Womanizer (Spoilt) (5 page)

“Me too.” There was amusement in her tone.

“You look great by the way.”
Better, Mitch.

“A great make
up artist and stylist. I can’t take credit for that.”

“No, I mean you look better now. I like you like this.”

“Thanks.” Pink colored her cheeks. She could be coy too. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

“You
betcha.”
God, did I really just say that.
She giggled, waved and left.
Yes I did. Good one, Mitch.

Chapter Seven

The Date

When the doorbell rang, Isabelle was adding some gloss to her lips. Taking a deep breath, she waited a few moments - she didn’t want to appear too eager - then rushed to answer the door. Carol had taken Jesse out for dinner so that he wouldn’t be there when Mitch arrived. She would see how things went before she even entertained the idea of a meeting between them.

The b
ell rang again and she called “Coming” as she hurried down the hall. She took another deep breath before she pulled open the door and had her breath stolen from her. He came armed with flowers and a smile. Instead of the jeans and t-shirt she’d seen him in previously, he wore black dress pants with a blue shirt and tie which matched his eyes. His hair looked different and she realized he must have had it cut, but was relieved to see it still crept down his face, just like that first moment she saw him. The urge to brush it back from his brow was just as strong.

* * *

When Isabelle opened the door, Mitch couldn’t breathe. Her green dress wrapped around her sensational figure to the knee where it swirled outwards. The V neckline and bare arms showed off her olive skin. Her eyes shone greener this evening thanks to the dress and her hair was piled up on her head, cascading down a little at the back. He stood, his mouth agape, unable to speak again. Where was the charismatic Mitch hiding?

His ability to talk returned after several moments of him staring at her staring at him. “These are for you,” he said
, passing her the flowers. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks, you don’t look too bad yourself. I’m not overdressed
, am I?”

He shook his head.

“OK, I’ll put these in water, then we can go.”

Mitch watched her retreat into what he guessed to be the kitchen before glancing around the apartment to discover it appeared quite small. This surprised him as he thought she would be able to afford a better place on her income. When she returned, she guided him out the door, locked it
, then linked her arm through his.

“Shall we go?”

“Um, yes.” Her arm resting on his sent ripples of heat over his skin. “It isn’t far. We can walk from here, if you want.”

“Sounds good.
It’s a nice night.”

* * *

They strolled through the streets and chatted about their favorite things around the city while watching the sun setting over the horizon. The walk was short and in no time they arrived at the restaurant. Isabelle discovered it was one she wanted to try for some time but was way out of her budget.

“I’ve heard about this place but never got around to it,” she said
, not wanting to let on too much about her lack of finances.

“I love it here. The food and atmosphere are great.”

“You must come here a lot, then.” Was that a twinge of envy in her voice at the thought of other women here with him? This was new.

“I usually come here with my family. I haven’t brought a date here before.”

How did he know that was what she wanted to hear? “Oh,” was all she could think of to say.

It appeared he’d booked a table and was well known by the host who led them to a small private table near the back where lighting was low and it was quiet.

“Well, I’m impressed.” She smiled.

“It’s nothing.” He shrugged. “I wanted it to be quiet so we could talk. You fascinate me.”

His cheeks reddened and this simply endeared him further. There was much more to this man then the rumors pegged him. Maybe there was a reason he used to bed hop. Suddenly she was very glad she had taken the chance to find out. Before she knew what was happening, he pulled out her chair and gestured for her to sit. Once she did, he pushed it in and joined her.

“I’m really not all that interesting. I hope I don’t disappoint.”

“You couldn’t.” The smile he offered was shy and boyish. “Tell me about your family, your life. I want to know all about you.”

His intense gaze and words overwhelmed her. “W
ow, I hardly know you, Mitch. I … don’t know whether I want to -”

“I know you don’t know if you can trust me or if I’m trying to seduce you.
As much as I would love to.” He stopped and the charming grin returned. “I do want to get to know you. I will regret everything I’ve done if that stops it from happening.”

The look she saw in his eyes seemed genuine. Unexpectedly she found she wanted to unload her burdens, share her life with him. A voice somewhere deep down cautioned her.
He is everything you hate.
Yet she found the words tumbling out regardless.

“I was studying to be a teacher when I fell pregnant with my son Jesse.” She stopped and noted the look of surprise on his face but continued nevertheless. “He’s almost five. His dad, Adrian, died in a car accident when Jesse was a baby. I took up
modeling for the money. My mum looks after Jesse when I’m working. I’m only doing it until I can save enough to finish my degree and support my family in the meantime.” She took a deep breath and found, once she started, she couldn’t stop. Something about him made it so easy to talk to him. Was it wrong to trust him? It didn’t feel wrong.

“I had a feeling you were model
ing for the money and not because it is what you want to do. This is one of the reasons I was so intrigued by you.”

“I do it for Jesse.”

“So, teaching?”

“Yes, hopefully I’ll have the money to finish my degree soon.”

“I’m glad you started modeling or I wouldn’t have met you.”

“Well no, maybe not.” She smiled. “Tell me about your family.”

As he was about to begin the waiter brought over a bottle of champagne and took their dinner orders.

“I, um, ordered some champagne. I hope you don’t mind.”

“It’s lovely,” she said, taking a sip. “Please, tell me about your family.”

“Well
, my parents are retired. My dad was a lawyer and my mum a teacher. My older brother Nathan is a lawyer too and is married with two kids. My younger brother Jared is a fire fighter and is getting married in a month. So the usual happy family. We were lucky.”

“Sounds nice.
What about you?”

“I travelled around a lot before moving back here about a year ago. I was freelancing for magazines and newspapers and saw lots of things I wish I hadn’t. It i
s the main reason I gave it up, that and I want try and find a gallery to exhibit my work. Photographing victims of war weren’t the only things, thankfully, that I was able to shoot while away. If I can start selling pieces I can give away the modeling shoots. I don’t want to be doing it forever but I also don’t want to see any more suffering either.” His brow furrowed and his thoughts seemed to go elsewhere for a moment.

“I knew
you were too talented for modeling work. I would love to see your real work.” She smiled, hoping to lift his frown and she was pleased when it worked. “Your large family sounds great. There are only the three of us.”

“What happened to your dad?”

As she went to answer dinner arrived. When the waiter left she didn’t say anything but Mitch continued to stare, waiting for her answer.

“After a string of affairs, he ran off with another woman when I was a toddler. I haven’t seen him since.”

“So that’s why you wouldn’t go out with me.”

“Yes. To be honest I still can’t believe I did and then told you everything about me. For some reason I can’t explain, I thought perhaps, deep down, you weren’t like that.”

“I was in a way. I wasn’t interested in settling down and the offers were there.” This time his grin was cheeky.

“I see,” she replied raising one eyebrow.

“I admit I didn’t think I had a huge romantic side and liked having the freedom to do what I wanted. Then I met you ... and I felt different. I felt shy and lost for words and that is definitely a new experience for me.”

“Still charming
, though.” They both laughed. “You seem pretty sweet to me. I’m still hoping it’s not an act.” She winked. “I think you have been hiding Mitchell in there while Mitch was playing.”

“Maybe I was waiting for the right woman.”

Prickles of anticipation shot up her spine as his twinkling blue eyes gazed into hers. Was this all a charming act? One way to find out she supposed. His intense gaze became too much so she concentrated on her meal. She hoped this wasn’t a mistake, yet every fiber of her being wanted it to be right. The chemistry in the air sizzled between them and for a flicker of a moment Isabelle didn’t care whether he had changed or not. There was no denying she wanted him.

* * *

His feelings for her were growing more intense by the minute. She was vulnerable yet industrious, making sacrifices for her family. An urge to protect, support and provide comfort for her overwhelmed him. She deserved so much more and he wanted to give it to her.

A comfortable silence surrounded them while they ate dinner. The warmth in the room had given her a pink glow which matched her lips. Her natural beaut
y shone in the low candlelight. Again he was struck by how much better she looked this way. More often than not was the other way around:  models didn’t look better without makeup. It wasn’t about how she looked, however, it was about the kindness he knew he would find inside if she allowed him in. All these new sensations, new feelings, new wants were far from his casual manner of recent months. A sudden realization struck him. The compassionate side he’d buried while overseas now surged up through him with a vengeance, but it was a welcome feeling. He didn’t want to hide anymore. He didn’t want to live a shallow empty existence.

He wanted her.

* * *

Unbeknownst to her, as
she snuck looks at him, he did the same. She decided the man she gazed at was not the man she thought him to be. She had misjudged him. Yes, he had done the things he was reputed to have done but it seemed perhaps his motivations weren’t malicious or uncaring. Was it possible to have a future with him? Then Isabelle wondered how she could entertain this idea after having spent barely an hour with him. The desire to kiss his full lips, brush the hair which crawled down his brow, and run her hands over his broad shoulders surged through her, clouding her mind with lust. The strength of her desire surprised her. Thoughts of naked flesh and hot kisses sent a flush to fill her cheeks.
What am I doing? I’m a mother, I have to be responsible.
Yet, try as she might, she couldn’t shake the image of his flesh pressed against hers. In an attempt to push these lustful thoughts aside she concentrated on her meal. It took nearly all her strength to keep her eyes lowered.

When he reached across the table and took her hand, she looked up again. His face looked earnest. He didn’t appear to be struggling with lust. In fact he looked quite the opposite. What did this mean? Her stomach lurched.

“You are going to think I’m nuts when I say this,” he said. Words became lost in her mouth so she shook her head. “You are making me feel things I didn’t think were possible. When I met you I discovered I wanted to change. I didn’t want to ruin any chance with you. You make me want to be a different man.”

Oh my!

She gazed at him unspeaking for what seemed like endless minutes. Mitch thought he would faint if he didn’t breathe soon. He hoped he wouldn’t scare her off with his declaration. The words had spilled out before he even realized what he was doing. She affected him that much.

“
Mitchell, that would have to be one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.” She continued to stare at him with wide eyes and a sweet smile. “I’ve been thinking about you too. I admit I was a bit concerned about your reputation.” He frowned and she squeezed his hand. “I also couldn’t deny the effect you had on me, so I wondered if you weren’t the man I thought you might be. Now I believe you aren’t and it just makes me want to do this even more.”

“Do what?” he asked with a dry mouth.

With one finger she gestured for him to move forward. He leaned across the table as she did before her lips brushed his cheek. His blood reached boiling point as he signaled for the bill.

After refusing to allow her to pay her half of the bill, he guided her out to the street and took her hand when they started to walk. Instead of heading straight home they browsed through shop windows on the surrounding streets. Their light conversation filled the quiet night air as they slowly made their way back to Isabelle’s apartment. At the door she brushed the hair from his eyes as she spoke.