Page 40 of Not the Plan

“He believes he’s a ladies’ man. I’m sure he sees you as direct competition. Especially tonight.”

“Competition? I didn’t think our interests intersected.” Hesurprised her by spinning her away from him, then pulling her back closer. “And why tonight in particular?”

“Karim, you look incredibly sexy. Far from gloomy. The ‘Johnny Cash’ look makes your eyes stand out more. And this”—she rocked onto her toes and brushed her cheek against his stubble—“makes you look wild, manly, dangerous.”

His eyes fluttered closed at her touch.

“Be careful,” he whispered.

“Why?” she whispered back. The thudding of her heart clipped at her vocal chords.

His gaze fell to her lips, as he wet his own. “Because I really, really want to kiss you right now.”

“I really, really want you to kiss me,” she whispered. “But…”

“Yes?”

“I don’t feel comfortable here. I promised Glenna I’d stay, get to know you.”

He smiled. “She asked you to promise that?”

Isadora rolled her eyes. “More like made me promise. She told me I need to relax. Stop working. Have fun.”

“I could help you with that…if you’d like.”

“I would.”

“Let’s get out of here?”

“Yes.”

“Meet you downstairs at the valet? I’ll have to come up with something to tell Julian,” he said.

She nodded. “I came with Glenna and Daniel. I should let them know I won’t need a ride back.”

He smiled at her before walking away. “See you in a minute, beautiful.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Karim

Karim returned to the last place he’d seen Julian. There was no sign of him. He started to look further, but he didn’t want to keep Isadora waiting. Then he bumped into Drew.

“Hey, I’m out,” Karim said.

“So soon? This is when things start to get interesting.”

Karim hid his smile. “Nah, I’m good. Let Julian know if you see him.”

“Sure.”

—

He hurried to the exit. He wanted to run but held himself back. Reaching the valet stand, he was relieved she hadn’t beaten him there. The valet took his ticket stub, and he waited a moment, hands in his pockets, trying to tamp down his excitement and shy, nervous grin. A worry cropped up. One he didn’t want to acknowledge but that refused to remain silent. Isadora was not part of his starting-over plan. He didn’t remember how to see someone, how to date. It had been nearly a decade since he had. But the flirting had come back on its own. Maybe it was like riding a bike? He glanced over his shoulder and an electric blast shot through his chest.

Isadora had stopped partway down the stairs. She was speaking with a woman on her way up, smiling. As Isadora continued down,she moved in her usual, graceful manner, made even more enticing by the way the left side of her dress was floating behind her. She was a seductive sea goddess. A goddess headed straight for him.

Holy shit. This is happening. This…um, date? Whatever. Doesn’t matter. Just me and Isadora, no one else.He gulped and went back inside to wait for her at the foot of the stairs.

---