But I would really, really like to do a few things with him, which is pretty shocking. I don’t move this fast. I never have. Yet every time our lips connect, I feel scorched. The man has a magical mouth.

I would like to test that mouth in a variety of ways.

“This is a nice complex,” he tells me as he approaches, all loose nonchalance. Looking as pleased as he can be too. I envy his easy confidence right now.

“It’s newer,” I tell him, surprised I can make small talk and not sound like a nervous wreck. “And I’ve only been here a few months.”

“Oh, right.” He nods. I’m sure he’s thinking about my ending the relationship with my ex recently. Does that freak him out? It might. It probably should. We kept talking about him, which was such a mistake. Talking about your ex when on a date with someone else. I’m a complete idiot.

Plus, there’s the fact that Isaac is the first guy I’ve dated since we broke up. In the normal order of things, he would be my rebound.

I glance to my left, studying him as he walks with me toward my apartment building. What a rebound I’ve chosen, though. The more I look at him, the handsomer he gets. I like the way he walks. Almost like a confident strut. And he’s so tall. Taller than Joe.

Oh God! His name!

I realize it doesn’t bother me as much as I thought it might. Will I endlessly compare Isaac to Joe? Maybe at first, though I shouldn’t. I really need to focus on the here and now, and not worry about my past. No need to make comparisons. That’s unfair to Isaac.

We head up the stairs to my second-story apartment, both of us quiet. The moment we pause in front of the door and I’m about to unlock it with the keypad—this place has a high-tech security system since it’s so new—Isaac grabs hold of me, pulling me into his arms.

“Your head is spinning,” he tells me, his gaze dropping to my mouth. Like he’s thinking about kissing it.

“What are you talking about?” I rest my hand on top of my head, attempting a joke. “From what I can tell, it’s not moving.”

He smiles before he leans in and kisses me, his mouth lingering. “You’re thinking too much.”

I sag against him, resting my hands on his chest. They start exploring as if I can’t control myself, though I don’t let them wander too far. Not while we’re standing outside of my apartment. “I’m a little nervous.”

“If you want me to leave, I will.” He drops a kiss on my forehead and slowly starts to pull away.

I clutch at him, keeping him in place. “No! I don’t want you to leave.”

Isaac chuckles, the confidence in his tone making my toes curl. For being so much younger than me, he’s taken command of the evening effortlessly. And I’m letting him.