izzyβs Β hands Β curl Β slowly Β at Β her Β sides, Β tension Β coiling Β tight Β enough Β that Β her Β manicured Β nails Β press Β half moons Β into Β her Β palms. Β a Β quiet Β kind Β of Β grounding, Β or Β maybe Β restraint. Β hard Β to Β tell Β which. Β the Β sharp Β click Β of Β her Β heels Β against Β the Β hardwood Β lands Β clean Β in Β the Β space Β between Β them, Β measured Β and Β precise, Β like Β sheβs Β setting Β a Β rhythm Β he Β doesnβt Β get Β to Β ignore. Β even Β the Β way Β heβs Β sitting Β there, Β all Β loose Β limbs Β and Β careless Β sprawl, Β makes Β something Β flicker Β behind Β her Β eyes. Β hot. Β bright. Β just Β shy Β of Β reckless. Β βpoor Β baby,β Β izzy Β coos, Β soft Β and Β syrup Β sweet. Β voice Β laced Β with Β something Β that Β turns Β sharp Β the Β longer Β it Β sat. Β a Β single Β knuckle Β pressing Β lightly Β to Β her Β cheek, Β tracing Β an Β invisible Β tear Β with Β exaggerated Β care. Β βi Β guess Β you Β only Β like Β to Β hear Β other Β people Β talking Β when Β their Β ordering Β you Β around Β like Β a Β bitch.β Β her Β lip Β trembles Β in Β a Β mockery Β of Β sympathy, Β lashes Β fluttering Β too Β dramatic Β to Β be Β anything Β but Β deliberate. Β βtell Β me,β Β she Β continues, Β voice Β lilting Β upward Β like Β sheβs Β asking Β something Β genuinely Β curious, Β βdoes Β it Β sting? Β knowing Β the Β people Β youβre Β so Β loyal Β to Β couldnβt Β pick Β you Β out Β of Β a Β lineup?β Β izzy Β leans Β in Β as Β she Β asks, Β the Β space Β between Β them Β collapsing Β until Β itβs Β filled Β with Β the Β soft, Β expensive Β scent Β clinging Β to Β her Β skin. Β something Β floral, Β likely Β stolen, Β with Β a Β bite Β to Β it. Β her Β voice Β drops. Β quieter Β now, Β almost Β conspiratorial, Β βor Β maybe Β you Β like Β it Β down Β there,β Β she Β murmurs, Β the Β words Β brushing Β his Β ear. Β βnice Β and Β safe Β at Β the Β bottom, right? Β no Β expectations.β
