Finally, he says, “No. Is that bad?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t decided yet.”
He shovels another bite of pancake into his mouth, a bit of syrup clinging to his lips.
Before I can even think about it, I reach over and wipe it off with my thumb, then suck the digit right between my lips.
Noah watches my every move, his nostrils flaring, eyes darkening.
Then he’s kissing me.
I have no idea where it comes from or why it comes, but it’s happening, and I’m kissing him back. In public. With all my aunts and grandmother and mother just a few blocks away. Where anyone can catch us.
Just as quickly as it begins, it’s over, and Noah’s back to eating his breakfast like nothing happened. Like I don’t now taste like sticky-sweet syrup and vanilla pancakes, just like he does.
I touch my lips, trying to relieve the tingle I feel. “What was that for?”
He lifts a shoulder. “Wanted to.”
And that’s all he says.
We sit in silence as he finishes his breakfast. When he returns from tossing it in the trash, he plops down next to me, taking Pork from my hands.
The kitten snuggles against his chest, and I have to squeeze my legs together for the second time today.
“What happened last night?” The words burst out of me, almost like they’ve been begging to come out all morning.
“We had sex.”
I huff out a laugh. “Yes, I amwellaware of that, Noah.”
He swallows hard, and I wonder if he’s recalling his words from last night.
I’m going to make sure you know I was inside you for days to come.
I’m going to know, that’s for sure.
“I guess I meant, where do we go from here?”
“I don’t know.” He drags a hand through hair that felt so good between my fingers last night and squints up at the sun. “I won’t lie and say I never want it to happen again.”
His honesty is refreshing, and something I didn’t quite expect.
“It shouldn’t.”
Another honest statement.
“But I really fucking want it to.” He looks at me. “I’m not a forever kind of guy, though. I’ve been married before and don’t want to do that again.”
“I’m not looking for marriage either.”
He lifts his brows. “That’s a bold statement for a woman who plans weddings.”
I shrug. “I gave up on that dream a long time ago.”
“Let me guess—the curse?”
“The curse,” I confirm.
