“What do you see when you look at me, Noah?” I ask, my words barely a whisper.
I open my eyes and look at him to encourage him to answer.
“I see a beautiful, strong, courageous woman, who I’m finding harder to resist every time I see her.”
His breathing grows harder, like he’s in physical pain.
“What do you want, Tor?” I don’t answer, and he presses his forehead to mine. “What are you trying to do to me?”
“I want to feel something,” I admit.
I need to feel something other than grief or sadness. I want to feel safe enough to welcome in something that isn’t thosefeelings, and he’s the only one in this world that makes me feel safe.
“Tell me what you need, darlin’.”
Darlin’. There’s that name again.
If my heart wasn’t racing already, it sure as hell is now.
My hands drift up his body and land on his chest just as his palms land on my waist. My body lights up with a feeling that I haven’t felt in a long time. Excitement? Need? I can’t be sure, but this feels different: new, exciting, and I want to see where it could lead.
“I want to be touched; I want to be wanted again. I want… you,” I confess, the words falling out with such ease. His body stiffens, and his hands tighten on my hips, and I know I’ve pushed it too far. I step back and cover my mouth with my hand as shame and embarrassment wash over me.
“I’m sorry. I-I don’t know why I just said that. Please forget it. I didn’t mean it, I…” I avoid looking at him and attempt to escape to my bedroom, but he snatches my wrist and pulls me back.
I brace myself for his rejection, for him to tell me how wrong and inappropriate it would be for us to cross that line, but seeing his chest heave and the fire, no, the hunger in his blue eyes, hope blooms in my chest.
“Please don’t run,” he begs. “Do you have any idea how long I have waited to hear you say those words?”
I stand frozen, feet glued to the floor. I don’t think I could run even if I tried.
“So please, please don’t tell me you didn’t mean it.” I can feel his pain and anguish radiating from his body. I sense the battle of morals he’s having. This is wrong, but so right.
“Noah, please.” My words are breathy and short, and the knot in my stomach is curled so tight I feel ready to burst.
“What,’ darlin? Tell me what you want.”
I bite down on the inside of my cheek and battle with myself.Come on, Victoria. It’s now or never. Either take what you want or walk away.
“What do you need, Tori?”
I swallow hard, raising my hands to cup his face and whisper, “You.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Noah
You.
I let the word register. One word, three little letters that have so much power they shatter my resolve and change my world.
She wants me. I have been waiting for what feels like a lifetime for her to say those words.
I crash my mouth down on hers and devour her, taking every piece she’s willing to give me and savoring it in case she runs again or the guilt gets to us both. It should feel wrong, but when I lift her into my arms, her slender legs wrap around my waist, and I carry her to the bed, it feels like the most natural thing in the world.
I can’t fuck this up, I can’t rush this. She’s been through enough. If this is what she needs, I’ll give it all to her. I’ll worry about my guilt tomorrow. I think I’d do just about anything tomake her happy, even if it meant hurting myself in the process. She is worth it. She is worth all of it.
I place her down at the foot of the bed.
