’t worry.” Isobelle shot her a smug smile.

Oh yeah, maybe this was a bad idea she thought as she smoothed the cream over his back and shoulders. Not only was incredibly sexy, but it also brought to mind the last time she had run her hands over his naked back. So really not helping with keeping things calm for her.

“Want me to do yours?” Ben asked, completely oblivious to the state he was getting her in.

“Um… ok. I need to do my legs though.”

He straddled the lounger and patted the space between his legs. “Two birds, one stone.”

“Could you do mine?” T asked hopefully.

“Sorry, busy.” Ben said. “Why can’t your sister do it?”

As subtle as a punch to the face T pouted, then started putting on her sun cream by stretching out and lifting her legs. Determined to give Ben an eyeful.

He actually waited until Isobelle had done her legs before rubbing it on her back. Well more like massaging it. This time she did close her eyes and leaned back into those magic hands of his.

His thumbs rotated up her spine as his palms smoothed over the sides. They melted her tense muscles, he paid particular attention to her shoulders, mindful of her bruise. His fingers going over to her chest, slipping under the halter neck top as his thumbs found and melted the knots under them.

When he finished, he gripped her waist stopping her from moving anywhere. “I need you to stay right here for now.” He whispered in her ear.

Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her back so she was leaning against him and she could feel why. Looked like T’s performance did the trick, she could feel his erection against her back.

It took a lot of willpower to not cry at the thought that he was attracted to T. The rest was taken up with stopping herself from reaching back to touch it. Make him want her instead.

She wanted to taste him, she regretted not doing that. She wanted to wrap her lips around him and take as much of him as she could…

“You’re looking awfully flushed Izzy. Maybe you should go lie down.” A said slyly. “We’ll keep Ben entertained.”

“I’m fine.” She muttered, her face going even redder.

Ben chuckled behind her. “Sorry is that my fault?” he whispered in her ear. “Although technically it’s your fault.”

She turned round to glare at hm. How dare he try and blame his reaction to T on her. It was bad enough he felt that way, especially when he promised he wouldn’t. But to blame it on her was the last straw.

“Well you were warned.” She hissed at him.

“Uh oh. Trouble in paradise already?” T snickered.

“Oh fuck off.” She snapped at her.

“We don’t use language like that young lady. Maybe you should calm down.”

“Maybe she should stop trying to seduce my boyfriend.”

Her anger and jealousy was getting the better of her. Making her raise her voice and lash out. She instantly knew what was going to be said next.

“Don’t you think you are overreacting?”

There it was.

“You always do this Izzy.” T whined. “You always accuse us of being the source of your problems. You blame your so-called mental health issues and try to ruin everything because you always have to be the centre of attention.”

“It’s almost like you don’t want to be normal. Always playing the victim.” A said. “I bet you’re even going to claim we started it. I knew you shouldn’t have been invited. We did say it would be better without you.”

“What?” Isobelle whispered.

“Now, now. No need to get over emotional.” Her mother’s condescending tone was not helping. “I thought your medication was supposed to make you better. Are you taking them?”

“I am, but…”

“So why are you being like this?”

“Now hang on.” Ben started to say.

“With all due respect Mr Wallace, this is a family matter. So it doesn’t concern you.” Her father said. “Has she even told you of her issues? Are you aware of what she can be like? Has she told you of her breakdowns? No she has not.”

As usual he continued without even waiting for an answer. Just ploughing right on ahead with his own assumptions.

“So, it does not concern you. May I suggest you give us some privacy.”

She could feel how tense Ben had gone behind her. His hand tightened on her waist. He was going to say something to defend her, she knew. He was too nice and sweet not to. But he didn’t understand that in doing so it would just make things worse.

Better to get this ‘I thought you’d be cured by now’ lecture out of the way sooner rather than later. It was always worse the longer it was put off.

“It’s fine Ben. Just… just go inside, please.”

All fight had left her. She knew what was coming and she really didn’t want him there to witness it.

“Belle…”

“Please.”

“If that’s what you want.” He said softly.

She nodded, not able to look at him. Already the weight of what was to come was pulling her head down. He pressed a kiss to her cheek and walked away inside.

“What happened to you being certain that this time you’d be better?

” Her father started immediately. “I’m beginning to think I should speak with your doctor over this.

Or is it that you enjoy being this much of a mess?

Come on Isobelle, you are now 28. It’s about time you took responsibility for your life. ”