Love, Exes, and Ohs (Cactus Creek #4)(25)

“I think,” he whispered, in that deep, gruff voice of his. “You and I have a few things to talk about, sweetheart.”

All at once, Dani and Sienna made themselves scarce.

Isaac threaded his fingers through hers—with his thumb on the knuckle of her index finger—and lead her to the employee doors leading back to her office.

Feeling his hand in hers again created a maelstrom of emotions that hit her full-force.

She missed this.

Barely noticing that they’d come to a stop, her breath hitched when he leaned in to gently tug the stretchy, hot pink wrist coil she kept her office keys on. Unlocking her office door without missing a beat, he pulled her through the doorway and shut the door behind them.

In the silence that followed, he asked quietly, “Want to know what I think the biggest dealbreaker is of all your failed dates, sweetie?”

Curious now, she nodded.

“None of them are me.”



*



HEART RIPPED BARE, Isaac stared at the woman he’d grown to love infinitely more over the year since their break-up. “I know that’s why I haven’t had any successful dates,” he confessed, picking up her hand to return her coiled bracelet key ring back to her wrist. “I’ve tried. But God help me, I can’t stop wanting you and only you.”

For some reason, the woman always brought out a side of him that wanted to both challenge her and coddle her at the same time. Even now, he was torn between pushing for the limitless possibilities that had always existed between them…and pulling back until she was ready.

This time, he chose to push.

Her breath caught as he proceeded to invade her private space, slowly backing her up until her back hit the wall.

Instantly, he flattened one palm against the wall next to her head.

He nearly became unglued when he saw her close her eyes briefly and barely, just barely, brush her cheek against his wrist.

“What are we doing, Isaac? What’s been going on with us lately?”

So she’s felt the shift in their relationship lately, too. Good.

“I think what’s been going on with us lately is something that’s been a long time coming,” he replied, watching her reaction.

“That’s not an answer.”

“That’s the only one you’re getting tonight.” He slid the side of his thumb against her smooth cheek. “Since you have to go back out there and work.”

“Oh, right.” A cloud of disappointment darkened her eyes.

Progress.

“Tomorrow night, however, is a different matter.” He forced himself to step back. “We still need to talk about a few things—mainly about my being one of the exes on your list.”

Turning to head to the door, each step harder than the last, he had his parting, friendly exit all locked and loaded.

…Until he saw her staring at him in a way he’d never seen before.

His mouth spoke then without any coordination with his brain. “Whether or not any ‘ohs’ make it into the conversation is totally up to you.”





CHAPTER TEN


“YOUR THREE SIX-FOOT TALL dwarfs came by the gym late last night to threaten me,” announced Isaac as he plopped down beside Xoey on their bench.

He hadn’t been sure if she’d be here at the dog park this morning. They didn’t have their usual phone conversation right up until he parked. In fact, they hadn’t talked at all since he left her to enjoy the rest of Townfolk Brewery Night last night. Not a single text had come from her while he sparred with a couple of guys at the gym to get rid of some pent-up tension.

The fact that she was there this morning for their weekly breakfast gave him hope.

He handed her a Chai latte, and waited.

When she took the proffered drink and simultaneously handed over a pancake sandwich from their favorite breakfast foodtruck, he let out the breath he’d hadn’t even realized he’d been holding.

His guess on her breakfast choice this morning had been correct. They were fine.

They ate in silence in the empty dog park, knowing it would probably remain empty for a while since the entire town had basically drank their weight in beer last night. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you how great this year’s finalist brews were last night.”

“Thanks.” Her first smile of the morning stretched across her face as she spoke.

And Isaac just sat there feeling as if he were watching the sun rise.

“So did Doc, Bashful, and Dommy really threaten you last night?”

He chuckled. “I’m surprised those guys let you keep calling them that. You do know that they’re each former All-American football players, right?”

She grinned. “That’s what makes it fun.”

“And no,” he answered. “They didn’t threaten me, so much as promise me matter-of-factly that they were a fan of facial reconstruction for guys who hurt women they care about.”

Tilting her head at him, she studied him for a beat. “They signed up to join your gym, didn’t they?”

“They were pretty impressed with my set-up.”

With a smiling headshake, she turned her attention back to the empty dog park. “So what are your plans for tonight?” she asked casually.

“I have a date,” he informed her.