Page 43 of Isabelle & Jason
“Told you so,” Mark’s voice had Jason spinning around and staring at him hard. His friend leaned in the doorway to the cafeteria. He tossed Jason a smirk before pulling back and retreating to the kitchen.
Isabelle gasped,and it was the most beautiful sound in the world. The drive had been long, and by the time they’d made it to the perfect location, it was getting dark. They wouldn’t be able to stay out on the river for long, but even twenty minutes would make the drive worth it.
Her eyes found his, widening as he handed her a life vest.
“I know you can probably swim, but I’m not taking any chances.”
She took the vest without complaint. Then her eyes were cast upward. “It’s getting dark.”
“That’s the point.”
Isabelle tilted her head, but her smile never wavered. “And what is that supposed to mean?” She shrugged into the vest, and then he helped her step into the little river boat he’d rented. He followed her in, and together they settled into the bottom of the boat where he’d put blankets and pillows.
The location he’d picked would allow them to float aimlessly without going anywhere. They rested shoulder to shoulder and stared up at the sky. Their hands brushed against one another’s and Jason was tempted to grasp ahold of hers, but he refrained.
It took a few minutes before he finally answered her. “You said this was what safety felt like.”
She turned her head to stare at him. The moon reflected in her eyes. Hundreds of conversations passed between them in that single moment. She might not have realized she’d said it aloud, but she must have that night they’d been lying under the stars.
Safe was floating on a river under the stars. And he’d been prepared to do whatever it took to make that happen.
Their eyes remained locked until Isabelle was the first to tear her focus away. Neither one of them spoke. Not for the thirty minutes they’d managed to steal on the water. Not as they returned the boat to the rental shed. Not as they made their drive home.
Isabelle had gone completely silent after his confession. He’d wanted nothing more than to demand a peek into what she could be thinking. This wasn’t a traditional date. Normally, two people would talk, get to know each other better. They’d been doing that a lot lately. Perhaps that was why he didn’t mind the quiet.
At least she didn’t seem mad. She definitely didn’t appear uneasy, either. The contemplative look on her face gave nothing away except that she was deep in thought.
Maybe he had made a mistake in his decision for a first date. He could have done the normal thing and taken her to dinner. Even a movie would have afforded them a less awkward silence.
Jason blew out a breath as he pulled onto Winding Creek Ranch property. They’d chatted on the way to the river. But now what? Would she say thank you and head inside like nothing had happened? Was he brave enough to ask her out again?
If she gave him a chance, he would promise to do better.
When Isabelle didn’t immediately reach for the door, Jason glanced over to her. Then he opened his door and climbed out. The longer they stewed in silence, the more he couldn’t help but wonder where he’d gone wrong.
He opened her door with a heavy exhale. Isabelle turned toward him, and for the first time he noticed something that had his heart stalling in his chest.
Her cheeks were stained with wet streaks—something he hadn’t been able to see in the dark while he’d been driving.
“Isabelle—” his voice croaked.
She shook her head with a sad laugh and climbed out. He didn’t step back in time and their bodies were practically pressed up together. Out of reflex, he reached up and grasped her upper arms.
“Isabelle, are you?—”
“Will you kiss me?”
He stared at her, shock sluicing through his body like ice-cold water in his veins.
“Jason,” she rasped, “please… just… kiss me.” Her hands came up around the back of his neck, forcing him to release her. Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned into him, closing the distance seconds later.
Her lips parted, capturing his in a kiss he would never forget. Jason held back. He had to. From everything he knew about her, this was the first time she’d been intimate with another man since that night. She needed to ease into a relationship, and no matter how badly he wanted to take charge, he couldn’t.
Isabelle’s state of mind was more important. If she felt she wasn’t in control, it would be detrimental.
That didn’t mean this kiss wasn’t everything he thought it could be and more. He stifled a groan as he leaned into her kiss. It was soft and explorative. He could sense the curiosity in it.
Sweet and alluring, Isabelle was like a siren. There was something about her that called to him, and he knew if he wasn’t careful, she’d be the end of him. She’d take his heart and hold it in her hands.
