Chapter 61 – Unexpected Turn of Events

Ace Rhodes.

I arrived at Isabelle's place with a sense of trepidation gnawing at me. Intimate gatherings with people I barely knew weren't exactly my forte. But for Isabelle, I was willing to make an exception. As we settled into her cozy living room, I observed the dynamics, feeling a bit like an outsider.

Isabelle came to the rescue, bringing out some alcohol to lighten the mood. I couldn't help but appreciate her thoughtfulness. Dinner passed in a blur, and soon we were all back in the lounge area, drinks in hand.

“Belle, baby, don’t drink too much. You’ll kill me first thing tomorrow morning if you embarrass yourself in front of Ace, again,” Zach said chuckling as Isabelle downed her vodka.

Zach and Nate were sitting on the sofa opposite to ours. Isabelle was pushed up to my side and let’s just say I was loving every second of it.

As the evening progressed and the alcohol worked its magic, Isabelle's speech began to slur in the most endearing way. Her words took on a playful and carefree tone. Laughter started to fill the room, and I couldn't help but crack a smile at her behavior.

“Tell you what, let’s play Pictionary,” Nate said and I almost inwardly groaned at that.

Jesus, what had this woman made me become?

“Oh my goddddd, Nate you’re such a genius. I’m so good at Pictionary,” Isabelle said and although I hesitated for a moment, her contagious enthusiasm won me over. I found myself paired with her, understandably so.

We played a few rounds, messing around and not really keeping the scores and I found myself growing into it.

Isabelle's turn came, and she picked up the marker with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Her drawing was hilariously simple - a stick figure of a man in a suit. The room erupted into laughter at the childlike artwork, and I frowned.

It seemed as if everyone else understood that except me.

I gazed at the drawing, furrowing my brow as I tried to decipher its meaning.

“A businessman?” My attempt at guessing it right was apparently going down the drain because Zach and Nate’s laughter was becoming more and more mocking.

Isabelle facepalmed in frustration, her words slurring as she said, "That is… my hot boss! You guys should see him oh my god! He looks like a greek God and his lips are so soft I just wanna—"

She coughed and looked at me like she just forgot what she was saying and kept staring as if I was the most fascinating thing she’d ever seen.

My cheeks instantly heated, and I could practically feel the color rising. I cleared my throat, attempting to regain my composure while Zach and Nate burst into laughter again. Well, that had caught me off guard, leaving me both amused and slightly flustered.

Meeting Isabelle's eyes, I offered her a sheepish yet amused smile as I saw her blush and bite her lip.

She came to sit down beside me and I wrapped my arms around her waist, breathing in her scent and she instantly melted in my arms. I was satisfied to know that she found me as hot as I did her, although her ways of expressing it were questionable.

Nate was about to get up for his turn when suddenly, the lights flickered and the room plunged into darkness. Isabelle's startled scream pierced the moment, and instinctively, I pulled her closer to me, murmuring in her ear, "Easy, Princess."

The sudden power outage seemed to catch everyone off guard. Zach's low curse was followed by the sound of him moving. A moment later, the beam of a flashlight illuminated the room as he made his way to the front door. Nate followed suit, their voices a distant murmur as they discussed the situation.

Isabelle shifted in my lap, her movements doing things to me that I would rather stay hidden. I couldn't help the sensation that surged through me as she unknowingly pressed closer. A groan escaped me, and I muttered, "Oh, you wicked princess."

She just looked at me with big innocent eyes, probably still half sober as I tucked her hair behind her ear.

Zach returned, his voice laced with frustration as he explained that a transformer had exploded and the power wouldn't be restored for a few hours. Given that it was past midnight on a Saturday, the repairs were likely to take some time.

I considered our options for a moment. Then, with a heavy heart I did what I wouldn’t have done in a million years had it not been for Isabelle, "If you guys want, you're welcome to stay at my place," I offered, glancing between Zach and Nate.

They exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them. After a moment, they turned back to me. "Well, we were planning to crash at my apartment," Nate began, "but I guess it wouldn't hurt if Isabelle goes with you. We'll head over to my place then."

Their decision was met with my nod of agreement. Isabelle shifted in my lap again, and I chuckled softly, holding her a bit more securely. "Seems like it's settled then," I said, my voice gentle as I addressed her, "Ready to head home, love?"

She looked up at me, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. With a playful smirk, I added, "Don't worry, my place has power."

“Will you get me chocolate?” She asked after a moment of hesitation and I almost doubled over laughing.

“Of course. Anything, Princess,” I carried her in my arms as Zach told me he’ll pack an overnight bag for Isabelle.

I stood up, Isabelle still in my arms. The idea of having her under my roof for the night was both thrilling and strangely comforting.

Zach gave me the bag and told me he’d lock up as I nodded and made my way outside towards the car with Isabelle in my arms.

Isabelle's chatter filled the car as we drove off. She was in a world of her own, and I found myself laughing once every few minutes because of how she acted.

"The stars," she mused, her voice a mixture of wonder and amusement, "they're like um… little fireflies, but they're way up high, you know?"

I smirked, glancing at her as I steered the car. Her disheveled hair framed her face in a way that only added to her charming disarray.

“Oh, my God! I wanna be an astronaut!” She exclaimed like a proud kid and I held her hand and kissed her fingertips, my one hand on the steering wheel.

It was refreshing to see Isabelle so carefree, sharing her thoughts without reservation.

"Absolutely," I replied, a smile tugging at my lips.

She leaned back against the seat, her amusement unwavering. "You're funny, y’know?"

“And why is that?” I asked her, my hand sat on her thigh.

“I like you,” she declared after a good thirty seconds of staring at me and an involuntary smile made its way to my lips.

“I like you, too,” she giggled at that.

As we neared my mansion, she looked up at the building, her expression a mix of curiosity and intrigue. "Are we here?" she asked, her voice tinged with childlike anticipation.

I nodded, parking the car and turning to her. "Yep, we're here."

Helping her out of the car, I steadied her as she wobbled slightly. As we walked into the building and I unlocked the door, her giggles echoed in the enclosed space, filling it with a lightness I hadn't expected.

Opening the door to my house, she stepped inside, “I can’t go in there.” Her voice was quiet as she said that and I turned around, an eyebrow raised as I stared at her for an explanation.

“My boss lives here.” She told me as if I was the dumbest person on earth to not know that and I shook my head in amusement.

“And why can’t you go inside your boss’ house?” I asked, helping her out of her shoes as she stumbled slightly.

“Becauseeeee… he pretends to like me. He looks at me like he’s about to kiss me. But then— then he doesn’t kiss me,” her made a pouty face and her big innocent eyes stared at me as I tucked the strands of her hair behind her ear.

“Oh, believe me, Princess, he’ll kiss you senseless tonight,” I whispered and picked her up in my arms as I ascended the stairs and she just giggled and snuggled in my chest, making my heart do all kinds of crazy stuff.

I carried her to my room with ease before placing her on my bed. I would’ve taken her to the guest bedroom considering we hadn’t technically slept together yet but I was too selfish for that. Knowing that Isabelle was under the same roof as I and still not being able to hold her in my arms was something I wasn’t sure I could do.

I took off her jacket and she laid down, slurring incoherent words while I opened her overnight bag and found a pair of silk booty shorts and a matching silk tank top.

Oh, Zach, you pure evil.

“Isabelle, darling, change into these while I go take a shower, okay?” I placed the clothes on the bed beside as she yawned.

“But I’m sweepy,” she stretched her arms, settling into a comfortable position and I sighed.

“Isabelle, sweetheart, I would very much do about anything right now to undress you, but I’m trying to be a gentleman. Please change into these before I lose it, mhm?” I kissed her forehead as she giggled and hummed in response before I went to the bathroom to take a cold shower.

Who knew this would be so hard? No pun intended.

When I came back, Isabelle had thankfully changed into the pjs and was lying on my white sheets with her eyelids half closed, looking like the temptress she was and I groaned inwardly before making my way to the closet— a towel wrapped around my waist. I put on a pair of gray trousers and went back towards the bed to find her fast asleep on my side of the bed.

I sighed, making my way to the other side and settling in the bed next to her. I pulled the duvet from underneath her and placed it on top of us as she instantly turned around and snuggled into my chest with her eyes still shut close. Her naked leg struggled around for a bit before settling into a comfortable position on top of mine.

“G’night, Princess,” I kissed the crown of her head when Isabelle’s hand found it’s way to my naked chest and she hummed in response.

This was going to be a long night.