Chapter 13
Thirteen
A s the waitstaff began clearing dessert plates, the band struck up a lively, jazzy rendition of "Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra. The warm notes of the saxophone filled the room, and Ruth watched as couples rose from their seats, heading toward the dance floor. Her eyes instinctively followed Matt, who, already tipsy, dragged Jenna onto the floor with exaggerated enthusiasm. Jenna gave a small laugh, clearly trying to keep up with his uncoordinated movements.
Noah leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady on Ruth. “Are you planning to let them have all the fun?” he asked casually.
She blinked at him. “I didn’t take you for a dancer.”
He smirked, standing and extending his hand. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
Ruth hesitated for only a moment. She wasn’t the best dancer, but she had promised herself she’d enjoy the night—and Noah was looking at her with that combination of confidence and mischief that made it hard to say no. Smiling, she placed her hand in his. “All right, Kandor. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Noah led her to the dance floor with an ease that surprised her. As they reached the center, he turned to face her, his hand resting lightly on her waist. His other hand held hers firmly but gently, his touch steady and reassuring.
“You ready?” he asked, his voice low.
“I guess we’re about to find out,” she replied, half-teasing but feeling her heart race.
The band launched into the chorus, and Noah guided her effortlessly into a smooth foxtrot, his movements precise but relaxed. Ruth’s breath caught as he spun her gently, her emerald dress flaring slightly with the motion. She glanced up at him, her cheeks flushed. “You weren’t kidding. Where did you learn to dance like this?”
“Undercover work,” he said with a grin. “You’d be surprised how many cases involve fancy galas.”
She laughed softly, her nerves melting away as they fell into step. Alex taught dance as a hobby. “I thought you may have taken a lesson with Alex.” His gentle hand on her waist guided her through each move. She couldn’t help but notice how close they were—his broad shoulders, the clean lines of his tuxedo, and his scent lingered in the air around him.
“You’re good at this,” she admitted, surprised at how effortless he made it seem.
“So are you,” he replied. “Though I’m starting to think you’re just full of hidden talents.”
She rolled her eyes playfully. “You’re the one full of surprises tonight. First, you’re a lawyer; now you’re Fred Astaire. Anything else I should know?”
“Plenty,” he said, a teasing gleam in his eye. “But I’ve got to keep some secrets. Keeps things interesting.”
They moved together as if they’d been doing this for years, the rhythm of the music and the warmth of the room wrapping around them like a cocoon. For a moment, it was easy to forget about Matt Brandt or the undercurrent of tension from earlier in the evening. Ruth felt light, almost giddy, as Noah spun her again, pulling her back into his arms with a fluid motion that elicited a ripple of applause from a nearby table.
“Show-off,” she murmured, her eyes sparkling.
“You love it,” he countered, his lips twitching into a grin.
As the song drew to a close, the band transitioned seamlessly into another classic, Nat King Cole’s "Unforgettable." The tempo slowed, and Noah hesitated for a fraction of a second, giving Ruth the chance to step away if she wanted to. Instead, she stayed, her hand still in his.
“I don’t usually do this,” she said softly, her gaze dropping to where her other hand rested on his chest.
“Ballroom dance?” His brow quirked with curiosity.
“Dance with… anyone, really,” she admitted, glancing up at him with a shy smile. “Not like this.”
Noah’s expression softened, his hand on her waist pulling her just a breath nearer. “You’re doing great,” he said, his voice low. “And for the record, I’m glad you said yes.”
Her heart fluttered at his words, and she couldn’t help but smile. The room around them seemed to fade as they swayed to the soft, romantic melody. Ruth didn’t care who might be watching—she didn’t even notice. All she could focus on was the man in front of her, his steady presence holding her in a way that felt both thrilling and safe.
As the song ended and the applause rose around them, Noah didn’t let go immediately. Instead, he leaned in just slightly, his voice a soft murmur against her ear. “Still think I can’t dance?”
She laughed quietly, her cheeks warm. “You’ve made your point, Kandor.”
The energy between them crackled with something unspoken, something Ruth wasn’t sure she was ready to name.
As the last notes of "Unforgettable" faded, the band pivoted to a lively disco medley. The opening beats of "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees electrified the room, drawing a wave of people onto the dance floor. The atmosphere shifted, becoming more energetic and playful.
Noah glanced at Ruth, raising a brow. “Ready for round two?”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Disco? Really?”
“You’ve got to show me your moves now,” he teased, holding out his hand. “C’mon, Ruth. Don’t make me do this alone.”
With an exaggerated groan and a smile tugging at her lips, she let him pull her back onto the floor. The tempo was fast, the beat infectious, and before long, they were both caught up in the fun of it. Ruth twirled and laughed as Noah attempted a cheesy finger-point dance, earning a round of applause. She found herself mirroring his moves, surprising herself with how much she was enjoying letting loose.
But as they danced, Ruth’s gaze flicked toward Matt Brandt, and her laughter faltered.
Matt had abandoned Jenna on the sidelines and was now center stage on the dance floor, clearly having indulged in far too many drinks. His shirt was slightly untucked, and he was gesturing wildly as he attempted to lead a poorly executed and awkward rendition of The Hustle. Jenna stood a few feet away, arms crossed and face flushed with embarrassment. Others around the floor were giving him a wide berth, some openly smirking while others avoided looking altogether.
Noah followed her gaze. His jaw tightened slightly as he observed Matt’s antics. The man was practically daring someone to intervene.
Matt stumbled backward, narrowly avoiding a collision with a couple mid-spin. “Hey!” he slurred, waving a hand in the air. “Where’s my dance partner?” He scanned the floor until his bleary eyes landed on Ruth. A grin spread across his face, and he began weaving unsteadily toward her.
Noah immediately stepped in, positioning himself slightly in front of Ruth. Matt barely noticed, stopping just short of them with a drunken sway.
“Well, well,” Matt said, his words thick. He looked Noah up and down with open disdain. “Didn’t know Ruth liked charity cases.”
Ruth stiffened beside Noah, who tilted his head and smirked. “Guess you’re the expert on charity tonight,” he said coolly, his voice laced with an easy confidence that made Matt’s grin fall.
Matt’s face flushed a deeper shade of red. “I’m just saying,” his voice rose above the music, “Ruthie’s got a reputation to protect. Don’t want her slumming it.”
Ruth’s mouth fell open, fury burning in her chest, but Noah placed a steady hand on her back, signaling her to let him handle it. “Funny,” he said, his tone light but his eyes sharp. “You’d think a guy who can’t even keep his own balance would be the last person to talk about reputations.”
A few people nearby chuckled, their attention now fully on the unfolding confrontation. Matt’s eyes darted around, catching the amused smiles of the onlookers. He puffed out his chest, clearly trying to regain control of the moment. “You think you’re funny, huh?” he sneered, stepping closer to Noah and Ruth. The smell of alcohol on his breath was unbearable.
Noah didn’t flinch. “I think you’ve had enough for tonight,” he said firmly. “Why don’t you take a seat before you embarrass yourself any further?”
Matt’s face twisted in anger, but before he could respond, Jenna appeared at his side, her expression a mix of exasperation and mortification. “Matt,” she said sharply, tugging at his arm. “Let’s go.”
“Get off me,” Matt snapped, shaking her off. His movements were clumsy, and he nearly toppled over, catching himself on a nearby chair.
The commotion was now impossible to ignore. Even the band faltered for a moment before picking up again, trying to restore the mood. Ruth felt a wave of heat crawl up her neck as the attention shifted to their group. She opened her mouth to say something, but Noah beat her to it.
“Looks like your date’s calling.” He nodded toward Jenna, his voice carrying just enough authority to make it clear Matt wasn’t welcome to linger.
For a moment, it seemed like Matt might argue, but the crowd’s stares, and perhaps Jenna’s death glare, seemed to sober him slightly. With a muttered curse, he turned and staggered back toward his seat, Jenna trailing behind him.
As the tension eased, Noah turned back to Ruth, his expression softening. “You okay?” His hand rested on her back.
She nodded, though her pulse was still racing. “That was…” she trailed off, searching for the right word. “Awful. But also, kind of impressive,” she admitted, glancing up at him with a small smile.
He chuckled. “Glad you think so.” Then, with a teasing tilt of his head, he added, “Now, where were we? Oh, right—dancing.”
She laughed, the tension finally breaking. “You still feel like dancing after that?”
“Ruth,” he said, his voice warm, “you have no idea how much fun I’m having tonight.”
Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and without thinking, she let him lead her back onto the floor as the band transitioned into "Le Freak" by Chic. The beat was infectious, and soon they were laughing and dancing again, the earlier drama forgotten. For the first time in what felt like forever, Ruth let herself fully enjoy the moment, relishing the warmth of her hand in Noah’s as the world spun around them.
* * *
As the luxury bus rolled away from the estate, Noah let his head rest against the seat, his hand still wrapped around Ruth’s. The warmth of her skin, the easy way she held on to him—it felt natural, like they had been doing this for years instead of just a handful of moments stretched over too many complications. Outside, the moon cast a pale glow over the quiet road back to Pierre, but inside the bus, the air still carried the hum of the evening, of something unspoken settling between them.
“I don’t know about you,” Ruth said, her voice soft, carrying the last remnants of laughter from the night, “but I think that was one of the best holiday parties I’ve ever been to.” She tilted her head up at him, her eyes catching the dim light, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “You’re surprisingly good at this date thing, Kandor.”
Noah huffed out a laugh, low and warm. “Surprisingly good? That’s a little insulting, Everhart. I was aiming for ‘undeniably exceptional.’”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Fine. You were exceptional. Happy?”
“Very,” he said, letting his gaze settle on her. She was still glowing from the night, that dress a distraction he hadn’t quite gotten over. He smirked. “But, honestly, the company was what made it great. You, in that dress… Ruth Everhart, I’ve got to say, you set a high bar for holiday party dates.”
Her cheeks flushed, but she played it off with a roll of her eyes. “Flattery will get you nowhere, Noah.”
He leaned in slightly, voice dropping to something softer. “You sure about that?”
She started to respond but hesitated, something flickering behind her eyes. For a moment, the space between them felt charged, like something had shifted, and neither of them wanted to acknowledge it just yet. Her gaze dipped to their hands, her fingers tightening slightly around his. “You really are something else,” she murmured, almost too quietly for him to hear.
Noah let the moment linger before steering them back to safer ground. “So, what was your favorite part of the night?”
Ruth bit her lip, considering. “Honestly? Dancing. I haven’t done that in ages.” Her lips quirked. “And you—” she gestured at him, her teasing tone returning, “—are a surprisingly good dancer.”
“Surprisingly?” Noah repeated, feigning offense. “You make me sound like some kind of underdog.”
She laughed, leaning back into her seat. “Okay, okay. No qualifiers. You’re a great dancer, Noah Kandor.”
“Thank you.” He nodded as if accepting a grand honor. “And you’re not too bad yourself.”
Their smiles came easy now, the tension of the evening fading. But then Ruth’s gaze flicked past him, her laughter dimming as she looked toward the back of the bus. Noah followed her line of sight.
Matt Brandt sat alone, his posture slumped, his face sullen. Jenna had put as much distance between them as she could, seated near the window, her expression distant. Security was nearby, a silent presence making sure Matt didn’t make a scene.
Noah leaned in slightly. “Put a fork in him; he’s almost cooked.”
Ruth’s brow furrowed. “You really think so?”
“I know so,” Noah said, voice steady. “Tonight was the beginning of the end for him. His behavior, the way people reacted to him—it’s all unraveling. We just have to give it a little push.”
She exhaled slowly, nodding. “I hope you’re right.”
Noah turned back to her, smirking. “I’m always right.”
She rolled her eyes, but her smile lingered.
As the bus fell quieter, the night finally settling over them, Noah felt Ruth’s weight shift. Her head bobbed slightly before coming to rest against his shoulder, her body softening as sleep tugged at her. He glanced down, watching as her breathing evened out, her hand still loosely curled in his.
As he glanced down at her, a small smile tugged at his lips. Her red hair brushed against his jaw, and he could smell the faint, sweet scent of her perfume—something floral and soft, like gardenias. Slowly, he shifted, wrapping an arm around her shoulders to steady her. She sighed in her sleep, nestling closer, and something unfamiliar stirred in Noah’s chest.
He stared out the window at the passing darkness, his thoughts a mix of the evening’s events and the woman asleep beside him. Matt Brandt was imploding; the firm’s senior partners, by asking security to intervene with him, had made their allegiances clear. The firm came first at all costs.
Melanie’s boyfriend nagged at him, a faint alarm bell he couldn’t ignore. Was he there as an honest boyfriend, or was he using her for an ATF case? He made a mental note to look into it first thing in the morning.
But for now, Noah allowed himself to focus on Ruth. The way she felt against him, the trust she had in him—it all made him want to protect her even more fiercely. He didn’t know where this thing between them was going, but for tonight, he was content to simply hold her close and let the world outside the bus fade away.
* * *
By the time they returned to Pierre, snow had begun to fall again, soft and steady, blanketing the quiet streets in a pristine layer of white. His truck’s tires crunched lightly over the frozen ground as he parked outside Ruth’s condominium building. Noah stepped out first, the crunch of snow beneath his boots breaking the early morning silence. He walked around to help her down, after he retrieved her snow boots from her bag and knelt to help her into them. Her hand slipped into his as she climbed out.
Together, they headed up the icy walkway, her steps careful as sleep still clouded her eyes. At the door, she fumbled with her keys, and, without a word, he gently took them and unlocked it, guiding her inside.
The familiar warmth of home wrapped around them, but the silence was far from awkward. Ruth glanced at the clock on her kitchen wall, her eyes widening slightly when she saw the time. “It’s almost five,” she murmured, stifling a yawn. She turned to Noah, who stood near the door, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his coat. “Noah, it’s late, and it’s snowing. Would you like to stay?”
His brow lifted slightly, and she continued, a hint of nervousness in her voice, “I can make some breakfast… or if you’re too tired, you can crash here for a few hours. The roads are frozen again, and I’d feel better if you weren’t driving in this.”
Noah’s gaze softened as he looked at her. The thought of staying was tempting—far too tempting. But he knew if he stayed, the night could take a turn he wasn’t sure they were ready for. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. “How about a black to-go cup of coffee instead?” he suggested. “I’ll be fine. I’ve driven through worse.”
Ruth studied him for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. “Okay.” The disappointment in her voice was hard to miss. She moved to the kitchen, pulling out one of her trusty Stanley cups and firing up the Keurig. As the machine hummed to life, she glanced at him over her shoulder. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure,” he said with a soft smile, leaning against the doorframe. “But thanks for the offer, Ruth. It means a lot.”
The coffee brewed quickly, then she filled the cup, snapping on the lid before handing it to him. “Drive safe,” she said quietly, her fingers brushing against his as she passed the cup to him.
“I will,” Noah replied, but as he looked at her, the warmth in his eyes hinted at something deeper—desire.
The faint scent of his cologne enveloped Ruth as the space between them narrowed. He accepted the coffee with one hand, but instead of pulling away, he lingered, green eyes locked on hers. The tension was palpable, the kind of charge that crackled in the air and made the world outside feel inconsequential.
“Bye, Ruth,” he said softly.
“Bye.” Her breath caught as he leaned in to press a gentle kiss to her cheek.
But as his lips brushed her skin, Ruth turned ever so slightly, and their mouths met. The soft, unexpected contact was a spark in the quiet stillness of the moment. For a heartbeat, neither moved, both caught in the surprise of it. Then, almost instinctively, Noah tilted his head, deepening the kiss, his lips firm yet achingly tender against hers.
The warmth of the kiss spread through Ruth, chasing away the cold from the snow outside. Her hands found their way to his chest, her fingers curling slightly against the fabric of his coat. His free hand rose to cradle her jaw, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek as he pulled her closer.
It was slow and unhurried but charged with an intensity that made her knees feel weak. The world around them seemed to fade into nothingness, leaving only the quiet of the morning and the taste of him—mint, warm, and intoxicating. Every brush of her lips against his felt like a question, and his eager response felt like the answer she’d been searching for.
But then, just as the kiss began to deepen further, Noah stopped. He pulled back slowly, his breathing uneven, his forehead coming to rest against hers. His eyes remained closed for a moment, as though he needed to gather every ounce of willpower to pull himself back from the edge.
“Ruth,” he murmured, his voice husky, filled with both longing and restraint. His thumb grazed her cheek one last time before he lowered his hand. “I can’t… not this morning.”
What the hell? Ruth’s eyes flew open, her heart still racing as she searched his face for an explanation. She found it in his eyes—the conflict, the care, and the promise that whatever this was, it wasn’t something he was willing to rush. And that realization made her chest ache in the best way possible.
Her eyes, wide and vulnerable, searched his. “Did I… do something wrong?”
He shook his head firmly, his forehead still pressed to hers. “No. Ruth, you’ve done nothing wrong.” His hand slid to her shoulder, steady and strong. “If anything, you’ve done everything right. Too right.” His voice was lower now, rough with his thoughts.
She tilted her head back slightly, her brows knitting together. “I don’t understand.”
Noah exhaled slowly, the tension in his jaw visible as he searched for the right words. His gaze held hers, unwavering, but the storm in his eyes betrayed him. “I want this. I want you,” he said, his voice steady but layered with an unspoken hesitation. “But I’m at a point in my life where... where I have to think about more than what I want.”
He paused, his hand tightening slightly on her shoulder, not enough to hurt, but enough to make her feel his restraint. “And I can’t stop wondering if being with me would complicate your life more than it would make it better.”
Ruth frowned, her lips parting in confusion. “Complicate my life? Noah, what are you…?”
“I’m not twenty-six, Ruth,” he interrupted gently, his tone firm but not unkind. “I’m forty. I’ve lived a whole damn life before you even knew my name. A life with mistakes, baggage, and all the things you don’t deserve to carry.” He hesitated, his thumb brushing absently over her shoulder as though grounding himself. “I’m afraid I’ll hold you back from what you could have if you weren’t tied to me.”
She took a step closer, lifting her hand to rest against his chest. Beneath her palm, his heartbeat was steady, strong. “Noah,” the conviction in her voice cut through his doubt, “you’re not some burden I’d have to carry. You’re the man I want. The man who makes me feel seen, understood. None of this is too much for me.”
His expression softened, but the conflict in his eyes didn’t fade. “And what if I let you down? What if I fail to be the man you deserve?”
Her lips curved into a gentle smile, her fingers curling slightly against his chest. “You won’t,” she said simply. “Because you’re not afraid to face this, to talk about it instead of pretending it’s not there. That says more about who you are than you realize.”
He swallowed hard, his hand sliding from her shoulder to her waist, holding her close but not trapping her. “You make it sound so easy.” A hint of awe slipped through his otherwise steady tone.
“It is.” Her eyes locked with his. “Because we’ll figure it out together. You don’t have to have all the answers right now, Noah. You just have to let me in.”
He stood still for a long moment, her words sinking in. Then, with a decisive motion, he tilted her chin up and kissed her—not a fleeting kiss, but a deep, deliberate one. His lips lingered on hers, his hand sliding to cradle the back of her head.
When he broke the kiss, his forehead rested against hers once more, his voice low and resolute. “You deserve a man who doesn’t shy away from this. From you. And I swear, I’m going to be that man.”
Ruth’s hand moved to his cheek, her touch soft. “You already are, Noah. You just have to let yourself believe it.”
He let out a slow breath, his lips quirking into a small, almost reluctant smile. “You don’t make this easy, you know.”
“Good,” she said, her smile turning playful. “Because I’m not going anywhere, so you might as well get used to it.”
He chuckled softly, a deep rumble that seemed to ease the distance between them. With one last lingering kiss to her forehead, he stepped back, his hand catching hers briefly.
“Drive safe,” she said, her voice soft but firm.
“I will,” he promised, his thumb brushing over her knuckles before releasing her hand. His eyes held hers for a beat longer. “See you soon, Ruth.”
“Soon, Noah.”
As the door closed behind him, Ruth leaned against it, her fingers brushing over her lips where his kiss still lingered. Despite the heaviness of his words, her heart felt lighter. She had no doubt that Noah would be back. And when he was ready, they’d face whatever came next—together.