22. Tickles

"Are you guys ready?" Innessa asked the girls who were getting ready.

"I still need to do my hair and makeup," Scarlett said from inside.

"Is your friend here to pick you up?" Darla asked.

"Yeah, he's waiting downstairs," Innessa said, staring at the girls who weren't ready.

"Why don't you go with him? Send us the location, and we'll be there," Scarlett said.

Innessa bobbed her head, telling the girls she'll send them the location as she headed out of the building.

She wore a beautiful knee-length flowy baby blue dress that complimented her eyes. Her hair was in waves as she breathed deeply, straightened her posture, and dusted her dress of invisible dust before stepping out of the building. As soon as she stepped out, she instantly felt the intense gaze on her.

Her gaze flickered to him as she passed him a soft smile. But then she instantly tried to control herself because she was beaming like an idiot. 

Innessa was giddy, and her heart was a mushy goo. She malfunctioned as soon as she stepped in front of him because she smiled, but then quickly sealed her lips in a thin line so as not to show her giddiness.

Issac stepped closer. He noticed the change in her expression and how she tried to control her excitement. It was so adorable, and the way she avoided meeting his gaze made him breathe deeply.

God knows the things she was doing to him.

Issac gently hooked her pinky finger with his index finger, garnering her attention. His eyes were fixed on her hands. Innessa never put on nail paint on before, but now she had nail paint on, and it looked pretty.

His eyes darted to her face; she was donning light makeup, and she had put effort into making her hair. The bow-shaped, elegant earrings looked pretty on her.

Her blooming gardenia scent was strong, as if she had just showered.

He slowly held her delicate hands, caressing her nails with his thumbs, "Your hands look so pretty," he said softly, looking up as their gaze locked.

There was pure adoration in her eyes. She wanted him to notice, and he did, and that made her so happy.

"This hairstyle suits you," he said, and her eyes lit up even more.

"You look gorgeous. I don't want my cousins to see you like this," he said, almost pouting, earning her surprised gaze.

"Just kidding, come," he said, opening the passenger door for her as she took her seat. Issac leaned down, peering at her as she put on her seatbelt.

"Are your friends running late?" He asked.

"They're getting ready, they said, they'll be there soon," Innessa said as he nodded.

Issac took his seat and put the car to drive. His place wasn't so far. It was close but in a posh area. The huge gates opened automatically as he rolled his car inside. It was a beautiful mansion, and she was in awe.

"Is this your place?" She asked, dumbstruck. Issac stared at her with amusement, with his elbow resting on the window, his finger pressed on his lips as he gauged her reaction.

"Yes," He rasped, and she was awestruck while he was hypnotized by her expressions.

He pulled over the car and stepped out. She was about to open her door, but he was on her side the very next minute, opening the door for her like a gentleman.

She thanked him as he grasped her small hand in his big one and escorted her into the magnificent house. "Only three people live here?" She asked as he nodded.

"Who cleans the house? Do you guys take turns doing all the chores? It must be pretty tough to keep such a huge place nice and clean," She was blabbering while looking around with wonderment. She has only seen such pretty houses on TV.

"We have house help to do all the chores; they leave after making our dinner," he said.

"Oh," she said wide-eyed as he escorted her into the lounge, where someone was already present.

Maddox pulled to his feet with a goofy smile on his lips. "My eyes are blessed," He grinned cheekily, earning a small smile from her.

Issac's hold on her waist tightened, his jaw ticked, and his eyes narrowed at the f*cker.

Issac had told both the twins to f*cking behave and not to irk him. He strictly warned them not to flirt with Innessa, and to stay within their limits, but it seemed like Maddox had a f*cking death wish.

"Good evening, Innessa," He mused, walking over to them as he held his hand out for her. She softly shook his hand.

Maddox was wearing sweats and a black hoodie. Casual fit which suits him.

"It's nice to meet you again," she said, pulling her hand back when they heard footsteps. A tall, muscular guy showed up; he was wearing khaki pants and a white shirt, thick black-framed glasses donned his face, and he looked like a replica of Maddox. If not for his muscular frame, and those glasses, you can't tell them apart. But this guy had a serious face, while Maddox seemed cool and cheery, he looked silent and detached. As he approached, she noticed his unique eyes. Both the eyes were different.

"Innessa, meet Theodore. My cousin, Maddox's twin,” Issac introduced them.

Theodore held out his hand as she shook it lightly before pulling her hand back. "Theo, this is Innessa Laskin." Issac introduced her as Theodore tipped his head.

"Finally, I got to see you, Ms. Laskin," Theo mused as if he was waiting to see her for a long time.

"Issac talks a lot about you." He spoke.

Issac never talked to them about her. He didn't want them to tease the f*ck out of him.

Maddox stepped beside Theodore. "We wanted to see the girl who had him daydreaming. You know, even at the breakfast table, we found him smiling. Now imagine our surprise. The guy who always had a cold face was smiling. We were creeped out," Maddox said.

Issac's brow twitched. It was taking everything in him not to hit the f*ckers. He had specifically given them a lecture to be on their best behavior, but this was what they were doing. He'll teach them a proper lesson once he drops her back to the dorms.

"Are you thirsty?" Issac asked, taking her to the kitchen, ignoring the jerks. Issac glared at them over his shoulder, only to find them grinning as they followed right behind him, making him curse under his breath.

Issac handed her a glass of juice, which she thanked him for, and sipped on the juice.

"Who's the elder one?" Innessa asked, facing the twins. Maddox was leaning against the counter while Theodore was sitting on the stool facing her.

"I'm the older one," Theo said.

"Are you two dating?" Maddox tossed the question at her.

All of a sudden, she found herself in the spotlight, and she was tongue-tied. She didn't know what Issac had told them.

"None of your concern," Issac grumbled, stepping closer to her as a protective shield.

"No, I was just asking, mate. She's pretty and has a nice personality. If you two aren't a thing-"

"Maddox," The way Issac said his name in a low, grave tone, and the way his eyes looked so dead and lethal had Maddox shutting up his mouth.

"I... I... have someone I like," she said in a small voice, and the three sets of eyes glued to her.

All of a sudden, the chilling coldness that radiated off Issac had her looking at him, but Maddox caught her attention. "Oh, that's amazing." He said as the girl tipped her head.

Issac retrieved his phone and stomped out of the kitchen as she stared at his back. What happened to him?

"He might need to make an important call," Maddox said as he told her about another spot he found while cruising down the road.

Issac paced the lounge as raw fury coursed through his veins. He didn't understand why he was so angry. He was just denying it; he knew he was mad because she said she liked someone. Who could it be? Yeah, she surely said she missed him and even responded with a kiss, but that didn't clarify if she liked him. But then again, she would've never kissed him back if she didn't like him because no one was watching at that time. But could it be Archie, that f*cker?

The doorbell rang, and he opened the door to be greeted by two girls. He raised a brow at them. Issac knew one of the girls. Her name was Darla, she was Issac's classmate's friend.

She paled upon seeing him and pulled the other girl, who had amber eyes, "I... I think we are at the wrong address," Darla said, trying to step back, but the girl who was a little shorter than her stopped her.

"No, it's the right address. Innessa sent this exact location," Scarlett said.

"Are you Issac Knight? Broad shoulders, snake tattoo. Yeah, I think we are at the right place," Scarlett said, holding Darla's hand, who looked as if she wanted to flee.

Innessa showed up behind Issac as she beamed at the girls. "You came," She smiled as Issac stepped aside and the girls walked in.

"This is Issac Knight," She introduced him.

"And Issac, this is Scarlett and Darla," she said as Scarlett tipped her head, but Darla seemed wary.

The guys approached them, and as soon as Scarlett's eyes met Maddox's, she stiffened. He also froze. A second passed before they narrowed their eyes.

"I've seen you before," Scarlett said, walking over to him.

Maddox rubbed his nape. "I get that often," he said cheekily.

Innessa gazed at Theodore, whose eyes flickered with surprise, glancing at Darla.

"They are my cousins, Maddox and Theodore," Issac told the girls.

"My friends, Scarlett and Darla," Innessa said.

"I'll start the movie, take your seat, folks," Issac said, walking away as Darla approached Innessa.

"Innessa, is Issac your boyfriend or just a friend?" Darla asked in a hushed voice so no one would hear them.

"Ummm, is something the matter?" She asked in a small voice.

"I... do you even know him?" She asked.

"I... I do. He's a nice guy, and he has helped me a lot," Darla's brows shot up in surprise. "What?" She asked, dumbfounded.

"Take your seats, girl, I'll get us the drinks," Maddox said.

"Innessa, can you please guide me with your orders?" he said, grabbing her bag and pulling her along with him into the kitchen, leaving Scarlett, Theodore, and Darla behind.

"Is Scarlett your friend? Like for real?" He asked quizzically.

"What's so unbelievable about it?" She asked.

He shook his head. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Would you guys prefer juice or cocktails?"

"Juice," she said, and watched how he showed his talents for making cocktails for guys.

"Don't you have more friends?"

"I actually do. Elena had a family dinner, and Archie well, he refused to come," she said, and he hummed.

Scarlett greeted Theodore, who tipped his head at her. "You and that guy are twins," she said, and he nodded.

Issac was back as he had dimmed the lights, Innessa and Maddox placed the snacks on the coffee table, and everyone got cozy in their spots as they watched a movie.

Innessa was sitting beside Issac while both the girls sat on a sofa next to her left. Maddox was sitting beside Issac to his right at some distance, and Theo was sitting alone on the single sofa.

It was a funny movie, and eventually, everyone was enjoying it while having snacks. Issac pulled to his feet when he got a call. Innessa watched him go up the staircase.

She waited for a couple of minutes before she excused herself and walked right after Issac. Maddox smirked, which Scarlett noticed and passed him a disgusted look, making him roll his eyes as he focused on the movie.

Once Issac was done talking, he turned around to find Innessa standing near the railing waiting for him.

"Do you need anything?" He asked, walking over. "I... I need to use the restroom," she said as he guided her to his room.

Innessa did her business, washed her hands, patted her hot cheeks, trying to calm herself down as she stepped out of the en suite bathroom to find the room empty.

She grabbed her bag from the bed, her eyes darted to the bedside table, and she paused. Innessa walked over and grabbed the empty can of soda. She smelled it, and it was properly washed from the inside out. It was the same soda can that she bought for him.

Did he keep the can?

She quickly placed it in its place and sat on the couch waiting for him when she noticed something else. Innessa walked over to the pillow and pulled it aside to reveal a bag that had her washed clothes in it. The same clothes he gave to the maid after their swimming lessons.

She heard his footsteps, so she quickly put it back and stepped away. Her heart was drumming in her ears, she was scared and excited. Innessa pulled out an envelope from her bag and hid it behind her back.

Issac showed up, his eyes dropping to her heels. "Would you like to change into comfy shoes? My shoes will be bigger, but you'll be comfortable," he said, grabbing slippers from the drawer as he gave them to her.

Innessa mumbled a sweet thank you and was about to remove the heels after sitting on the bed, but he beat her to it. Issac crouched down, removing her heels carefully and putting them aside. His hands lingered longer on her soft feet.

She giggled as his eyes shot up to meet her gaze. "It tickles," She whispered, and a devilish smirk teased his lips. Issac held her foot firmly, making her eyes widen as he began to tickle her soles, earning a loud giggle from her.

"No, Issac, stop," She tried to stop him, trying to pull her feet free, but it was to no avail. She laughed out loud, flailing her feet as she dropped back on the bed, trying to free herself while laughing joyously.

Issac was grinning like a fool as he put his knee on the bed. Innessa tried to crawl away, but he pulled her back under him. Her dress hitched up because of the pull, revealing her creamy white, unblemished thighs. His dark eyes lingered on her thighs as she abruptly pushed the dress down. Letting go of her ankle, he crawled over her, causing her breath to hitch when he straddled her.

The position was intimidating, dominating her. His chest puffed out as he stared down at her with that dark look in his eyes. Her heart stuttered, her body shivering as she tried to scoot out from under him, but he leaned down pressing his hands on either side of her head, trapping her in.

"You can't run away, precious," He rasped, leaning down, his hot breath caressing her ear as he nibbled on her earlobe, making her breath hitch.

"So, you like someone?" He asked darkly.