“You look nice.” He quickly looked away again, grabbing his flashlight. “Okay, so if anything happens through the night, call me. I’ll keep the phone by my bed.”
He was killing her softly. “Okay, sounds good. And thanks for coming so quickly.” She saw him out the back door.
“Happy to help.” He turned back, the light from the moon highlighting his silhouette.
She watched him fade into the dark landscape. Now it was like something out of a horror movie.
Dahlia ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. She had to remind herself that not all stories ended with happily ever after; to her knowledge, most didn’t. The single life sounded really good right about now. I mean, Lil had always seemed happy.
Harry barked as if he agreed. “You are so smart; you know that?” She nuzzled her nose into his.
Dahlia walked back in and locked the door. She pulled candles from the pantry and tried to find the LED lantern Lil had bought years back when she attempted to camp under the stars with Daisy. Dahlia was on her tippy-toes when she heard a knock at the screen door. Her heart swelled. Maybe he’d come to his senses.
She ran down the steps like an eager teenager and opened it.
“I forgot my toolbox,” he said, gently pushing his way in.
“Oh.” Her heart sank.
“And something else.”
“Your jacket?”
“Not quite, Dimples.” Noah eased her against the cedar shake wall. With each step, she melted into his well-built frame. The body contact left her blood singing. But it was more than that. She was safe in his presence, in his hold. To her, that was everything. The force of his Caribbean blues captured her soul. His gaze was deep and unending, as if he saw right through her. Through to her memories, some that were heavy and painful, and yet he wanted to stay anyway. He brushed her hair off her face and smiled. Dahlia’s heart felt like it was going to burst open.
The moon cast just enough light to see every beautiful curve and ridge of his face. She imprinted it in her mind and filed it underTake My Breath Away Moments.
“You have the most beautiful heart-shaped lips. You know that?” he whispered. His face was so close she could hear the gentle tempo of his breath.
“I do?” She looked up at him, searching his eyes.
“Can I kiss them?” he asked with a soft, unwavering tone.
Was this actually happening? Noah Sterling, reality TV star, wanted to kiss the girl next door. This was a moment she’d wanted with every fiber of her being. She felt weightless, like petals floating in the wind.
“Yes.” Her entire body wilted into his touch, hoping she remembered how to do this.
He took her lips between his, and she was a swooning bubble of bliss. Noah kissed Dahlia like no man ever had. His lips were pillowy and plump, and his mustache surprisingly gentle. He teased her mouth, and then with one slip of his tongue, all bets were off. Her body flooded with warmth. He stole her air and her will. Their lips moved in sync, like a dance between old lovers. At that moment, all she wanted to do was surrender to this all-encompassing feeling and shed every piece of armor she’d ever worn.
Noah slid his hands around her lower back and brought her hips to his. Dahlia could feel the heat from his body as she drew closer. The whiff of his perspiration made every microcosm of her skin tingle and her toes curl. It was a mix of sawdust, sea salt, and musk. She’d never known explosive feelings like this existed. Maybe she wasn’t so dead inside after all.
Dahlia could feel how firm he was. His hard zipper grazed her skin, but she didn’t care. She was ready to tear off her clothes and give herself to him. At that moment, she craved nothing more than to make love to him under the stars on Lil’s porch.
He cupped her face as his lips slowly released from hers. “I’ve wanted to do that for so long.”
“You have?” Dahlia’s pulse quickened, wanting more of his beautiful mouth and chestnut whiskers. Their eyes connected with what little light was left, and she anchored her fingers inside the top of his jeans.
“God, yes. Every time I was close to you.” He leaned his forehead on hers. “But I need to take this slow. Are you okay with that?”
Dahlia reached for his hand. “Noah, I like you, and I don’t need more time. But if you do, it’s okay.” Even though Dahlia wanted this thing between them to start yesterday, she wanted it to be right for both of them.
With that kiss came an innate urge to confess her age. He trusted her, and she felt guilty. There was a possibility that if he knew how old she was, he wouldn’t want her the way he did. Her eyes darted around the room, trying to orchestrate the right words for the age announcement. Butnotthe Daisy announcement. That was off the table; she wasn’t ready for that. She wasn’t done reliving her twenties again. The truth wasn’t any match for her freedom—not yet, anyway.
“Hey, Noah, how old do you think I am?”
“I don’t know. My age, I guess.” His soft lips roamed the nape of her neck.
“It never crossed your mind?” She was regretting this already. What if this was a deal breaker? It was better she knew sooner than later before she became more emotionally and physically invested.
