I was weak enough to agree, though I knew I’d regret it. The hallway had never felt so narrow, and the elevator car never felt so tiny.
“I would like to clarify something,” he said, and though his voice was low, it startled me out of my attempt to remain aloof.
“Okay.”
He moved forward, and I moved back. Instinct told me being alone with him was bad for my health. My medical bag dropped to the floor when my fingers went numb.
“I wanted very badly to kiss you yesterday.”
My heart thumped in my throat, and I stared up into his whiskey eyes, so similar to Benito’s. But Noah’s held something much different.
Lust.
“I know,” I whispered.
He boxed me into the corner, and my acute stress response tried to kick in. My pulse pounded in my ears, but I wanted to let him. I needed to see what it would feel like to drown while someone set me on fire.
His scent enveloped me, permeating the air until all I knew was him. Warmth spread from him to me, heating my icy veins. Anticipation thrummed in the air, making goosebumps rise on my arms. His suit jacket rustled when he finally closed in, framing my face in his large hands.
Noah stared down at me for so long I thought I would combust before he touched his mouth to mine. Our eyes remained locked until the very last second, when mine fluttered closed. I felt his exhale right before my heart exploded with the pressure of his lips. Like an idiot, I moaned and opened my mouth.
Taking the advantage, Noah swept his tongue over mine before retreating to gently caress my lips with his. My breathing came out sharply between us, and I feared my neuroses would ruin the moment.
Instead, he thrust his hands in my hair, mussing up my bun. I lurched toward him, finding myself clinging to his lapels as he consumed me entirely. Our bodies bumped, and for the first time, I knew what it meant to want someone beyond the limits of sanity.
The elevator dinged its arrival on the lower level, and Noah backed up. He dragged his hands away, trailing one down my arm until he could link our fingers and walk me out to the shiny lobby floor.
“Have dinner with me.”
The word no was on the edge of my consciousness, but instead, I replied, “Okay.”
He grinned. “Is tonight too presumptuous?”
“No, I’m free.” I was always free. “But, um, I don’t own any fancy clothes, so nothing five-star.”
“That’s not a problem.”
All I could manage was a nod.
Noah lifted our hands, kissing the back of mine. “Thank you.”
Was it stupid to reply with you’re welcome?
“I’ll call you later.”
Nodding, I watched him get back on the elevator and disappear from my sight.
Chapter Fourteen
Noah
I didn’t know what I’d been thinking. We had too much on our plates for me to be going out on a date, much less with the doctor I’d been rude to repeatedly.
But she looked so shy standing there beside me, so inviting. And when I finally kissed her, my lust went through the roof at such a simple interaction.
Inexplicably, Sailor seemed unsure of what to do. All her hesitation made me want to treat her gently instead of ravishing her the way I desired. Instead of hiking her leg around my waist and grinding into her, I brushed my lips across hers. Except for when she opened her mouth on a moan so hot I nearly forgot there were cameras in that elevator, and then I was afraid of doing something unholy to that woman that I could never take back.
Dinner was the perfect way to get to know her. She already talked to my father like they were old friends, so maybe she’d open up to me, too. I could tell she thought she had nothing to offer, with no friends or family to speak of, but that didn't bother me. As usual, I wanted to shield her from the world.
