“I can change it,” I say, hurrying to grab my phone and growing more embarrassed by the second—not embarrassed that I listened to this kind of music, more at the idea that I don’t want him thinking I’ve somehow set this up.
He rests his hand on top of mine right as I go to grab my phone. “No, it’s nice. Not what I would have picked myself, but … fitting,” he says with a slight laugh. He continues to hold onto my hand and doesn’t give the impression that he ever intends to let it go. Blushing, I look down at my lap. His grip tightens slightly.
God, I am in trouble. Big, gorgeous, irresistible, tempting man trouble.
“What kind of music do you listen to, then?” I ask, still unable to look up and meet his stare. His confidence has made me shy and vulnerable.
“Country mostly, although I have a brief knowledge of the classics,” Noah says. His admission shocks me. I look up and meet his eyes just in time to see him nod towards the music playing.
“Country, huh? Are you telling me you’re some sort of cowboy? Wouldn’t have pegged you for that,” I chuckle.
As Noah leans into me, I quickly look down, embarrassed I said the wrong thing. Eventually, my eyes catch sight of the shoes he’s wearing: the boots I first noticed in the bar last night. They’re cowboy boots. Glancing up, my gaze roams over broad shoulders in a tight flannel shirt before drifting lower to dark blue jeans.
Maybe in my world cowboys always wore big-brimmed hats and smelled like horses and sweat, not teakwood and mahogany like Noah. This southern country boy makes me question every first impression I ever had. He’s something I never expected, but something I’m suddenly beginning to crave, and that could be very dangerous.
“Oh, so now it’s your turn to be surprised,” he says, smiling and leaning in closer. It’s obvious he likes—a little too much—how he’s able to hold one up on me for the first time since we’ve met.
I shocked him last night, and he turned the tables on me tonight. I guess it’s only fair.
Maybe country boys aren’t that bad. This one sure beats any city boy who ever tried to get my attention before.
I eventually find my words. “Well, I didn’t say it was a bad thing. I’ve never been this close to a country boy before but…”
“Southern boy,” he smirks. “There’s a difference, darlin’.”
His accent thickens. God that’s sexy. The way he pours on his thick southern accent makes every part of my body tingle. He can make fun of me all he wants as long as he continues to talk to me like that again.
“Okay, southern boy,” I grin.
A low seductive chuckle escapes his lips as his grip on my hand slightly tightens. My heart quickens. He leans in closer. His warm breath feathers against my cheek.
“Trust me, darlin’. I can show you some things that would most definitely change your mind about us, southern boys.” His eyes drift to my lips as he moves in even closer. “We can get started right now if you’re willing.”
Catching my breath, my body subconsciously moves even closer, like there’s a force between us that makes us yield to its will—a force I know we will never have any control over.
“I might just take you up on that offer,” I whisper.
In this moment, there is only the two of us. The music has even faded in the background. We continue to close the distance between us, little by little, more and more. I breathe in slightly just as we become close enough that I feel the heat of his breath on my lips. I look up and catch his eyes. We’re seconds away from a connection I know both of our bodies crave, need, want, when I hear, “Here’s your tea, Eva.”
Breaking out of our trance, I turn to see Trevor standing a few feet away. He has my tea in one hand and my blanket in the other. He looks hurt, disgusted, like he’s just been slapped in the face and punched in the gut at the same time. Immediately, I feel horrible for having used him so perfectly.
“Trevor, I’m so sorry.” Ashamed, I snatch my hand from Noah’s and rise to grab my drink. “Thank you so much. I really do appreciate it,” I insist, resting my hand on his shoulder. He immediately shrugs it off.
“Do you want to join us?”
Trevor looks at Noah. I wouldn’t blame him if he turned around and walked right back inside. His ego has to be bruised.
“I’m not trying to intrude,” he says.
I don’t know what to do, so I just continue to stand in front of him, as if not sitting back down next to Noah would make up for what he just walked in on. I wasn’t trying to lead Trevor on, but given our history and our families’ friendship, I don’t want to hurt him either.
“Nah, grab a seat. There is plenty of room,” Noah says smugly.
I glance back at Noah and can’t tell if he’s oblivious, cocky, confident, or maybe a little of all three..
Looking back, I take the blanket from Trevor as he chooses a chair across from me instead of the one next to me that I know he had his heart set on. Sitting back down, I place my tea on the table next to me and then wrap the blanket around my legs. I smile at Trevor from across the fire; he sadly looks back my way before directing his attention to something off in the distance.
I take a moment to myself before looking back at Noah. When I do, I notice his attention is still directed only toward Trevor. Noah reaches back over and grabs my hand. He’s marking his territory, and even though I’m startled by this sudden display of ownership, I let him. He’s claiming me. And God, it’s fucking sexy.
