Though I’d held all other sexual experiences and men up to the standard of that kiss at the beginning of my teenage years, Noah’s kiss was not the same as the one from that long-ago night.
This was the kiss of man. A man who knew what he wanted. Who had no fear of repercussions. The kiss of a man who held nothing back in an effort to protect himself, while stripping away every one of my defenses.
This was a kiss that told me I’d never been kissed before.
I sank into it, joining with him as surely as if he moved inside me.
SOMETIME LATER,long enough that a cool breeze moved over the water, our lips parted and Noah pulled back, leaving my cheek longing for the warmth of his skin. As he readjusted, he moved closer, making our thighs rest together. Taking his hand from behind my back and grasping my hand, he let them rest together where our legs met.
“How’d you find me?”
Yeah. That was the question I came up with after the man of my dreams kissed me and the world moved. A question better suited for Google Maps than romance.
Noah didn’t seem to mind. “I saw you slip off into the trees. I followed.” Another playful smile. “I’d apologize, but you don’t seem like you mind.”
I snorted a laugh—a sadly accurate description. “I definitely don’t mind.”
He shrugged. “Well, you hadn’t called or texted, so I figured I needed to follow to find out how Harper is doing.”
This time my laugh came out in a bark. “Oh. Of course. Harper. This must be the greeting you give during all adoption follow-ups.”
“Not all of them. I’m rarely seated on a dock in Lake Washington.”
“Oh. Glad I could mix things up for you, then.” I started to say something else, something cheeky or clever, but was distracted watching his thumb move over the back of my hand.
“So is it going well?”
“Hmm?” I looked back up, meeting his eyes.
“Is Harper doing okay?”
“Oh, Harper. Right.” I cleared my throat. “Oh yeah. She’s great. She’s great. I’m totally in love with the ugly little freak.”
“Good. I thought you would be.” He shifted his hand so he could interlace his fingers with mine. “So now that’s covered… that guy you were with tonight. I heard someone say you’d been dating for a few months. Didn’t look like it to me, but I figure I should make sure.”
Fucking Stewart and his “we’ve been dating for five months” bullshit. I started to let Noah know that was exactly what it was, bullshit, but another thought crossed my mind instead. “You ask that after you kiss me.”
“Like I said, it didn’t look like you two were together to me.”
“And if we are?”
He shrugged. “You won’t be anymore.”
Another bark of laughter. “Wow. Not sure if that’s arrogance or supreme confidence.”
“Oh, sorry. I don’t mean it that way.” Noah looked abashed. “So are you? Are you together?”
I shook my head. “No. Definitely not.”
“Good. Plus that pretty sister-in-law of yours told me that guy was an escort.” His grin widened as I groaned.
“Oh for fuck—he’s not an escort either. He’s just a… a friend.”
“I’m glad.” He turned from me and looked out at the water. “This is an amazing spot. Beautiful.” He glanced at me quickly, then away once more. “Perfect place for our first kiss together again.”
Even as I spoke, I wanted to strangle myself. “Seriously. Are you always this self-assured? I feel like I’m with Don Juan or something.”
He smirked. “Don Juan? Why him?”
