He shrugs."That's the nicest thing I could come up with.Never met the motherfucker so far as I can remember, but I'd like two minutes alone in a locked room with him."
“To do what?"I ask, eyebrow arched.
His expression is granite."Unpleasant things, Morgan."
I cup his jaw."Noah, I'm not sure if you're joking or not, but please hear me when I say that I wouldneverwant that.Suffice it to say that I dated a man before Kevin who was…violent.With others mostly, but with me sometimes."I cover his mouth."It was a different lifetime and I'm fine, but even if Kevin was to show up one day, and even if he was talking shit to my face, I wouldn't want you to use violence against him unless it was absolutely necessary and there was no other solution.You're not that man, and I don't want you to be."
Noah nods."I understand.I'm sorry.I'd never—"
"You'd protect me—you want to protect me.And that feelssogood, Noah.More so than I can even say.Just…don't be like that, okay?Please?For me?”
Another nod."You have my word."He closes his eyes, sighing."I'm sorry, Morgan.I just…I can't handle the shit that man did to you.It makes me so angry."
"Instead of being angry," I say, scratching my fingernails along his jawline, "focus on helping me replace all that old painful stuff with new memories."
“Like this morning?"
I lean in, lift on my toes."Yes, Noah.This morning has gone a very long way toward helping me heal."I nip his lower lip playfully."I think I just need more of your medicine."
He growls, squeezing my bottom and then carving his hands up my back before cupping my face and kissing me deeply.When he pulls away, it's only enough to whisper."That I can do."
"Good.Now go get ready.I'll see myself out."
"No you won't."He indicates the coffeepot.“You'll stay as long as you want.Have another cup of coffee.Take a shower."
"Another time, when you can stay with me.For now, I should get home."I pause, look down at my feet."I'll try to sort my head and heart out, and hopefully, next time we see each other, I'll have the emotional space to get into my whole thing about…y'know.What you wanted to do."I put my hand on his chest."Right now, I just…I want to focus on the amazing time I've had with you.I want to just be happy.I…Ireallylike you.I really care about you.And I really,reallywant to spend more time with you.Both clothed and naked."
He gazes at me with obvious affection."We can drop that topic forever, if you want.I don't want you to have to dredge up old wounds if they're better left in the past."
I shake my head."Just…give me time, on that."I lift and kiss him quickly."There are lots of other ways we can make each other feel good, in the meantime, right?For now, you need to rinse off and get to work."I turn him by the shoulders and push him toward his bedroom, spanking his ass as he walks away."Call me?"
"Every five minutes?"he teases.
"When you're done working, dork.Don't let me be a distraction."
“Too late for that," he says, winking at me over his shoulder."All I do is think about you."He pauses in the doorway.“I'll text you when I can.”
He and his delectable backside vanish into his room, and a moment later I hear the shower going.I wish I could get in with him, but I know I can't.
I gather my very scattered clothing from various places around the room.I tug my thong on—and to be honest, I'll be glad to have real panties on because this butt-floss business is…just no.
I see Noah's phone on the island and decide that since I'm apparently going all in with Noah, I may as well keep having fun.I open his front-facing camera and before I can think better of this impulsive decision, I snap a series of topless selfies for him in a few different poses.I feel silly and dumb while taking them, but when I go back and swipe through the photos, I feel like I look okay enough.Which I hope to god means he'll find them hot.I plug his phone in, since he fell asleep last night before doing so, and then finish dressing.
It feels weird to just leave like this, but I already said goodbye.The reality is, I just don't want to leave.
I force myself out the door and to my car, let Cherry warm up, and head home.
Found your surprise just now.
It's twelve hours later, and this is the first I've heard from him.Not that I'm surprised or upset—it's his job, and it has to come first, no matter what.
Hopefully in private.
Yes.Now I just have to hope we don't get a call, because I'm gonna need a minute before I can walk.Or stand up.
How's the shift?
Busy but okay.Mostly a lot of weird minor stuff, thankfully.Better not say anything else or I'll jinx us.
