Before You Go

NINE

Noah leads me to the editor’s office. His office. It’s clean and simple, filled with shelves of books and photos. There are pictures of him with visiting politicians, as well as authors, and a few sports heroes. Prominent in the middle of the shelf is the Mark of Excellence Award from The Society of Professional Journalists.

He’s the real deal.

“Have a seat.” Noah pulls a chair out for me at his big oak desk.

I take it, a little intimidated by this new side of him.

He leans over my shoulder and points to the screen.

Goose bumps sprout all over my traitorous body.

“This is the login page,” he says. His voice is cold even though his body is intimate. “We’ve set up an account for you already, you just need to change your password.”

I turn my head and our eyes meet. I fight to keep control. Yet, I make a silent wish for him to kiss me again. My mind goes back to that first night. The way he had my body buzzing and aching for him. The way he’s looking back at me, I think he might be remembering the same thing.

He’s the first to break our connection, as he continues to explain my new role. He’s all business again.

Until his arms snake around the sides of my body to use the keyboard. I can’t help but lean into him.

“And this is the page you’ll need to update each evening,” he says.

“Okay,” I say, quietly. “Looks easy enough.” I try to pay attention to the screen and keep calm, but my mind is somewhere else entirely. The effect he has on me is too much. He’s in complete control right now and I don’t like it one bit.

I slowly turn around in my chair, trapped between his arms. He smirks. Oh, yes. He knows exactly what he’s doing to me, and I think it’s about time he gets a dose of his own medicine.

Placing my palms on his stomach, I push him back. Then I stand, lightly brushing up against him. His eyes widen, surprised when I’m back at his level.

“I think I got this, Noah,” I keep my hands where they are, desperate to move them a little lower. “It’s not that complicated.” I tip my head in an effort to get a better look at his expression, so I can try to understand it. “Now, do you want to tell me what this is really about?”

“Tabby.” Noah sighs. “I’m giving you one of the most important jobs here; I just want to make sure you understand. It’s not a position to be taken lightly.”

“I understand. But there’s a whole instruction manual explaining how to upload each story, you really didn’t need to take the time to give me a special training session. Especially when you’re shooting flaming daggers at me during the meeting.”

“Shooting what?” He runs his hand through his hair again. “I didn’t mean to, honest.”

“And then there was all that drama with Foster,” I add. “What was that all about?”

“Why do you care about Foster?” Noah snaps.

“Who said I do? I just met the guy tonight.”

“Well, you looked pretty cozy for somebody you just met.” Noah groans, his eyes burn into mine.

“What’s this all about, Noah? You’ve gone from trying to get me to reconsider finishing what we started on that first night, to being just a friend, to strutting around like a bossy-ass editor. And now you’re acting like a jealous boyfriend.”

He continues to stare at me, but I don’t back down.

“Foster is bad news, that’s all,” he says. “I’m just trying to look out for you, Tabby.”

“I think I can handle that on my own,” I tell him.

“Can you?” He leans in closer.

“What do you want from me, Noah?” I ask.

“I’m trying to figure that out,” he says, before cupping my face and running his lips against mine.

I will myself to stay still. To stay calm. My arms don’t listen. They tangle around Noah’s neck. And as he parts my lips, I open for him and let go.

His tongue runs along my bottom lip and then dips inside my mouth, exploring. I barely register what’s happening as he lifts me onto the desk and nestles his body between my legs. My thighs instantly tighten around him. I don’t have to think, my body simply reacts, doing what it’s supposed to. I’m not damaged with him. I’m not broken.

He opens his eyes and smiles. “Tabby, you have no idea how much I’ve wanted to do that. Having you in class every day is torture. I want to be with you.”

“I know,” I say, wondering if I could go through with it this time. “But not here.”

“No.” He chuckles. “I mean, yes. I want to be with you, with you too. But I’m talking about being together.” He pulls my hand up to his mouth and places a gentle kiss on my palm. “You know. Like dating.”

Oh no. That I can’t do.

“I thought I told you,” I say. “I don’t date. I’m not at that place in my life.” I slide off the desk, knowing I have to get out of there.

“I’m sorry, Noah,” I say, walking to the door. “I can’t.”