“And he didn't take you with him?”
“Worse. He was actually here for his bachelor party. I was his last hurrah,” I said, sickened at how gullible I had been. “It was all a lie.” I looked down, feeling the insecurity and shame bubble up again. “I had told everyone. I had practically bought my plane ticket.”
My voice faltered at the end. I didn't want to tell Noah how the jerk had laughed at me. How I had trudged through the town and everyone had shot me pitying looks. The shame of everyone finding out that I had been duped and dumped. The well-meaning but awkward questions from my mainland friends asking when I was going to come visit them. My mom's reaction. I cleared my throat and tossed my hair behind my shoulder. I was stronger now.
“But I learned my lesson. No more tourists.”
Noah faced me, his hands on my shoulders. The heat of his palms against my bare skin set my body afi
re with want. I wasn't sure if he was trembling or if I was, but either way my body was humming. Ice blue eyes held me in their thrall. They were full of kindness and attraction, and it was intoxicating.
“What about me? I'm a tourist.” His voice was deep and playful. I stared at his perfect lips, wanting to kiss them, as they formed the words.
“Yeah, well, I never said I was a good student.”
The fingers of one of Noah’s hands made their way to my chin, moving me into a gentle, yet insistent kiss. The kiss deepened, my lips parting to give him more. His kiss was hot and deep, banishing every unhappy thought from my mind. He tucked his head, breaking the connection and allowing me to replenish the much needed oxygen for my aching body. I took an unsteady breath, keeping my eyes closed, feeling lightheaded and wonderful.
At least this time I know what's coming, I thought to myself. I know this is just for now and not forever. I can enjoy this now, or I can regret never having it. I opened my eyes to see his blue ones. I choose to enjoy it.
“You are so beautiful,” Noah whispered. His smile was soft and full of affection. Butterflies danced in my stomach.
“Thanks,” I whispered. My voice didn't seem to work anymore. I cleared my throat, trying to steady myself by holding onto him. I wasn't sure if that was working, but I wasn't about to let go. Being dizzy in his arms was far better than walking straight alone. “So, what about that dinner I was promised?”
Noah laughed, the rich sound filling the tunnel of trees. The sun had set, turning the branches into a dark mystery of shadows and secrets. I could see the lights of houses ahead on the path, urging us on to civilization. Noah took my hand in his, pulling me forward as we went to eat the dinner he had planned.
Chapter 9
The sound of Noah's feet changed as he stepped from the path onto a smaller, sand-packed one that led toward the rear of Owen's beach home. The sky was fading from lilac to navy as the stars came out to play with the ocean. He led me past some palm trees to an adorable bungalow on the beach.
It was right on the water with the back porch suspended over the ocean on piers that dove into the sea at high tide. Big windows were open to the night air, and I could already smell the scent of food wafting out of them. The front door was flanked by two palm trees leading up to a wooden porch that wrapped around the entire house.
Noah hurried to open the front door, holding it for me like a true gentleman. The inside was just as charming as the outside. Teak floors and comfortable furniture filled the small space with blue and green accents everywhere. It felt like a home instead of a beach house.
The little bungalow appeared to be a main room, kitchen, and then a bedroom with an en suite bath. Set up in the main living area was a round wooden table with candles, two big white plates, and glasses. A smaller rectangular table stood beside it with buffet style warming dishes and carafes of milk and orange juice.
“M'lady,” Noah said with a smile as he pulled out a chair for me to sit. I sat as delicately as I could, and while I got comfortable he lit the two candles. Warm light flickered through the cozy room and added a romantic vibe.
With a flair, he opened the four lids of food on the serving table. Inside each warmer was a breakfast food. Steam from bacon, hash browns, pancakes, and scrambled eggs with cheese and peppers filled the room and made my mouth water.
I clapped my hands with delight. “This looks fantastic!”
Noah let out a little sigh of relief and grinned. “I was hoping you would like it. You said to make my favorite, so here it is.”
“I love breakfast food. It really should just be anytime meal food because it's so good.” I handed him my plate, and he began scooping food in neat portions onto it. “This is so much better than anchovy pizza with mustard sauce.”
“There's maple syrup, ketchup and hot sauce if you want it,” he said nodding toward the end of the table. It looked like it was real maple syrup. The man certainly knew how to do breakfast right.
He handed the plate back to me, and I had a hard time waiting to eat while he quickly filled his own plate with the delicious breakfast food. I poured a little maple syrup on the plate and tasted it on my finger. It was the real stuff. The expensive stuff. The stuff my mom only got us on Christmas. I nearly poured the rest of the bottle on my pancakes.
Once he sat down, he grinned. “Let's eat!”
The pancakes were possibly the best pancakes I had ever had in my life, and I've had a lot of pancakes. They were light and fluffy, but had enough weight to them that they didn't feel flat or too little. They were buttery and delicious. Combined with the maple syrup, I could have lived on that alone for a year.
“So does this count as you making me breakfast, or dinner?” I asked, reaching for the ketchup. The hash browns were crispy and perfect, and the eggs melted in my mouth with little explosions of heat from the peppers. I was fairly sure I had died and gone to food heaven.
“Whichever you want it to be,” he said as he poured maple syrup over all the contents on his plate. “I'll even make you dinner in the morning if you want.”
I giggled at his joke. Noah took his fork and mixed all the contents of his plate into a pile, stirring in the maple syrup. I made a snorting noise at his culinary decision.