Changed.
Something has just changed between us–something elemental–and I ponder that as we shudder and shake together, coming back down from our mutual release.
Noah collapses over me but then quickly catches himself, pulling out and dropping to the rug beside me to avoid crushing my belly. He rolls onto his back and lets out a contented sigh, reaching for my hand. He interlocks our fingers and then gives a quick squeeze. When I turn my head to look at him his eyes are glassy, his expression dazed.
We lay there, basking in the peace of the moment. I feel sated and sleepy. After a while, though, Noah’s relaxed expression morphs into one of concern. His eyes clear and his brows pull together. That little frowny line reappears.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
He expels a breath. “I’m a little worried about the baby. I think maybe I was too rough with you.”
He wasn’t gentle, that’s for sure, but Ilovedbeing manhandled by him.
I roll my eyes. “Don’t tell me you haven’t already researched this to death, because we both know you have, andIknow thatyouknow it’s completely safe.”
“Still though …”
“No. Noah, no,” I say. “I’m fine and the baby is fine.”
“How can you tell?”
“I just can, okay? Everything’s fine, so don’t ruin the moment.” I flick at his nipple with my finger and he jerks.
“Oh-kaaay,” he replies, drawing out the word.
“Okay,” I repeat and my lips tilt up in a soft smile.
Then he reaches for me.
“Come here, kitten,” he murmurs, and I curl happily into his side, tucking my face into the warm skin of his neck and inhaling deeply. He wraps an arm around me and proceeds to rub my back in soothing circles as though I’m the one that needs reassurance.
I thought I liked it when he called me kitten during sex–he’d done it the first time on the beach too–but in this context, it’s even sweeter. It’s a term of endearment, and it signifies the change in our relationship to me more than any other one thing. More than the recent moments we’ve shared or the incredible sex we just had.
No one’s ever given me a pet name before.
I guess I never let anyone get close enough for that, not really. I’ve always prided myself on my fearlessness … or at least on coming across that way to others … but the truth is I’ve kept people–men–at a distance because I was afraid. Afraid to be that kind of vulnerable, to truly let someone in only for them to leave just like my parents did.
Surprisingly, though, with Noah, there’s no fear. In fact, I’m tickled at the thought that we’ve reached this point in our relationship.
Is that what this is now? A relationship?
I think so. I’m finally able to admit that that’s what I want, and it feels like that’s what has just happened. Oddly enough, I don’t feel the need to discuss it with Noah. I’ll probably pick it apart later with Piper, but for right now? What we just did? Whatever that was that passed between us? It doesn’t need to be spoken about. I tilt my head back and gaze into his warm brown eyes once more. I see it there. The declaration we’ve just made, our commitment to each other.
He nods, almost imperceptibly, as though he knows exactly what I’m thinking.
“You’re alluding to my feline grace, no doubt, when you call me that,” I say quietly, breaking the spell between us. He presses a soft kiss to my forehead before pulling me in closer.
“I was thinking more so of your wildcat ways, but sure, let’s go with that,” he responds. With his chin now resting on my head I can’t see his face, but I hear the smile in his voice.
And as I drift off to sleep in his arms, I smile too.
CHAPTER 15
NOAH
Twenty Weeks
“You missed the turn.”
