Chapter 7 #2
“It does seem that way,” I agree. “But I guess I’m used to being in places even darker than this. So I don’t really think about it.”
As we leave the park, Noelle tenses. Her gaze skitters up and down the street. A beat later, she relaxes, then says, “That makes sense.”
That slithery feeling comes over me again. The one that tells me something’s wrong. Did something happen to Noelle in the dark? Did someone hurt her?
Or, as I’ve wondered more frequently, is she hiding from someone?
Some of her behaviors remind me of how Eden and Bea acted when they were in danger. Not glaring things, but little ones—like how Noelle tenses whenever her phone rings, or how she always scans her surroundings, not as a casual observer, but as someone searching for something. Or someone.
Maybe I’m wrong.
Maybe the years I spent always watching for danger have me seeing problems where there aren’t any.
I hope I’m wrong. But if I find out someone is bothering Noelle, I won’t stand idly by, new relationship or not.
For the first time in my life, I finally have a true understanding of how my friends must have felt when their partners were in trouble.
Not that I was some heartless asshole before—obviously, I cared.
I think of Eden and Bea as sisters, and anyone who tries to hurt one of them will have to come through me first.
But now I think I get how deep the protective instinct can go.
Like I’d do pretty much anything to make sure Noelle’s safe.
And shit, it’s only our third date, or fourth, if the hour we spent together in Cathy’s Confections counts.
I can’t even imagine how rabidly protective I’ll feel if things between me and Noelle get even more serious.
By the time we arrive at Noelle’s apartment, I’ve managed to shove most of my concerns to the back of my mind to deal with later.
Or at least, I had, up until we reach the stairs to her little studio above the garage and I notice that there are far too many shadows that the small light at the base of the stairs doesn’t reach.
Then I watch grimly as she has to wiggle the key in the deadbolt to get it to move, while thinking about how easily an amateur burglar could get inside.
My stomach knots as the stories I’ve heard from my friends—a knife attack in a darkened stairwell, attempted kidnappings in a parking lot, a would-be killer lurking inside—turn to horrifying scenarios where Noelle is the victim.
That’s why, as soon as Noelle shuts and locks the door behind us, I say, “It’s not safe enough here. You need more security.”
Noelle freezes with her bag halfway to the hook by the door. She turns. “What?”
“You have major safety issues,” I explain. Setting the cooler down, I gesture at the door. “The locks are old, first of all. And the latch isn’t lined up properly. Watching you turn the key, I’d bet the locks are stripped, too. You need a new doorknob and a new deadbolt.”
Noelle blinks. Then she bites her lower lip. “I thought they seemed okay.”
“And you should have more lights outside. Brighter ones. There are far too many places—” Glancing around the small apartment, I quickly note several other security issues.
“Even though you’re on the second floor, I’d put alarms on the windows.
And do you have an emergency ladder if the door is blocked? ”
She hangs up her bag and hugs Bigfoot to her chest. “Is it really that bad? I thought… I always fasten both locks, and I keep the windows locked when I’m not home. And I installed a video doorbell as soon as I moved in…”
Looking at her worried face, regret sweeps through me.
Shit.
I’m not wrong about the security issues. But I shouldn’t have laid them all on Noelle at once. I could have eased them into the conversation. Or better yet, I could just come over to take care of everything for her.
“I’m sorry.” Noelle’s stiff as I pull her into my arms, making me feel like even more of an ass. “I shouldn’t have said it all at once like that.”
She tilts her head back to look at me. Tiny lines form between her brows. “I want my apartment to be safe, Webb.”
I press a kiss to the top of her head. “It is. Mostly. But I can help make it safer.” Guiding her over to the couch, I wait for her to sit, then take a seat right beside her.
She’s still hugging her little Bigfoot, which would normally make me happy, but I have a sneaking suspicion she’s only doing it because I scared her.
“I’m sorry,” I repeat. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“You didn’t.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”
“Okay. Maybe a little. But I’d rather you tell me than not. When I saw the apartment, I thought everything was safe. But you’re the expert. Not me.”
“I have some time tomorrow,” I offer. “I could come over to install some upgrades.”
She sets Bigfoot on the coffee table. “Like what?”
“New locks, to start. I’ll put in the same locks we recommend to our clients.
And high-lumen motion sensor lights at the top and the bottom of the stairs.
Plus another above where you park your car.
I’ll install some window alarms and bring over an escape ladder.
Anyone living on the second floor or higher should have one. ”
“Do you?” Noelle asks. “Since you’re on the second floor?”
“I do.” Taking her hands in mine, I add gently, “I really didn’t mean to scare you. But I want you to be safe.”
Her gaze softens. “I’m glad you care enough to want to help.”
My heart thuds again. “So can I come over tomorrow? Put in some upgrades?”
Noelle stares at me with an unreadable expression. “If you have other work to do—”
“Nope. Everything else can wait.”
After a moment, a slow smile spreads across her face. “Okay. But under one condition.”
The tension in my chest releases at her smile. “Anything.”
“I’m only working the breakfast shift tomorrow. If you come around noon, that’ll give me time to shower and make something for lunch. What would you like?”
“You don’t have to make me lunch,” I protest. “I can pick something up—”
Noelle leans forward and silences me with a quick kiss. Her eyes are like warm honey as they meet mine. “I want to, Webb. Not just because you’re helping, but because I’d like to cook for you. I’m not a gourmet chef or anything, but I think I’m pretty decent.”
“What’s your best lunchtime meal, then?”
Noelle thinks. “Grilled cheese. With three kinds of cheese, tomatoes, and ham. Plus a salad on the side to add something healthy.”
“That sounds perfect, then.” I grin at her. “So, noon tomorrow. It’s a date. I’ll get to show off my incredible talents as a security expert, and I get a fantastic lunch.”
Out of the corner of my eye, Bigfoot catches my attention. “Do you like him?”
She follows my gaze. “My Bigfoot?” Her smile expands. “I love him.” A wistful expression moves across her face. “When I was a kid, I loved stuffed animals. It was like an obsession. Even as an adult, my dad would always put a little one in my stocking, for tradition.”
“Noelle.”
“It’s a good thing,” she says. “Remembering, I mean. Some memories are sad. But others… they’re worth hanging onto.”
I think about my dad taking me to his favorite diner, and how that memory brought me to Noelle. “You’re right. They are.”
“Noelle,” I say roughly. I palm the back of her head, tunneling my fingers through her hair. “I’m so damn glad I stopped into the diner that day.”
Her hand comes to my thigh as she leans closer. “I’m so glad you did, too.”
In the moment before I kiss her, I drag my gaze across her face, memorizing everything. The delicate arch of her brows. The sparks of fire in her eyes. The way her lips curve up slightly, like she’s always smiling. That adorable dimple. The fine spray of freckles across her nose and cheeks.
Shit, she’s incredible.
Sam ribbed me the other day after I’d brought Noelle home after the barbecue, teasing, “I never thought I’d see the day Webb Anders would actually settle down with a woman.”
“I didn’t know if I would,” I told him. “But Noelle… She’s special.”
And with that in mind, I kiss her.
My intention is to keep it slow and tender to start. But the instant our lips meet, that all flies out the window.
All I can think about is how badly I want her.
How badly I need to taste her.
So I kiss her hard. And she gives it right back to me.
Nipping. Stroking. Tongues tangling together.
As I devour her, I imagine I’m kissing her in other, more intimate places.
My dick throbs as it thickens, pressing painfully against the zipper of my pants.
Then Noelle climbs onto my lap and straddles me. As my erection notches between her thighs, I can feel her heat seeping into me. Calling to me.
I palm her breast, brushing my thumb across her distended nipple, so taut I can feel it through her shirt.
She makes a low, sultry sound in the back of her throat.
My lungs are burning from lack of air, but I can’t bring myself to pull away.
Noelle shifts on my lap, wiggling her hips so she can rub against me.
And shit, does it feel amazing.
Primal instincts call to me, demanding I pick up Noelle and take her to the bedroom right now. Strip her bare, kiss her everywhere, make her come several times with my mouth before I even consider sinking deep inside her.
Ah, fuck, do I want her.
I thought I knew what desire felt like. But it was nothing compared to this.
I don’t just want to have sex with Noelle. I want all the other things, too—the cuddling after, making her something to eat, bringing her back to bed and holding her in my arms all night until we wake up in the morning to do it all over again.
But reality intrudes as I realize that if my lungs are straining, Noelle’s must be, too. So I reluctantly break the kiss, then hug her close to my chest. “Shit, Noelle,” I breathe.
She pops her head up, bumping into my chin. “Oh! Sorry!” she blurts. Her brows furrow as she rubs my chin. “Are you okay? Is something wrong?”
I kiss her forehead. “Nothing’s wrong. At all.”
“Then what—”
“You’re amazing,” I say, for lack of better words to explain how I’m feeling. “That’s all.”
“Oh.” She smiles. “You’re pretty amazing, too.”
As we gaze at each, I swear, I can feel my heart expanding. Like I’m the villain in that Christmas movie, finally discovering the meaning of Christmas.
Except I know what Christmas means.
I just didn’t know how it felt to care this much about a woman.
Now I get it; why Rafe dropped everything to help Eden when she was in trouble. I know why Indy broke fuck knows how many laws to rescue Bea.
When she’s really important, you’ll do anything for her.
And though it hasn’t been long, I don’t need more time to be sure.
No matter what, if Noelle needs me, I’ll be there for her.