“I didn’t hide it. Not with you. Look at where that got me.”
“You do hide,” he said as his gaze traveled down the brown printed dress and flat shoes. “It’s why you won’t wear the sexy shoes. You’re afraid of that side of yourself. You know it’s very powerful and you’re not sure you can control it.”
Damn. Her lips parted in shock. How had he guessed that? What had given her away? “Why would you think that?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“I feel the same way when I’m with you,” he confessed. “I didn’t like feeling out of control. Not at first. I didn’t want my emotions to rule me, to cost me what I’ve worked so hard for. It took me some time to realize that I don’t have to worry about that when I’m with you.”
“But I have to worry about it when I’m with you. You said I was perfect the way I am. It wasn’t a compliment. You were trying to keep me from exploring. Why else would you suggest I keep my wild side hidden?”
He rubbed his hand against the back of his neck. “Honestly, I always felt that I had to hide my true nature. Until I was with you. With you I could let go and you would be there with me every step of the way.”
“I showed you a private side of me and I’m regretting it.”
Sean closed his eyes. “Don’t,” he pleaded. “Don’t feel that way. I’m honored that you trusted me and I want to show you that I’m worthy of that trust.”
“And you’re doing that by giving me shoes?”
He gave her a wry smile and glanced down at the stilettos. “When you were tempted to try on the shoes, I knew they were made just for you.” He frowned and looked back at her. “You were trying to talk yourself out of them. I should have encouraged you but I didn’t.”
Isabel remembered that moment. But her discontent hadn’t been because of Sean. “I was disappointed in myself, Sean. I’m still holding back when I should be reaching out and grabbing what I want.”
“You made me face a part of myself that I try to ignore,” Sean said. “And I won’t let you hide from a part of you that makes you uncomfortable or uncertain. Even if it costs us both our jobs, even if we’re not a couple, I will always cheer you on.”
Her mouth trembled. She took a step forward and rested her head against his shoulder. Isabel released a sigh when he gathered her close.
“I love the woman you were and I love the woman you are becoming,” Sean said. “I love you, Isabel.”
Her pulse skipped hard as she looked up. She saw the love shining in his eyes. Isabel grasped his jaw with her hands and claimed his mouth with hers. She heard the shoes drop to the ground before he thrust his hands in her hair and hungrily returned the kiss.
“I love you, too, Sean,” she murmured against his mouth.
He pulled away. “Are you going to give me a second chance?”
“Yes.” She moved in for another kiss.
Sean tilted his head back. “Isabel, we are in front of the library and I swear everyone in town is staring at us.”
“So what?” she asked as she linked her arms over his shoulders and clung to him. “Let them talk.”