How to Love Your Neighbour(76)

She tilted her head. “To tell you?”

He leaned in, kissed her forehead. “Who says you had to tell me anything. You could have just let me know you were awake.”

“You look so peaceful when you sleep.” She averted her eyes again.

He sensed the distance she was stuffing between them. Not physically. Which was worse.

“Talk to me,” he said.

Her fingers tapped against his pecs, tickling a bit. Noah had to press his hands against hers to flatten them so she didn’t completely distract him.

“I convinced myself I could take it slow but my heart seems to have other ideas. We agreed to see where things go but I’m not great at that. I like answers. I like knowing.”

Her thoughts echoed the ones he’d had earlier, making him more sure of this choice—this path they were on together.

“What do you want to know?” He couldn’t stop touching her.

She nibbled the inside of her cheek. “We’re exclusive?”

He thought of all the times his father had walked away from a relationship, blaming the other person. Noah wouldn’t make those mistakes. He wouldn’t take her for granted but he also couldn’t assume she knew what was going on in his head. “I sure as hell hope so. Didn’t you believe me when I said you’re all I see? Didn’t you mean it when you said it back?”

Her expression softened. “Of course.”

He hated that while he slept, wrapped up in the memories of being with her, more content than he could ever remember being, she’d been running all of this through her head like a fidget spinner.

“You know what I think?” He scooped her up in his arms.

Her eyes widened before she put her arms around his neck. “What’s that?”

“I think I didn’t exhaust you completely enough and should rectify that.”

Because they were nose-to-nose, he saw the flicker of sadness. It was so often easier to go with his gut than his heart but Grace made him happy. She deserved the truth even if it scared him.

“I also think this is new for both of us. So, we’ll need to be careful to talk to each other. Everything falls apart without communication.” He knew that well. “You’re the only person I want, Grace.”

“Okay,” she whispered as he walked toward his room.

Noah waited a beat. “Now you say it.”

She smiled, soft and sweet. “You’re the only person I want, Grace.” He narrowed his gaze. “Cute.” Tossing her down on his bed, happy to hear her squeal of delight, he covered her body. “Try it again.”

“I forget what you said.” Her eyes glittered with sass and sweetness.

“Hmm. How ever will I remind you?”

She pulled him close, her body aligning perfectly under his. “Say it again,” she whispered.

Noah pressed his forehead to hers, held her gaze. “You’re the only one I want, Grace.”

“You’re the only one I want, too.”

His heart actually freaking soared. It felt like it was levitating in his chest.

“As long as it lasts, it’s just you and me,” she said, arching up for a kiss.

For some reason, her words felt like sandpaper on his skin. Did anyone think he had staying power? Did she think he wouldn’t stay? Or did she know she wouldn’t?

Her lips pressed soft kisses along his neck, over his Adam’s apple, up along his chin. Noah did his best to push the thoughts out of his head. Focus on now. That had never been a problem for him in the past. What if you’re not the same guy you used to be? Grace was so sure she’d be the one walking away with scattered pieces of her heart trailing after her like bread crumbs. In this moment, even as he got lost in sensations unlike any he’d known, he felt a pressing worry that it might be him.





35


Grace moved the couch a smidge to the left, laying the deep blue blanket at just the right angle across it. She was right: the couch fit perfectly in Noah’s living room. The two wingback chairs sat closer to the reading nook. One side of the L-shaped couch had its back to the island, creating a natural division between the spaces. The fireplace mantel was a thing of beauty. Kyle and his guys had finished installing it this morning. Noah had been gone all morning but returned for the second magazine shoot. They’d spent every waking moment together, minus his meetings, trips into the city, her dog walking, and mandatory school days. Okay, maybe every night was more accurate.

“This looks kick-ass,” Noah said, staring down at the corner of his couch. “That’s going to be my spot, right there.” He turned and sank into it, then frowned. He stretched out his feet, setting them on the edge of the oversize ottoman. “Nope. Doesn’t feel right.” He got up, moved to the part that faced the fireplace directly. Doing the same thing, only this time stretching his arms along the back, he put his feet up. They reached easier, almost touching the rustic wooden drink tray she’d placed on top. “This is it. I need some masking tape.”

Grace, amused by his antics, put one hand on her hip. “For?”

He looked up at her like she’d lost her mind. “To put my mark on this cushion.”

Shaking her head, she picked up her clipboard. “You’re a strange man, Noah.”

“Ha,” he said, leaning farther into the couch. “Like that’s the first time anyone’s said that?”