12. Mack

Chapter 12

Mack

Isabelle doesn't notice that I get out of the limo, too. I stand behind her, waiting for any reaction, waiting for her to process what I've done.

The front door of the bookshop opens and the manager I hired for her steps out. "Ms. Bright?"

"Yes?" Isabelle's voice sounds dazed.

"I've been expecting you." The older woman gives her a warm smile. She is the most experienced bookstore manager I could find in the entire country, and I gave her a generous signing bonus to make this happen as quickly as it did. "Would you like to come inside?"

"What is this?" Isabelle asks. Not to me. I'm just the beast who can't keep his hands off her, his cock out of her. She asks the question of the manager.

"This is your bookstore, miss. We're so glad you could finally come and see it. Your generous seed investment has allowed us to do some wonderful things. Shall we start with the discovery wall?"

"The what inves?—?"

I clear my throat. "Ms. Bright, may I have a moment?"

She turns her head and frowns at me. "No." Then she twists back. "I'm sorry, I didn't get your name."

"Penny Thatcher, miss."

"Ms. Thatcher, so lovely to meet you. Please show me the discovery wall. It sounds delightful."

Penny leads her inside, and I count to ten before following.

No matter what happens inside, I'm going to keep my hands to myself. I have to. My entire future with Isabelle is riding it.