Chapter 22 Noah
Twenty-Two: Noah
If You Love Her - Forest Blakk
Her body fits perfectly against me, like we’re made for each other and her skin is so soft that I want to kiss every inch of it. But I’d rather not have Connor walk in on me fulfilling a fantasy, or five hundred, of my own, because I might need three days straight for that.
And I’d rather take her on a date first. I’ve got to be a gentleman and make up for all the dates I’ve missed taking her on over the years.
Auddie shifts to face me. “Your brain is a bit loud, Noah.”
“Are you a mind reader now?” I tease, running a hand across her cheek again.
“Yeah, it’s actually my next career path,” she whispers, leaning into my touch.
“Okay, what am I thinking about?”
She gives me a coy smile. “Well, as you are a gentleman through and through, you’re laying there thinking you should probably take me on a date so we can fill in all the gaps.”
She shifts her face even closer to me as she talks.
“Not bad. What do you say, breakfast first?” A flash of disappointment dances across her face as I sit up, so I add, “Auds, I’d rather not kiss you for the first time with morning breath.”
She covers her mouth. “Oh, shit, sorry.”
“I was talking about me,” I reply quickly, shifting out of the bed.
Her eyes trail the length of my stomach, igniting a reaction from my second head again. Her cheeks redden, but her smile is all consuming.
God, I’m in trouble.
Before I can move towards the bathroom, she shuffles out of the bed. “Noah Benson, you come back here for a minute, mister.”
Mister?
Swiveling my head around, I can’t hide the amusement on my face.
Her hands land on her hips, drawing my attention to her long legs.
“I’ve waited for upwards of fifteen years for you to kiss me, so if you expect me to sit around and wait for you to brush your teeth when I’m standing right here, ready and wanting … you’re really screwing this up!”
With three long strides, I’m in front of her, cupping her face. “I’d hate to get a strike for this one.”
I press my lips against hers, letting my thumbs brush against her jawline as she kisses me back. She wraps her arms around my neck, her hands landing in my hair as her lips part, a silent invitation for my tongue. I can’t contain myself, pulling her closer to me as our tongues dance around.
I want more of her.
I want all of her.
And the way she’s kissing me back makes me think she wants all of me too. I don’t want the kiss to stop but the subtle sound of her stomach growling has me pulling away. She lets out a soft hum against my lips
“Noah.” Her wide eyes are twinkling, and I’m sure I look just the same.
“I’m right here, Auddie,” I whisper, brushing my finger across her lips. It feels like electrical currents are shooting through my skin.
It lets me know the feelings are still there between us, but even more than that, the feelings are more powerful than I ever imagined.
Audrey and I head to a diner for breakfast, both ordering waffles and bacon. She covers hers with mass amounts of syrup while I add berries and whipped cream to mine.
“These are almost as good as Walker’s World Famous Waffles,” I mumble as I take a bite of mine.
She gives me a quizzical look. “Walker was my roommate in college, I forgot you haven’t met him.
He probably knows the ins and outs of you too well.
Every morning after a big party he’d make waffles for our whole floor, and they were the best I’ve ever had.
” I chuckle, scratching the back of my neck.
“Well, guess I’ll need to meet him sometime and find out if his waffles are any good,” she says back, taking a piece of bacon off my plate.
If there’s one thing Audrey loves more than jelly beans, it’s bacon.
“Nice to see some things never change,” I tease her, as I take a sip of my coffee.
“I’d eat the whole pig if they let me.” She bites into my piece of bacon, tilting her head. “You drink coffee?”
It’s an innocent question but I let out a long laugh. “I do.” Ducking my head down, I add, “Because of you, actually. When I was busy losing sleep thinking about you after I left, I would rely on it to get me through classes.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be, it was my own fault. It’s not like I was drinking seven-a-day.” I smirk as I glance down at her tea. “Do you have a favorite type of tea?”
“I like mint or Irish breakfast best, but I like them all,” she replies, before taking a sip of her drink.
Note to self, stock tea at my house.
Audrey clears her throat, pulling her sweater tighter around her shoulders. “Did Connor tell you I’d be around for the season?”
“He did.”
Audrey fiddles with her fork. “Are you okay that we’ll be roommates on the road and at Connor’s?”
I shift awkwardly in my seat, realizing I haven’t mentioned anything about the house to her yet. “I, uh … I won’t be living there anymore after next week.”
“Oh. Are you going back to Texas?” Her eyes fill with worry.
“No, gosh no. Not that. I’ve been meaning to tell you that I bought a house. That's why I was late yesterday. I would’ve told you, but I was a bit distracted.”
I’m not going anywhere, you can count on that.
Her eyes widen as she reaches for my hand. “God, Noah! That’s so exciting. I can’t wait to see it!”
“That’s what I like to hear. You can carry all the boxes into the house for me while I hang out by the pool!”
“There’s a pool?” she basically squeals.
And a white picket fence, like you always wanted.
Like we always wanted.
“Yeah, and the kitchen is massive.”
“Okay, fancy pants.” Audrey beams at me. “Just tell me what you're making for dinner every night so I can decide whose house to eat at.”
“You got it. I’ll be sure to make enough for both of us every night.”
She takes a long sip of her tea before meeting my eyes. “Do you actually want me to date someone else? You said it at the club … I know we’ve had some couple-y moments since then. I just want to know if you actually feel that way.”
Shaking my head, I reach out to her. “I’ll never force you to do anything Auddie, I just want you to choose what makes you happy.
And know that I’ll be here waiting whenever you’re ready to give us a shot.
If it turns out you’re never ready, that’s okay too.
I screwed up my chance seven years ago, now the ball’s in your court. ”
Her eyes don’t leave mine. “Well, then it’s settled.”
“What is?”
“You gotta date the heck out of me.”
I give her a smirk. “I can do that. And I know exactly where to start.”