Catch Me (The Winters Family Series: Book 1) Page 13

  Chad looked angry now, "I was kind to you Isabel, I gave you anything you wanted. This is what I get in return?"

  Isabel let out a laugh, "Really? So tell me, Prince Charming, what was my favorite flower?"

  Chad looked confused, "You didn't have a favorite. You liked many different flowers."

  "Well, if you took the time to listen, instead of ignoring me. You would know I actually dislike receiving flowers. Anyone that knows me, knows that one fact about me."

  Chad just rolled his eyes, "Isabel, what is this all about? You are ruining a nice dinner."

  "No Chad you did that all on your own. Here's the thing, I didn't take the job..."

  Chad suddenly stood, and cut Isabel off. "What the Hell, Isabel? With real anger in his voice, "This is bullshit, you know how much this job means to me. If you don't take the position, I could lose my job."

  Isabel was fuming. She pushed the table away from him. Now almost screaming, "How is that my problem? You never bothered to ask me what I wanted. Just like always, you just assume you know what is better for me."

  Chad looked stunned, "Why would you want to stay away? You have always said you wanted to be an anchor. What you move to North Carolina and immediately you change your career?"

  "You really are dumber than I thought. No numb-nuts, I still want to be an anchor, just not in Philly. Chad, tell me something. What is the one thing I love to do in the comfort of my own home?"

  Chad looked momentarily confused, "What is this Isabel, a trick question?"

  She just shook her head, "No, no trick question, if you really knew me, you would know the answer." Glancing side-ways, and into those baby blues for some strength. "How about, walking around the house naked."

  Chad just looked at her with a blank stare. "Isabel, we talked about that. You know you don't have the body to be doing that."

  Drew had finally heard enough. He charged up behind Chad, grabbed him by the shirt and said quietly so only Chad and Isabel could hear, "you son-of-bitch, you better fucking apologize, and quickly." He had grabbed Chad's collar and held it tightly around his neck.

  Chad was in between gasps, trying to see behind him, "Who are you?"

  Dane and Jack grabbed Chad by each arm. Jack just calmly said, "I believe you have over-stayed your welcome son, it's time to go."

  Isabel lightly touched Drew's hands, "Baby, let him go. It's okay, I promise." Drew looked at her and immediately let Chad go. She never let Drew's hands go, "Chad, you really have over-stepped your boundaries. I don't give a shit about your job, or your future. You should've thought of that before you put my name in the hat for the job." Looking into Drew's eyes, he looked furious still. She softly touched the side of his face to calm him.

  Chad straightened, pulled his arms free of Dane and Jack's hold and righted his collar of his shirt. "This is bullshit and you know it Isabel. My ass is on the line now. You just wait till I talk to Jane on Monday."

  Isabel let out a laugh, "Honey, you can't threaten me, especially in front of my family. Now, I believe I would like to enjoy dinner with my family. Minus the weasel trying to take up space in a place where he's not welcome."

  Chad tried one more tactic, he was desperate. "Isabel you know you liked our relationship, you said more than once I was nice."

  Isabel just laughed, "You really are delusional. Nice? Well let me tell you, nice is when my brother and my parents dance and sing. When they laugh and share stories. What sucks is you, sleazy Chad trying to weasel your way back in my life. I am not taking the position and it looks like you will have to work-out your own mess. I will be staying in North Carolina with this man, MY Handsome Drew." She then reached up, fisted her hands in Drew's hair, pulled him in and kissed him passionately.

  Drew was a bit stunned, and then he was melting from her kiss. When they finally surfaced smiling at each other. Drew looked at Chad, "That, I believe, is your cue to get the hell out."

  Chad looked mortified, "This is not over, you just wait."

  Izzy never looked at him, her eyes were glued on those gorgeous baby blues. "Blah, blah, whatever, goodbye Chad."

  Chad stormed out of the house. Isabel was beyond happy to see her man. "Oh my God, Drew, What? How? Why?" She started laughing and crying at the same time.

  Drew just pulled her in for a very much needed hug. "I decided to surprise you on Friday. I missed you so much."

  Camille and Jack just wrapped their arms around each other. Camille smiled, "This girl doesn't function well without you, Drew."

  Drew laughed, "Oh really?" He then turned and looked at Dane, "Sorry, I didn't get to officially introduce myself. It's great to finally meet you, Dane."

  Dane looked at Isabel, "Yeah, I already approve." He shook Drew's hand, "it's great to meet you too."

  CHAPTER 13

  Jack then declared, "okay, now that that's over, let's celebrate!"

  Izzy was holding both of Drew's hands, she then turned to her dad, "what are we celebrating?"

  "Life without Chad. Drew's surprise visit. Dane and I saving the night from complete disaster." Jack then held up two more bottles of wine. "and a case of wine and cheesecake."

  Isabel starting laughing and hard. In between fits of giggles, "Thank goodness you came when you did, baby. I think mom was about to grab another bottle for me."

  Drew pulled her in for a kiss, "My gorgeous little lush. Did I hear something about cheesecake?"

  They all went into the kitchen. Dane, Drew, and Isabel sat on the bar stools at the island. Jack looked at Drew, "What's your poison? Beer, wine, or something harder?"

  Drew smiled, "Beer if you have it."

  Camille grabbed the cheesecake, "Izzy, this smells amazing."

  "Thanks." She had her legs draped over Drew's legs. She grabbed his hand, "Let's call it Please-Forgive-Me-Cheesecake!"

  They all stopped what they were doing. Drew looked confused, "Forgive you? Baby, you didn't do anything wrong. I owe you an apology. I seriously thought you and Chad were together. I started leaving when Dane and Jack caught me. So, my Sweet Izzy, will you forgive me?"

  Dane looked at his mom, "Were they all mushy like this when you were there?"

  Camille just laughed, "Worse."

  The Please-Forgive-Me cheesecake was a hit. They were all full and sitting in the living room. Dane was comfortable in the lazy boy, with his legs up and relaxing. Drew was sitting in the large over-stuffed comfy chair, Isabel snuggled on his lap. Jack and Camille were sitting together on the couch, sharing stories about Isabel.

  Jack took a sip of his wine, and pulled Camille closer to his side. He looked at his wife, "Camille do you remember when Izzy was five, and decided to take her clothes off at a family dinner. She was in the bedroom watching tv, and declared she was just too uncomfortable."

  Drew just started laughing, "So it started when you were five, huh?"

  Isabel looked shocked, "I did not really do that, did I mom?"

  Camille and Jack just laughed harder. Camille said in between laughing, "Honey, you were never a fan of clothes. When you were a teenager, we managed to keep things on you longer. You were shy about your body as you got older."

  Drew bent down and kissed her temple, "I can guarantee she is not shy anymore."

  Isabel looked at him, "You did not just say that out loud?" Then she started laughing, and playfully tickled Drew.

  Dane looked at Izzy, "All I can say Isabel, T.M.I."

  They enjoyed the evening sharing stories about Isabel with Drew. About 11:00 PM Isabel found herself yawning. Drew pulled her closer, "You ready to crash?"

  Jack looked at Drew, "You can stay with Isabel in her room. Unless you were going to go get a hotel?"

  Drew smiled, "I really had no idea what to do. I figured I would just come right to your house. I can get a hotel if I am intruding on special family time?

  Izzy spoke first, "Screw the hotel, you are staying with me."

  Camille clapped her hands together in happiness, "Well it is decided
then. If you need anything, just let us know."

  Isabel hopped onto Drew's back as they headed out to his car. She was holding his hands, and kissing the side of his neck. Then she nipped at his ear and whispered, "hurry up. I want to have my way with you very soon."

  Drew was so aroused, he was finding it difficult to walk. "Isabel, you're killing me, baby." Then he let her down and pushed her up against his car. "Just the sight of you drives me crazy."

  She looked into his eyes and smiled, "You mean that don't you?" She laced her arms around his neck, "Just looking at me, you want me?"

  He pulled her in closer, "Why? Don't you believe me?" He rubbed his hands up and down the center of her back.

  "No, no, I do, I think." She brought her arms to the side, and squeezed out of his embrace. She sat down on her parents lawn. "It's weird for me. Somedays I believe the kind words from you, or even my family. Then it is days like today with sleazy Chad, and memories, images all flood back. Then I start to doubt again."

  Drew was standing against his car listening. Then he went and sat down in front of her. "Isabel, talk to me, what doubts? Is there something about being back here, that brings back too many unhappy memories?" He wanted to touch her, but she seemed distant. He was afraid she would bolt. So he just sat there watching her.

  Isabel knew she was being silly. Maybe it was Philly that made her feel unease. Chad definitely didn't help. Seriously, that man ripped out her self-confidence. It was almost fully back, then he made her feel shitty again. Damn him. She sighed, "Let's go to my room. I will explain, then I will have my way with you, deal?"

  Drew smiled, "I love that idea!" He got up, helped her up, then grabbed his bag. They walked hand in hand all the way to her room.

  When Isabel closed the door to her room. Drew walked up behind her and just held her in his embrace. She turned to face him. Then she started undressing him, and he undressed her.

  Somehow they ended up tangled in the bed laughing. "Isabel, will you share more on what has you distracted."

  She looked up and smiled, "All of the men I dated were considered average, plain, and just okay. Most men wouldn't look at a girl my size. Well gorgeous men..." she paused, "like you."

  She took a breath. "Dane asked me what I saw in Chad. I have been asking myself that question, too. I finally realized the answer. In the beginning, he honestly gave me the time of day, acted like he cared. When he started changing, I thought it was me. I mean, why would a man care about me, a plus-size woman. When you invited me to dinner right after we met. The things you said, the way you looked at me. It just didn't seem real. Drew, you really are beautiful. Not just on the outside, but on the inside too. I was thrown off by your beauty." She leaned in and kissed him.

  Drew touched the side of her face, "Izzy. Do you realize that this beauty you see, it made it difficult for me too? Most of the women I dated were petite, blonde, so full of themselves, and ultimately unhappy. I was so done with dating. Until I felt that inner pull. My heart screaming, 'she's the one.' Then maybe I would try out the relationship thing. When we first met, I noticed a slight pull. I remember looking at you, and thinking, damn she is gorgeous. When we met up that night for dinner, the inner pull happened again. I knew something was there that I had to explore. Then I scared you off. Really, if we think about our lives, they are not that different. We both struggled for acceptance, love, honesty."

  Isabel was lost. She just realized at that moment, she loved Drew. "So maybe it is the bad memories of Philly that mess with my head?"

  Drew really couldn't love this woman more than he already did. "How about we work on creating new and happy memories?"

  "I love that idea! Do you work Monday?"

  Drew looked at her suspiciously, "um... no. What do you have in mind?"

  "Well, how about we start making happy memories tomorrow with my family. Then head home Monday?" She flashed her gorgeous smile, and raised her eyebrows up and down.

  Laughing, Drew grabbed her and flipped her on her back. "I think I like the way you think Miss Sloane." He bent down and kissed her soft, gorgeous lips.

  Isabel felt so warm and sated, like she was wrapped in a warm, cozy cocoon. She finally started waking up, and slowly opened her eyes. Her head was resting on Drew's chest. Her arm draped across his abdomen, and her leg resting on both of his legs. Drew's head was facing her, and his arms were wrapped tightly around her. Isabel looked up, and just smiled. This man, her Drew, made her world feel balanced.

  Drew smiled, "Are you staring at me?"

  She just laughed, "Maybe?"

  He snuggled into her, "Let's stay just like this all day?"

  Isabel laughed, "I think my parents would start wondering what happened to us."

  He opened his eyes, and smiled his glorious smile, "I bet they would understand."

  Izzy sighed, then smiled, "Nope, you need to enjoy some time with my family. Let's get a shower first." Then she slowly ran her hand down his abdomen, over his happy trail. In a seductive voice, "You are very dirty."

  Drew just growled deep in his throat. Then with lightning speed he had her off the bed. He carried her to the bathroom, "Baby, I love being naked with you. Holding you. Taking a shower with you."

  "Hey my sexy firefighter, why don't you show me how much you enjoy a shower with me."

  Camille and Jack were prepping some vegetables for breakfast. Dane was sitting at the kitchen island reading some updates on his phone.

  Drew and Isabel were holding hands, and laughing as they walked into the kitchen. Isabel looked so happy, "Good morning!"

  Drew smiled, "Good morning!"

  Dane looked up, "We wondered if you two would surface from your room?"

  Isabel walked up behind Dane, put her one arm around his chest. Then with her other hand she gave him a noogie. Dane grabbed her and then started laughing, and wrestling.

  Camille looked at Drew, "Imagine what it was like when they were younger."

  Jack laughed, "Here Drew, we start early in our family." He handed Drew a mimosa.

  Drew was laughing, "I like this family."

  Isabel and Dane walked back to the Island, panting and in fits of giggles. Isabel sat on the bar stool, "I love mimosa's! Dane where's the music?"

  Drew looked at her curiously, "Music?"

  Isabel stood and walked over to her mom, "Absolutely! Drinking, tunes, and dancing are a must when cooking."

  Just then Twist and Shout by the Beatles started playing. Jack and Dane joined in on the fun. Drew couldn't stop smiling, this family blew him away. They were so happy, loving, and had such a strong bond. He stood, walked by Isabel, who immediately grabbed him and started dancing with him.

  Later, after dancing to three songs, while trying to prep a frittata, they were all sitting at the table enjoying their breakfast. Camille looked at Drew, "Well Drew, I believe you have been officially initiated into our family."

  Drew looked at Camille, then at Isabel, "If there are no other tests, this initiation was easy."

  Jack smiled, "You basically skipped through the normal initiation after last night."

  Isabel held her mimosa up, "To my amazing family, for all your love and support!”

  After a day of complete fun and excitement. Drew and Isabel were snuggled together in bed. Drew looked at her, "Isabel, I was afraid to say this out loud, since we have been together for only a few months. One thing I know without a shadow of a doubt is this... I love you, Isabel Sloane, more than there are grains of sand in the world."

  Isabel sat up and looked at him, "I was afraid to say it out loud too. I definitely know this is truly how I feel, especially after the last couple of days... I love you more than chocolate."

  Drew smiled, "That sounds pretty serious."

  Isabel smiled, "You have no idea." Then she bent down and kissed him passionately.

  EPILOGUE

  Isabel was standing in her kitchen at the cottage. She decided to prepare some melt-in-your-mouth sweet rolls. Drew was due ho
me any minute. The last month had been spectacular. After they came home from her parents place, they basically just started living together. If Drew was on a six day stretch, she always found a way to spend time with him. Isabel couldn't believe how different her life was today. All because of her handsome Drew.

  She heard a car pull up, but knew it wasn't Drew. She looked out and noticed what looked like her parents car. She walked out onto her patio and was immediately confused. It was her parents, and Dane too?

  Camille was the first to reach her, "Hi, sweet Izzy, how is my baby doing?"

  "Mom, did I miss something? I didn't know you were coming today?"

  Jack and Dane walked up behind Camille with a few bags. Camille smiled, "Well, we were given orders and told to take you to a specific location. Sounds like we all are going to be surprised."

  Isabel looked at her parents, "Where are we going?"

  Jack smiled, "Actually, GPS says about ten houses down from here. You ready?"

  Isabel was completely confused, "um... okay. Let me go change."

  They pulled up to a tall home, pale blue color on the siding, two stories, and gorgeous. The home was by the ocean, just like the cottages. This was the home she loved, the one she would stop and look at on her walk on the beach. There was talking and laughter around back.

  When Isabel rounded the corner of the home, there were a lot of people. Not just people, Drew's family was there. She searched for Drew, but she didn't see him. Then everyone noticed Isabel and her family walking to the backyard. Drew walked out of the home grinning ear-to-ear. He hugged Izzy's family, then greeted Isabel with a kiss.

  He got everyone's attention. "Since Isabel and I have a strong relationship with our families. I wanted to make sure we all were together today." He then looked at Isabel, "First, a toast for Isabel's new position as morning anchor at channel three! We know how much that meant to you." Then he walked back in the house. When he came out, he was carrying a baby kitten. He handed the kitten to Izzy.