The distance between us eats at me, becauseright in this moment, I want to wipe that expression off his face—I want to touch him and make sure nothing ever puts that look on his face.
I move to him, my palm reaching his stubble as if on autopilot. Ever so slowly, Noah leans into my hand, and my heart almost bursts with happiness. His eyes flutter shut when I gently rub the pad of my thumb on the apple of his cheek.
“Just give me a minute,” he pleads, his voice gravelly as he covers my hand with his own. We stay right there in the middle of the open-plan kitchen and living room for a few minutes, and I soak up every second of this moment.
This is the first time I’ve seen a crack in the armor he wears, and I couldn’t be more attracted to him. He’s handsome and built like a wall, sure, but it’s not just that. It’s his vulnerability that is sucking me in.
It’s also for the first time as I look at him that I realize my feelings for him might far exceed a mere crush. I don’t know when my stupid crush grew into something more, and I know he doesn’t want me that way.
Yet, I can’t bring myself to regret or suppress my feelings. Not when he looks like he’sgrounding himself by embracing my touch.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers, clearing his throat as he opens his eyes.
I shake my head at him, my lips lifting into a smile. “Don’t be.” It’s clear, he’s getting uncomfortable after letting me see so much of what he hides. So, I pull back and offer him the flowers again. “Now, take them already. It’s not very gentlemanly to make a lady wait,” I pout, trying to ease him.
The gravity that had blanketed us earlier dissolves. Noah scoffs, grabs the flowers, and moves to the sink to fill the vase. “I never claimed to be a gentleman, Andie,” he throws over his shoulder.
As I look at his broad back, I take his words for the warning they are. Because by the time our deal is over, he’s not gonna be a gentleman and will most definitely break my heart.
I’ll have no one else to blame for it but me.
Twenty
Andie
“This was a terrible idea,” Noah grumbles in the passenger seat, pulling on his cap, as I park his car in the lot.
I roll my eyes at him. He’s a grumpy goalie, but sometimes he can be a dramatic princess. “Oh, shut up, dude.”
His eyes widen at me, looking perplexed. “Did you…Did you just call me adude?” He points to his chest as if it’s the end of the world.
I turn the ignition off and swivel to him, resting my forearm on the steering wheel tolook at him. “Yes,dude. Are you hard of hearing? Want me to repeat that for you?” I roll my eyes as far back as I can, a smirk on my face.
I’m thoroughly enjoying this!
Noah grinds his teeth, totally done with my antics. “Don’t be a brat,” he grunts, and that just makes me wanna do it more, and so I roll my eyes again, this time rather dramatically.
His hand reaches out, and he pulls me by my throat, stalling my breath as it gets caught right under his palm.
“I can find a better reason for your eyes to roll that far back, Rainbow,” he whispers, his warm breath skating over my parted lips as a gasp makes its way out.
Cheesy cracker on a sundae!
Not a single word comes out of my mouth as his hovers so close to mine. If either one of us were to lean in just a tiny bit, our lips would touch. My gaze darts between his eyes and lips as does his.
When I’m sure I’m gonna die of waiting, Noah pulls back, his lips lifting in a satisfied smirk. “Breathe, Andie. Or do you need me to teach you how?” he gloats, opening the car door to get out. A gasp falls out of my lips, this time at hisconniving scheme.
He shuts the door, his playful chuckle floating in the car. The sound alone brings a smile to my face.
I like it.
And I’m beginning to believe it’s more than just his laughter I like.
He opens my door, extending his hand, and I take it as I climb out of the car. Then he directs me to stay put, grabs the picnic basket I prepared, and we head over to Nantasket Beach.
Suddenly, I feel a foreign touch on my skin.
My senses go on alert, the hair at the back of my neck standing on end. My eyes scan the parking area, searching for the one who’s looking at us.