She was rubbing her foot. “Let me take a look.”
“No. It’s okay, I’ll be fine.”
“Lani. I’m double your weight and stepped on you. Let me look.”
She scooted back, clutching her jar of peanut butter.
“Hungry?”
She nodded.
“You should try some bread with that.”
She nodded again, watching him as he followed her and grabbed her ankle.
“Wh-what are you doing?”
“Checking I didn’t hurt you.” He unlaced her ugly boot. Stripping off the sock, he looked at the red mark on the top of her foot.
“Ouch.”
“It’s okay. Nothing damaged.” She tried to tug her foot out of his grip, but Noah held tight, then ran his hand up her calf.
“You never wear shorts.”
“I-I went walking. Jeans are too hot.”
“So, is the peanut butter helping? I remember you saying that was a favorite food of yours and how it gave you clarity when you had things to work through.”
“Ah, not today. I just wanted to walk after work and needed to stop for a snack.”
“Liar.”
She tried to tug her foot free, but he simply tightened his grip.
“Noah.” His name was a sigh.
“Lani.” Her name sounded like a ragged plea from his lips.
Chapter Nineteen
She couldn’t breathe. His eyes were fierce as they held hers, and suddenly her body was flooded with heat. Need clenched in her stomach, and she wanted to reach out and grab him. He was sweaty, clothes old and ripped, and so hot her mouth watered.
“Wh-where have you been?” If she talked, maybe she could keep these feelings inside her at bay.
“Playing ball with the guys.” The words were harsh, his breathing rapid.
“I… ah, I’m not good at that.”
His hands were stroking her skin, sending heat waves through her body. “I thought we moved past that at Rose’s birthday, and actually you were quite good with the ball.”
His fingers on her calf sent little tingles through her body.
“That was just once. I-I… a lucky break.”
“So we’ll have to play again.” His voice was deep and sinful.
“Noah, we shouldn’t.” She couldn’t ignore what he was doing to her any longer, because the heat was licking through her now. “Remember what we d-decided…. Oh, Lord.” His hand traveled up, thumb stroking inward, touching the cotton of her panties. Soclose. She tingled as if he’d touched her there. Lani couldn’t seem to pull away, craved the contact, his touch, and the feeling of being close to him.
