Present Perfect(50)

I started to talk, but the words caught in my throat at first. Trying to sound chipper, I said, “Great. I’m going home to shower and wash my hair.” My voice sounded as if I were a four pack a day smoker.

Noah got out of bed and walked up behind me, placing his hands on my hips. We looked at each other in the mirror. Damn, he looked hot standing there in his low hung pajama pants and well- worn grey t-shirt that covered his amazing toned and chiseled torso.

He lowered his mouth to my ear and said in a husky voice, “Don’t go. You can shower here.”

He took a small step back and pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it back on to the bed. There it was, that gorgeous chest I wanted to crawl up and down on. Noah continued, snapping me back to the present. “I’m going to go jump in the shower and then I’ll make you some toast. It will help your stomach.” He kissed the top of my head. Glancing down at his shirt I was wearing, splattered with the contents of my stomach, he said, “You can keep the shirt.” I shifted my gaze down as the blush crept over my face. He then smiled at me, followed by a smack on my ass before leaving the room.

HE SMACKED MY ASS AND I LIKED IT!

I definitely had to get out of there.

I waited until I heard the shower turn on before I made my escape. I knew I was going to have to deal with this, but I couldn’t right now. My head was swimming, my stomach was queasy, and my thoughts were all over the place. Not to mention, I felt icky and needed a shower. I quickly put my jeans on over Noah’s boxers, slipped on my shoes, and made a beeline for the door.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I got home. Not only did I make it back here before Noah got out of the shower, but when I checked my phone, I saw I had a voicemail from Mom. They were staying in Myrtle Beach one more night and would be back late tomorrow. I’d have today and tomorrow to fully recover.





I had just enough time to take a shower and wash my hair before I heard him. Noah was in the house yelling my name. “TWEET!” He sounded beyond pissed at me for leaving.

I quickly stepped out of the shower and wrapped a big towel around me. I had started towel drying my hair when the bathroom door swung open. I spun around to see Noah glaring at me, supporting himself with one hand on the doorframe and the other gripping the doorknob tightly.

He leaned in and growled, “You and me are talking. Now!”

“Can I at least put some clothes on?”

“No. You have about ten seconds to get your sweet little ass out here.” He abruptly turned and stomped away, leaving the door wide open.

I dried my hair as best I could and left it loose. Butterflies had taken over my stomach. I lowered my gaze with each step I took as I timidly walked down the hall to the family room. I had no idea what either of us was going to say. I reached the family room. Biting my lip, I looked up, but didn’t see Noah. A sense of relief hit me. Maybe he had changed his mind and left to calm down before we talked. Then I heard him clear his throat. He was in the kitchen leaning up against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest. He was wearing a pair of dark blue basketball shorts, a sleeveless orange t-shirt, and he was barefoot. His hair was still slightly damp from his shower. Even with the scowl across his face, he was the most gorgeous guy I had ever seen. It took every ounce of strength I had to keep me from running and wrapping my arms and legs around him.

I walked into the room and stood on the other side of the kitchen island. I thought keeping a little distance between us was a good idea.

Neither one of us said anything at first. When he looked up at me, his eyes softened a little. I clutched the towel tightly around me. Noah’s gaze started slowly gliding down the length of my body as his tongue darted out slightly, licking his lower lips. My breath started to quicken. The warm tingling sensation that I got whenever I was near him started to take over. I finally broke our eye contact, looking away, and nervously started biting my thumbnail. When I glanced back, the intensity had returned to his eyes and the scowl back to his face. His tone was strong and determined when he said, “Talk.”

“About what?” I looked up at him with innocent eyes, as I continued to gnaw on my nail.

He let out a low deep growl as he shook his head. “How many times do I have to tell you not to play dumb? You’re no good at it.”

I released my thumb from its torture and said, “I’m not playing this time. I really don’t know what you want me to say.”

“Okay. How about we start with, why did you leave this morning?”

“I felt icky and needed a shower,” I said.

“You could’ve showered at my house.”

“I didn’t want to.”

“Why?”

“Because, my shampoo is over here and I like my shampoo.”

Noah’s breathing became deeper and picked up speed. The muscles in his arm tensed and relaxed each time he flexed his hands. He was losing patience. “You’re a piece of work.”

His arms unwrapped from around his chest. He took one step forward, placing his palms down on the kitchen island, and leaned in my direction. He had a look in his eye that I had only seen one other time. It was the same look he gave me last night after I ran to Brad’s side. In a steady low-pitched voice, he slowly said, “Why did you run out this morning? Don’t give me any shampoo bullshit.”

I held eye contact and softly said, “I was having a hard time remembering what went on last night. I knew we needed to talk, but I needed to clear my head first,” I paused. “I don’t remember anything that happened after the tequila.”