Catch Me (The Winters Family Series: Book 1) Read online

  He felt amazing today. There was something about Isabel, the way she saw life, how she lived for every moment. Oh, man, he really was in deep.

  He had a smile on his face, and a glazed look in his eyes when he walked into the station. Danny and a few of the other guys looked up and in unison started teasing him. Drew just shook his head and smiled. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Just remember I play dirty and will return the love, someday."

  Danny got up from his chair, grabbed Drew's shoulder, "Come on, man, if only you could have seen your face. Did anybody get a picture?"

  Drew just pushed his hand away, "If there are any pictures, I will destroy them all."

  One of the other firefighters sitting on the couch chimed in, "Wow, aren't we testy this morning? What, has it been more than six hours?" The room erupted in laughter, even Drew had to laugh at that.

  Danny was still laughing, but put his hands up, "All right guys we need to start thinking about work and not Drew's sex life."

  When Drew left, Isabel was still sitting in her chair. She was seriously going to have to take up a hobby, and fast. With Drew away for the next four days, her mornings would be way too quiet.

  The look on his face when he saw her sitting in the chair was priceless. She continued to look around on the internet when her phone rang.

  Shawna sounded breathless, "Hey, Sweetie, sorry to bother you so early. They asked if we could come in early today, we're short-handed and of course there's breaking news. Can we count on you?"

  "Of course, I just need to throw myself together. I'll be there in about 20 minutes. Do you want me to just go to the location? We can go over everything there?"

  Shawna sounded relieved, "That sounds perfect. I will email you the address right now."

  By Thursday, Isabel was exhausted. Everyday this week she had to go in to work early either due to late breaking news, or on Wednesday they had severe weather and tornado warnings. Finally, she was able to sleep in and relax a little before work.

  She was getting a cup of coffee when her phone rang. She looked at her caller ID. Mom was calling.

  Isabel had a smile on her face, "Good morning, Mom!"

  "My Sweet Izzy. How are you darling?"

  "Finally enjoying the morning, relaxing, it has been a crazy week at work."

  Camille sounded concerned, "Everything okay?"

  "Oh for sure, just tons of breaking news, and yesterday there were tornado warnings. Where I am at it was safe though, we just had heavy rain. Will you still be here on Saturday?"

  With a sigh of relief, "I did see you had awful weather. I am so glad you are okay. Your Dad and I will be there at lunch time on Saturday. Will your neighbor be around this weekend?"

  "Oh wonderful!" Laughing a little, "And I can sleep in on Saturday. Yes, Drew will be around all weekend, unless he gets called into work."

  Camille laughed, "You still have to have your beauty sleep even after all these years. Let's plan to have lunch together, how does that sound?"

  "That sounds perfect, Mom. I'm so excited to see you and Dad, and I can't wait for you to meet Drew!"

  "Your Dad and I are looking forward to meeting your new man too. We will keep in touch, and see you very soon, Sweetie."

  "Sounds wonderful Mom, I love you!"

  Camille made a kissing sound into the phone, "I love you so much Izzy."

  Isabel was sitting at her kitchen table in a chair. After she hung up, she sat back and took a long and desperately needed drink of her coffee. Her phone rang, startling her from her thoughts. When she looked at the screen her heart rate increased, and she found herself grinning from ear to ear.

  She swiped to answer, "I thought we were supposed to talk every night?"

  Drew just laughed softly, "Well, I thought I would see if you want to have breakfast tomorrow morning? I may be too busy tonight to call."

  Isabel just grinned, "Breakfast sounds perfect! I am looking forward to seeing you, it has been a long week."

  "It was pretty crazy at the station too. I'm so looking forward to wrapping my arms around you. Taking you to your bedroom, and having my way with you."

  Isabel felt immediately aroused, and found herself rubbing her breast. Her breathing had increased. Then with a soft laugh, "Not if I can get to you first. Just hearing your voice has me very excited for breakfast tomorrow."

  "Oh really? How excited?"

  "Nope, I'm going to make you wait just a bit longer. But just know I find myself unable to stop touching myself."

  Drew took in a deep breath, "Izzy, you drive me crazy. I'll see you soon baby!"

  Isabel was completely aroused, and also found herself loving the way Drew called her Baby. It was time to take care of these aroused feelings with a long hot shower.

  On Friday morning the sun was just peeking out, the morning was calm and cool. You could hear the seagull's busily finding their breakfast, and the sound of laughter on the beach. Isabel was sleeping soundly and dreaming some oh, so sweet dreams. She was sprawled out on her bed, on her back, her sheet only across her breasts, long hair fanned out on the pillow. She was dreaming of Drew kissing her, enjoying his hands on her, all over her body. She started to feel the signs of coming awake- her dream was fading ever so slowly away, but his touch was still strong in her mind.

  Drew had finished his shift at 6:00 am, then came home to shower. He had been thinking about Isabel all week. What she did to him was beyond anything he had experienced with any other woman. He put on a pair of shorts and nothing else, and walked over to her cottage. She had started locking her door, but had given him a key, so he made his way into her cozy little cottage. All he wanted was to touch her, every inch of her. The sight before him was beyond beautiful. She was sleeping so soundly he hated waking her. He stepped out of his shorts, and started at her feet and spread little kisses on feet, then her silky legs.

  He felt her start to stir, as he crawled up her body on his hands and knees. She made this adventure easy, because she loved to sleep in the nude.

  He then started kissing his way up to her mouth. Her gorgeous mouth he missed so much the last four days. He was on top of her, kissing her jaw, her eyes, her nose, then her mouth.

  Isabel opened her eyes and smiled, "my handsome Drew!" She wrapped her legs around his waist, and her arms around his neck. They both started to kiss each other like the world was going to explode around them.

  Isabel lifted her head, looked into his eyes and smiled. "I thought you wouldn't be home until later? I was going to sneak into your cottage, but you beat me to it!"

  Isabel just had a way about her that made him feel... well... love. Wow, love? Where did that come from? He wanted to take this slow, to make sure his heart was completely safe.

  Standing in the kitchen, leaning against the counter by the sink. Drew looked at Isabel and smiled, "so do you drink coffee all day?"

  Isabel was pouring her coffee into her favorite mug. With Snoopy dancing under her palm, she took a big gulp of her delicious addiction. Then she turned and with a teasing tone, "Who drinks coffee only once a day?" She walked over and leaned into Drew, put her palm on his broad chest. "I usually have coffee three times a day. Working in television requires caffeine."

  "Hmmmm, really?"

  She then slide her hand up his chest, to the back of his neck, and then combed her fingers in his hair. "You're not a big coffee drinker?"

  He found himself sinking into her touch. He let out a slight moan, then "firefighters require beer."

  Laughing, "Well, I'll make sure to pick some up when I go to the grocery store." Another sip of coffee, "I have to leave soon, do you want to meet me for dinner later?"

  Drew wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into him, "I would love to."

  She pressed into him, and moved up and down slightly, "I can't say exactly when, can I just call you? Or did you have plans?"

  Drew took in a deep breath, then laughing, "Isabel, don't start something you can't finish, and you can call me anyt
ime."

  Isabel let out a laugh, and pulled away slowly. She then went up on her tip toes and kissed him lightly. "Who me?" Smiling, "think about what you would want for dinner." She touched his face, then smiled and headed out.

  Drew stood in the doorway of Isabel's cottage as she headed out for work. He bent his head and shook it slightly, silently laughing. Isabel had turned his world upside down. She completely came out of nowhere and now she was always on his mind. He closed and locked her door, and walked over to his cottage.

  He opened the door, stopped in the doorway and looked around. Something was missing? Isabel, her presence, her laughter, her. For so long Drew had tried to connect with someone. Instead, the women he usually met only cared about his looks, or that he was a firefighter. To find someone who seemed to care about more than all that felt amazing. He sat down on his recliner, leaned back, and just enjoyed the moment.

  There was a muffled, off in the distant sound, and he startled awake. He had fallen asleep, now his phone was ringing. He looked at the caller ID and smiled. "Hey, Beautiful!"

  Isabel just sighed, then smiled, "You sound like I may have woke you up?"

  "Just dozed off for a bit. Is it dinner time yet?"

  "No, no, not yet. How about seven at The Clambake?"

  "Sounds perfect! I will see you soon."

  He was standing at his kitchen counter moving a coffee mug back and forth in each hand. He was thinking since he was meeting her parents this weekend, the following weekend his family would be together. Maybe Isabel would join him for the family dinner.

  Once a month Drew's family made a point to all got together. One brother lived in L.A, and only made it to the family dinners a few times a year. The rest of his family, which included his two brothers and his mom and dad, were always there.

  He sat down on a stool by the kitchen counter, and decided he should call his mom. His mom, Connie, was kind but a bit abrupt. On the third ring his mom answered.

  "Well it's about time you called your mom. How is my boy?"

  Drew just sighed, "Hi Mom, sorry, I have been a little busy. How are you and Dad doing?"

  "Too busy to call your Mom?"

  Drew rolled his eyes, "Mom. I am here now, okay? I want to ask you something."

  "I am sorry, I just miss hearing your voice. Anything dear, what do you need?"

  "Well, I have met someone, someone who I think you will really like, and I was hoping it would be okay to bring her to dinner next weekend?"

  Connie let out a squeal of delight, "What? Who is this lucky lady? Where did you meet her? What is..."

  "Mom, stop." Drew was laughing. Then he began telling her all about Isabel.

  Shawna had her arm looped with Isabel as they walked out of the station. Drew was leaning against his Jeep looking all gorgeous and manly.

  Shawna took in the sight of Drew and started fanning herself. "Oh my goodness. Seriously, this is your handsome man? He is more like drop-dead gorgeous, honey."

  Isabel just smiled, and in a dreamy voice, "yeah, he is, isn't he?"

  Shawna looked at her friend and giggled. When they reached Drew, Shawna extended her hand for a greeting. "Hi there, I'm Shawna. It is nice to finally meet the guy that causes my Isabel to go speechless." With her hand covering her mouth so that Isabel couldn't see, and in a loud whisper, "and honey, Isabel is NEVER... EVER... speechless."

  Drew just laughed, straightened up and shook Shawna's hand. He then leaned into Isabel and kissed her lightly on her mouth. "Speechless, huh? I would think that's not good for a reporter."

  Isabel looked at Shawna, "Whatever!" Then pointed at Drew, "and you be good!"

  They all just laughed, and piled into Drew's jeep.

  The Clambake was a little dive bar not far from the station. It served amazing clam chowder, and the best steamed oysters on this side of the Mississippi.

  Shawna was half looking at the menu, and half looking at Isabel and Drew. She loved seeing her friend look so happy. It had been a tough few months for Isabel, since moving away from her family.

  Shawna looked up, then looked at Drew, "Okay, you both decide to go on a spur of the moment dinner date. Do you care if Isabel wears sweats and a tee? Or do you require her to look more casual, because you never know who you will run into?"

  Drew smiled, "That's easy. She could go wearing her pajamas for all I care. I think she looks beautiful in just about anything. I would be going to dinner to be with her. Not everyone else."

  Shawna just sighed, "Do they make clones of you? Or wait, do you have any single brothers?"

  Drew raised his eyebrows and one corner of his mouth smiled, "I have three single brothers."

  Isabel looked excited, "Oh my gosh, can you imagine if you hit it off with one of his brothers!"

  Shawna raised her hands and made a T for timeout. "Let's meet first, then we will see from there. Goodness, girl!"

  Drew put his arm around Isabel and pulled her in, then looking at Isabel, "You can decide which brother next weekend. My Mom would love for you to come to the monthly family dinner."

  Isabel smiled, then looked down, "I hope they like me."

  Drew brushed a strand of hair away from her eye, "They will. trust me!"

  After dinner, Drew took Isabel and Shawna back to the station, went home and straightened up his cottage a bit. When he was finished, he grabbed a beer and sat on the porch.

  Isabel pulled up about 10:30. She smiled when she saw Drew and quickly walked towards him.

  Drew opened his arms, "Hi, Baby!"

  Isabel sat on his lap and snuggled into him, "I could get used to this."

  "Me too. You hungry? Want to throw on some sweats and go get dinner?"

  Isabel nudged him with her elbow and laughed, "Are you mocking Shawna?"

  "Not at all. I thought that question was completely fair."

  Isabel laughed, kissed Drew lightly, "I think we should eat here and maybe crash early, so we can get ready for my parents."

  "Love it." Drew wrapped his arms tightly around Isabel, then rose carrying her to her cottage.

  Isabel was peppering him with light kisses. Once they reached her cottage, he let her down. She then fisted her hands in his shirt, pulled him towards her, and passionately kissed him.

  Drew stumbled forward laughing just before Isabel took claim on his mouth. "Or we could just wait on dinner for now."

  There was a loud ringing sound and it wouldn't stop. Isabel moaned, then woke with a start. "Shit, shit, shit." She stumbled from the bed as Drew tried to reach for her. "My phone, silly."

  Drew came awake suddenly, "What? Oh crap, sorry." Then laughing, "where is your phone?"

  The ringing was muffled, but definitely coming from the bedroom. When Isabel finally located it, it had started ringing again. Stuffed between a pillow and Drew's jeans, Isabel reached for it just in time. "Hi, Mom, sorry. You and Dad okay?"

  Camille let out a sigh, "I started to get worried, honey. Why didn't you answer?"

  "My phone got wedged between two pillows."

  "Oh! Well, your dad and I are about 30 minutes away. Would you like us to pick up some lunch for all of us?"

  Isabel whirled around and slammed into a wall, which was actually Drew's rock hard chest. "Ump." Looking up, and almost laughing. "Lunch?"

  Drew mouthed silently, "sure."

  "That would be great, Mom, we both eat just about anything."

  At that declaration, Drew raised an eyebrow. Isabel backpedaled, "well not anything, but we are not picky."

  Camille had no idea why Isabel was stammering, "um, okay dear, we will grab something near your place. See you soon, Izzy."

  Isabel hung up and thunked the phone against her forehead. Drew laughed, then moved in to give Isabel an encouraging hug. "Eat anything, huh?"

  "Not one word Mister Make-My-Legs-Quiver-and-Mess-With-My-Brain-All-Night-Long!"

  Drew continued to laugh as he carefully pushed her towards the door to the bathroom. "Let's shower, then pick up
a little before they arrive."

  About 45 minutes later they heard tires on gravel. They looked at each other, smiled, and Isabel gave him a passionate kiss, then pulled away quickly.

  Drew just looked at her, "tease."

  Isabel let out a laugh and walked to her door. Her parents were slowly getting out of their car. Isabel felt a moment of nervousness, followed by excitement. She missed her parents so much. Camille always had a smile on her face. She was just starting to look her age. She had streaks of gray throughout her hair. She was about the same height as Isabel, but tall and slender. Isabel knew she didn't receive her mom's skinny gene, that was for sure.

  Her dad, Jack, was always happy just like Camille, they were perfect for each other. He was a few years older, and was all gray, and showing his age more and more. They were exactly what Isabel wanted, a beautiful marriage filled with happiness, and to be not afraid to go after what they wanted in life.

  Isabel and Drew were leaning against the railing of the porch. Drew moved himself away from the railing and made his way down the steps. When Camille started to walk up the steps, Drew put his arm out to help her up.

  Camille just chuckled, "Sweetie, I may look old, but I promise I can handle steps- BUT since your offering, I won't say no."

  When Camille was on the porch, Isabel threw herself into her mom's waiting arms. "Oh, my baby, how we have missed you!"

  Jack had reached the porch landing, "Missed her? We feel lost without our girl around." He then took Isabel into his warm embrace.

  "Mom, Dad, I want you to met Drew. He is a local firefighter here in Wilmington and lives next door in that cottage."

  Jack looked sharply at Drew, "Next door? Are you behaving yourself?"

  Drew looked stunned, "um... y-yes, Sir."

  Laughing, Isabel said, "Dad, stop. You're going to freak him out." She then looked at Drew, "this is a ritual of my Dads', to torture all the men I date."