We walked by a table with apple cider and Isabel reached into her purse, “Oh those look delicious.” She handed the woman a few bucks and took two plastic cups full, handing one to me.
We continued down the row of booths on the way back to the other side of the hall. “Before we go, I have to get a bag of candy corn.”
“Just one bag?” I asked with a smile I couldn’t help.
Isabel stopped at the candy booth, reading the sign. “Oh. This was one of the charities that donates boxed candy to foster centers.” She picked up a medium-sized box to be filled and pulled a hundred-dollar bill from her wallet. As she handed both to the young woman behind the book, Isabel was given a pamphlet with a list of charities.
“You know I didn’t bring you here to donate,” I whispered.
“I know.”
I handed the same woman a bill, picked up two cone shaped plastic bags filled with candy corn and held up a hand that no change was needed.
We finally reached the last booth by the entrance which was the jack-o-lantern tent. I paid the booth attendant behind the rope telling her we’ll be making two votes and pulled Isabel inside.
The small, enclosed space was devoid of light, save for what glowed through the few decently carved pumpkins. I slipped the candy corn into Isabel’s purse, pulled her by the waist and pressed my lips against hers. I brushed a hand down her cheek and cupped her jaw. Something I was dying to do from the minute she jumped off the stage, her face glistening with the heat of the flames she had drawn. She welcomed the kiss with a soft moan and fell into me.
She was so different—even her kiss. It was playful and exciting. There was something eloquent about the woman and it wasn’t just her mouth. It was in the way she lived. I had a feeling there was so much more to her that would blow me away, if only she would let me in on it.
I needed to know more—but for the first time in my life—I was too afraid to ask.
We made our selections. I picked the closest one but Isabel took her time, truly admiring the detail in each one before making her decision. I swore it was just to make me wait and suffer as we lingered in the dark secluded room together.
“People will start to get curious, Isabel, and I know you don’t like the attention.”
She traced a finger along one of the pumpkins and cocked her head at me. “How would you know that much about me?”
“Because you ran up on that stage in the heat of the moment, but when you realized that people were watching you, you were flustered through and through.”
“Reading lips, watching me sweat. I need to be more careful around you, Mr. Weston.”
I put my hands in my pocket, and narrowed my eyes at her. “Yet, I still don’t know your last name.”
She tugged on my collar. “My point exactly,” she said before pulling aside the curtain and stepping out of the tent.
Was it me or was her tone almost seductive those last few minutes? I glanced down before following her out. Needing desperately to be alone with her as quickly as possible.
We made it as far as the lobby, and I was stopped by another member of the organization on their way in. And since I could barely form two sentences, I introduced Isabel before making up an excuse to bolt because I couldn’t spend one more second without having my mouth on her.
Down the long hallway before the main exit, I pulled her waist beside mine, my fingers squeezing her possessively and leaned down to her ear. “Now that we’re done here, how about that drink?”
Isabel bit her lip and turned to him. “I’m having a great time today, Scott.”
“But…”
“Actually, I’m not so sure there was a but…I’m just having a really great time and I don’t want it to end either.”
She seemed to nail the reason for my invitation for drinks. Regardless, I sensed hesitation—again.
Isabel took an unsteady breath and then swallowed. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”
Somehow I expected to be turned down. But I wasn’t used to persuasion when it came to women. Not that I was used to getting what I wanted with them either. I was always respectful. But Isabel was different. There was something more to her hesitance.
Deciding against questioning, I nodded once and motioned her forward. “Then I’ll take you home.”
The weather had cooled drastically after sunset. We walked a few blocks longer than I’d intended before I even tried hailing for a cab. Since leaving the building, she’d been quiet and distant. I took her hand and pulled her to a stop, turning her toward me.
She lifted her chin, hesitantly.
