Chapter 27 Sabrina
SAbrINA
Confused, I lean forward in my seat and peer up at the building outside the car. “This isn’t our hotel.”
“I know.” He grasps the door handle. “But this is where we’re staying tonight.”
“Huh?”
He climbs out, then ducks down and says, “Fisher and Ebba are watching Maddie,” before disappearing.
“I … wait, what?” My heart lurches.
Blinking, I spin and watch him approach my door.
Darkness fell hours ago, and it’s been a long day, but I suddenly feel wide awake.
I take Noah’s hand, letting him help me from the car even though I don’t need it. “Together,” I breathe. “They’re watching her together?”
“Yeah,” he draws the word out, frowning. “Why?”
“I…” I snap my mouth shut. Shit. He has no idea that Ebba and Fisher used to be a thing. “Did they agree to this?”
“Obviously.” With a chuckle, he rests his hand on my lower back and leads me to the entrance of the hotel.
“So, they knew they were going to take care of Maddie together?”
His brows furrow. “I … no. I didn’t think it would matter. They know each other and Maddie is comfortable with them both. Why? What aren’t you telling me?”
Oh my God. Ebba is probably freaking out. I’m shocked she hasn’t blown up my phone yet.
“Nothing,” I answer, the single word a squeak.
With another quizzical look, he drops the subject and greets the person at the check-in desk.
By the time he’s finished checking in, he thankfully seems to have forgotten about my strange behavior.
“I take it you think you’re getting lucky tonight?” I joke as we step into an elevator. Somehow, this hotel is even nicer than where we’ve been staying.
With the shake of his head, he grins boyishly and studies his shoes. “No.”
I giggle. How is it that I can appreciate this boyish side of him just as thoroughly as the bossy side? “Liar.”
When the doors slide open, he grasps my hand and leads me to the left. At the door, he presses his phone to the pad and it instantly unlocks.
“Ooh, fancy.”
Inside, I pause with a hand on the wall so I can take my new shoes off.
Noah sets the bag of books and the one that holds my heels on the table and turns on a light, illuminating the space dimly.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, Big Ben stands tall in the distance. It takes my breath away, how beautiful the world around us truly is. It’s sad, really, how few of us ever truly get to experience it, not when we’re working every day to make ends meet.
Noah undoes the button at his neck, then goes to work on the second one. “I booked the suite because I thought you might like a bath.”
Warmth blooms in my chest at the prospect. “A bath?”
“You like bubble baths.”
I gape at him, and in return, he gives me a sheepish smile. I didn’t think he’d noticed that.
“I do.”
“And our hotel room doesn’t have a fancy tub.”
“Right.” Only a standard tub, but I can’t complain. My last apartment had a shower stall only.
He cocks his head in the direction of the bathroom. “Take a look.”
When I turn the light on and find a massive sunken tub and a plethora of bubble baths and salts, I squeak.
“You booked a night at a hotel just so I could take a bubble bath?” I turn away from the gorgeous tiled space and enormous tub.
With a shrug, he gives me that sheepish smile again. The one that makes him look so young. “And so I could get lucky.”
I throw my head back, and a deep laugh escapes me. “I knew it.”
He closes the distance between us, his arm wending around my waist.
My heart picks up at the touch.
Dangerous—falling for him could be the worst mistake of my life.
Or maybe the best thing to ever happen to me.
While my conscience wars with itself, he presses a gentle kiss to my temple and releases me.
“Let me run that bath for you.”
I nearly swoon at the sensuality of the simple moment. It’s embarrassing how weak in the knees this man makes me.
He plugs the drain and turns on the water, then peers at me over his shoulder. “What scent are you feeling?”
Lips pressed together, I step closer and peruse the options in the basket. “Citrus.”
He adds the bubbles and matching scented salts. Soon the bathroom is filled with steam and smells like a mixture of lemon and orange.
Arm behind my back, I awkwardly grasp at my zipper, but before I can slide it down, Noah’s there doing it for me.
I watch his reflection in the mirror, soaking in every detail of the moment.
His fingers skim the bare skin of my back, lingering on the lacy strap of the bra.
Eyes closed, he inhales deeply and presses his lips to my neck.
When he slips his hands down my bare skin beneath the fabric until he finds my hips and plays with the lacy sides of the thong, my knees wobble.
“Sabrina.” My name is a curse and a prayer. Releasing me again, he takes a careful step back, then another.
The loss of his heat is palpable. Slowly, I turn to face him, concern tugging down my lips.
“I need a moment.” He lowers his focus to the noticeable tent in his pants.
“Ah.” A thrill works its way through me. “That’s okay.” I tug the dress up and over my hips and head. “You can watch.”
When I drop the garment to the floor, every one of his muscles is rigid, like it’s taking all his strength to hold himself back.
I quickly remove my bra and let it fall, never looking away from him. If it weren’t for the water running, I’m certain I would hear every labored breath he takes.
“Like what you see?” I tease, feeling suddenly bold.
His eyes flare with heat. “You have no fucking idea.”
I wiggle the thong off and toss it at him. He catches it and immediately shoves the fabric into his pocket.
“Your turn.”
He cocks his head, brow furrowed.
With a single step closer, I lick my lips. “You’re joining me, aren’t you?”
He shakes his head, the movement jerky. “No. I … the bath is for you. Not…”
I move in closer still and rest a hand on his cheek. “I want you to. There’s plenty of room.”
With a sharp inhale, he searches my face. “Are you sure?”
I nod, unable to keep from smiling.
Dipping his chin, he gets back to working the buttons of his shirt, his fingers moving deftly.
When he gets to the last three, I shove his hands away and take over.
And when his muscled chest is bared to me, I swallow the saliva pooling in my mouth.
It’s unfair how hot he is underneath that grumpy, asshole persona.
I slide my fingers down his abs, counting as I go. Eight. Who even needs eight abs?
He smirks at me. “Taking inventory?”
“Shush.” I swat his stomach lightly.
As I push the shirt over his shoulders, he chuckles, but when I reach for his belt, he nudges my hands away. “I can’t have your fingers that close. I might explode.”
My laughter echoes off the tile walls. “That close already?”
“You have no idea.” His voice is husky, laced with promise.
He undoes the belt, then flicks the button on his pants. His zipper is next, the sound barely audible over the running water. He yanks his pants and underwear off in one quick move, then steps out of them.
I’ve seen him naked before, but the sight takes my breath away all over again. He’s tall and well-muscled. Toned but not bulky. His waist tapers in, perfectly framing the most beautiful erect cock.
“You weren’t kidding.” It’s not the time for joking, but I can’t seem to help myself.
“Sabrina,” he groans.
“Sorry, sorry.” I’m not sorry.
“Get in the bath,” he commands, teeth gritted.
Normally, I’d reprimand him for his bossiness, but I really do want to get in the bath. I climb in slowly, relishing the heat of the water, then turn the faucet off. It’s the perfect temperature and there’s enough room for both of us and then some.
Noah climbs in behind me, urging me to lean back against him.
“Your dick is poking my butt.”
Groaning, he slides farther down in the water, his chest acting as a recliner for my body. “Sabrina,” he practically growls. “For the love of God, stop talking about my dick.”
“Why?” I tease. “It’s a very nice dick. Tie a bow around it, and it’ll make for an excellent Christmas pres—ow!”
He pinches my side sharply.
“Okay, okay.” I giggle. “I’ll stop.”
Warm, wet hands slide up my sides, massaging my shoulders and neck.
My body instantly relaxes and a moan escapes me. “That feels so good.”
Silently, he continues to work his thumbs into my stiff, aching muscles. His lips graze the top of my shoulder and despite the warm water, a shiver runs through me.
He chuckles, his breath sending another shiver down my spine. “How are you cold?”
“I’m not cold,” I defend with a haughty tilt of my chin. “I’m sensitive.”
“Sensitive?” he repeats. He’s smirking. I don’t even have to look at him to know it’s there, plastered on those sinful lips.
“Sounds like someone else is having dirty thoughts.” The water stirs as he slips a hand around my waist and splays it over my stomach.
His mouth is right against my ear when he says, “What do you want me to do with these fingers, Sabrina?” He spreads them wide, the pads brushing against my stomach.
I jerk in response, causing the water around us to slosh against the sides of the tub.
He chuckles darkly. “Tell me, baby. Use your words.”
“Bastard.”
His whole body rumbles with laughter. It’s deep and masculine and entirely intoxicating. “That wasn’t nice.”
Despite the heat gathering in my core, I can’t help but sass back. “You’re not being nice either.”
“Fine.” He pulls his hand away. “I don’t have to touch you.”
Whimpering, I clutch his wrist and press his palm to my wet skin again. “Don’t you dare.”
“Then tell me.” He nips at my earlobe. “What do you want? You wanted me in here for a reason, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” There’s no point in denying it.
I turn carefully, causing the water to slosh again, and place my palms on his thighs.
His muscles jerk, and his breath hitches, but he cocks his head, brow arched, as if to say take what you want.