Truth be told, the smell of the pizza was making me queasy though, so I grabbed a single slice of cheese pizza and headed for the table just off the kitchen.
Isaac sat across from me, several slices piled onto his plate. “You want a beer?” He asked, setting an open one down for me. I shook my head no. “Suit yourself.” He used his t-shirt to twist off the cap of his own beer.
In the time it took him to finish his plate and go back for seconds, I’d barely gotten half a piece down. He looked at my plate with slight concern.
“I ate before I came. Sorry.” I tried to lie convincingly. “It’s hard to get through that evening class without dinner.”
Isaac nodded, clearly trying to decide if he believed me. “No worries. My roommate and I will probably finish all that off by tomorrow anyway.” Finishing his seconds in record time, Isaac wiped his hands on his jeans and asked, “You want to watch a movie?”
“Sure.” I nodded in agreement. That was what he’d invited me over to do in the first place, so might as well.
We picked a new release, and he sat at one end of the couch and I sat at the other. “You avoiding me?” He asked flirtatiously, and I didn’t know what to say. Kinda yes. His arm was draped over the back of the couch, and he waved me over. “Get in here.”
“I don’t know.” I said uneasily. Maybe I hadn’t fully thought it through, coming here, evaluating what his intentions were. I mean, I didn’treallyknow the guy.
“You look so damn sad all the time, a little cuddling isn’t going to kill you,” he argued and patted the couch next to him. “Might even be good for you.” Maybe he was right though,maybe a little human contact wouldn’t be so bad. I moved to the other side of the couch to sit next to him, leaving an inch of room between us so we weren’t touching. He chuckled, and he spread his legs wider, so we werejusttouching, and I supposed I was okay with that. “I’m here when you’re ready.” He winked, arm wide open, waiting for me.
As the movie progressed, I let him move a little closer, and I eventually did snuggle into Isaac’s side. I was a little tense, but man, it felt good when he dropped that arm around my waist and pulled me in a little closer.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been hugged, let alone held. Except that I did know. It had been months, but Carter had been the last person I’d snuggled up with. Kinda. Clearly, Carter was over whatever weird thing we’d rekindled—since he’d completely ghosted me.
As Isaac pulled me closer, I tried not to think about Carter at all. I didn’t realize how badly I’d needed it. Human contact. So in a moment of self-preservation, I decided to stop being so hard on myself for once and just enjoy this for what it was. Comforting.
Halfway through the movie, I glanced over at Isaac and realized he’d been looking at me, probably for a while. I quickly looked back at the TV.
Shit.Every girl knew what that meant.
“You ignoring me?” His voice was low.
“Huh?” I played dumb, trying my hardest to look super focused on the movie.
His thumb stroked my side. “I’m really attracted to you, you know.” I blew out a shaky breath, hating how good his touch felt.
Time to pump the brakes. “Isaac, we’re friends, right?” I asked as he shifted closer.
“Yeah, of course we’re friends.” He licked his lips. “We could be friends withbenefitsif you want.” Damn. At least he was direct.
“I don’t really do that.” I explained.
“Why not?” He asked, no judgment in his voice, only a simplequestion, but I couldn’t come up with an answer. Maybe there had never been anyone who fit the criteria I’d need to make that type of situation work. I honestly had no idea.
Isaac’s voice dropped a bit lower, his thumb moving up to the sensitive place on my ribcage as he continued stroking, waking me up in all kinds of ways. Damn, being wanted, being touched. It felt good. “I could make you feel better, you know.” He sounded sincere as I searched his face.
Maybe Ishouldchange it up. Maybe Ishoulddo something different. Maybe this wasexactlywhat I needed. Maybe this was a version of letting go. Of more things than one, for that matter.
Slowly, he leaned forward, and I didn’t pull away, letting my eyes fall shut when his lips met mine.
It was nice. He was a decent kisser, he smelled really good, he was an attractive guy—this could be good for me, I decided.
Slowly, he pushed me back onto the couch, not breaking the kiss. With his body hovering over mine, his kissing turned more urgent, more dominant.
“Isaac.” I murmured, turning my head towards the TV to break away.
“I’ve been dying to kiss you since the first time I saw you.” He rasped, and with my lips out of reach, he moved down my jaw to my throat.
“Isaac.” I said again, and his mouth crushed against mine, silencing me, the kissing deeper, too intense.
He was moving so fucking fast. I lifted my chin, forcing his lips off mine. “Slower. I need to go slower.” I put my hand on his chest, pushing him back.
