Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
EVIE
Me and my big mouth. As soon as I stepped into the lovely hot water, the scent of the bubbles enveloping me, I realised I’d outmanoeuvred myself.
Thank God I’d shaved my legs recently and put on good underwear, although my knickers were going to be translucent.
I arranged myself at one end, making sure the bubbles covered me, and tucked my knees up to make room for Noah.
‘Ready,’ I said, although as Noah stepped into the bath bringing his body that much closer, I realised I wasn’t ready at all.
There was nowhere else to look. All I could see was how well his snug jersey boxers clung to his muscled thighs, the dark happy trail that arrowed down his taut stomach and the bulge beneath.
Awareness of him fizzed across my skin and I felt a little kick in my stomach.
An involuntary half-squeak came from nowhere and my eyes darted to meet Noah’s.
‘You okay?’ he asked.
I nodded, swallowing, not daring to speak because my vocal cords were crippled by panic.
I had a horrible feeling my voice would come out in a pitch several times higher than normal.
More for something to hold onto while I was having this weird out-of-body experience, I clutched my knees to my chest as he sank into the water.
I pulled the foam towards me so that my boobs were covered and gingerly lowered my legs, so that they draped over Noah’s.
He was much closer to me than I’d planned. I could reach forward and touch him.
‘Comfy?’ asked Noah.
I nodded, still unable to speak. This had been a crazy idea. I wasn’t sure if the water was really hot and steamy or if my temperature had rocketed up to close-to-fainting level.
‘Excellent,’ said Alicia, ‘that looks great.’ I’d almost forgotten she was there. She handed us each a glass of champagne and I risked putting out a bubble-covered arm to snatch it from her as I made sure the foam was covering me. The bubbles were pfft-pffting around us, melting away already.
‘Smile, Evie,’ said Alicia.
I did my best to dredge up a smile, but I had severe stage fright.
It had been a while since I’d been this close to a man, and certainly not in daylight, half naked.
My recent sexual encounters were of the fleeting, mainly pissed, in the dark and of the one-night stand variety – where I had absolutely no intention of seeing them again.
This was all a bit too up close and personal for comfort.
‘Relax,’ said Alicia. ‘This is supposed to be cheeky and fun. You look as if there’s a shark in there with you, Evie.’ Which, of course, made me freeze up even more.
Noah started humming the Jaws theme tune and tracking a finger down my calf, suddenly grabbing my ankle. I squeaked with surprise, throwing my champagne all over him.
He grinned and then said in the most ridiculous faux-sexy voice. ‘I hope you’re going to lick that off.’
I burst out laughing because it was so unlike Noah.
‘Which porn movie did you pick that up from?’ I asked in a low voice, still giggling.
Noah’s eyes twinkled and he pouted, which was actually very cute, before he said in a whisper, ‘You just had to go and ruin my favourite fantasy.’
I raised my eyebrows and leaned forward, murmuring, ‘That’s it? That’s all you got?’
Then he grinned at me, lifted his champagne glass and suddenly the temperature went up dramatically as his eyes met mine. As if through a layer of cotton wool, I heard Alicia say, ‘Perfect. Oh, that’s brilliant. Great pics.’
The rest of the world receded as I stared at Noah and he stared back at me. My gaze dropped to his chest where the drips of champagne ran down over his chest.
Alicia’s phone rang at that moment. ‘Oh, I need to take this. Can I leave you to it? Angel will sort everything out later. Just leave when you’re done.
There are plenty of towels, use the robes when you come out.
And help yourself to anything. The suite isn’t booked now for a couple of weeks. Enjoy.’
Neither of us even looked her way as she scuttled off, her heels tapping on the tiled floor.
In the sudden silence, there was a zing of awareness. Noah’s eyes were trained on my lips and everything else faded into the background.
I swallowed and looked at his chest again, mesmerised by the smooth golden skin.
‘How would you feel if I licked that champagne…’ I nodded towards his body, itching to slide my hands over it, to feel the firm taut flesh.
‘You wouldn’t,’ he said, but his words were husky.
‘Are you daring me?’
‘I’m guessing you’d never back down from a dare.’ I saw the dip of his Adam’s apple as he swallowed.
‘Never,’ I said.
‘I’d be okay with it, if you were.’ His words sounded constricted, and I saw the cords in his neck were stiff with tension.
My breath caught, and for a moment I wondered how I came to be here, in this sumptuous bathroom, in an amazing suite with a truly gorgeous man with the air filled with the rich fragrance of The Plaza’s signature gardenia scent?
Against my skin, the bubbles felt silky and decadent, enveloping me in luxury.
Even in my wildest fantasies I couldn’t have dreamed this, but I was going to make the most of every moment and all the indulgence on offer, which included the opportunity to touch Noah’s naked skin.
I slowly scooted forward, my eyes holding his as I moved closer, reaching out to touch his chest, my thumb dipping into the champagne. I took it back and slowly licked it. ‘Wouldn’t want to waste it,’ I said.
‘No,’ he said, his eyes widening. I heard the rasp of his breath.
Before I’d even thought it through, I’d lowered my head and brought my lips to his warm skin, my tongue lapping at what was left of the champagne.
The taste was a combination of the acidic wine and his slightly salty skin.
Intoxicated by that initial touch, I couldn’t stop now.
I wanted more and I let my lips kiss their way to his throat, the pulse that beat at the juncture of his neck, feeling the furious thud beneath my lower lip.
When his hands gently moved to my hips, his thumbs stroking my skin in mesmerising circles urging me on, I looked at him.
His eyes darkened, fixed on me. I swallowed.
Serious Noah. The focused intensity of his gaze tripped a switch inside my chest. Serious Noah was seriously sexy.
An instant flood of desire bathed me with sharp heat as I stared back at him.
For a few seconds we just looked at each other, anticipation building and burning between us like a physical flame.
When he finally pulled me towards him, I sighed as his mouth met mine and his fingers tightened on my hips.
Scorching. White heat. The kiss was incendiary and went fast and furious in seconds.
His lips were hard against mine, then soft as they explored and devoured.
Noah was thorough and meticulous as his mouth seared over mine.
I moaned trying to capture his kisses, hold on to each one, but his lips seemed determined to discover and claim me.
I collapsed against him, chest to chest, my nipples hard and aware of each gentle graze of his skin.
My hands locked around his neck as I tried to anchor myself, trying to find some sense in the whirl of feelings.
I’d never felt such hot, sharp desire before.
Beneath my thigh I could feel the hard length of him straining against me.
His mouth moved down my neck, trailing fiery kisses, and I pushed against the enamel surface of the bath trying to raise myself to give him greater access, my skin burning for his touch.
My hand slipped and I fell back on him sending water sloshing up the sides of the bath like a mini tsunami, hitting the tiled floor with a splash.
It stopped us dead and for some reason we both dissolved into giggles.
Noah eased me off him and I immediately missed the long lean length of his body.
He stepped out of the bath and snagged one of the towels before tossing it over his shoulder.
In one fluid move, he turned and lifted me out of the bath, before placing me in front of him and then gently wrapping the towel around me.
My heart literally melted, and as I was looking up at him all gooey-eyed, with my heart a little puddle inside, he grinned down at me and kissed me on the nose before grabbing his own towel.
He gave himself a brisk rub down over his chest and shoulders before casually tucking the fluffy white towel around his hips.
While I was still gaping at him, because he looked even hotter, he dabbed at my shoulders and then gently looped my towel around my chest and tucked it in bandeau style at the front.
It was rare for me to be speechless. No one had ever taken this much care of me.
‘Thank you,’ I murmured, lifting on my tip toes to kiss his neck.
‘My pleasure,’ murmured Noah, his head dipping to find my mouth again.
We sank into another long, deep kiss, my fingers trailing into his damp hair, while his hands roved up my thighs beneath the plush towel.
I could feel the ridge of his erection pressing into my stomach and that delicious sensation of being desired filled me.
I wanted him, too. As I pressed against him, trying to get closer, my towel loosened and he took full advantage, lowering his head to kiss the swell of my breasts.
His stubble slightly abrasive against my skin.
I moaned as his lips captured one nipple, his tongue swirling expertly over the pert bud.
I tilted my head back and took in a gasping breath as he took his sweet time.
Tight desire coiled, the pressure building.
Then with unhurried ease he moved to my other breast, his hand cupping the first one, his thumb moving over the sensitive nipple, while his mouth and tongue assaulted my other nipple.
With twin points of sensitivity being tortured over and over by his hot, wet mouth I could feel my knees weaken and I held onto him, sighing half-finished words, incoherent with mindless pleasure.
His hand moved higher up my thigh and I parted my legs because I needed his touch, right there.
‘Ahh,’ I moaned as he teased me, circling with the tip of his finger.
‘You’re so wet,’ he murmured, lifting his head and staring down at me, his eyes dark with satisfaction.
‘It would appear so,’ I managed to respond between breathless pants, desperate for him to push his finger inside me.
Suddenly the intercom phone in the bathroom began to ring, bringing reality back like a bucket of cold water.
We both stiffened and jumped apart.
Holding my towel between my breasts, I picked up the phone.
‘Hello.’
‘Hey, it’s Alicia. Just realised you need a key card to get out of the suite to use the lift. I’m sending someone up to leave one for you. Stay as long as you like. And I’ve found the most gorgeous thing for you to do tomorrow. You’re going to love it. I’ll keep you posted. Gotta go.’
With that she hung up and I wondered if she had any idea of what she’d just interrupted and whether Noah would be willing to pick up where we left off.