Chapter 13 Evan
THIRTEEN
EVAN
I’m starting to doze off when I feel the car stop and hear Isaac chuckle softly beside me. I open my eyes suddenly alert. Shit. We’re back at my apartment already.
“Sorry,” I mumble.
“It’s fine. You had a big day. Building an entire castle takes its toll on one.”
“Are you making fun of me?” I ask in mock horror, holding a hand to my chest.
“Not at all. You had a busy day.”
“That castle was three stories!” I exclaim.
“I’m aware.”
“It had a moat!”
“It did.”
Isaac tries to keep a straight face but fails miserably, leaning forward and laughing a deep, loud belly laugh that goes straight to my dick.
He gets out of the car and rushes around to my side, opening the door before I have a chance.
I’m enjoying the whole gentleman thing he’s been doing all day.
We didn’t hold hands or act like more than friends, but all day he’s done little things like open my door and buy me lunch to show he cares.
I gather my bags from the festival and climb out of the car. Starting for the elevator, I glance back to make sure Isaac is following me. I should have invited him in, but when I look behind me, he is hot on my heels. Good. Even though I’m tired, I’m not ready for the date to end.
We take the elevator to my floor. Usually I walk the three flights, but I’m too tired for that tonight. “Come in,” I offer as I open the door. He steps past me and walks into the apartment.
I lock the door and head down the hallway. “Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.”
After using the bathroom and washing my hands and face, I change into some clean clothes.
We both rinsed off at the outdoor beach showers, but our clothes are still wet.
I need a real shower, but that can wait a few more minutes.
I grab some clothes for Isaac and a bottle of bourbon that I’ve been dying to try.
“Here’s some clothes if you want to put on something dry.”
“Thank you. I’m not sure how much longer I can handle these wet shorts and my only change of clothes is pretty nasty from my workout this morning.”
“After you change, why don’t you grab the dirty clothes from your car and we can wash them along with the wet ones,” I suggest.
“Are you sure? I can wait until I get home.”
“It’s no problem. I have a few things I can throw in to make a full load.”
“Sounds good to me.” Isaac takes the clothes from me and retreats to the bathroom.
By the time he returns, I have two glasses of bourbon poured for us, the oven is preheating and I’m pulling pizzas out of the freezer. He pulls my back against his chest, kissing my cheek.
“What’s all this?”
“This is a bourbon that I bought last year and have been saving to enjoy with someone special,” I say, handing him a glass of the brown liquid. I point to the open freezer, adding, “And this is going to be dinner.”
Isaac closes the freezer door, leaving me empty handed then wraps his arms around me. He turns me around and sets his glass on the counter next to mine. He takes my face in his hands and looks deep into my eyes as if he can see straight into my soul and read all my thoughts.
“Today was perfect. I had a great time and look forward to many, many dates with you.” He kisses me gently at first then deeper.
I lean into the kiss and open my mouth for him.
I moan as he pushes his erection into mine and the kiss becomes frantic with need.
Hands are everywhere. His mouth goes from my lips to my ear to my neck.
My breathing is heavy, and I need him. I need him so fucking much right now.
He sucks on my neck as I rub my hand down his chest to his crotch, rubbing his erection through his shorts.
“Please,” I beg.
“What do you want?”
“You. I want you.” My words are breathless and needy.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Isaac reaches behind me and turns the oven off before taking my hand and leading me toward the bedroom.
This is happening. Seriously. This is happening right now and I’m freaking the hell out.
It’s been almost a year since I’ve been with a man.
The guy I was dating before I moved hadn’t been interested in sex for months.
I’m sure he was cheating on me. I guess I wasn’t enough for him.
I can’t admit that to Isaac. He’ll think I’m a loser.
I want him, but I’m not sure I’m ready for this.
What the hell am I going to do? If I reject him, he’s going to be mad. He must see the conflict on my face when he turns me toward him.
“What’s wrong?
“Nothing.” I shake my head. My words aren’t convincing. I can hear the skepticism loud and clear.
“Sit,” he commands, taking a seat on the bed and patting the mattress. “Tell me what’s wrong. This,” he points at me, “is not the same Evan who was in the kitchen.”
I hang my head. This is it. This is where I tell him the truth and run him off or do something I’m not ready for yet.
Isaac lifts my chin and looks me in the eyes. “You can tell me anything.”
I opt for the easy way out instead of bringing up the fuckery that was my relationship with Mike. “I’m not very experienced and I’m not sure I’m ready for this step.”
“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”
“You’re this famous football star who can get anyone he wants. I’m a workaholic, who lived with his parents until a few months ago.”
“One, I haven’t been with as many people as you might think.
Two, I don’t care how much experience you have or don’t have.
This is about us and what we want, not about our past. I’ll never judge you for not knowing something or not having a certain experience.
Do you think it bothers me that you’re not a football player? ”
“No. That doesn’t make any sense. We have different jobs.”
“Exactly. How many people we’ve slept with is no different. Do you care how many guys I’ve screwed?”
“No.”
“Good. I don’t care how many you’ve been with, either.”
I hang my head again. Why am I so messed up? Why can’t I enjoy the moment instead of getting in my own head and sabotaging something great?
“How about we eat some dinner and take the sex part of our relationship a little slower?”
“Relationship?” Is he implying that there is something more between us?
“I hope so. If you’ll have me, I’d like us to be exclusive,” he admits with a shy smile that surprises me coming from Isaac.
“Yes. I’d like that.”
“Good. Then there is no reason to rush the sex part. It will happen when we’re both ready. Let’s go get some food.”
Isaac stands, but I grab his hand before he can walk away. He turns to face me, “Thank you, Isaac.”
I worry that the rest of the night will be uncomfortable, but Isaac seems perfectly happy doing our laundry and making dinner with me.
It’s all very domestic. We cook a couple of frozen pepperoni pizzas, adding spices, mushrooms, and peppers to them.
It makes me smile when Isaac agrees with the toppings.
I love almost anything on a pizza even anchovies and once in a while pineapple.
Isaac gagged when I suggested anchovies and said pineapple should never go on a pizza.
I strongly disagreed, but at least we settled on a few toppings we both enjoy.
The sex topic doesn’t come up again and the entire evening is fun and relaxing. By the time we eat and clean up the kitchen, it’s after eight. I’m not nearly as tired as I was when we first got home.
“Are you up for a movie?” I ask as I put the last dish away.
“Sure. Do you have something in mind?”
“Well, I was thinking we could take a quick shower then snuggle up in my bed and watch a comedy. That way, if we fall asleep, we’ll be comfortable.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to push you.”
“I’m confident we can take a shower without having sex. And I’d like to have my boyfriend in my bed with me.”
“I’d like that very much.” Isaac smirks, taking my hand and practically pulling me down the hallway.