He wrapped his arms around me the second we met, pulling me flush against his chest, his chin resting on the top of my head. His hands pressed firmly into my back, almost to the point of pain.
He exhaled, long and shakily, and held me a second longer before easing back. His hands slid up to cup my face, thumbs brushing under my eyes like he was checking for damage.
“I’m so sorry,” he said. “I should’ve called or explained. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“You didn’t,” I said, even though that wasn’t entirely true. “I trusted you’d explain when you could.”
His eyes flicked to Daniel, who had politely pretended to bedeeply invested in reorganizing the takeout containers. “Thank you,” Noah said sincerely. “For being here.”
Daniel straightened immediately. “Of course. Also, we have a business plan now. Like, a real one. Em is killing it.”
Noah’s brows lifted, surprise cutting through his exhaustion. “Yeah?”
I smiled despite myself. “I’ll tell you later.”
“Good,” he said, brushing a thumb along my jaw. “I want to hear all of it.”
Miles yawned loudly, collapsing back onto the couch. “I’m tired,” he announced, already halfway asleep again.
Noah chuckled and scooped him up without effort. “Let’s get you to bed.”
Watching him carry Miles down the hall, gentle and careful despite his size, settled something in my chest. When he came back out, Daniel gave me a look that saidyeah, okay, I get it now.
“I’m gonna crash,” Daniel said, grabbing his bag. “Oh my god. Is it okay if I crash here? I didn’t have a backup plan and assumed, but Em, did you ask if I could?”
Noah laughed, shaking his head. “Daniel, you can sleep here. I have an air mattress you can use if the couch doesn’t work.”
“Couch is perfect. Perfection.” Daniel gulped, closing his eyes as he shook his head. “Punch me, Em. I’m making a fool of myself.”
“Yeah, it’s really entertaining for me so not gonna stop you.”
Daniel groaned, earning another laugh from me, and I smiled, glancing toward Noah, who stared at me with an intense, almost reverent expression. My stomach fluttered at that look, and my tongue wet my lip when I stared down at my shirt.
It was his jersey.
“You need anything Daniel? I gotta chat with Noah for a bit.”
“Chat? Sure, sure. I’ll put my headphones on. Gochatall you want.”
Noah didn’t let me respond. He tugged the hem of my shirt and dragged me toward the hallway. “Now,” he whispered, pushing me up against the his bedroom wall and pressing his hips against mine. “I need to kiss you now.”
Noah didn’t give me time to overthink it. His mouth found mine with a hunger that felt earned, not rushed, like he’d been holding himself together all day and finally let go. The kiss was deep and full and unashamed, his hands sliding to my waist and holding me there like he needed to feel exactly where I was. I melted into him, the solid press of his body against mine sending heat straight through my chest.
He kissed me like he was relieved. Like every worry, every sharp edge from the day had finally found a place to settle down. My fingers curled into his shirt, tugging him closer, and he made a low sound that vibrated against my mouth, something raw and unfiltered. When he finally broke the kiss, it was only to rest his forehead against mine, both of us breathing hard, my pulse loud in my ears.
“I missed you,” he said quietly, like it was a confession and not a fact.
I didn’t answer with words. I kissed him again, slower this time, letting the moment stretch instead of ignite, my hands sliding up his chest, over his shoulders, memorizing the strength there.
He nudged the door shut with his foot and backed me against it, one hand braced beside my head, the other warm and steady at my hip. His mouth traced a path along my jaw, my cheek, the corner of my lips, like he was learning me all over again. I could feel the restraint in him, the way he was choosing control even as his hands explored, reverent instead of demanding.
When his fingers slid into my hair and tilted my face up, the kiss that followed was slower, deeper, full of intention. It wasn’t about urgency anymore. It was about connection, about being here together after everything the day had thrown at us.
He rested his forehead against mine again, eyes dark and focused, his thumb brushing along my cheek. “I know we need to talk, about a lot of things, but first…I played well today.”
“Hm.” I licked my lips, my face hot. “You played so well today. You were a beast, Noah. You were a force on the field.” I placed my hands on his shoulders, nudging him backward until he sat on the bed. “Good boy.”
He shuddered, his eyes fluttering shut as I slid out of my leggings and panties. I quickly undid my bra and threaded it through my sleeve, all while he watched me with those eyes. He stared at me like I was the most important thing in the world, and it was addicting. Thrilling. “Is this what you wanted, Noah? Me wearing your jersey?”
