He beams at me. “Good.” A beat, and then, “That’s really good.”
Before I can put my phone back down, the screen lights up again. This time, it’s Doug. And he wants to know when I’m coming back to work.
Take as much time as you need,he says.But we miss you. Whenever you’re ready, just let me know.
I glance up from my phone to look at Webb. “Doug wants to know when I’m coming back to work.” My heart skitters before settling. “I think… I’m going to tell him next week.”
Webb frowns. “Are you sure, Noelle? That seems soon. Maybe you should take some more time to just… decompress. There’s no rush, really, is there?”
“Well, if I’d like to pay the rent on my apartment, there is,” I reply lightly. “And even though it’s scary, I want things to get back to normal again.”
“I don’t want anyone bothering you, though.” He thinks for a second. “I guess… if you really want to go back, I can move my schedule around so I can go with you. I can sit at the counter, bring my laptop… and if I can’t go, I’m sure one of the guys would be happy to.”
“Webb. I don’t need protection to wait tables. Ken’s—” My pulse skitters again. “He’s gone. The only thing I have to worry about are some rude comments. And?—”
“I won’t allow it,” he interrupts. “Anyone who says anything inappropriate shouldn’t be allowed in the diner.” His forehead pinches. “I’ll speak to Doug about it.”
“You don’t need to do that,” I protest. “I can handle it.”
“But I want to.”
Looking at Webb’s determined expression, my heart goes all oozy again. Is he being overly protective? Yes. But I know why. And I love him for it.
Which is why my tongue suddenly loosens, and I blurt, “I love you.”
Webb’s face jerks in surprise. “What?”
“I love you. Not falling, but all the way there.” Threading my fingers between his, I add, “I love how you’re so protective of me. I love how thoughtful you are. I love how I feel when I’m with you, like I’ve finally found my other half. And I even love this little crease on your cheek—” With my free hand, I trace my finger down it. “I love all of you, Webb. It’s okay if you’re not there yet?—”
He stands abruptly, then lifts me off the stool and into his embrace. His mouth crashes down on mine and he kisses me hard. When he lifts his head to look at me, fire sparks in his eyes. “I love you, Noelle. Every single thing about you. I love you so much, sometimes I don’t know if I have room for all of it.”
Then he sets me on the edge of the counter, so my face is level with his. “Now it makes sense why I never wanted a relationship before. Somehow, my heart knew you were out there. I just needed to wait to find you.”
“Webb.”
“It’s true.” Intensity burns in his gaze. “I love you so damn much, Noelle. I might not be the most romantic, and I know I can get overprotective?—”
“I like it. Because I know it’s because you care.”
“I do.” Webb drags me to the edge of the counter, and I spread my legs so there’s room for him between them. He dips his mouth to mine. “I care. With all my heart.”
“So do I.” Then I kiss him back.
As the kiss deepens, I feel Webb’s erection prodding at my core. It’s hard. Thick. Insistent.
My body opens for him, the inner muscles squeezing in anticipation. My panties grow damp. Desire coils deep inside me, then unfurls, its heat spreading through my body.
Webb reaches beneath my sleep shirt to plump my bare breast in his hand. He rolls my nipple between his fingers, then plucks at it lightly. I arch my back, thrusting my body towards him.
His other hand splays across the small of my back, pulling me flush against him. My hips thrust instinctively, seeking him out, desperate to feel him inside me.
“Noelle,” Webb groans. He switches to my other breast, playing with my nipple until I’m moaning with pleasure. My inner walls convulse around nothing. I rub myself against his length, already feeling myself getting close to the edge. I hitthat spot, the one that sends electric sparks shooting through my body.
“Webb.” My voice hardly sounds like me. It’s hoarse. Throaty. Needy. “I want you.Now.”
Webb lifts his head from my neck, where he’s been nibbling at the sensitive spot just beneath my jaw. His eyes flare with heat. “That can be arranged.”
When he starts to lift me, I push against his shoulders to stop him. He freezes, then looks at me in confusion. “Noelle?”
