Her eyes traced his lean body as he walked. Since the kitchen was just beyond the stairs, Isabel could see him without his knowledge. She sighed and though she barely made a sound, he looked up as if he’d heard. She took a quick step back as he changed direction and headed to her.

By the time Jason came into the room, she was already on the opposite side leaning against the sink. The more distance between them the better. He leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms, staring at her with his piercing green eyes. He didn’t speak and the silence dragged on before she finally broke down and spoke first. “I’m sorry about pulling my knife on you earlier.”

His lips tilted in a crooked grin. “It seems you always apologize for causing me harm but yet you still continue to do it.”

Isabel didn’t know what to say because she realized it was true. “Well, I have a bad temper and you make me mad a lot.”

Jason stood straight and started walking towards her, a gleam of mischief in his stare. “All the time? I never make you feel anything else?”

Isabel’s breath quickened as he moved closer. Her feet were rooted to the floor. She couldn’t break away from the raw desire in his dark gaze. She tried to deny it but her husky voice belied her claim. “Yes. That’s all you make me feel.”

Jason grinned and stopped an inch away from her. He ran his hand down the side of her cheek and trailed his fingers down her neck. Surely he could feel the erratic flutter of her pulse as his fingers danced along her skin. His intense stare centered on her mouth and he lowered his lips to hers at the same time that he spoke.

“Liar.”

He captured her sigh as their lips met and he slipped his tongue inside her mouth. His passion kindled hers. Isabel couldn’t stop herself. She let go. Just for this moment in time, she wanted to imagine it was a different world. One where they could actually be together.