“No, it just seems like it would be a little too slow for me.”
“With how fast-paced my life is, I like how it's an hour that I don’t have to think or make any decisions.” I shrug. “Sometimes it’s nice to slow down and have someone else be in control.”
“Maybe that’s why I don't enjoy gym classes in general. I like putting on music or an audiobook when I work out, where everything is on my own terms. If I want to run two miles, I can, and at whatever pace feels good that day. Or if I want to lift, I can choose which weights or muscles to focus on. I’m in control.”
“What do you normally listen to while you’re working out?”
Isaac hands me his unlocked phone. “There are a few playlists in my music app.”
I tap on it and scroll through a few until I find ones that are labeledgym. The first one has a mix of classic rock and ‘90s alternative. None of it surprises me, but as I stumble upon a few extra angsty songs, I smother my smile, not wanting to embarrass him. Clicking on his audiobook app, there’s a variety of biographies and a few murder mysteries he finished recently, and I’m surprised to find a few romance novels.
“Which one of these is your favorite?”
Isaac hums to himself for a moment, and I secretly hope he admits it’s one of the rom-coms. “This year?” he muses. “Even then, I don’t think I could pick. What about you? Any favorites?”
“I don’t think you’re ready for it.”
“Ah, so how dark of a romance are we talking about here?”
“I, uh, what?” I squeak.
“Hey, there’s no shame in you enjoying a little mafia or stalker book.”
I cough a laugh, then lie as best I can, “I don’t read those.”
“You could, and there’d be no judgment here. My mom and my sister, Nicole, both read romance. Every once in a while, Nikki likes to fuck with me and sends me recommendations for books that seem innocent by the title and cover, but then end up being a chick banging an inanimate object come to life, or some sort of monster. Some of them are actually entertaining. Others, she’s just looking for a reaction.”
“How do you not know what it’s about before starting it?”
He glances over to me, his smile reaching his eyes. “I’m too lazy to read the summary, so it’s a bit of a jump scare. They’re actually a lot of fun and a nice break after reading a thriller or a dry biography.”
“I can’t say I’ve ever read anything paranormal like that. I mostly stick to inspiring non-fiction stories, but Heather and I buddy-read a romance book once a month. And some of them aren’t exactly innocent.” A blush creeps up my neck, remembering the last book we read with a daddy kink. I never thought I would be into it, but there was something about how the strong,independent woman relinquished control to him that did it for me.
“There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a love story that happens to include sex,” he insists without a hint of sarcasm in his tone. “Hell, there’s nothing wrong with reading a hot story that’s nearly plotless. Life is too short to be ashamed of things you enjoy.”
“I love that philosophy. I do enjoy reading them, but I always feel like I’m being judged.”
“Well, I promise I’ll never judge you.” Isaac slides his hand into mine, waffling our fingers together. I can’t seem to remember the last time I felt this comfortable with someone I just met. I like spending time with him, a little too much.
Why am I putting myself through this torture? Sure, we have great chemistry and a lot in common… but there’s also an end date. I need to keep my heart guarded or I’ll risk having it broken when the semester’s over.
We arrive at the café, and as soon as we’re out of the car, my hand is back in his. The simple touch lights me up inside. He bites his lip to mask his smile, but his little dimple gives it away.
“There’s something I wanted to do last night,” he admits with a sigh. “It’s why I couldn’t sleep.”
“Oh?” My stomach does a damn somersault as a flash of him kissing the side of my neck skates across my mind.
“But I know I shouldn’t.”
Brows pinched, I can’t help asking, “Why not?”
Isaac takes a small step closer and leans in, our lips nearly touching. My heart thumps wildly against my chest, and I’ve forgotten how to breathe. Several seconds pass, and the anticipation is killing me. I can't take it a moment longer, lifting onto my toes and kissing him.
A growl rumbles in his chest as he pulls me closer, parting my lips as he claims my mouth as his. While I had no doubt there would be fireworks, this is something else entirely, almost like the satisfying click of two puzzle pieces connecting. As his tongue sweeps across mine, I shamelessly press my body against his, leaving no space between us. The world around us doesn’t exist until a throat clears behind me. I jump back half a step, breaking what had to be the best kiss of my life.
“That’s why,” he finally replies, brushing his thumb across my bottom lip.
My mind is reeling, but I manage, “I’m sorry.”
