Chapter Nineteen
NOAH FOUND RACHEL on his deck overlooking the plunge pool.
She had her head down, with curls arranged in a mathematical equation Einstein would need a tutor to untangle.
A sketch pad teetered on bent knees as her pencil moved across the page.
One of his work shirts hung askew off her shoulder, the hem dropped to mid-thigh, but with her knees raised he caught a glimpse of a pale cheek—not the one on her face, either.
Intelligent, beautiful, and generous. He was a lucky man.
Rachel looked up then. “Great, you’re awake. We have work to do.”
He scooped her up in his arms. “Not good. You barely slept.”
“Hey, put me down.”
“No can do. You’ve been gone for hours.” His fault for letting her sex him into hibernation sleep. Noah was officially a fan of hot yoga. His woman had stamina and wasn’t afraid to use it.
“Look, my boss called and we have to make progress on the redevelopment plan.”
Noah lowered her to the couch. “Pete’s plan is done. Just add your touches.”
“Wrong answer. I’m not cosigning any part of that plan. Now, you said you wanted to work together. That means you add your input, and I add mine.”
“Gotcha. You. Me. Plan together,” he said, kissing her nose.
The scent of morning dew and vanilla clung to her skin.
“The fire department needs a training facility. It’s in the old plan.
” He placed a kiss on her forehead. “We need a new engine. That’s in there.
” He trailed kisses over her cheek. “A new city hall. Already in there, too.”
“Noah Calvary.” She shoved at his chest with one finger. “I’m serious. Pay attention.”
He stole another kiss. This time from her lips. “What do I win if I do?”
Rachel gave him a saucy wink. “That’s the teacher’s prerogative. If you’re a good boy.”
He grabbed her ankle, and she yelped. To his delight, she didn’t protest when he pulled her over his spread thighs to straddle his lap. “I’d rather be bad. What’s my punishment?”
“Your middle name should be Temptation.”
The way her eyes lowered to his mouth, he had to fight not to take her back to bed.
She leaned forward, the sketch pad between them falling to the floor.
Unable to take his eyes off her, Noah’s breathing quickened when she parted her lips, angled her head, and nipped his chin with her teeth.
Before he could demand more, she licked at the sting with her tongue.
“Six,” he groaned, “what are you doing?”
In response she rocked her hips against his lengthening erection. “Mixing your work with my pleasure.”
As the expected response, a defined tent peaked in his boxers. “Tell me more.”
“I will,” she whispered, “when you place your hands here.” Taking his left hand, she placed it on her hip.
Then slowly she lifted the hem of her shirt, exposing pert strawberry buds.
Beneath his fingertips her skin was warm and pliable.
So soft. “Go on,” she teased. “You pick where to start with the other.”
His voice, when he spoke, came as a hoarse rasp. “Now what?”
“The original plans call for a brand new everything.” She began a rhythmic circling of her hips.
“I remember,” Noah ground out, his eyes fixed on the vixen driving him crazy with her game.
“If we consider salvaging what we can of both brick structures, the school and the old mill, they both can be mixed-use spaces.”
Noah toyed with her nipple, teasing it until Rachel’s undulations increased, and his hips bucked to meet hers. “Mixed. Yep, got it,” he groaned.
“If we spread the grant money across government, fire, EMS, healthcare, and housing, that’s more revenue for Service, more job opportunities. Agreed?”
“Oh yeah. I get it.”
“You do?”
“Definitely. Help more people. Agreed. And the fire department will be taken care of?”
“Yes,” Rachel panted, gripping his shoulder and riding him faster. “A win-win.”
Noah stood pressing Rachel’s back against the wall. “Definitely. Let’s celebrate.”