Page 25 of Rumor Has It

“Me.”

I laugh. I don’t have a horrible life, but I like how being around Isaiah makes me feel lighter.

“I should go take care of the…” he nods to where our bodies are still joined.

“There’s a wastebasket next to the nightstand.”

“That’s convenient.”

“Hotel living has its perks.” I shrug.

“This one definitely does.” We share another leisurely kiss before Isaiah rolls off of me. I tug at the sheet, missing his body heat.

“Nice flowers. Wonder who sent ‘em?” His legs hanging over the mattress, Isaiah leans forward to the trash. “What’s in the box?”

“Recipes I inherited. I use my computer upstairs when I plan the menus.” It makes it easier to add ingredients to the grocery delivery order with the box nearby.

He reaches for my hand. “I don’t know about you, but I’m a little sweaty. Are you up for a shower?”

Inappropriate images of steamy glass and water running over Isaiah’s toned thighs while I’m on my knees reciprocating for what he did to me earlier flash through my mind.

“I am.”

His lips dip, brushing over mine. “I’ll go heat up the water.”

Kissing Isaiah is something I could get used to and I’m flagrant as fuck watching him strut across the room. I can’t help admiring his museum-worthy, chiseled ass. No wonder his jeans fit so well.

The bathroom light flickers on and then off again.

“Jesus Christ almighty!” he yells.

Chapter Ten

ISAIAH

Ever heard the phraseGod’s country?That’s the spectacular view from my vantage point.

I turned on the bathroom light just as it caught my attention and flicked it right back off. In stunned silence, I navigate toward the window without tripping by using the soft light cast from Cassidy’s bedroom.

My eyes follow the path she took me on during her tour of the estate. It’s all there. The garden. The pond. The grape trellis next to the field we walked across. The tips of the trees towering over her parent’s house. The roofline of the banquet hall and multi-story winery barn. If I squint, there’s a hint of a warehouse in the distance. That must be what it is. I can recall Cassidy mentioning a building on the property with fermenter and bottling capabilities.

I hear the rustle of the bedsheets and Cassidy hurrying my way. She flips another light on over a vanity.

“You know they can see you from outside,” she says.

“They can?” I cup my hands over my junk and move away from the radius window overlooking the vineyard.

“No.” Cassidy doubles over, holding onto her boobs and having a laugh at my expense. “That’s one-way glass. There’s a film on it so that there’s no need for drapes or blinds.”

I rush her and grab her by the middle. She squeals with delight as her back hits my front. I swing her legs in the air.

Between the PR company and their shittastic ideas to promote the singles before the upcoming tour, the aftermath of my wife’s death and my lackluster songwriting abilities from the stress of it, my life’s been too somber. An ominous gray cloud has hung over every day. I’m tired of being overwhelmed by how serious my problems are when I’m awake. While I understand the headaches won’t disappear anytime soon, being with Cassidy is uncomplicated. She helps me put aside the bad and focus on the good.

“I’m gonna get you for that one.” I set her feet onto the tile floor and move her hair, rubbing my nose along her neck.

Cassidy leans into me. I wrap my arms tighter around her, mentally putting a stop to her escape. Though I understand the eventuality, I want nothing more than to hold her as long as humanly possible.

What would it be like to stay here with her? Not forever. I can’t do that. I have responsibilities. But would a few more days hurt anyone? Would it take the burden off of my shoulders that’s weighed me down since Kylie passed?

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