“No more, baby.” He kisses me softly—once, twice, and then a third time. “No more apologies. I just need you. You’re the missing piece in my and Nova’s life, and I won’t replace you.”
With Noah standing in front of me, professing his love and promising to stand by me, all of the reasons I had for staying away from him seem to fade. Because I feel the same way. Noah and Nova are the missing pieces in my life.
“Lennon.”
I blink, focusing on Noah’s voice and his strong body pressed against mine. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I’m thinking I don’t want Nova to grow up the way I did—hiding behind every corner, spending her days in a stuffy house to avoid the cameras when she should be out having fun, being a kid. I don’t want her to have to deal with the media and accusations and rumors—”
As the words come out of my mouth, I finally allow myself to believe Noah and I can make this work.
“But I won’t let that happen, because I’m not my parents,” I finish. “I’ll protect her and shield her and teach her better than my parents ever did. They’ve shown me what not to do.”
Relief passes over Noah’s face, and his brown eyes go liquid. He pulls my mouth to his, but this time it isn’t sweet or innocent. His tongue plunges deep, battling my own.
Claiming me.
Claiming us.
Breathless, I look at Noah. “Are you sure you want to do this? You’re sure you want to put up with everything I could bring?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything. I love you, Lennon.”
My body relaxes with relief against his. “I love you too. So much.”
“Does this mean you’re coming home with me? Because that’s where you belong.”
“I love the sound of that. And yes, I’ll come home with you. But I can’t leave right now.”
His smile fades. “What do you mean?”
“I need to stay here to clean up and finalize distribution of all the donations.”
The thought of him getting on a plane and going to Texas without me is devastating.
“When does your flight leave? Can you stay with me tonight?” I ask.
Noah shakes his head. “I can’t. I have to get back, and Mikey already booked our flights.” I pout, and he chuckles. “Stay. Finish up whatever it is you need to finish, and then come home to me.” His voice drops seductively low. “But don’t take too long, because I can’t wait to get you naked.” His eyes rake up and down my body. “Make sure you bring that dress with you too. It’s fucking sexy, and all I can think about is stripping you out of it.”
Oh God, I want that too. So bad. If there weren’t people out there counting on me, I’d be tempted to let him take me right here.
“I’ll bring the dress.”
“And the heels,” he adds, kissing his way down my neck. “I want them digging into my back when I fuck you.”
I nod. “Definitely the heels.”
His warm lips trail over my collarbone. My nipples are peaked, pressing against the soft material of my dress, and I cry out when Noah slips a hand through the front slit of my skirt to finger the edge of my thong.
“Next time, no underwear,” he whispers, claiming my mouth once more.
Someone clears their throat, startling me, and I pull away.
“Noah, dude, what are you guys doing out here?” Mikey asks. “I hope you’re not fucking her because that’s—you know what? Never mind. I hope you are fucking her, because that’s hot.”
“We’re not fucking,” I say, flatly.
“Too bad.” He looks at me, no doubt taking in my flushed cheeks and puffy lips.