His hand brushed against hers on the rug and her whole body tingled. ‘I do remember, you know,’ he said. ‘I’ve often thought about our moment.’
Elle smiled. His gaze was intense, causing every hair on her body to stand on end.
‘Me too,’ she replied. The attraction between them was strong and clearly mutual, given that he was looking at her with such adoration. She wanted to embrace the tingling feeling flooding her body. She wanted him to kiss her just like he had done back then.
Noah moved a little closer, until they were mere inches apart. His lips lingered next to hers. Elle felt dizzy, her eyes locking with his before she dropped her gaze to his lips…
The moment was interrupted as his phone beeped and Noah slowly pulled away.
He read the text. ‘Damn it. I should currently be sitting down for a Sunday roast with the family.’
‘Double damn it.’ Elle wanted him to stay for longer.
‘I don’t want to go but I have to go. This conversation isn’t over though, Cooper.’
She pressed her lips tightly together to hide her smile and watched as he stood up and disappeared into the kitchen with his empty mug, which she heard him place next to the sink.
‘I was just thinking the same thing,’ she murmured when he was out of earshot.
Through the open door, Elle saw him hover by the kitchen table for a moment, and wondered what he was doing.
‘Cooper! You’ve still got it.’ He was now leaning against the kitchen door. In his hand was his business card, which had been pinned to the corkboard in the kitchen.
‘Why the hell did you never ring the number?’
His gaze met hers, and neither of them faltered. She stood up and he walked slowly towards her. She felt her heart racing. Elle had never felt desire like this before. No one had ever come close.
‘You have my number, so ring me. No excuses, and failing that…’ He tapped the card lightly on the end of her nose, then flipped it on to the table next to her phone.
‘Failing that, what?’ she asked, standing close to him.
‘Then I’ll see you at the library for my book signing. Do not let me down.’
‘I think I can make that; after all, I do work there,’ she replied, smiling.
‘It’s a date then,’ he replied.
‘A date,’ she repeated.
Tilting her face towards his, Noah pressed a soft kiss to her lips. ‘Until next time.’ He pulled away slowly and Elle watched the vision of loveliness disappear into the hallway. She followed him. As he opened the front door, he looked back over his shoulder and they grinned foolishly at each other. A moment later he was gone.
Once again, Noah Jones had knocked her off her feet.
ChapterThirty
Elle heard muffled shouting from the hallway as she bolted upright.
‘Elle, are you home?’ Pippa bounded into the living room and plonked herself down on the settee. ‘I’ve shouted for you twice! Who’s been having a sneaky kip in front of the fire?’ She grinned. ‘That’s a sign of old age, that is.’
‘What time is it?’ asked Elle. Once Noah had left, Elle had poured herself a glass of wine and snuggled down on the settee but must have dozed off soon after.
‘Five o’clock, and I’m ready for my roast. I’ve worked up a right appetite.’ Pippa grinned.
‘Your date went well then?’
‘Very well.’
‘I have bad news about the roast,’ Elle confessed guiltily.
