Page 47 of Rumor Has It

Or maybe it’s blind hope trying to convince me Isaiah wants to prove there’s an actual foundation for a relationship between us other than the physical. I have this insane little glimmer Isaiah’s decision to stay this week means whatever chemistry we have is more than a celebrity tryst.

All I’m sure is whenever he kisses me, my toes curl and my thighs clench. And whether it is before or after our lips meet, I’m floating a few feet off the ground. Which is odd because I’ve always enjoyed the tight cocoon of my blankets. But even now, with him doing the mundane by pouring our coffees, I feel as if I’m hovering over the mattress instead of lying in my bed.

I languish in bed without time to miss Isaiah when he returns with a tray loaded with two mugs, cream, sugar, and a spoon to stir.

“That was fast.” I sit up, reaching for myfuckoffeecup.

“I’d love to take credit, but Rhiannon made it.”

“Rhi?” I sit straight up, peering at the clock. We slept later than I thought.

“She’s in the kitchen with your mom. I got to meet Dr. Cavanaugh as well. She said my back was nothing to worry about, but advised me to keep my appointment.” Isaiah sucks on his tooth. I notice gooseflesh on his torso. “Another man with dark hair yelled that he was hauling the last box down from the attic.” If Aunt Temple and Rhiannon are here, that’s my Uncle Adam. “On my way back up the stairs behind the guy, I heard voices coming from the front yard. Your dad’s, sister’s, and kids’. Lots of kids. Young ones.”

He looks at his bare chest. An intense red flush streaks from his shoulders, heating his ears.

My snort is ineffective. I burst out into a fit of uncontrollable giggles. The coffee splashes over the side of the mug and Isaiah has to remove it from my grip.

“Cassidy! Stop laughing. I’m walking around in pajama pants and no shirt on.” His thumb rubs his chin, pensively.

“Aw,it didn’t seem to bother you when it was just me.”

“That’s because it was just you. I like your eyes on me.” He growls, pinning me down, rubbing his nose along my neck, inciting another round of laughter. “You could’ve warned me. Your father is down there. He could have seen me walking back into your room. What sort of man will he think I am?”

His last sentence stifles my snickering.

“Why does it matter?” I ask in a whisper.

Isaiah pushes a tendril off of my face, looking me in the eye. “Because I like you and I don’t want anyone to think less of you for something else I did wrong.”

A blush creeps into my cheeks. It’s a really sweet thing to say.

I’m also excited that my family is here for Christmas Eve. My parents and Rhiannon’s help one another the years they’re in charge of putting up the Christmas tree. Like most activities at Kingsbrier, the more the merrier. What makes the situation unique is Mama and Daddy share grandkids with Aunt Temple and Uncle Adam. Neither side wants to miss out on seeing the grandkids take part in our traditions. That includes me.

But there’s a lot more that goes on at Kingsbrier then decorating a tree, and this year has the unexpected twist of me having someone special to share it with.

Isaiah and I sip our coffees while getting ready. As we’re about to head downstairs, my phone lights up.

Rhi: Doctor is here. Sending him up to Isaiah’s suite.

I show Isaiah the message.

“Need company?” I offer, feeling protective.

“It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. Go spend time with your family.” He kisses my forehead.

We part ways in the hall, and Rhiannon greets me at the bottom of the stairs. A silver tinsel boa around her neck accompanies her camera.

“Sorry. I didn’t have his digits.” Rhiannon apologizes for texting me instead of Isaiah. “Maybe this will make up for it?” She holds the handles of a gift bag with a hooked finger. It sways between us. “But!” she cautions as I reach out. “Full disclosure: I got it when I didn’t know that Isaiah was staying.”

I squeal when I see what she’s bought. “Ohmigoodness! This is hysterical. And perfect!”

I roll the gift back up, put it in the bag, and stick the bag inside a nearby drawer. “We’re just going to keep it away from prying eyes.”

“Why? After the show Isaiah put on this morning, I think we’ve all had a look at the goods.”

“No. You haven’t.” I smirk.

“I am holding it together by not asking. But when he’s gone, Cass. When. He’s. Gone.” The second pea in my pod gives me ample warning she won’t wait forever for details.

---