“What got your attention?” he asked.
“Oh, nothing,” she said. She looked away and pushed her hair behind her ear.
Sean glanced down at the window display and instantly guessed what Isabel had been studying. The blue-and-green-printed stiletto heels. He knew she was drawn to the daring design that screamed sex from the pointed toe to the blue ribbon ankle strap.
His gut twisted as he imagined Isabel wearing those shoes. They would make her sexy legs appear longer, give her pelvis a provocative tilt and make her walk with a sway to her hips.
“Those shoes.” His voice came out gruff as he imagined her wearing only those shoes as he took her to bed.
“How did you know?”
“I’ve seen the inside of your closet. You have rows of shoes.” Each pair was impossibly sexy and attention-grabbing. “But you never wear them.”
Isabel drew her head back. “How do you remember what shoes I wear?”
“I remember everything about you.”
She blinked, obviously surprised by his comment, and hurriedly returned her gaze to the shoes. “They’re not really me, are they?”
He heard the wistful tone in her voice and suddenly understood the rows of unworn shoes in her closet. She wished she was the type who wore the shoes.
He glanced at the kitten heels on her feet. “I like the ones you’re wearing now. They suit you. I also like it when you’re barefoot,” he said in a teasing tone.
Isabel’s shoulders slumped. “You’re right. Those shoes are more Laura’s style.”
Sean went still when he realized he had given the wrong answer. But what he’d said was the truth. He was drawn to her feminine and classic style. He found her restraint incredibly sexy. And yet, he wanted to see her striding toward him in those stilettos. “You’ll never know if you don’t try them on.”
She shook her head. “I would have no place to wear them,” she said with a determined smile.
Sean was torn. He wanted to encourage her to explore and find pleasure everywhere. But she was hesitant and he suddenly understood why. It wasn’t because she was afraid of what others might say. She was unsure about the powerful feelings inside her. The ones she was never comfortable revealing except when she was alone with him.
“I should go,” Isabel said as she took a step away from the window. “I have to prepare for the poetry jam at the library tonight.”
“Can’t wait.”
She narrowed her eyes as if she hadn’t heard him correctly. “You’re going to attend?”
He gave a shrug. “It’s open to the public.”
“Yes...” The word dragged from her mouth. “But you’re not one to hang out at the library.”
Sean caught and held her gaze. His mouth tilted in a lopsided smile. “That was before I realized what I’ve been missing.”
4
“THANK YOU ALL for attending,” Isabel said in front of the small crowd. “This concludes the poetry jam. There are refreshments available in the back, compliments of the Seedling Women’s Reading Circle. Please help yourself.”
Sean leaned against the wall in the back of the room as he watched Isabel offer words of thanks and encouragement to the poets. People circled Isabel, wanting to hear her opinions. She was in full hostess mode, doing what she most wanted—bringing new ideas to her community through her beloved library. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her.
He wasn’t sure why he was staring. There was nothing different about her tonight. Isabel wore a lavender dress that fell well past her knees. Her blond hair swung near her chin and today she wore a pearl necklace that matched her pumps. As usual, she stood out among the casually dressed group.
Sean’s gaze traveled down to the gentle swell of her hips and his pulse skipped. No, he did know why he was staring. He wondered if she had received his text. And if she had followed it. He really couldn’t tell.
As if she sensed that he was looking at her, Isabel glanced in his direction. As their gazes clashed, Isabel blushed and looked away. She nervously smoothed her hands against her full skirt.
She’d definitely gotten the text, Sean decided as he smiled. He watched as Isabel abruptly turned her head and joined a conversation among a group of elderly men in baseball caps. But had she followed through with his suggestion? Was she that bold or had he found her limit?
His request had been reckless. He shouldn’t have made it. It wasn’t like him—the new him, anyway. He had suffocated that impulsive side of himself years ago...but Isabel had managed to resurrect it. He had promised Keith that he would curb her scandalous behavior and instead he was encouraging it.