Page 76 of Love Unexpected
He narrowed his eyes as if trying to remember. “You did say you had something to tell me,” he said, recognition flashing in his eyes.
I nodded. “But you didn’t want to listen.”
He leaned down, his forehead close to mine, and wrapped his arm around my waist. “Will you give me a chance, Rosie? Take a risk on a guy with a weird job and horrible taste in candy?”
“Ugh, really horrible,” I said, leaning into him.
“I like your shirt, by the way,” he said. “How did I not know you love Red Renegade? I can usually spot a fan a mile away.”
I shrugged. “I knew if I made it obvious, you’d want to talk to me. I could barely handle talking to you about sweatshirts.”
“Yeah, I saw the signature beanies on your bedposts. You’ve been into me for a long time, haven’t you?” he said, his voice teasing.
My eyes widened and my jaw fell open. He hadnotjust said that. I dropped his hand and pushed at his chest to move away, but he looped his arms behind my waist and held me to him. “Sorry,” he said, a sly grin on his face. “I couldn’t resist.”
“I saved my babysitting money for three weeks to buy those hats,” I said.
“I appreciate it. I stored them in my garage and printed shipping labels on my parents’ old inkjet. The thing burned through ink so fast, once I factored in all the replacement cartridges, I barely broke even.”
I chuckled. “And look at you now.” I nestled into his chest, enjoying the feel of him under my hands. His warmth, his solidity. I felt safe with his arms around me. Comfortable in a way I’d never been before. The only thing that would make the moment better was actual kissing. If Isaac didn’t get around to that part soon, I’d be making the first move.Again.
“What made you send that first message?” he asked.
I scoffed. “Bridget wearing a Red Renegade shirt. She called them noise, Isaac. And said she only wore the shirt because she liked the colors.” I patted his chest. “Someone had to rescue you.”
He leaned forward—finally!—and brushed his nose against mine. “I didn’t realize how badly I needed rescuing until I met you,” he said.
If I just tilted my head up the slightest bit, my lips would be on his. I just had to lean...
“You can’t kiss me until you answer my question,” Isaac said, his tone playful, but laced with a measure of earnest hope that kept me from feeling annoyed that he was withholding kisses. “Will you take a chance on a guy like me?”
I slid my hands up the smooth planes of his chest, clasping them behind his neck. “You aren’t wrong that I’ve been into you for a long time. I wasthatfan. The girl who watched every video. Bought all the merchandise. Scored a hundred percent on all the Buzzfeed quizzes I took about you.”
“What’s my middle name?” Isaac asked, his eyes narrowed.
I rolled my eyes. “Sterling. But stop interrupting me. I want to kiss you but you’re making me say this first.”
He pressed his lips closed, hardly concealing his smile, and nodded his head. “Sorry. Continue.”
“It was only once we started messaging that I discovered that beinginto youdoesn’t even begin to compare to beingin lovewith you.” I bit my lip and lifted my gaze to meet his. More like lifted one squinty eye to meet his gaze while I squeezed the other eye shut. Leave it to me to find a way to be bold and brave and terrified and hiding at the same time.
Isaac’s eyes were open and warm and full of...love? It looked like love. “Are you telling me you love me?” he said.
“Isaac,” I said, holding his gaze. “Please kiss me now.”
Our first kiss had been an unexpected and frenzied passion—a reaction to a moment that had taken us both by surprise. But this kiss was a promise. A declaration. A commitment. Passion pulsed beneath it though, flaring to life when Isaac pulled me flush against him, his kisses growing more heated.
My hands slipped up the arms of his t-shirt, curving around his biceps. A low moan escaped Isaac’s lips, eliciting a visceral response that I couldn’t have stopped had I wanted to. I leaned into him, willing him to hold me tighter, to kiss me deeper. I could not get enough of this man.
A throat cleared behind us and we pulled apart. Isaac slid his hands up to cradle my face, giving me one last gentle kiss. “I love you, too,” he whispered softly. “Just in case you couldn’t tell.”
He kept his arm around me as we turned to see Alex standing in the doorway. “I hate to break up the party, but Dani’s on the phone wanting a full update, and since it’s already past midnight, I feel justified in interrupting.”
“How many people are here?” I asked.
“Almost everyone,” Isaac said. “The editing team. Greta. Alex.” He motioned to the doorway. “Jade was here all day, but she wanted to get home in time to see the kids before they went to bed.”
“They were all helping you?”
