Womanizer (Spoilt) by Joanne Ellis Read Free Book Online Page A

“Did you have fun last night?”
    “Yes, thanks, honey. It has been a long time since I’d seen my friend.” A wave of guilt tugged at her for lying to him but again she told herself it was for the best.
    “Are you going out again soon?”
    “Would it bother you if I did?” Isabelle studied her son. His expression appeared inquisitive without any concern and she breathed an internal sigh of relief.
    “No, if you want to go out with a boy too, it’s OK.”
    “Oh, I see.” Isabelle had no idea what to do now. Jesse’s acceptance would be important for any future she may have with Mitch or any other man for that matter. His happiness was her paramount concern. Knowing he would feel alright made the decision to see Mitch again much easier.
    “I want you to be happy, Mummy. I want a daddy too.  Someone to do boy things with.”
    Isabelle’s heart lurched and she felt so sad for her little man.
    “I know you do, honey. Maybe one day.”
    “You can go out all the time if you bring me home a daddy.  Nan will look after me.”
    “Yes, Jesse, she will and thank you.” A lump formed in her throat.  His show of maturity beyond his years caused mother’s pride to tingle her skin.
    “Can I go play now?” It seemed the subject was forgotten.
    “Yes, Jesse,” she replied with a tear in her eye. Jesse knew far more than she gave him credit for.
    “See, even he thinks you need a man,” Carol said in her matter of fact way.
    “Yes thanks for pointing out the obvious,” Isabelle said with a sardonic raised eyebrow. “Just as well because I’m having dinner at his house tonight.”
    “Oh, really? You failed to mention that last night.”
    “You didn’t ask.”
     
    * * *
     
    Mitch woke on the fine, warm Saturday morning feeling like a new man. Isabelle was incredible, beautiful, intelligent, and to top it all off , a fantastic kisser. He had walked home the previous evening - as it turned out they lived close to each other - and had a restless night with dreams of ocean eyes and soft lips.
    Dra gging himself out of bed bleary-eyed, he showered and decided he’d better do some shopping if he was going to cook dinner. Time to drag out the rarely used barbecue from storage and put it to use.
    After completing the shopping and preparing a salad - which he didn’t know he could even do - he cleaned his apartment as he never had before. Normally a very untidy person, when he’d finished he couldn’t believe that he was in the same house. As he did a final check the phone rang.
    “Yep, it’s Mitch.”
    “So how was the big date?” asked the deep husky voice on the line. Charlotte.
    “Don’t you have anything better to do than hassle me?” They exchanged a giggle.
    “No, Jared has gone to work and I just walked in the door after helping Chelsea at the shop - who is huge by the way and counting down the days - and I remembered that our eligible bachelor went on a hot date.”
    “How very nosy of you.”
    “I would call it family interest, and you almost are, so ...”
    “The date went well. She’s coming over for dinner tonight.”
    “You’re going to cook?” The skeptical tone almost had him feeling defensive. Was he really that much like the stereotypical bachelor?
    “Yes, I’m going to barbecue , if you have to know. I may not be the master chef like Jared but I am capable. I even made a salad.”
    “OK, don’t get all defensive on me.”  She laughed. “I have to admit it is great to never have to cook. Even when Jared is on night shift he prepares food for me to reheat.” She laughed again. “He spoils me.”
    “He loves you.”
    “I know and I’m the luckiest girl alive. Anyway, enough about me. Tell me more.”
    “Not much to tell. We went out for dinner. I walked her home and we said goodnight.”
    “Did you kiss her?”
    “Yes, nosey.”
    “Did it curl your toes?”
    It was Mitch’s turn to laugh. “Maybe.”
    “Yay! ” she cried in a tone that almost made him deaf. “I