“Oh my God. It’s my favorite.” Noah moaned, shattering my illusions that I was the reason for his sexy sounds. I looked at him and saw that his eyes were staring at my mouth. Was he imagining how the pie tasted or my lips? Why not give him a taste of both?
I wrapped my hand around his neck and slowly pulled him toward me, giving him plenty of time to resist or tell me no. Instead, he leaned into me and licked my bottom lip with his tongue before he slid it between my lips. His tongue sought mine, tangled and rubbed against it. It was amazing how a simple kiss from Noah could fire my blood faster than a full on sex with anyone else. Time had not erased or diminished the impact he had on me.
My hand that had cupped his neck gently moved into his hair to grip him tighter so I could deepen the kiss. I gripped his waist with my other hand, anchoring him in place. My move was met with a hungry sigh and Noah sliding both hands into my hair. Dinner was fast becoming the last thing on my mind; all I could think about was how good he felt, how he tasted on my lips, and the needy sounds coming from the back of his throat.
I craved so much more from him. I wanted to slide my hand beneath his shirt and touch the taut skin over his lean muscles. I needed to relearn every inch of him so much more than I needed food. I would settle for his kiss, because I was afraid to move and break the spell we were under. Our kiss went on for several long minutes until my heart threatened to pound out of my chest.
It was as if the lost years had never happened. Our bodies were in tune just like they had always been. Noah had been my first and most memorable kiss. The memory of his sweet kisses got me through some of my darkest days the year after we were separated. He would never know, because I never planned to tell him, just how close I came to ending it all. Dreams of Noah would come to me on the nights I needed them most and he unknowingly became my compass that led me out of hell and back into the light.
His lips were as soft as I remembered and the way he made me feel could never be reproduced in a memory. He had always meant so much more to me than the physical feelings he stirred inside me. He had always been the bright spot in my life, my one true friend. Now that I had a small taste of that happiness again, I wanted it back. All of it – his friendship, his touch, and his unwavering love for me. I wanted what I had dreamed of for so long – for Noah to belong to me. Again.
I could’ve kissed him for the rest of the night, but the moment was ruined when his cellphone rang. He pulled back suddenly in surprise and just blinked at me for several seconds before he pulled his phone out of his pocket. The frown he wore earlier reappeared as he looked at his caller ID. I shouldn’t have looked to see who it was, but I couldn’t help myself. I regretted my decision when I saw that someone named Justin was calling him.
“Um… I need to take this.” He stepped back from me and then went out through the back door to the porch. “Hey, Justin,” I heard him say as he closed the door behind him.
My mind burned with curiosity and fury. Who the fuck was this guy and why was Noah kissing me so eagerly if he had someone in his life? Was he trying to get back at me for hurting him? Was he horny and I was convenient? Neither of those things sounded like my Noah, but he hadn’t been mine for a very long time. I didn’t really know anything about him.
I dished food onto my plate and tried to give off a calm vibe I didn’t feel. His call didn’t last long and he returned to the kitchen looking guilty and sheepish. I had planned on pretending that nothing happened until I saw the look on his face and the remorse in his eyes.
“Who the fuck is Justin?”
“Excuse me?” Shock and anger over both my words and tone, caused him to stand taller. “What business is it of yours?”
“I just had my tongue in your mouth and your hair tangled in my fingers. I think it’s a fair question.”
“Oh, yeah? Then who the fuck is Lola?”
“What?” I couldn’t keep the incredulousness out of my voice.
“You heard what I asked. I’ve heard all about you taking Lola to Charlotte this past weekend.” Was that jealousy I saw making his eyes appear greener or was that wishful thinking on my part? Either way, I laughed harder that night than I had in decades. “You think it’s funny? How is she going to feel about you shoving your tongue down my throat?”
I grabbed his hand and began tugging him behind me. “Come on, idiot,” I told him.
“I am not going anywhere with you and I’m not an idiot.” Noah pulled on his arm and struggled to get away from me.
“I’m taking you to meet Lola. Trust me, Noah, you’re going to feel like a complete idiot, but don’t worry. I think your jealousy is sexy.”
“I amnotjealous.” Noah quit fighting against me and followed behind me, but I didn’t drop his hand until we stood next to my car that was parked in his driveway.
“Noah, meet Lola.” I gestured to my shiny, black 1969 Ford Mustang Boss.
“Oh my God.” He couldn’t keep the mortification out of his voice. He covered his mouth with his hand and looked at me with embarrassment in his eyes. He was so cute that I couldn’t help but laugh. The more I laughed the redder he got until I feared he might combust at any minute. “Stop it,” he said, swatting at my chest.
“You’re so fucking cute when you get jealous.” I looped my arm around Noah’s neck and pulled him into a hug.
He playfully punched me in the gut. “I wasn’t jealous. I was outraged on Lola’s behalf that you’d kiss me behind her back.”
“Let’s rectify that, shall we?” I pulled him flush against my body and kissed him right there in his driveway. I didn’t let the kiss linger as long as the first one, because he still hadn’t answered my question. “There,” I said with a flourish, “Lola is now aware that I’m kissing you.” I linked my fingers with his and we headed back inside where our delicious food awaited us. “It’s your turn, Noah. Who is Justin?” Noah let out a deep sigh and I knew I wasn’t going to like hearing his answer.
