And then he lifted his arms in a long stretch, causing the hem of his shirt to rise, baring that sliver of skin I’d been lucky enough to glimpse before, and then a little more than a sliver.
Just below his abs, the faint V-shaped lines cut in deep, disappearing beneath the waistband of his jeans like some kind of anatomical treasure map.
The Adonis belt. That’s what it was called.
I’d seen it on fitness models—a few thirst traps.
Leo was lean, but he’d been soft around the middle.
But Noah…
I’d always believed my catnip was forearms but…uh. I might need to rethink that. There were just so many parts of Noah to drool over…
My stomach did a small pirouette. I couldn’t look away.
Why would I?
He caught me looking.
Of course, he did.
But instead of saying something smug, he just tipped his head, his eyes suddenly burning.
“Great scenery up here,” he said casually, like we were talking about the trees.
“Mmm.” I nodded, too fast. “Very, uh…scenic.”
His smile curled slowly at the edges, and it hit me—he knew exactly what he was doing.
I liked it. Maybe too much.
“I forgot I could do this,” I murmured.
“You forgot you could flirt, Faraday?”
I blinked. “Um…it’s been a while.”
He smiled. “So you are flirting.”
“Am I?” I totally was.
“Whatever it is,” he said. “Don’t stop.”
Sweet cream and cinnamon toast, what is happening?
“Come on, Dr. Grady. We don’t have all day.”
He just chuckled and gestured for me to lead the way again.
It was something Leo had never really done. I mean, I’d always found myself following him, hurrying to keep up.
I let the thought go, not wanting to ruin what was quickly becoming my favorite day of the trip. I started up the path again, the sound of rushing water growing louder with each step, clear now that we were getting closer to the falls.
“Careful here,” Noah said, reaching out before I went sliding over a little slick patch. His hand found the small of my back—hot, deliberate.
“I’m good,” I said quickly, but I didn’t move away.
He didn’t either.
