Page 77 of A Hard Habit to Break

It was clear she’d overheard the bits of the conversation and understood the accusations. But she didn’t understand the full implications if he appeared compromised. Did he want her to? He could jeopardize his professional standing, the career he dreamed of with his PawPaw.

“I’m going to find out,” he said, standing to his feet.

Rachel rose to her knees. “I’ll be ready in ten.”

“You’re staying here.”

“No,” Rachel said, moving to stand. Noah caught her around the waist, plastering her bare hip to his side.

“Stay here. Please,” Noah crooned. When Rachel’s expression slipped from happy to questioning, he felt like a heel. “This place looks good on you. Don’t you want to poke around in my drawers, maybe… search my medicine cabinet?”

“Aw, I can do that with you here.”

“I have to go, but I’ll be back as soon as Noahly possible.”

“Is that your way of saying, humanly possible?”

“Sweetheart, there’s nothing human about how bad I want to get lost inside you.”

Yeah, he just invited her to be a part of his life, but he didn’t want her to witness this. He wasn’t sure what he had to do to win, but now that he had her here, in his home, in hisarms, there was no way he would have the promotion ripped away from him.

“Oh,” she cooed, her cheeks heating a new shade of crimson. “In that case, I’ll keep it warm for you.”

Quick as lightning, Noah scooped her off the bed, tossing her nude form over his shoulder, and exited the bedroom.

“Hey,” she protested, but took advantage of her upside-down position to squeeze his bottom. “Where are you taking me?”

Noah chuckled. “As much as I’m tempted to buddy-tape us together for the rest of my life, I have a surprise for you.”

“You could just use your words.”

Descending the stairs, he walked through the great room, not stopping till they reached the far bedroom, the one he kept locked. Noah eased Rachel down his body, slow and laborious, until she got the hint that he wouldn’t squander an opportunity. When their eyes met, he held her still, waiting. To her credit, she didn’t hesitate to press her mouth to his, and Noah, well, he spread around her, a wildfire of hard kisses, long legs hugging his waist, and a soft center melting against him.

“You sure you want to leave?” Rachel moaned, licking a moist trail down his neck.

“Want?” He panted. “I want to build a moat and dare anyone to cross into my territory. But”—he circled one hand around the calf she had locked at the center of his back—“duty calls.”

Rachel dropped her feet, albeit with a serious pouty face, to the floor. “Way to make me feel bad for putting my sexual fantasies ahead of fire prevention.”

Noah reached above the doorframe, fished for the key, and unlocked the door. He stood back and pointed inside. “Go on in.”

For a second, neither of them moved. Natural light floated through transom windows above the telescope sliding doors.The frameless glass overlooked the deck with an unobstructed view of the tranquil plunge pool. Rachel’s gaze landed on the ergonomic lounger centered in the room.

“What is that?” she whispered.

“This room gets the most natural light. I thought… it might be a nice workspace for you.” He looked at the bookcases he’d built along the left wall, the paint and easel set in the corner, breath held. Did she like the space he’d designed? This was either romantic or restraining-order territory. After that phone call, he really needed this to be romantic.

“Noah…” Her voice broke, pupils dilated and eyes unblinking.

“Yeah?”

“I love you so hard right now. Serious business, you actually custom-designed and decorated a space that’s perfect for me.”

While she stared at the charcoal prints and iron shelf sculptures, Noah cozied up to his woman and wrapped her in a bear hug. “You could order a drafting table, if you want.”

“Of course, I do. I love it, Noah. I really do.”

“And I love you, Six. Always have. Always will.”