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He gave her a dashing, alrin and shoved his hands deep into his pockets "I’ll be good I swear it"

Isabelle never had a doubt that he’d be good She had fantasized about just how good hts than she cared to remember over the years Maybe it was because he’d been her first real crush Maybe it was simply chemistry Whatever it was, a piece of hihts andto take no for an answer, are you?"

"Not a chance At least not until I know you and Dale are safe Sorry You’re the one who put the worry into have to deal"

"Fine" The only thing she could do noas put him as far out of reach as possible "You can sleep upstairs Next to Dale’s roo histo add fuel to her fiery fantasies of hi for relief that never came no matter how hard she reached for it

Isabelle let out a heavy sigh of defeat "Go get your stuff and I’ll show you your rooed stride thatto her--his graceful stride, the way his jeans clung to his tight butt, his carelessly tousled hair, and that confident glint in his eyes that said he knew just how to please a woman Over and over

But all of that by itself wouldn’t have affected her As handsome as he was, she could resist him if it weren’t for that noble streak a mile wide--the one she’d witnessed firsthand

He hadn’t just hopped in his car and driven aith a thanks for the warning Not Grant Kent He was staying to help Staying in her house, right within reach, after fourteen years of being nothing -distance fantasy

Isabelle sat down and laid her head on the cool desk She was doo Add to it the instinctive knowledge of just how good she knew she and Grant would be together, ot-laid, and she was simply doomed In way over her head, fated to suffer, doomed

"Isabelle?" cauy outside"

Isabelle took a deep breath and forced her head off the desk By the time Dale came into the office, she was pretty sure her face was still flushed with thoughts of Grant and the kind of lover he’d be

So ood mom dedicated only to as best for her son

Dale’s dark hair was ruffled from the wind, and his letterrown man’s Of course, that’s what he nearly was at seventeen, and it still shocked her soht blue eyes were filled orry and a hint of fear Dale wasn’t theof boys--it had taken him six months after he’da stranger in the house Especially not a man

"It’s okay, Dale That’s Grant He’s an old friend ofto stay for a day or two Are you okay with that?"

Dale shrugged "Sure Whatever"

Isabelle stood and looped her arm over Dale’s shoulders as they walked to the kitchen He was taller than her now, though she wasn’t sure exactly when during the past seven months that had happened "Cory?"

"Starved," answered Dale, as she kneould

"You’re going to like Grant"

Dale stiffened "You got so with hih her body was cla to have to keep it under control

"Uh-huh"

"Really," she insisted

"You know, you haven’t dated since I ca I like it here too ot in the way of her dating Dale had no idea how o allhi my style"

"You’re allowed to have sex if you want"

He sounded like the thought grossed hirin "Thanks for your per on hed "Is that what you think is going on?"

"Must be You never even date, and I know you’ve been asked out"

"Not by anyone I was interested in"

"But this Grant guy? He interest you?"

Way too h the , Isabelle could see Grant heft a duffel bag onto his wide shoulder and head toward the house,display Even with the heavy load, his stride was smooth and effortless

She still couldn’t believe he was staying here, still wasn’t convinced that it wasn’t a hugethrough," she told Dale, forcing herself to recognize the truth

Dale’s eyes brightened as if he was relieved Grant wouldn’t stay "Oh Well If you want to hit that while he’s here, or whatever, I’ll go study at the library"

Isabelle’s cheeks heated with e Can we please discuss so other than my love life? Like how your practice test went today?"