“But you want her to?”
He nodded.
“Then make it happen, and we’ll deal with whatever comes her way,” Newman said.
These were friends, Noah thought. Real ones, and it was humbling that with a word from him they’d do what was needed to make Lani safe.
“Thanks seems a bit inadequate, and yet thanks anyway.”
“Gotcha back, bud. I just hope you don’t need us,” Tex added.
They left then, and Noah cleaned up and then wandered around the lounge. Grabbing his keys minutes later, he let himself out the front door.
Chapter Thirty-One
Something woke Lani, and it wasn’t Buddy or Bandit. Letting herself out of bed, she hurried down the stairs. The knock came again.
“Lani, it’s me.”
“Noah?” Opening the door, she found him standing there. “What are you doing here at this hour? Is everything all right?”
“Yes, and I wanted to see you.”
Her heart did not just melt inside her chest. He looked rumpled, his long-sleeved T-shirt had a stain down the front, and she smelled pizza and beer on him.
“How did card night go?”
“Let me in and I’ll tell you.”
She shouldn’t, really shouldn’t. Standing back, she opened the door.
“I like your sleepwear.”
Lani felt everywhere his eyes traveled.
“It’s a T-shirt.”
“Who’d it belong to, because I’m not sure I want you wearing anyone else’s clothes.” His smile was slow and sexy, and the tension between them could be cut with a knife.
“My dad.”
“Okay, you can wear it.”
“You want some coffee?”
“No, I want you.”
She couldn’t find any words to answer that.
“Now, on that bench or upstairs in your bed, I’m not worried where.”
“I can’t believe you’re speaking that way.” Lani took a step back. He grabbed her hand and held her in place. “Noah, this is not a good idea.”
“Best one I’ve had in days, and I don’t want to fight this need I have for you anymore, Lani. Let me take you to bed.”
“You smell of beer and pizza, which tells me that you’re not thinking rationally.”
“My head is clear, and I know what I want.”
