Catch Me (The Winters Family Series: Book 1) (11 page)

They all spent the afternoon walking every inch of the U.S.S. North Carolina.  The battleship was huge, the stairs were narrow, and each section was so small and confined.

Isabel and her parents seemed in awe as they explored where the shipmates slept, where their meals were prepared.  Drew couldn't take his eyes off Isabel as she walked ahead of him.  She had this innocence about her as she walked with her arm looped in her mothers arm.  Her head was resting on Camille's shoulder, and they were talking softly to each other.

At that moment Drew felt the world shift, his heart open wider, and his life change.  He was in love with this amazing, kind, and gorgeous woman.  He just didn't know how she felt, or if he should tell her yet.  Hell, he wasn't even sure if she would be here in North Carolina much longer.  Would he move for her?  Could he move?  No, he really couldn't, he loved his job, his life, and his family.  Too many emotions were clouding his mind all at once.  He had to get out of this ship, and get some fresh air like now.

Drew walked up to Isabel and whispered softly, "Izzy, I'm  just going to step out for some fresh air for a minute."

Isabel turned in surprise, "You okay?  We can leave if you need to."

Right there, that, that is why he was in need of air.  Her love and kindness for everyone around her.  Drew smiled, "No, Baby, you enjoy the rest of the ship.  I have been here a few times.  It's okay, I promise."  He then leaned forward and kissed her lightly on her cheek.

As he walked up one of the stairs to head out, Isabel was watching him intently.  She didn't notice she had stopped, until her mom laughed and tugged her lightly.

Camille patted her daughters arm, and leaned to kiss her forehead.  "Isabel, when are you going to tell him?"

Isabel looked confused, "Tell him what?"

"Honey, you know this job was not a forever opportunity.  You said it yourself, you wanted a change of scenery.  Explore a new place on your own just once, then come back home to Philly.  Or have you changed your mind?"

Isabel looked heartbroken, "No, Mom... I don't know... maybe?"

"Maybe what, Sweetie?"

Jack walked up next to Isabel, "You know, Izzy, whatever you decide to do, we will support you 100%."

Isabel had planned to go home after a few years away from Philly.  She had even thought about trying to get home sooner.  Then she and Shawna started to become close friends.  Now, this thing between her and Drew.  What was it, a long-term relationship, or just a fun fling?  One thing was for sure, her feelings were growing stronger each day for that amazing man.  So the question was, would she stay or go back home?

She stopped and lightly pulled her arm away.  "What if I decided to stay?"

Camille and Jack smiled at each other.  Camille reached her hand up and tucked a lock of hair behind Isabel's ear.  "Sweet Izzy, you know how much we support you and Dane. We would travel around the world to see you both.  All we hope is that you both are happy in what ever you do."

Isabel felt her eyes start to fill with tears, she blinked them away, but it was no use.  As a tear slipped down her cheek, her mother pulled her into a hug.  "My sweet, sweet Izzy, your heart overfills with so much love for everyone.  This time, this decision is about you, and from what I can see it is about Drew, too.  Think about the opportunity, and what YOU want.  Don't worry about what your father, brother or I want this time.  Okay, Sweetie?"

Isabel had her fingers knotted together, her head down, and a look of sadness etched on her face.  "I am scared to make this my permanent home.  Yet I can see myself with Drew here with our own family.  We haven't talked about the future, so I have no idea what he wants"

Jack touched her hands to stop her from fidgeting nervously.  "Well, maybe it's time to ask him?  Honey, I can see he cares for you deeply, it's written all over his face."

Isabel softly laughed, "Really, Dad?"

Jack leaned in and embraced his daughter in a warm hug.  "Izzy, talk to him.  Don't make a concrete decision yet, just talk to him, find out what he wants."

Camille put her arms around both her husband and Isabel, "Your dad is right, Baby. We love you so much, and we are so proud of you."

"Thank you both.  I don't know what I would do without you."

The all hugged again, and decided they had explored this battleship long enough.  It was time to enjoy dinner together.

Drew was sitting on a bench on the deck of the ship.  His elbows were resting on his thighs, his hands clasped together.  He was looking out at the scenery drinking it all in, when he felt a light touch on his shoulder.  He looked up startled, "Hey!"

Isabel had reached the top of the ship a little winded from all the steep stairs.  She looked at the front of the ship and her heart started beating faster.  Drew was on a bench looking away from her.  He looked lost in thought.  She wanted to run to him, wrap her arms around him, and kiss him madly.  Instead she took the more conservative approach and lightly touched his arm.  Smiling, "Hi, Handsome."

"Did you see everything?"

Isabel sat beside him, put an arm around his waist, and rested her head on his shoulder.  "Yup, we decided it was time to head out and grab some Linner."

Drew pulled her into him, and then laughed, "Linner? What is that?"

"You know, a late lunch and early dinner, Linner.  Like brunch is a late breakfast, early lunch."

Drew just burst out laughing. Standing and taking her with him as he rose, he pulled her into a deep embrace.  "Well what are we waiting for?  I could go for some Linner!"

They decided a seafood restaurant would be perfect.  They were near the ocean, after all.  Their table was filled with different items to share, oysters on the half shell, steamed clams, lobster tails, and since Isabel's parents had never been to Wilmington, they made sure to order the most popular Southern dish, a gorgeous giant bowl of shrimp and grits.

Camille just moaned with pleasure, "Wow, everything is so lovely."

Jack smiled at her, "I can see why the shrimp and grits is popular."

Drew agreed, "It's fun to order shrimp and grits at different restaurants.  The recipe is different wherever you go."

Isabel was reaching for the last oyster.  Drew grabbed it first, then laughing, "Wait, don't I get this? Since you ate the last of our grilled cheese?"

Isabel flushed at the memories of when they made grilled cheese together.  She burst out laughing, "No way, I got the last piece fair and square."  She leaned right next to him, placed her hands on his and quickly ate the oyster.  Looking at him with a devious grin, "hmmmmm... yum!" Then she kissed him.  In that moment, it felt like an electrical current went straight through her.  She pulled back and looked into his eyes, softly, "Did you feel that?"

Drew was momentarily shocked that Isabel stole the oyster.  Then when she kissed him... WOAH!  He felt heat radiate from the tips of his toes, all the way to the top of his head.  In a raspy voice and low enough for only her to hear, "Yes, what was that?"

They both just looked at each other, then brought themselves back to the present.  Trying to act like nothing happened, Isabel cleared her throat, looking shyly at her parents, "So when are you planning to leave tomorrow?"

Camille and Jack felt the heat between their daughter and Drew.  They both just continued eating, trying to act like they didn't notice a thing... but they definitely noticed.  At that moment they knew their daughter really needed to stay here in North Carolina for a bit longer.

Camille sat her fork down, wiped her face with a napkin, "I think we will leave early, about 8:00 am."

Isabel seemed sad, "I am so happy you both came to visit.  I wish Dane would come down, but he seems too busy lately."

Jack smiled, "His work has been demanding.  Maybe if it slows down in a few months, he can visit for a few days."

Isabel looked hopeful, "That would be great!  We email often. I was surprised with how often he writes me." Looking at Drew, adding sarcastically, "Dane is a man of many words.  He tends to bury himself in his work, and forget about the outside world."

Camille and Jack just laughed.  Camille shook her head in agreement, "He is the very definition of a workaholic."

Drew smiled, "Has he always been that way?"  He loved getting to know Isabel's family.  The last two days were wonderful.  He understood more now why Isabel was so kind, generous, and loving.

Jack looked proud, "Yes.  Dane and Isabel are successful, because they are dedicated and hard workers.  Camille and I are very lucky.  They both made parenting easy."

Isabel grabbed her dad's hand and squeezed it tightly, "Thanks, Dad!  You and Mom are pretty amazing parents."

Jack cleared his throat, patted her hand lightly, and held back his tears, "Okay, Izzy, no more sappy talk.  Where should we go now?  Home?"

Drew was ready to get home.  He wanted to take Isabel to his cottage, maybe talk to her.  Then throw her on the bed or wherever for that matter.  He needed her now.  They were sitting close to each other.  He carefully placed his hand on her leg, and moved it to her inner thigh.

Isabel was about to suggest some dessert when she felt Drew's hand on her thigh.  She jumped slightly, felt herself flush with excitement.  Then he started to move his hand to her inner thigh and inch his way up.  So instead of dessert, she said "How about we go home and relax for the evening?"

Drew chimed in, "I love the idea of resting at home for the night.  We could even build a fire on the beach and make s'mores!" He looked at Isabel, "I may need a nap though, my schedule was crazy last week."

Isabel looked momentarily confused, and lost for words.  Drew was making it very hard to think, or even talk for that matter.  "A nap sounds wonderful, AND I love the idea of a fire on the beach."

Camille looked at Isabel, then at Drew, and with a slight grin looked at her husband. Camille and Jack knew something was going on between them.  They didn't say a word, just paid for dinner while laughing softly.  "Sounds like a plan to us."

When they finally arrived at the cottages, Drew excused himself and headed to his place. He felt like the trip home took ages.

Isabel really wanted to follow Drew, but with her parents there she followed them to her place. She sat her purse down, looked at her mom, "You okay if maybe I relax for a bit next door?"

Camille smiled, "Honey, you don't need to ask for my permission.  I think I'm going to read my book on your patio for awhile."

Isabel smiled at her mom, "Sounds perfect.  Let's plan to build a fire at dusk, in a few hours?"

Jack walked up behind Camille and hugged her.  "That sounds great.  I may need a nap myself after climbing all those stairs in that battleship."

Isabel hugged them both, grabbed a change of clothes, and practically ran to Drew's place.  When she opened his door she let out a squeal.

Drew was standing by his door waiting for her, thinking she better hurry up.  When she opened the door, he quickly grabbed her around her waist.  He closed the door with his foot, and took only a couple long strides to reach his bedroom.  He practically threw her on his bed.  Isabel starting laughing, leaned up on her elbows watching him intently.

He took off his shirt and pants, then slowly moved his way up her body.  "What took you so long?"

Isabel smiled, "After what you did in the restaurant, I believe we are even."  She moved her hands slowly up his chest.  She could feel him react to her touch.  She softly laughed, and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down.  Fisting her hands in his hair, she kissed him passionately.  She loved the feel of his soft lips.

Then without words he freed her of the confinement of her clothes.  This time they didn't want to rush anything.  They wanted to feel, arouse, and possess every inch of each other.

Later, Drew and Isabel had fallen asleep snuggled together.  Drew woke first and realized it was dark out.  He looked down at Isabel sound asleep on his chest.  She had a slight smile on her face.  What was she dreaming about?  He bent down and kissed her temple.  He whispered softly, "Baby? It's time to get up."

Isabel was having a glorious dream, and it involved her handsome Drew.  She heard him speaking to her, but it still felt like it was in her dream.  Then she felt the delicious feeling of him caressing her neck, her shoulders, her arm, and kissing each finger.  She opened her eyes slowly and moaned.

He continued to kiss her softly, "We better get up.  Your parents are going to wonder what happened to us."

She looked towards the window, "oh crap, is it too late to build a fire?"

He pulled her closer, "Nope, we have loads of time."

Isabel smiled, "Loads of time, huh?"  Then she started intently kissing him.

They were holding hands, and laughing when they were walking up the steps of Isabel's cottage.  Camille and Jack were relaxing on the patio with a glass of wine.