Page 26 of Four Stepbrothers for Christmas

Isaac

The morning after the hot tub escapade, I couldn't shake the feelings of regret and jealousy that had seized me during the night. Vinnie, Archer, and Luke were my lifelines, and as I poured out my frustrations to them, they helped me realize I was sabotaging any chance of happiness out of fear.

Becca was unlike any woman I'd met, and I had to admit it to myself. It was not only her beauty but her spirit, her kindness, that drew me in. But I also knew I'd been hiding from her, shielding myself from any possibility of being hurt again.

So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. That morning, I took up the role of the chef, preparing breakfast for everyone. But for Becca, I took extra care. I whipped up a hearty breakfast and arranged it meticulously on a tray, ready to serve her in bed.

As I walked up the staircase to her room, I felt a surge of anticipation, but also a twinge of nervousness. What would she say? Would she question my sudden change of attitude? I gently knocked on her door and waited.

Her hair was a tousled mess, cascading over her shoulders, and the faintest imprint of the pillow creased her cheek. She seemed momentarily surprised, but then a soft smile spread across her face. Clutching the duvet to her, she made room for me to come in.

I explained why she’d slept in, how it wasn’t her fault. Figured a hard worker like her would about die at the idea of missing her duties. I was glad to give her the news.

I’d been all ready to leave her alone to enjoy her breakfast, but as soon as I started out, she stopped me.

“Just FYI, as much as I appreciate the meal, I eat about half the portion sizes as you guys.” She smiled, nodding toward the food.

The amount of food on her tray was far more than a woman her size would eat. I laughed. “Force of habit, I suppose.”

“Sit,” she said. “Help me out with this bacon.”

I did as she asked, sitting across from her at the little two-person table near the window. The outdoors shimmered white, and it promised to be a gorgeous day. Becca loaded up a side plate with some bacon and pushed it over to me.

She hesitated for a moment, her fork midway to her mouth. "Why weren't you in the hot tub last night?" she asked, her gaze steady and probing.

For a second, I was taken aback. "Did you see me watching?" I stammered, thinking she might've caught me during my moment of longing.

She chuckled, shaking her head. "No, but you just confirmed my suspicion," she replied with a sly smile.

Despite myself, I laughed. She caught me. "To be honest, I have some baggage. Past mistakes and pains. It made me hesitant to join."

She studied me for a long moment, her fork paused in the air. "You know, we all have our pasts," she began softly. "But every day is a chance for something new."

I nodded, realizing she was right. Maybe it was time for me to let go of my past and embrace the potential future right in front of me. With that thought, the room felt lighter, and I knew I had made the right decision.

The warmth in the room seemed palpable, and I took a deep breath, ready to face my past demons head-on. "There was a woman... Mindy. She was my everything, or so I thought."

She put down her fork and gave me her full attention. "What happened?"

I looked down, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. "She cheated on me with a person I considered a close friend. It was devastating." The pain was still raw, even after all these years, but admitting it out loud felt cathartic.

Becca's expression softened, her gaze filled with empathy. "I'm so sorry, Isaac," she murmured. "That must've been really hard."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "It broke me. I closed myself off to the idea of dating or finding love again. My trust was shattered, and I was afraid."

She sat up a bit straighter, her hand reaching out to touch my arm gently. The sensation of her fingers on my skin sent a jolt of electricity through me. "Isaac, I can't even begin to imagine how that felt. But you deserve happiness. You deserve to move on and find love again."

I smirked bitterly. "I've been telling myself that for years. But seeing you, being around you... It's made me question if I'm ready to try again."

Becca's smile was radiant, full of hope and understanding. "We're on vacation, Isaac," she pointed out with a teasing lilt. "Vacation rules apply. We're here to have fun, no strings attached. There's no pressure to define anything."

Her words washed over me, light and freeing. I knew she was right. This was a chance to let go of my inhibitions and simply enjoy the moment. And looking at her, with her inviting eyes and the playful curve of her lips, I felt an undeniable pull.

As if sensing my inner turmoil, she shifted closer, her face tilted up in a clear invitation. My heartbeat quickened. I could feel the warmth of her breath on my face, the promise of softness in her parted lips.

Leaning over the table, I pressed my lips to hers, reveling in the sweetness of the moment. The kiss was gentle at first, a mere brush of lips, but it quickly deepened. It felt like a confession, a pledge, a release. The weight of the past, of Mindy and her betrayal, seemed to lift with every passing second.

My heart raced, drumming in my ears with an intensity that made it hard to focus on anything else. The feel of her lips, soft and inviting, drew me in deeper. Every instinct urged me to be closer to her, to feel more of her. I stood and pulled her up with me, flattening her against me before pressing my lips back to hers.

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