He kissed her at the door, then nudged her inside when she stared at him in shock.
He wants us to be together?
“Yo, Deacon, quit arguing with Solene. Let’s go.” Noel tapped her chin. “Close your mouth, Addy.And don’t worry. I’m going to give you time to get used to the idea. Once I’m done with work, I’ll be living on the island full time. So I can be patient.”
“Patient? For what?” Solene asked, coming behind them.
Deacon took the baby from her and whistled as he left.
Noel kissed Addy before following Deacon.
Solene pulled her inside. “What’s going on?”
“Noel andI are dating. And I think, I mean, I could be wrong, but I think he just asked me to marry him. Without asking me to marry him.” She paused in thought. “But he never actually mentioned marriage or love. He just said he wanted us to be together. What the hell does that mean?”
“Hmm. That’s pretty slick. Sounds to me like you want to get married to Mr. Murder. Before you left, you were onpins and needles about your killer boyfriend. Now everything’s perfect?” Solene groaned. “You people are giving me a headache. Men. Blech. I can’t handle any more. I’m going to bed.”
Addy blinked. “It’s six o’clock.”
“I’m taking a bubble bath then,” Solene snapped. “Andyou’remaking dinner. I stayed here with Sir Annoys-a-Lot while you and Noel made up. The only thing saving youfrom a real tongue-lashing is that I’m half in love with that baby. He issooocute. Still not worth dealing with Deacon. But whatever. I’m tired. I’m annoyed. Oh, and I’m glad you’re happy. Now I’m going to soak. Call me when dinner’s ready.”
Addy watched Solene stalk away and practically danced into the kitchen. Noel loved her—didn’t he? She could feel it. He had to feel that closenessif he wanted forever with her. Did he want that? She did. Addy envisioned marriage and babies and a white picket fence—around that house next door.
She continued to dream about Noel while she fixed a salad and chicken.
But reality intruded once more when she noticed the baby bottle Deacon had forgotten to take with him.
Noel might be the father of another woman’s child. Themother had left the boy behind, but that was no guarantee she would never return. And what about Noel’s past? He wanted out of his current job. Would they let him go? What would Noel do here? She had no idea what his finances might be like. Just because they were hot in the sack and out of it, the real world, devoid of travel and glamor, might wear thin after a while.
And he’d never saidhe loved her.
She had a lot to think about. The least of which would be her date on Wednesday night, when they got down and dirty and made the rest of her fantasies come true.
She snorted.Real life can wait. He said he’d be patient. Well, I want my dreams to come true while we’re sorting out the rest.Yes, much better to prioritize sex and the now over a future that might nevercome to be.
The pragmatic teacher in her made plans, and Addy smiled to herself as she realized that in order to make things work with Noel, she’d have to lead him there. They’d play by her rules.
He might know the ins and outs of a pistol, but she knew how to handle a man afraid of love.
