Page 130 of Whispered Promises

Picking up another towel, I start to dry my hair.

Nate turns, lifts the toilet lid, and grips his length from inside his sleep shorts, tugging it free and aiming.

“I’m still in here!” I protest, my voice rising in pitch.

“I don’t mind you watching.” He smirks, somehow managing to maintain eye contact as he releases a steady stream.

“Ah. No. I’m…I need to get ready,” I say, rushing from the room.

“Can’t go with wet hair. Noah and Max both have dryers,” he calls out behind the door I shove closed.

Out loud, I huff about Nate telling me what to do, but my insides are basking, loving being looked after.

Especially as I’m now sitting on Noah’s bedroom floor as he dries my hair for me.

The clock’s ticking, but I keep delaying because this feels too good.

“I think that’s almost dry, if you need to go?” Noah asks, switching off the dryer and running his fingers through the strands to check.

I’m about to start purring if he keeps it up.

“Honestly, it’s more effort than I’d have done. Thank you for doing it for me,” I tell him, turning to kneel and press a kiss to his lips.

Our mouths move against each other, soft and slow as my hands rest on his chest, sliding through the smattering of dark hair. I’d woken him up when I’d knocked on his door, and he was shirtless. With his navy cotton sleep trousers, tousled hair, and slight stubble, he looked handsome and sleepy. It was hard to resist the temptation to ask if I could curl up with him.

“I can do it any time. I enjoy doing things for you.”

His hands slide down my back, slipping under my T-shirt and stroking my sensitive skin.

“Okay.” I grin. “But I really need to go.”

His hands clench around my hips, holding me. “Date night next Saturday?”

“I’d love that. Just let me know what time.”

He nods, giving me another kiss that I’m reluctant to end. “Have a good day. I’ll see you later at dinner.”

FIFTY-FIVE

ROSY

This week was better. Work had been almost tolerable. I’d enjoyed the usual routine of the gym and dinner with the guys. And I have my date with Noah tomorrow.

I should’ve known life was just luring me into a false sense of security.

“Are you sure it’s meant for us?”

Steph nods, turning the paper on the kitchen island toward me. “Our address and details. I’m sorry, sweets,” she says, her hand coming to rest over mine.

But I can barely feel the contact. My entire body is numb as I read the words on the eviction notice. We have three months to find somewhere else to live because they want to sell.

I’ll have to get used to a new flat, a new bedroom, a new building. It’ll mean no longer living next door to them either.

I don’t want different.

Breathing in through my nose, I release the breath out through my mouth. We just have to plan, to embrace the…change.

The twisting sensation in my abdomen disagrees.