Stealing first

Romero pulled into the parking lot of Isabel’s apartment building and parked. He hadn’t stopped thinking about her since the shower and after last night it got even worse. There was something about her. He thought he’d seen all of her expressions at the shower, but she’d put on a show for him last night. Her face was so damn animated, and he especially liked when he embarrassed her. Those eyes of hers, it was hilarious the way she fidgeted with her glasses when she got nervous, and those lips—okay, this was getting stupid.

The whole damn time between the shower and yesterday he told himself it was curiosity, not interest. Not since high school had he met a girl he enjoyed just talking to, but most importantly, it had been that long since he met one as sweet as Isabel who seemed to enjoy talking to him, too. It might be cool to hang out with her and she was Valerie’s friend. That was another point for her. He’d always thought Valerie was cool.

He got out of the car and headed for her apartment, almost laughing at the anxiety beginning to build in his stomach. Just like yesterday at the mall when he saw her on the escalator, the anxiousness he’d felt was completely unexpected. Then dinner had been near perfect. He couldn’t even remember having such a good time with a chick—a good time despite not having even touched her. Everything about it had been great, except for when she told him about her sister’s expectations about the guys she dates. Fuck her sister. He knocked on the door.

Valerie opened the door with a big grin. “Hello, Romero.”

“Hey, Val,” he said, matching her grin.

Isabel came out of the hallway, wiping the grin right off his face. Her long dark hair was down and curled. The glasses were gone. He already thought her eyes were sexy but how the hell could a little makeup make such a difference? They looked amazing. The outfit she wore, a light sweater that came off her shoulder with jeans and high heels was sexier than hell. He didn’t even try to hide what he was feeling. She smiled, her cheeks already beginning to flush.

Romero gulped, feeling completely struck. “You ready?”

She nodded, pulling her purse strap over her shoulder. They walked to his car. He had to restrain himself from going for her hand, an urge he’d never felt before.

Opening the car door for her and waiting for her to take her seat before closing it, he smiled. It had just occurred to him, this was all so new to him.

Halfway to the stadium he had to ask, “All right, what are you wearing?”

“What do mean?” He couldn’t get enough of her expressions

“What’s that scent? It’s driving me f**king nuts.”

“You don’t like it?” she asked, smelling her sweater.

“That’s not what I meant by driving me nuts,” he laughed, changing gears. “I can barely concentrate. You smell so damn good.”

“Oh.” She cleared her throat. “It’s old school. I’ve worn this forever. It’s called Envy.”

“Envy, uh? I love it.” He laughed.

When they got to the stadium, she walked around his car and they met in front of it. Deciding not to hold back any longer, he reached his hand out for hers and they walked hand in hand toward the entrance. Holding a girl’s hand while they were both still sober and fully dressed was definitely a novelty for him, but it wasn’t so bad—not bad at all.

Romero immediately noticed how men turned to look at Isabel. Some blatantly checked her out even as he stood next to her holding her hand. It was f**king irritating. One guy flat out smiled at her and she smiled back, looking away quickly. “You know him?” The question flew out without thought.

“No, do you?”

“Nope.” It was a strange irritation and he tried to shake it.

Before they got their seats they stood in line to buy beer. The place was so crowded they stood inches away from each other. At one point, his body was up against hers and her hair brushed against his chin. He pulled a few strands of it away from her face and she looked up at him. One look at her lips and he was done. Fuck this. He leaned in and kissed her, softly at first, not sure what to expect, but she parted her lips and he went for it, kissing her deep. Trying not to get too carried away in this crowded place, he pulled away, taking a much needed breath but brought his arm around her small waist. She seemed a bit startled but didn’t pull away.

They stood in line for a few more minutes. It amazed him what just rubbing her back and playing with her hair did to him. She shivered when he ran a finger down her spine. “You cold?” he smiled.

“No,” she smiled back and to his surprise, she didn’t blush.

He tipped her chin and kissed her again. He had no idea what was happening here, but he was going with it, keeping it short because they were next in line. They got their beers and walked to their seats.

“Why’d we get four?” she asked as they sat down double fisted with beers.

“You wanna stand in that line again?”

She surprised him again with a grin. “It was fun.”

Damn. As soon as their beers were in the cup holders and they both had a free hand, he took hers in his. The entire time, all he could think about was kissing her again.

They were on their way to the restrooms for the second time, when he pulled her to him and kissed her again, this time longer than he had all night. It surprised him she was so willing. All that talk about her sister and the high-ranking bullshit, he thought maybe she’d be apprehensive. She still hadn’t even asked him about his job, though he got the distinct feeling she was avoiding the subject.