"I love you, Noah," I answer, “I fucking love you, Noah.”
We come together again, moving in sync, breathing in unison, our movements desperate and wild, a symphony of skin against skin and a song of sighs and screams.
When it's finally over, he lets me down and slips out of me with a groan, and then immediately drops to a knee, breath rasping in his throat.
And instead of immediately rising to his feet, Noah stays on his knees in front of me, and he tongues my hypersensitive clit, jerking a cry from me…and again, and then licking in quick small circles, and I utterly collapse, coming on a sob of shock—how can he make me come so easily?It takes me forever to reach orgasm on my own, and yet Noah gets me there almost instantly.
It's my turn to hit my knees as the orgasm wrenches the last dregs of strength from my legs, and I fall into him, wrap my arms around him as the hot water beats on us like a scalding rain.
When we can move again, we spend forever in the shower together, washing each other, kissing, touching…just enjoying each other without hurry or intent.
When we emerge from the bathroom wrapped in thick towels, the clock on the stove reads half an hour until Mallory's curfew.
"I need to get home," I tell Noah."As much as I’d rather stay here."
He brushes a thumb over my lips."I know.Let’s get dressed, and I'll take you home."
I put my leggings back on but not my panties, and then the rest of my clothes, stuffing my underwear into my purse.
The ride back to my house is as quiet as the way here, but now the silence is peaceful, easy.
Sitting in my driveway, I mentally battle against the urge to invite him in."Noah, this part is confusing for me."
"Talk to me," he says.
"I want to invite you in."I look at him."I meant what I said—I'm in love with you."
"I meant it too," he answers.
"I just…I'm not sure if I'm ready to have you stay the night yet."
He shakes his head, cupping my jaw.“It's okay.There's no rush.That's a big step, especially for Mallory."
I laugh."Oh, she's told me she'd be okay with it as long as you're mostly dressed when she comes down for breakfast."I sigh."It's me who's not sure about it.I…" The laughter fades fast as my feelings bubble over."I want this to be good between us.To be…right."
"Me too, obviously."
"Is it crazy to say I love you to each other but to not be ready to sleep over with you?"
He shakes his head again."No, it's not.I get it.And yeah, I don't mind admitting that I'd love to wake up next to you, but…when you're ready, sweetheart.Not a second before."
Headlights rake across the lawn as a car turns onto my street and approaches the driveway—Mallory coming home a few minutes early.
"I should go," I say, my tone reluctant."I don't want to."I scrub my face."God, I'm confusing myself."
He kisses me, quick and soft.“It’s okay.We take this at your pace.Iunderstand, Morgan.Go be with your girl.We'll see each other soon."
I nod, dart in for one last kiss."Thank you, Noah.Thank you for the best night of my entire life."
"The first of many, I hope."
"I hope so, too."
I force myself out of the car and inside; Mallory is right behind me, waving to Noah from the front door as he backs out.
She eyes me as we put our coats, boots, and bags in the mudroom."Why'd he leave?"She flicks a glance at my damp hair."And your hair is wet…why?"
Clearing my throat, I shrug a little and head into the kitchen."How was the movie?"
