The third time they met, there was no casual dinner or public restaurant.
Isaac had texted her earlier that day:
“My place. 8 pm. Just us. I’ll cook.”
Addy stood outside his apartment door for almost a minute, heart racing, before she finally knocked. When the door opened, Isaac was there in a simple black t-shirt and gray sweatpants that hung low on his hips. The soft lighting from inside made him look even taller and more imposing.
“Come in,” he said, his voice low and warm. His stormy gray eyes moved slowly over her body — she had chosen a soft oversized sweater and leggings that hugged her curves. “You look good enough to eat.”
Addy felt a rush of heat between her legs at his words. She stepped inside, and the door clicked shut behind her with a finality that made her stomach flutter.
His apartment was surprisingly nice for a student — dim lighting, a large couch, and the smell of something delicious coming from the small kitchen. Soft music played in the background. There were no loud parties, no roommates. Just the two of them.
They ate on the couch instead of at the table — pasta with a rich sauce, wine in simple glasses. Conversation started easy again, but it quickly became more personal.
Isaac asked about her family, why she had come to Myersdale, and what she was running from. He listened like he really cared. When she spoke about feeling invisible back home, he reached over and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“You’re not invisible to me,” he said quietly. His fingers lingered on her cheek for a second longer than necessary. “I see you, Addy. Every quiet little detail.”
Addy’s breath hitched. The touch was innocent, but it sent warmth spreading through her whole body. She was starting to relax around him — really relax. She laughed more. She leaned closer when he spoke. She even let her leg press against his on the couch.
But the longer the night went on, the more she felt that pull — emotional and physical.
Isaac’s gaze kept dropping to her mouth, to the way her sweater had slipped slightly off one shoulder, revealing the smooth skin of her collarbone. Every time their eyes met, the air felt heavier. More charged.
After they finished eating, he took their plates to the kitchen. When he came back, instead of sitting across from her, he sat right next to her on the couch — so close that their thighs touched.
“Tell me something real,” he said softly, turning toward her. “Something you haven’t told anyone else here.”
Addy hesitated, then whispered, “I’m scared I’ll always feel alone… even when I’m with someone.”
Isaac’s eyes darkened. He reached out and cupped her face gently with one hand, his thumb stroking her cheek.
“You’re not alone right now,” he murmured.
Then he leaned in and kissed her.
It wasn’t soft or careful. The kiss was deep, slow, and hungry. His lips moved against hers with controlled intensity, like he had been waiting for this moment for days. Addy moaned softly into his mouth as his tongue slid against hers. The kiss quickly grew hotter — wetter. Her hands came up to grip his shoulders, feeling the hard muscle beneath his t-shirt.
Isaac’s other hand rested on her waist, then slowly slid under the hem of her sweater, his warm palm pressing against the bare skin of her lower back. The touch made her shiver with pleasure.
He pulled her closer until she was almost in his lap. Addy could feel the heat of his body, the steady strength in his arms. Between her legs, she was already getting wet — aching in a way she hadn’t expected so soon.
When they finally broke the kiss, both were breathing hard. Isaac rested his forehead against hers, his voice rough.
“You have no idea what you do to me,” he whispered. “Every time you bite your lip… every time you look at me like that… I want to touch you. Really touch you.”
Addy’s heart pounded. She wanted it too. Her body was screaming for more — for his hands on her breasts, between her thighs, everywhere.
But something in the back of her mind whispered a warning.
Isaac was too smooth. Too controlled. Too good at knowing exactly what to say and how to touch her. Behind that calm, confident smile, there was something deeper. Something darker. Something she didn’t fully understand yet.
She pulled back just enough to look into his eyes.
“Isaac… who are you, really?” she asked softly, her voice a little shaky. “Sometimes it feels like you’re hiding something big.”
For a split second, something unreadable flashed across his face — a shadow, a flicker of danger. Then it was gone, replaced by that charming, intense smile.
“I’m just a guy who can’t stop thinking about you,” he said, brushing his thumb across her lower lip. “But if you want to know everything… you’ll have to get much closer.”
His hand slid higher under her sweater, fingers tracing the line of her spine, sending shivers across her skin.
Addy knew she should ask more questions. She knew she should slow down.
Instead, she leaned in and kissed him again — deeper this time, letting herself fall a little further into whatever this was.
The distance between them had almost completely disappeared.
But as Isaac’s hands explored her back and his mouth claimed hers with growing hunger, Addy couldn’t shake the feeling that she was walking straight into something she might not be ready for.
And yet… she didn’t want to stop.