Excerpt from Esme’s Novel #2
On top of making me feel like I’ve known him for a lifetime instead of half a day, Noah has done the impossible tonight.
He’s made a button-down Hawaiian shirt and a pair of mid-thigh khaki shorts runway-ready.
As long as he’s the one walking. I chose a pale pink flowy sundress, which matched the pale pink in his shirt.
Noah leans against the kitchen counter. “I know, sweetheart. It was a joke. I’m glad you don’t; I want my future wife to be fully consumed with me .” And as if he didn’t imply what I think he did, he carries on. “What do you read?”
I shrug, gathering my plate and glass of Orange Julius.
Noah told me earlier that the drink was a favorite, so I had to blend it up for him.
“Classics. British literature because I—” I cut myself off from mentioning that I teach it.
I’ve shared things about myself with this man, and we do know each others’ first and last names and ages, but I take pause because I’m not that irresponsible.
How much of my personal life should I tell this stranger?
“You what?”
“My profession requires that I know a great deal about British literature.”
“You’re not going to tell me what it is you do, are you?”
I grin, stretching my neck to look into his eyes as he stands at his full height. “Nope. I’m undecided how much of my personal life I should share with a hot, strange man. Ted Bundy was a looker, you know.”
Noah laughs, a rich and delectable sound. “Fair enough. I’ll go at your pace. Though by that accent of yours, I can tell we are from the same region of the United States.” He winks, and I turn my head so he can’t see my smile.
Conversation slips away as we both stare out at the setting sun; the sound of the waves lapping against the deck promises peace and tranquility. I beg and plead that it’s not lying to me.
The flame of the candle between us on the small black table dances in the whispering wind, and I meet Noah’s gaze above it. He smiles, and I blush, looking away once more and admiring the flames of the tiki torches instead.
This is what I wanted. Someone who sets butterflies fluttering in my stomach with one glance.
Something Ryan did at one point, but as our relationship progressed, and he blamed the lack of passion on me for wanting the impossible, they died.
Words like daggers, until not a single fluttering insect remained.
So why didn’t you leave? The signs were there. I ignore the small voice beckoning me to face the facts. Instead, I think of how Noah could star in a romantic comedy.
Even the thought of Noah’s name has the insects flapping and begging to let loose. When I glance in his direction once more, he’s wearing an incredulous smirk. I raise my eyebrows, and he scoots his chair around the circular table until he is right by my side.
Noah’s so close that I smell his cologne.
It’s warm, sweet, and spicy, much like his personality.
A warm finger slides along my jaw until he hooks it under my chin, tilting my face to his.
A few more inches and I’d know if he tastes as good as he smells.
And by golly, I bet he does . “I do want to know you, Esme Prewitt. And I’m planning to make it my mission if you’ll let me. ”
The heat coursing through me feels as if the flame from the candle has set me on fire, but I square my shoulders.
I’m here. Single. And I’ve decided I don’t want this man to leave my side.
Even after the creep who attempted to take me is apprehended.
I’m going to hold Noah close these next five days.
Because I can.
Because I deserve some fun after Ryan’s humiliating exit from my life.
Because this guy might have stepped straight from the pages of a novel even though I’ve only known him for an afternoon. Heck, maybe he’ll be my living proof that real men can live up to fictional men. They had to be inspired by someone.
Regardless, we’ll part ways and never talk again once we leave the island, so what’s the harm in having a consensual island fling?
“I’m a tough shell to crack, but you can try.” It’s a lie. I have no doubt Noah will know my blood type by the end of our time here. I’m too much of a people-pleaser to not answer his questions eventually, but I’m going to hold out as long as I can.
Just because it will be wildly amusing and a turn-on.
Something I haven’t had in a while. Even Ryan, in all of our time together, never made my body feel tingly like this.
And now I recognize the need to be careful with my sexual feelings and thoughts surrounding a man, something I haven’t had to do before.
With Ryan, I only felt like this after a successful date night and lots of kissing.
But with Noah? One glance at the man sends me into a tizzy.
New. Thrilling. Deliciously dangerous.
And coupled with the sense I’ve known him forever…
Oh, God, help me.
I don’t believe in past lives or reincarnation, but I believe in predestined, orchestrated events, expertly woven by the hand of the Creator of the universe.
“And so it begins.” Noah’s face shines with enjoyment of a challenge as he scoots back to his place across from me before taking a huge bite of his fish taco.
His eyes roll into the back of his head as he slouches against the chair.
I watch him savor the food I cooked, a warmth blooming inside my stomach.
“Esme. This is the best fish taco I’ve ever eaten. ”
“Really?” My voice reflects the wideness of my eyes. There’s something about a man appreciating the food you cooked.
“Really, really.”
“So you are properly thanked for saving me from Creepy Guy?”
A mango piece slides down his chin, and without thinking, I reach across the table and wipe it away with my thumb. And then I lick my thumb, mango flavor exploding on my tongue.
I’m rewarded with wide, blazing hazel eyes…
That flick to my mouth.
I bite my bottom lip and look out to the calm ocean, noticing the array of colors painting the sky as the sun dips below the waters.
Then a head of curly black hair and a tanned face with perfectly sculpted cheekbones occupies my vision as Noah squats beside me.
One of his hands rests innocently on my knee while the other is gripping the corner of my chair.
“Esme, sweetheart, you can’t do that and expect me not to want to kiss you.
Now I don’t want to come on too strong here, especially after what you went through today, but baby, you’re making it mighty difficult.
Exploiting this chemistry between us and such. ”
My stomach swoops and soars at his words. I’ve never felt desired like this. It’s not weird, though part of me thinks it should be. No, it’s hot. And I think I’m going to burn my tongue instead of waiting for this to cool off. “Too bad I don’t kiss on the first date.”
“I walked you to your bungalow earlier today and had lunch with you. After saving you, I might add. I believe this is at least date number three.”
“I don’t even know your middle name,” I retort, though I know and anticipate exactly how this conversation ends. Nerves hum most anticipatingly. I’m dying to know how this man kisses. Will it be tame and bland like Ryan? Or will it cause me to forget Ryan’s name, at least for a little while?
“You said you’re hesitant to give away personal information.”
I run my tongue along my top lip. “I did.” Oh, this is my new favorite game.
A rumbling sounds from Noah’s throat as he stands, taking my arm and pulling me up with him. He tugs me flush against his chest, bending his head down while I rise on my toes to get a better look at him.
“When do you leave, Esme?” He draws closer, and I tilt my chin up.
“Five days.”
“And you definitely need me near just in case that awful excuse for a man comes around again, right?” Closer.
“Yes.” The word escapes as a shaky, wanting sigh.
Noah tucks a flyaway behind my ear, his palm coming back and cupping my cheek. His arm snakes around my waist as his forehead touches mine, a look of wondrous disbelief in his eyes. “Why does it feel like I’ve known you a thousand lifetimes?”
My soul cracks, and something golden shines through the dull gray. It does feel that way. Ever since I locked eyes with him after he intervened earlier today. Something inside me recognized him. And he feels it too. “Maybe this is what they call fate.”
Noah’s breath kisses my face, and the smell of mangos invades my senses. I rest one hand against his heart, feeling it beat, beat, beat to the rhythm of my name. Es-me. Es-me. Es-me.
I run my other hand along his forearm, up his bicep, until my fingers sink into his curls. And yes, they are as silky and perfect as they look.
Noah’s lips are whispers from mine, but I don’t lunge at him like I’m aching to. The build-up, the anticipation… It’s the best part. I only get to kiss this beautiful, anomaly of a man for the first time once.
Don’t let it go too far, Esme…
“Esme…”
His lips press against mine for long seconds before the hand on my back shoves me further into the contours of his body.
He coaxes my lips apart, deepening the kiss, and the taste of mangos once again explodes across my tongue.
His fingers feather down my neck before he lightly pulls at the hair at the base of my head, eliciting a surrendering moan from the depths of my soul.
I finally understand what the authors of romance novels mean when they describe a first kiss as electrifying.
My body is vibrating under his touch, his kiss.
It buzzes and hums, lighting me from the inside out.
And I know if I opened my eyes, the sunset would somehow be brighter and more beautiful than ever before.
Kissing Noah is not vanilla.
It is a five-layered cake made with exotic ingredients that wax and wane on your tongue.
And I think I finally understand what it means to be alive .
I think my heart has stumbled into its home. But I can’t bring myself to admit that.
“Ashley,” he says breathlessly, his light eyes searching mine as if he can see the most intricate parts of me. “I’m Noah Ashley Ashton.”