Page 72 of A Hard Habit to Break

When the song ended, Noah pulled her close, both of them breathless and laughing. The heat from the dance had left a sheen of perspiration on her skin, and she was acutely aware of how her cutoffs had ridden up slightly, how Noah’s eyes kept drifting to where her tank top had shifted to reveal more shoulder.

“Having fun yet?”

“More than I expected,” she admitted, trying to push thoughts of Pete and Cheyenne aside. The way Noah was looking at her, like he wanted to devour her right there on the dance floor, made her feel powerful and desired. This was what she’dhoped for when she’d chosen the outfit: this hungry appreciation in his dark eyes.

“Good.” He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine. “Because I plan to keep you dancing all night. Among other things.”

His hand slid lower on her back, fingers grazing the strip of skin between her shorts and tank top. Rachel’s breath caught as he hummed a few bars of something sweet and low about taking someone home, the melody vibrating against her throat.

“Time for our own private party,” he said, his voice carrying a note of finality that made Rachel’s pulse skip.

Before she could ask what he meant, Noah stood and pulled her to her feet. Then, in a voice that carried clear across the suddenly quiet bar, he announced, “Well, folks, thanks for the dinner and dancing, but I’m taking my lady home now.”

The emphasis he put on “my lady” was unmistakable, and the possessive pride in his tone sent heat coursing through Rachel’s veins. Several people whooped and hollered their approval.

Noah tipped his hat to the room, then leaned down to whisper in Rachel’s ear. “Let’s get out of here before I show the whole town just how much you mean to me.”

Rachel’s knees nearly buckled at the dark promise in his voice. As Noah guided her toward the door, his hand firm and warm on the small of her back, she caught Pete’s expression of disapproval. But instead of apprehension, Rachel felt a wild anticipation for what awaited them beyond the doors.

They were almost to the exit when a familiar voice called out, “Hey, little brother. Where you going so fast?”

Rachel turned to see Eli approaching with Amarie, followed closely by Tobias. Behind them, Benji bounded over with his characteristic enthusiasm, a beer in one hand and a glass of white wine in the other.

“We just got here,” Amarie protested, her smile as big as her braided updo. “Come on, one drink with the family. We want to celebrate you, Mom, Matt, everything.”

Eli clapped Noah on the shoulder. “Love looks good on you, brother. Don’t mess up.”

“As if,” Noah replied with a laugh, but his arm remained firmly around Rachel’s waist.

Amarie winked at Rachel. “I bet money on this week, actually. Something about the way he was pouting at family breakfast the other morning.”

“I don’t pout,” Noah protested, which earned him a chorus of disagreement from his brothers.

Benji stepped forward, practically vibrating with excitement. “FriendFriend, can we do a group shot? Please? Just one?”

Benji got his Instagram photo while Rachel got all the feels. She felt a warm surge of affection for Noah’s family. They’d welcomed her back without question, treating her like she’d never left. But before she could respond, Noah’s voice cut through the chatter.

“Thanks, but we’re heading out. I’m taking my lady home.”

The way he said it with that same possessive pride that had carried across the entire bar left no room for argument. His brothers exchanged knowing looks, and Amarie grinned behind her hand.

“Ah,” Tobias said with a theatrical nod. “Don’t let us keep you.”

Benji gave Rachel an enthusiastic air kiss and called out, “Love ya’, FriendFriend.”

Rachel’s face burned with anticipation. She couldn’t stop smiling as Noah ushered her toward the door. The night was just getting started.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

NOAH PULLED THEtruck around back, where ClamClam relaxed on a plush cat bed on the rear deck, a new arrival since her departure this morning, her tail playing catch and release with the breeze.

Rachel climbed free of the cab, not waiting for Noah to round the front end. “Noah, what did you do?”

A six pack of longnecks on ice had replaced the wood log of the small round pit in the yard. On the deck, outlined in mason jar lanterns, a warm artificial light glowed against a lemonade setting sun. A picnic table covered in red and white gingham cloth held two champagne flutes, an unopened bottle, and a vase filled with a bouquet that matched the arrangement he presented earlier tonight.

Noah wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. “You thought I would jump into romancing your stone, didn’t you?”

In the stillness between the sounds of their breathing, there was a quiet pulse of nature, where the rustling of leaves in the wind and the occasional birdcall added a softer layer to the already tranquil scene. The water’s rumbling provided an ever-present background score, its rhythm shifting with the wind as it tumbled over rocks, growing louder at times and fading at others. Rachel let her head fall back to rest against his chest.