My mouth opened and closed, my brain whirling for something to say—anything at all, but I was speechless.
The last thing I expected from this date was a relationship proposition before the main course arrived at our table. Especially after dropping the bombshell of my pregnancy before we’d even made it out the door, but Noah surprised me.
I was spared having to respond by Gabrielle appearing with our dinner. She set both plates down with a flourish in front of us and exchanged some words with Noah that I couldn’t focus on. I couldn’t hear past the roaring in my ears. How he could remain so calm when it felt like my entire world was spinning off its axis was beyond me.
She was gone a moment later, leaving us to eat, only I was frozen, all of my reservations and fears buzzing around in my brain like angry bees.
“Breathe, Nell. Like I said, I’m not proposing. But I think we owe it to each other to see what’s here.”
“You’re not just doing this because of the Hartley triplets’ interest in us?”
“I don’t do things unless I want to.” Noah grinned mischievously. “But I admit, I might have used their interest in us as leverage to get you to actually say yes to a date.”
“Really?”
“Yup, but I was hoping my undeniable charm would seal the deal and you’d want to see me for real.”
I snickered, shaking my head at his ridiculous confidence and ease, but grateful for it. “I don’t know. There are so many complications. I work for you, and I’m also maybe—”
“Knocked up by me?” Noah interjected with a disparaging grin. “Well, that’s the point of dating someone, to figure it out. Either way, you’re still going to keep working for the resort.”
“No matter what happens?” I asked, frowning. I hated that I needed the assurance.
“No matter what happens,” Noah nodded seriously. “Until you leave on your own accord. Maybe for a job with better benefits.”
“So, I’m not going to lose my job for needing time off to go to doctors appointments, or for being due in the middle of peak season?”
“Of course not.” It was Noah’s turn to frown, as if my question offended him deeply. “When are you due?”
“July nineteenth,” I answered.
He nodded. “Okay, that’s fine. We’ve got plenty of time to figure that out. And we will figure it out, Nell. I don’t want you worrying about anything.”
His earnest expression had me believing him. Noah’s words were a comforting blanket over me, spreading warmth through my system and helping me relax for the first time in weeks.
The rest of dinner passed by comfortably, the both of us settling into the ease of each other’s company. Noah kept the conversation light but interesting, asking me about my hobbies and my life back in Guelph, and regaling me with stories about some of the trouble he and his brothers had gotten into over the years.
I smiled a lot, enjoying the stories, even if they prodded at the bruised part of my heart—the long, ignored hurt of my parents’ indifference. It wasn’t Noah’s fault that he’d been brought up in a loving family, and I’d been brought up by duty and obligation.
I hadn’t heard from my parents since Christmas, although that wasn’t uncommon. Part of me was grateful that they were too involved in their own lives to check in because it meant that I didn’t have to dodge telling them about the pregnancy, but it still hurt.
After dinner, Noah walked me up the stairs to my door. We paused on the little deck, turning to face each other. He had an expectant, determined look on his face.
“I had an incredible time with you tonight, Nellie,” he told me, stepping closer and cupping my face in his hand.
“I had a good time, too,” I admitted, tracking his every movement.
“I’d like to take you out on another date.”
He swallowed, and I watched as his Adam’s apple bobbed. I fought the urge to press my lips to it.
“Okay,” I murmured as he moved in closer, his breath cascading over my lips. I was thankful we’d both sucked on mints on the drive home. But as soon as Noah kissed me, all worries about bad breath flew from my head.
It was a slow, tender kiss that I felt all the way to my toes. He took his time kissing me, following the subtle cues I didn’t even realize I was giving him. I parted my lips, allowing him entrance, and he deepened the kiss. My fingers gripped the lapels of his dress jacket, as if that would anchor me against the free falling sensation taking over.
It was a stark contrast to our hurried, drunken kisses the night we shared together, but somehow it was just as hot.
I felt the passion liquifying between us with each supple pass of his tongue against mine. At one point, I let out a quiet moan, unable to stop myself. I could feel Noah’s smile against my mouth.
