“Thank you,” I tell him as we walk into the building. I’m about to hand him a twenty when Noelle stops me.
Then she reaches into her purse and pulls out two hundred-dollar bills. As she hands Reginald the money, she says softly, “Maybe you can use this to take her to another show.”
He blinks in surprise. “Ms. Snow? Are you sure?”
She nods. “I’m sure.”
Once we’re alone in the elevator, I turn to Noelle and say, “I could have given him the money. You didn’t have to pay for it yourself.”
“I know. But you’re already paying for the hotel. Which Iknowis expensive. And the musical, and all our meals…”
“Noelle.” I tug her into my arms. Now that we’re back in the hotel, I feel slightly more at ease. Not as much as I will in our hotel room, where I’ve added supplemental security on top of what’s already there, but I’ll take an elevator over the crowded city streets. “I know we haven’t talked much about money. But I don’t want you worrying about it. Okay? When I served, my expenses weren’t much, so I was able to save a lot. And working for Blade and Arrow, I get paid well, plus there’s no rent. So I can afford to take you to a nice hotel. Or Europe. Or Antarctica. Wherever you want to go.”
“Antarctica?”
“If you wanted.”
Noelle gazes at me, a small smile teasing her lips. “I’m not sure about Antarctica. But Europe might be nice one day. I’ve always wanted to experience London theater.”
I make a mental note to look into trips to London right away. “Sounds good to me.”
As the elevator rises, Noelle leans against me. Her hand slides into my pocket. “I’m really looking forward to meeting your friends after this,” she says. “First Jackson in Sleepy Hollow, then Gage in Vermont. I bet they have lots of great stories about you.”
Chuckling, I reply, “They’ve got stories alright. Not sure they’re ones I want you to hear, though.”
“About playboy Webb?” she teases.
Maybe five years ago, Jackson and Gage would have. But they’re both in serious relationships now, so theyshouldknow what’s appropriate to say to my girlfriend.
Still. Maybe I’ll text them. Just to be safe.
“Embarrassing stories, more likely. It’s kind of a tradition whenever one of us finally settles down. You should have heard the stories Rafe told Bea about Indy.”
“Like Windy Indy?”
I chuckle. “Worse. And when you meet my mom…” I shake my head. “Expect to see naked baby pictures. I’m sure she’s got them all ready for our visit.”
When we leave New York two days from now, the plan is to head north to Sleepy Hollow to visit with the Blade and Arrow team there, then up to Vermont to introduce Noelle to Gage and his security team, and after that, we’re driving down to Scranton to visit my mom and brother. And even though I already talked to my mom about what kinds of photos are appropriate to show Noelle, I have a suspicion some of the naked baby pictures will sneak in.
“Oh, I can’t wait to see all your baby pictures. I bet you were so cute. This little towheaded boy with a cowlick on top of his head?—”
“Hey. I don’t have a cowlick.” I smooth my hair. “Do I?”
“No.” Noelle stretches up to kiss me. “No cowlicks.”
Then she wriggles her hand in my pocket, nudging the side of my dick. It jerks. Throbs. Her lids lower, so she’s looking up at me through her lashes. Her voice goes husky. “You know what I’d rather see right now, though?”
I glance at the elevator control pad, checking to see how close we are to our floor. “What?”
“You. Naked.” Noelle moves in front of me. Then she takes her hand from my pocket and cups my erection. “I’dreallylike to see you naked. On that giant bed the size of Alaska. And you know what else I’d like?”
Splaying my hand across her back, I pull her close. “What?”
Her voice dips to a husky whisper. “I’d like to try something…different.”
My body jumps to high alert, but it’s not from the threat of danger. As Noelle lightly strokes my erection through my pants, desire surges. Lowering my mouth to the sensitive skin just beneath her ear, I ask huskily, “Whatkindof different?”
She gives my dick a gentle squeeze. “Well. I thought…”
