As though my heart hadn't already caught fire from the longing I saw in his eyes. As though I hadn't already sensed that we were heading down a steep incline, the path veering sharply to the side at the bottom. Part of me was afraid of crashing, butanother part of me wanted to know what free-falling would feel like.
Opening my mouth, I grabbed his shirt collar and brought myself to his height. He accepted the offer, tangling his tongue with mine as he breathed heavily. Bringing me closer to him, he pressed our bodies together and lost his usual restraint. I felt his erection straining between us and knew that was the trajectory we were heading toward. I couldn't help moaning, desperately clinging to his breadth to keep myself grounded.
“I want things I’m not sure you’re ready for.”
Blinking rapidly, I gazed into his dark eyes. “I’m not that far behind you, Noah.”
Shaking his head slowly, he said, “For once in my life, I want to wait until it’s the right time.”
“That’s important to me, too.”
His hands wandered, slipping under the back of my sweater to run across my spine. When he moved his hands to the front, I couldn't help flinching and pulling away.
“Sailor?”
I hated the confusion in his voice, hated even more the insecurities I couldn't shake. “I’ve got—”
But I broke off, unsure how to continue. My breathing accelerated, and Noah tucked his hands in his pockets.
“If you don’t want me to touch you, I won’t.”
He could so easily make it sound like an insult, but he didn't. He was so damn patient.
Sucking in air like I was drowning, I put my palm out when he frowned. “Sorry. One second.”
I wasnothaving a fucking panic attack just because someone touched my stomach. I simply wasn't.
“Scars,” I managed to wheeze out. Breathing deeply, I tried to force myself not to hyperventilate.
“Oh, baby.” Gathering me in his arms, Noah hugged me tight and kissed the top of my head.
“I’m sorry.” Hiccuping, I buried my face in his coat. “I’m sorry.”
“Please don’t apologize.”
“I’ve always felt like fate marked me that night. Never able to move on, never able to forget.”
Instead of speaking, Noah stroked my hair.
“I had to crawl out through the broken sunroof, and the glass cut me. But we were upside down, and there was no other way out.”
So much blood, it coated me in its viscosity. Dark red, obscuring my vision.
“You’re safe, Sailor. You’re here with me.”
Inhaling his cologne, I forced myself to come back to reality.
“Do you want me to drive you home?” he offered.
I shook my head. “Then how would you get back?”
“Call someone to get me.”
I wanted to decline automatically, but then I stopped to think about it. My hands were shaking so badly, my fingers had gone numb. My brain was scattered between the past and the present. Though my secrets could spill more easily when I was in such a state, I needed his help.
“You know what? I would like that.”
“Good.”
