Noah pressed a small, light kiss to the corner of my lips. It was barely there, easy to pretend he hadn’t done it at all, if I truly wanted. But, at that simple touch, my stomach filled with butterflies.
“I love you, Asher.” Another kiss, this one on my jaw.
“Uh...love you, too?”
Why the hell was my mind so confused? None of this made sense.
While Noah should be running away from me, he was pressing closer.
With wide eyes, all I could do was sit there like some fool. My thoughts were mudded, making things worse. My reactions were slow, so when Noah’s lips landed on mine, I could only breathe. Then, a second time, just a tiny bit harder. Then, when his eyes met mine for a split second Noah’s eyes were filled with determination.
The next time his lips met mine, it was hard. Demanding.
My body went with the motion, all thoughts officially leaving my brain as his lips pressed into my own like they were the last bit of fresh air either of us would ever have.
My arms wrapped around Noah, pulling him halfway into my lap. He went willingly, chasing my lips the entire time.
He was warm, soft, and so much very Noah.
One hand cupped my face, the side that he had slapped, holding me to him as I leaned back against the edge of the couch.
Too soon, Noah pulled back, out of breath but with lighter eyes.
“Hi?”
Yeah, I think he stole my voice. I just blinked.
“Daddy?” Noah called, a bit louder and with a small giggle mixed in. “I think I broke him.”
Chapter 47
I didn’t utter a word as Noah all but dragged me to the bathroom. There, Beckett took over, positioning me in front of the toilet and helping to undo my pants. I closed my eyes, not wanting to think about the fact that he was, once again, helping me pee.
Only when the toilet flushed did I reopen my eyes, just in time for Beckett to step back and lead me to the sink.
The meds were slowly kicking in as Noah kneeled, pulling my pants off and slipping my sleep pants up over my feet and up against my hips.
“Arms up.” My shirt came off, and I shook my head at the replacement one Noah held. “Okay. Bedtime, Ashie.”
Like I’d argue against that idea. Okay, maybe if it was an hour ago, I would have.
“No more pills, No-No.” I had to make sure he understood that. I didn’t even need the one he had given me to begin with. I’d have been fine.
“You panicked twice, Asher,” Beckett answered my unspoken thoughts. “I said you needed one, but as long as you keep calm and level headed, I’ll try to not have you take another. Plus, it was only half of one right now.”
Just because he was right didn’t mean I had to like it.
“Half?”
“Yes. Only half. After the last time...I didn’t want a repeat of you that far gone.”
I nodded, crawling into the bed on my normal side, knowing Noah would curl up against me once I settled.
I was sure no one wanted a repeat of the last time. It wasn’t worth fighting over anyway.
Once I found my normal spot on my pillow, Noah slid up against me, just like I expected. His head was on my chest, a leg wrapped around my own. I was pretty sure that Beckett was the one who pulled one of the blankets up over the both of us, but my eyes were already sliding closed.
Two panic attacks in a day was more than enough to knock me out, yet my mind still raced.
