Catch Me (The Winters Family Series: Book 1) (19 page)

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 home 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.

Izzy's face lit up, "Awwww, she's is so precious.  Why did you...?"  Her voice trailed off.  She looked down and noticed a key on the collar.  "Is this a key... for here?  I don't understand?"

Drew smiled, "She is pretty cute.  I thought she could keep you company when I am doing a long stretch at work."

Looking at Drew, "I don't understand still."

Drew took her hand, "Isabel Sloane."  He knelt down on one knee in front of her, "I love you more than there are grains of sand in the world.  Will you marry me?"  There was a collective sigh, and sniffles.

Isabel still had the kitten in her arms, she gasped, "oh my God, Drew, yes, yes, a thousand times, yes!"

Everyone whooped and hollered.

Drew looked up into her beautiful green eyes, "I want to marry you my sweet Izzy, have babies, and grow old with you.  After you pointed out this home to me the first day we met.  I was curious, how could it still be here since all the other homes around this old Victorian were new, and so different.  I found out it was owned by a retired couple who didn't use it anymore.  It has just been sitting here vacant for over five years.  A few weeks ago I was able to talk to the owners.. and they agreed to sell the home to us.  Wait till you see the inside.  You are going to fall in love with the kitchen."

Isabel looked down at her lovely little furball.  Then she looked at Drew, "You truly are amazing, handsome, and beautiful, and I love you more than chocolate."

Shawna was standing by a table holding a flute full of champagne.  She only knew Isabel and Drew, so she felt a little uncomfortable.  She loved spending time with them, they were so in love.  After her few years of Hell, she was hoping to find a beautiful man like Drew someday.  She turned to grab a few chips at the table, and bumped into what felt like a wall.  She looked up and was immediately speechless.

Danny was watching as Drew asked Isabel to marry him.  After all these years, it still hit him in the gut when he knew his best friend was this happy.  Isabel was perfect for Drew, they both really balanced each other out.  Plus, whenever he saw them together, it seriously looked like they were glowing with happiness.  He was lost in thought when he turned to get a handful of chips.  He slammed into kid, wait not a kid.  Who was she though, her face was angelic?