“You need any help?” I ask as I lean against the door jamb.
“Nope. Almost done.”
She’s fast. I see a smaller bag filled with essentials like her deodorant, brush, hairspray, and toothbrush. By the time she’s finished, there are two suitcases, both Samsonite hard shell cases. One is bigger, while the other is a carry-on. She picks up her purse and stuffs her phone, charger, and a few small items inside.
“There. I’m good.”
I smirk, barely resisting asking her how long she’s planning on staying because she could move in with how much she’s bringing. The woman clearly has her things she can’t live without, but who am I to stop her?
“We should get moving.” Reaching for her hand, I tether our fingers and draw her close. “Got anything else in the house you need to take care of before we go? Just the fireplace?”
She blinks. “Yes. Oh, and locking up.”
I slide my thumb over her bottom lip and lower my head. “We’ve got to stop at the auto shop first. Just a quick detour.”
“Okay,” she replies, a bit breathless. Her gaze locks onto my mouth instead of my eyes.
“Beautiful, you waiting for me to kiss you?”
“Torque.”
My hands glide across her neck and move up to cup her face. “You’re fast becoming an addiction, Noelle.” I don’t wait for her to reply. I swoop in and press my lips to hers, devouring themoan that creeps up her throat. I’m ready to take this to the next level. I need to taste more than her sweet lips.
I’ve got an idea. I just hope the weather holds out long enough.
“Come on, baby. We need to get movin’.”
Once I’ve started my truck, so it warms up for her and placed her suitcases inside, I return to the house as she’s locking up. My gaze catches her neighbor watching us through his window as he scowls.
“He’s not too friendly. Is he?” I ask, wondering why he’s so prickly.
“I try to be patient, but I lost my temper with him earlier today,” she admits.
I’m intrigued. “Oh? What happened?” I tuck her into my side as we rush to my truck, not expecting an answer until we’re inside.
Noelle shivers as she rubs her gloved hands together, taking a moment to buckle her seatbelt. “Mr. Warner came by today to let me know he’s filing a complaint with the HOA because I let you shovel my yard.” She rolls her eyes. “I told him I was filing a complaint for harassment, and if he has a problem with my boyfriend coming over, he can tell them about it. I also said he can get off my property since he’s not welcome.”
I sensed that wasn’t all he said. She seems pissed.
“What else did he say?” I ask, trying not to hyperfocus on the part where she called me her boyfriend.
“He said he doesn’t want people like you hanging out in our neighborhood.” She huffs. “What a narrow-minded, horrible thing to say.”
It didn’t faze me. “I’ve heard a lot worse, sweetheart.”
“It doesn’t make it right.”
“No,” I agree. “It doesn’t.”
She leans back and seems lost in thought as I back out of her driveway and head toward Blade Auto Repair. The shop won’t be open for much longer, and I need to check in with Smoke and Zoo.
“You didn’t say anything about the boyfriend part,” she says in the silence that follows.
“Well, that’s because I’m happy and have no objections.” I smile a little too widely as I think about it. “Good to know where I stand.”
“It’s not presumptuous?”
I glance at her profile and see that she’s clenching her hands, probably wondering if it’s too much and too soon. It’s not for me. I’m already growing obsessed with her. More than that, I want to see how far we can take this. “No, baby. Not at all.”
