Page 35 of Branded

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

I open the passenger door and she steps up into the truck, with the aid of my hand on her hip.

“Thank you,” she says softly as she settles into her seat.

“You’re welcome.”

The drive back to her house is filled with simple conversation and there isn’t a single moment of awkwardness. I will admit a sense of disappointment settles in when I roll to a stop in her driveway.

“I had a really great time, Isaac.” She unbuckles and angles her body toward me.

“So did I. I really mean that.” I unhook my seat belt and open my door. “I’ll walk you to the door. Can’t be too cautious at night, right?”

Her door isn’t that far from where we are, but any reason to spend a bit more time with her is good by me, and it’s the polite thing to do.

When we climb the stairs of her small, wooden porch she digs in her bag and pulls out her keys, tossing them gently back and forth in her hands, her nerves apparent.

“Thank you for taking me out tonight. It really helped me in ways you can’t even know.” She stands with her shoulder perpendicular to the front door, and I move to stand in front of her.

“You don’t have to thank me for spending time with you because, Sawyer, I promise you, the pleasure is mine.”

“So you’d consider date number two a success? Maybe date number three will be even better.”

“Is this you agreeing to see me again?”

“I think it is.” She clears her throat a bit then slips her key into the lock. “I should get inside. I still have some papers to grade now that my buzz is wearing off,” she giggles.

“I’ll call you?” I ask.

“I hope so.”

I want to go in for the kiss, but I don’t want her to think I’m coming on too strong, even in the wake of the almost kiss in the bowling alley.

So I opt for a peck on the cheek, and when I pull back there is a flash of something in her eyes. Is it disappointment? Confusion?

“Goodnight, Sawyer.”

“Goodnight, Isaac.”

I stand on the porch until she is inside and I hear the lock click into place.

The entire walk from her door to the driver’s side of my truck, all I can think about is the way her lips would taste, and how she’d feel when she melted into my kiss and pressed her body into mine.

It’s all I can think about.

Christ, I should have kissed her. She was willing and even wanting it. It was written all over her face. When did I become a pansy?

Fuck it.

I move with purposeful, powerful strides from the driveway, back up to her porch, and I deliver three loud knocks to her door.

A light in the front room flips on then the porch light follows suit.

The front door pulls open and she greets me just as I left her, except she has bare feet and the cutest blue painted toenails I’ve ever seen.

“Isaac? Are you all right?”

I step toward her, “No, I just forgot to do this.”

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