Dirtiest Little Secret

He’d carried her to the master bedroom after they’d recovered from the piano escapade, and she smiled now, remembering.

How she wished she could stop time or bottle moments. She loved who she became under Isaac’s open-minded

gaze. For the first time ever, she didn’t feel judged. For the first time ever, she felt like she was enough—as is. Scrapes, dents, fears, and all.

That was a figment of her imagination, she knew. Isaac didn’t really know her. He might feel differently when he found her flaws. Her irrational insecurities started to drain perfection from the moment, and she forced her mind to stop jumping ahead. There was no future. There was no past. She only had to think about the moment—and this moment was perfect.

Isaac’s fingers sifted through her hair. “Sugar, it’s time to wake up,” he said, voice as soft as a mother waking a child. “You’ve got a long drive ahead of you and work in the morning.”

“I’m awake.” So much for the perfect moment. Fear stung her breastbone; the fear of forgetting something. She opened her eyes while her mind searched for the cause. No, she didn’t have work in the morning, but she did have an interview—with Tilman Steel.

The thought of going to work for her father’s competition both sickened and delighted her.

She lifted her head and offered a sleepy smile, then kissed his abdomen. “You wore me out. I feel like I could sleep for days.”

“That probably also has something to do with your stress at work.”

“Hmmm,” she said, pushing away the topic. “What time is it?”

“Around eight, and as much as I’d love for you to stay, I know you’ve got a long drive home. We can’t have you off your game at work. You’re between a rock and a hard place with your family.” He stroked a hand over her hair. “I don’t want to cause you any more trouble.”

Way too late for that. Ava had already done it—all on her own. “It’s so peaceful here. I never realize how badly I need to slow down and appreciate things until I’m forced to do it.”

“Forced?” Isaac said. “Did your father finally pull his head out of his ass and make you take a mental health day? Because if you don’t have to go in tomorrow, I’ll gladly hold on to you.”

Someone who wanted to hold on to her. She was surprised at how amazing that could feel. “You are definitely good for my mental health. I’d love to stay, but I have an appointment tomorrow that I can’t cancel.”

She propped herself up on her elbows, rubbed her face, and pushed her hair back. When she opened her eyes, she found a rumpled hunk of muscled man she would kill to keep. But even while one part of her heart fought to open, the other remained locked down in cynicism.

He’s too good to be true.

He’ll find things he doesn’t like about you soon enough.

Open up to him, and you’ll find yourself right where you were with Matthew.

She pushed up to sitting with a sigh.

“Hey,” he said, “are you free Saturday night?”

She was free the rest of her life at the moment, and as much as she wanted to enjoy it, the sensation terrified her. “For you? Absolutely,” she said, pushing to her feet and picking up her clothes from the floor. “What did you have in mind?”

He turned onto his side, propped a hand under his head, and reached out with his other hand to stroke her thigh while she pulled on clothes. “I have this dinner I need to go to. A work thing for my dad. It’s pretty fancy, but I don’t have to stay long. I just want to be there for him.” He paused, then added, “And I want you to see where I come from.”

“Umm…” She straightened her skirt, using it as an excuse not to meet his gaze.

“What’s that face?” he asked.

She looked up. “What face?”

“That one you just made. Looked a lot like a kid told to eat her vegetables.”

“I’m sorry.” She sat on the edge of the bed, facing him. “I just…I don’t know about the whole parent thing right now.”

“I get it.” He stroked her knee. “We can play it off as no big deal. You know, just a date. They won’t push. They’re really great.”

“I’m sure they are.”

She covered his hand with hers and threaded their fingers. The need to please was ingrained, and it pulled hard now. But this need to please had also led her into the family business and into her relationship with Matthew—both places she’d come to realize she didn’t belong. She didn’t want the same thing happening with Isaac. It just felt too soon. But when she lifted her eyes to his with a rejection on her lips, she couldn’t say no. He looked too hopeful.