Thump, thump.
She rubbed her chest. ‘Spend some more time with you, catching up.’
Noah’s eyes followed her movements. ‘I am not regretting it. Not at all.’
She gripped his forearm, wished his jacket wasn’t so thick she couldn’t feel his warmth through it. ‘I had a wonderful time with you three years ago, and I wonder what might’ve happened if we’d stayed in touch.’
‘Have you always been so upfront?’
‘I’m getting better at it.’ Her smile felt strained. Putting in more effort, she looked directly at Noah. ‘I’m a late learner about relationships, spending most of my years with one man. There were many signs I didn’t see so didn’t know to ask about. Learning the truth in such a blunt manner was hard, though probably for the best. I do not want to have that happen again, at least not unless I can say I did everything in my power to prevent it.’ She was talking too much maybe, but this was who she’d become and, like she’d said, who she would always be from now on.
‘I’m not presuming because we’ve had a coffee together that we’re in a relationship. Not at all. I’d just like to spend some more time with you, and if it isn’t what you want then I expect you to tell me.’ Where had all that come from? It had nothing to do with Holly, and all to do with herself. Could be she wasn’t the devoted mum she prided herself on being. No, not true. But she was entitled to look out for herself in all this as well as for Holly. Anyway, how could she deny the need growing inside her to get closer to Noah? Even while trying to keep on the straight and narrow until everything was sorted between them, she wanted him. Badly.
Noah was looking a little stunned. Then he chuckled. ‘Let’s have breakfast together in the morning before we start work. Meet at Connor’s again. It’s between the hospital and the private practice I’m at. Unless you’re free in about forty-five minutes? When I’ve seen my patient?’
Temptation roared through her. There’d be nothing more wonderful than to spend time together, alone, kissing, hugging. Talking about Holly. On her toes, Stacey leaned in and kissed Noah. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ and she tried to step away.
‘Not so fast.’ His arms wrapped around her, held her hard against his strong frame, and his mouth devoured hers. His tongue tasted her, turning her knees to mush so that she’d have dropped to the pavement if Noah hadn’t been holding her so tight. Breathing was impossible. Not that she cared. If she had to die right now, then this was the only way to go. Why had she turned down his offer to go with him?
* * *
Noah watched Anastasia head down the escalator to the trains below ground, his finger touching where her last kiss had landed. ‘I’m in trouble.’ No matter how sensible he was, how he laid out the facts of his heart not wanting to be broken, or his trust trashed, he was falling for Anastasia Wainwright. He felt like a moth drawn to the light, in danger and unable to back away. It was scary. He hadn’t learned enough about her yet.
Should he jump in and risk everything? Stop trying to overthink everything? But what if he’d got it all wrong, and she was another gold-digger? Yet when they were kissing his body was alight with need, and he wanted to rush her off to his bed and make love to her all night long. To enjoy her company, share some laughs and forget he could get hurt again.
When she’d asked to see him again there had been no way he could say no. Open, determined and so lovable, all in one. How could he not want her? Why wouldn’t he just fall for her and be done with it?
He’d noticed she’d gone quiet for a brief moment when he’d mentioned yesterday where he lived, and then tonight when he’d told her the house needed redecorating there’d been another quiet moment, but he didn’t think that meant she was calculating his worth, however little she knew. From what he’d seen and heard about her lifestyle with her family, he understood there wasn’t a lot of money to spare, but he couldn’t believe she would be someone to grab at him for what he had. Of course, he’d got that wrong once before.
Sighing, he turned in the direction of the hospital. A patient required his attention, and he required some work to silence the doubts and arguments cramming his head.
And in the morning they’d have breakfast together. It couldn’t come fast enough and wouldn’t be anywhere as much time with Anastasia as he’d like.
‘Noah, wait.’
He spun around and caught Anastasia as she bounded up and threw her arms around him. ‘I can’t stay all night.’
Noah kissed her like his life depended on it. Then he drew back. ‘Guess we’d better get a move on then.’ The hospital visit wouldn’t take long and then they’d grab a cab to his house. His blood was throbbing in his wrists and making his head light. Gripping her hand, he almost dragged her to the hospital and into the lift.
And finally, after making certain his patient was doing as well as expected, Noah took Anastasia out again onto the street to wave down a cab and take her home, kissing all the way.
Inside the front door, he leaned back to nudge it shut, Anastasia in his arms. ‘Welcome to my house.’
She didn’t stop to look around, just rose up on her toes and wound her arms around his neck. ‘Run out of kisses?’
‘Not likely.’ And he lost himself in her arms, until he had to possess her. Swinging her up into his arms, he strode along the hall and into the sitting room to the sofa. When he laid her down, she remained holding him, keeping him close, her fingers working magic on his shoulders, reminding him of how she made him feel soft and hard, hot and strong whenever her fingers were on his skin. ‘Anastasia, slow down.’
‘Can’t.’
Neither could he, unless she wanted him to, and it seemed she didn’t. So he went with the passion rising throughout him, touching her soft, warm skin, caressing, sucking her nipples until she cried out. Somehow they were naked, though he couldn’t recall removing any clothing, and he lay back with Anastasia on top of his pulsing body as she rolled a condom over his erection. Her legs were spread wide, her centre beckoning with heat and moisture, and then they joined. Anastasia’s back arched under his hands, her head tipped back and that satiny hair skimming his thighs as they came.
Noah sank into a haze of release and satisfaction. This was what he’d been hoping for ever since Anastasia had walked out of his hotel room three years ago. Anastasia was his dream. With her, he lost all sense of everything but her. And it felt right. Good. Beyond good. Unreal.
Careful.
Sure, but not tonight.
His mind slipped back to when they’d met. He’d tried not to stare down at the petite woman beside him as they’d strolled into the hotel foyer to take a break from the loud music. She’d been impossible to ignore, having intrigued him when he’d seen her dancing on the perimeter of the dance floor. He’d never forgotten the way her hips had had his mouth drying faster than a puddle in the desert as she’d swayed in time. The colourful skirt had accentuated her delightfully curved butt, while her tiny waist gave way to breasts that had his hands itching to touch them. She had an urchin look. As for those brown hazel eyes, they’d snagged him every time she’d looked directly at him. And in every dream about her he’d had since.
Now here they were, sprawled across his sofa, exhausted from making love, and he was ready to do it again. His lips touched her forehead. ‘Hey, you awake?’
Her mouth spread into a wide smile, lifting at the right corner, while her eyes filled with mischief. ‘You’re a lot better than that.’
He laughed. ‘You say the nicest things.’ He leaned in for another kiss. A simple yet intense kiss that rocked him on his firmly placed backside. A kiss that was rapidly heating his blood and banishing the lethargy following their lovemaking.
Her arms tightened around him, her breasts pressed closer, her thighs also.
On her face he saw a similar need to what was knocking at him, turning him into a pool of desire. He was a goner. ‘A
nastasia?’
She nodded slowly. ‘Noah.’ When she growled his name into his mouth he almost came before she did.
Anastasia.
It was over as fast as it started, and this time they sat up, leaning back against the sofa, until their breathing returned to normal. Then her phone pinged, and she stood up, taking his hopes with her as she began tugging on her clothes. As though she knew who’d messaged. ‘Sorry, but I need to get home.’
‘You can stay the night,’ he said, trying not to sound needy. Or worried there was someone else in her life after all.
She shook her head. ‘Not tonight.’ The light was gone from her eyes, replaced by what? Disappointment? Regret? Yes, that was it. But why? Or someone else she’d just let down? She’d made love so acceptingly. Taking and giving. Completely involved.
‘You are single, are you?’ he demanded, suddenly on edge about her hurried departure.
Contrition blinked out at him. ‘Yes, Noah, I promise I am. I would never play around on anyone.’
His lungs let out the air they’d been holding. He nodded. ‘I believe you.’ Without question, which only showed how involved he was getting.
‘Thank you. I have to get home to cover for my brother.’ Bending down, she kissed his forehead. ‘See you tomorrow for coffee?’