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he gave it a gentle shove and it creaked open. He expected to find Isabelle curled up in bed. Instead she sat slumped over at the desk, head resting on her arms, sound asleep. She was still wearing the clothes from last night, and on the desk, under her arms, lay the list of her duties. Her bag sat open but unpacked on the bed, and the covers hadn’t been disturbed.
    She must have dozed off shortly after going to her room, and she must have been pretty exhausted to sleep in such an awkward position all night.
    He sighed and shook his head. At least one of them had gotten a good night’s rest.
    A part of him wanted to be angry with her, wanted to send her packing for neglecting her duties, but he had the feeling this had been an unintentional oversight. He would give her the benefit of the doubt. Just this once. But he wouldn’t deny himself the pleasure of giving her a hard time about it.

Four
    â€œI sabelle!”
    Isabelle shot up with such force she nearly flung the chair over, blinking furiously, trying to get her bearings. She saw Emilio standing in the doorway and her eyes went wide. “Wh-what time is it?”
    â€œThree minutes after seven.” He folded his arms, kept his mouth in a grim line. “Were you expecting breakfast in bed?”
    Her skin paled. “I was going to set the alarm on my phone. I must have fallen asleep before I had the chance.”
    â€œAnd you consider that a valid excuse for neglecting your duties?”
    â€œNo, you’re right. I screwed up.” She squared her shoulders and rose stiffly from the chair. “I’ll pack my things and be out of here before you leave from work.”
    For a second he thought she was playing the sympathycard, but she wore a look of resigned hopelessness that said she seriously expected him to terminate their agreement.
    He probably should have, but if he let her go now he would be denying himself the pleasure of breaking her. Lucky for her, he was feeling generous this morning. “If you leave, who will make my coffee?”
    She gazed up at him with hope in her eyes. “Does that mean you’re giving me a second chance?”
    â€œDon’t let it happen again. Next time I won’t be so forgiving.”
    â€œI won’t, I promise.” She looked over at the dresser. “My uniform—”
    â€œCoffee first.”
    â€œWhat about breakfast?”
    â€œNo time. I only have twenty-five minutes until the company car is here to pick me up.”
    â€œSorry.” She edged past him through the door and scurried to the kitchen.
    He went to his office to put the necessary paperwork in his briefcase, and when he walked back into the kitchen several minutes later the coffee was brewed. Isabelle wasn’t there, so he grabbed a travel mug and filled it himself. He took a sip, surprised to realize that it was actually good. A little stronger than his housekeeper, Mrs. Medina, usually made it, but he liked it.
    Isabelle emerged from her room a minute later wearing her uniform. He looked her up and down and frowned. The oversize garment hung on her, accentuating her skeletal physique. “It’s too big.”
    She shrugged. “It’s okay.”
    It was an old uniform a former employee had left so he hadn’t really expected it to fit. “You’ll need a new one.”
    â€œIt’s only for thirty days. It’s fine.”
    â€œIt is not fine. It looks terrible. Tell me what size you wear and I’ll have a new one sent to the house.”
    She chewed her lip, avoiding his gaze.
    â€œAre you going to tell me, or should I guess?”
    â€œI’m not exactly sure. I’ve lost weight recently.”
    â€œSo tell me your weight and height and they can send over the appropriate size.”
    â€œI’m five foot four.”
    â€œAnd…?”
    She looked at the floor.
    â€œYour weight, Isabelle?”
    She shrugged.
    â€œYou don’t know how