The Billionaire's Pretend Wife (Isabella)
Chapter 75 Seventy Five

After taking a bath and brushing her teeth, Isabelle went back to her room to get dressed. A look at her phone revealed that it was already nine o'clock.

She wondered whether it would be too imprudent of her to take a day off right after Logan had offered her a raise. But she couldn't deny that Jacob had her sold on the idea of taking the day off.

Carefully, she crafted a text to Grace, letting her know that she wouldn't make it to work because she was feeling unwell. She also promised to make up for it. She sighed in relief when Grace replied soon after letting her know it was fine and wished her quick recovery.

After getting dressed in a pair of comfy pants and a sweater, she took in her appearance in the mirror. There was a smattering of hickeys along her neck column, continuing on to the skin hidden below her sweater's neckline. She didn't mind.

She held her long hair in a high bun, with damp strands caressing her neck. Finally, when she couldn't dally any longer, she left her room and headed for the kitchen.

Jacob was facing away from her when she got to the door, and she stood there, watching him. He was dressed in a pair of black dress pants and shirt, ready for work save for a jacket and shoes.

His shirt sleeves were pulled to his elbow, exposing his strong veiny forearms in display. She admired how the black material stretched over his wide shoulders. How his pants fit him well, giving a hint of his firm ass before going on to his long legs-

"You are here! I'm almost done, take a seat."

She almost jumped into the air when he spoke. She had been so engrossed in ogling his body that she hadn't noticed him turning his head to look at her.

Fighting the urge to look at his face, she headed to the dining table and took a seat. The table was already laden with multiple bowls of steaming food. What else was he preparing?

"You didn't have to do this," she said as he approached the table, carrying a skillet and dumping bacon onto a platter.

"I love taking care of you," he told her, "so let me."

"Thank you for the bath," she told him. "It was relaxing. And for this."

"It's my pleasure," he said. He put away the skillet and then took a seat next to her at the table. She had expected him to sit opposite her as he usually did.

"What do you want first?" he asked, gesturing to the food-laden table. Before she could answer, he reached for a plate of cookies. "Here are the cookies you made last night. I think I've already had ten or something. They are so delicious."

"Really?" she asked, happy that he had liked them that much. She reached for one and took a bite. They had turned out exactly as she had intended.

"You should make them often," he told her. "I'm already addicted."

"If you like them so much, then yes," she agreed.

He grinned and placed the plate back on the table. He caught her by surprise when he leaned in and stole a kiss. "I'm a lucky man."

His sweet gesture made her heart flutter. A feeling of sadness followed right after. Swallowing, she began, "Jacob, I... I..."

"Yeah?" he urged, smiling at her.

"I'm sorry, I can't-"

"No," he cut her off, his smile falling off his face. "Don't say it."

"-"

"Let's have breakfast," he said. "I have an engagement at ten o'clock. We'll talk when I get back."

She let it go and nodded. He didn't have much time, and she wasn't going to make him go without having breakfast after all the effort he had put into it.

***

Jacob had had long days at work, but that turned out to be the longest. He had a couple of important meetings, but he could barely draw his thoughts away from Isabelle to focus on the matters at hand. He had wanted to stay at home with her, but he had a company to run. He was going to get back as early as he could, though.

The earliest he got back, the sooner he dealt with the hesitation he had sensed in her in the morning.

Last night had been brilliant. The best night of his life. And he knew she had enjoyed it too. He wasn't going to let her run away from what was going on between them anymore. It was time for them to have a new beginning, as a real couple.

He couldn't go back to keeping her at an arm's length. And not just because it would be torturous to stay away from her now that he knew how it felt to be inside her. It was also because he loved being able to make her happy. He was no longer content doing it secretly.

When he left work that evening, he went and bought flowers, chocolates, and a bottle of wine. He was so excited that he didn't even have Kevin run the errand. Somehow, it felt more meaningful that he picked up the gifts himself. Never in his life had he personally bought gifts for a woman.

He would usually send his assistant to buy whatever he thought would serve the occasion. When his past girlfriends were mad at him, he would even have Kevin write the apology cards to go with the flowers. But Isabelle... He couldn't stand the thought of treating her so impersonally. He wanted to do it himself. He wanted to be a hundred percent responsible for her smile when she got the gifts.

When he got back home, the living room was empty, and so was the kitchen. He wondered whether she had gone against his instructions and went to work after he left in the morning. Placing the gift bag on the table in the living room, he went towards the bedrooms.

He stopped outside her door and knocked gently. A few seconds later, the door opened, and Isabelle appeared. She didn't look like she had been sleeping.

"Hi," he greeted, looking past her. His eyes went straight to her desk, where her laptop and a notebook were open. "I thought I said you should rest today," he said, looking back at her with an arched eyebrow. She looked back towards her desk, and then back to him. "I couldn't just sit around doing nothing all day," she said. "I'm well rested, though, I promise. I've only worked for about two hours."

"Is that so?" he asked, leaning his body against the door jamb. "You are not sore anymore?"

Her cheeks reddened. "I'm fine," she replied, and then quickly changed the subject, "How was work? You are back early."

"Boring. I missed you, so I came home as soon as I could."

She smiled nervously, and then hooked a thumb over her shoulder. "I'll save my work and then I'll get started on dinner."

Before she could walk away, he reached forward and wrapped an arm around her waist. Her brown eyes rose to his as he drew her against his body. "Did you miss me?" he asked, meeting her gaze. She blinked and licked her lips nervously. "Yes," she replied, much to his surprise.

His heart skipped a beat. Had he been worried for nothing? Maybe she wasn't going to run away this time.

He lowered his head and kissed her. Her soft lips moulded into his as she kissed him back. Definitely worried for nothing.

He cradled her neck with one hand to hold her in place as he deepened the kiss. His other hand travelled south and ended up on her ass. When he gave a squeeze, she squealed and pulled away from the kiss. He laughed and stole one more kiss before letting her go.

"I'll be in the living room," he told her as she retreated into her room.

She gave him a nod and then closed the door.