“I don't know how to accept what you said.”
“Just forget what I said.” Fishing out his wallet, Noah stood and went to the register to pay while misery engulfed me.
I fucked it up, just as I knew I would.
The drive back to my apartment was too silent. My heart felt heavy, my cheeks burned, and I longed to have a good cry. We were suddenly miles apart in the same car, back to the strangers we once were.
I didn't even expect him to walk me to the door at that point, but I guess he was determined to be a gentleman.
“You need to get an alarm system,” he said when we stopped under my front porch light.
I blinked up at him. “Why?”
Looking around the street, he focused back on me when he said, “Because being associated with me isn’t safe, and anyone could easily pick your locks.”
Heat flooded me as I thought about Lauder and Berkshire doing exactly that.
“I never worried about it before,” I admitted quietly. “But I’ll look into it.”
“For your sake, not mine.”
I folded my hands together in front of me, unsure of what else to do. “Okay.”
Noah leaned in, his cologne wrapping me in comfort. But he only kissed my forehead, and I bit back a sigh. Had I killed what might have been before it even got started?
Panic strangled me when he turned to go. “I’m sorry,” I said into the quiet night.
Stopping on my walkway, Noah faced me again. “For what?”
“Ruining the evening.”
Shoveling his hands through his hair, he strode up to me, backing me against the door. The light reflected in his eyes until the depths showed me my own face, and I hated that I looked like a cornered rabbit.
“Goddammit,” he muttered, yanking me up tight against him. His mouth wasn't soft when he pressed it to mine. His actions were rough as he groped me, crushing me close until I couldn't breathe. My head went light, spinning out as I accepted his desperate kiss.
He groaned, and it went straight to the dormant parts of me. If he asked to come in, I was afraid I’d accept, and then I’d more than ruin the night; I’d ruin myself.
Finding his way into my mouth, he stroked his tongue along mine, retreating to tease my lips with it before he plunged it back inside. I’d never known what it felt like to be dominated by a man, but I knew I wouldn't want to feel this way with anyone but him.
Pulling back, Noah rested his forehead on mine. His hands still roamed up and down my back, burning me through the layers of rayon. Finally, he sucked in a breath before kissing my cheek and then my temple.
“You didn't ruin anything, Sailor. We’re just new at this.”
“Well, I am,” I mumbled. “But surely you’re not.”
Kissing the shell of my ear, he whispered, “Completely new?”
I shivered, reluctant to answer.
His shaky exhale made my body want to ignite into a thousand suns. “We need to get to know each other, and then it will become smoother.”
“Or I’ll just remain awkward for the rest of my life, and you’ll run away like everyone else does.”
“Give yourself some credit, Sailor.”
I couldn't help moaning when he nibbled on my neck. “I’ll try,” I replied breathlessly.
“I should go.”
