Before You Go

TWENTY-SIX

“Take off your clothes, Tabitha.” Noah orders shortly after seven o’clock.

“Jeez.” I let out a nervous laugh. “Ever heard of foreplay?”

“This is foreplay.” He smirks.

“Okay, just hang on a minute.”

“Nope.” Noah charges at me and flips me over his shoulder. “You’re staying with me, Tab. No going away in your head. No time for second-guessing. We’re doing this.”

I slap his back and beg him to put me down.

He doesn’t listen until we hit my bed and I land in a pile of pillows.

“Now strip,” he says playfully.

I know what he’s doing. He’s letting me have control to get me comfortable.

Clever bastard.

But it’s what happens after that gives me the jitters.

Sitting up, I remove my sweater and bra.

So much for my sexy underwear.

I lean back to work on my jeans, but in a blink, Noah is there to intervene.

“Allow me.” He slaps my hands away from my zipper.

He has my pants and underwear off in a matter of seconds.

I bite my lip in anticipation.

“It’s just touching, Tab,” Noah assures me, leaning on his side.

I’m on my back, which means he has full access to my body.

“I won’t let it go any further. I promise.”

His hands begin the experiment slowly, in the place we left off last time. His fingers trail my collarbone, tickling my skin. I relish in his touch as he places his warm palm on my chest and kisses me, soft and gentle.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispers in my ear. “I’m going to make sure you know just how much by the time we’re through.”

I close my eyes and reach for him, but all I can grab is a fistful of his long-sleeve t-shirt. It doesn’t feel right. “Will you do one thing for me?” I ask.

Noah stops his exploration. “Anything,” he says.

“Can we at least make the clothing situation equal?” I look at him from under my lashes, hoping to work a little of my own magic.

His eyes instantly narrow in on me and I feel the heat of his gaze between my thighs.

“Tabby, you underestimate my control.”

“You can keep your boxers on,” I quickly offer.

There’s a low growl in his throat, but he takes off his shirt and jeans. And once he moves against me, I can’t help it. My hands go on their own exploration—running across his broad shoulders, muscular arms, and his chest. They finally find a resting spot on his abs. Noah matches me move for move and doesn’t make me stop. His tongue plunges into my mouth and we are a tangle of arms and legs as we inhale each other.

When Noah finally pulls away from me, he wags a finger. “Naughty girl.” He chuckles. “Now let’s get back to what we started.”

“But I liked that detour,” I whine.

“So did I. That’s the problem. Now be good.”

Noah scoots down the bed, propping himself up on his arms while trailing kisses from my neck, down my chest, to my breast, now heaving with excitement. He looks up at me as he slides my nipple into his mouth.

My eyes roll back in my head.

When I come to, he does the same to my other breast. This time nipping and teasing. His mouth continues its assault and his hands begin moving down the length of my body stopping on my hip. He digs his thumb just under my hipbone, his fingers stretch around to my backside. He squeezes my hip at the exact moment he bites my nipple.

I shudder, so close to falling over the edge I can taste it.

Noah lets out a deep guttural laugh. “You liked that, huh? Let’s see if I can make you do that again.”

I am gone, without words.

Noah doesn’t seem to mind.

He slides further down my body and uses his tongue to draw a line down my stomach.

My teeth scrape across my lip, digging in deep so I don’t call out.

Noah makes his way between my legs and they easily part for him. He kisses the inside of my thigh, his tongue wet and warm. “Is this okay?” he asks.

How do I answer that? This is the best thing I’ve ever felt and I never want it to end. He has won over my body and my mind and I don’t think I’ll ever be the same again.

“It’s amazing,” I murmur.

“Tabby,” he exhales, and I feel his breath on my most sensitive spot.

On reflex, my hips rise to meet him and I feel him moan against my leg.

Then his mouth finds me.

And I fall over the edge.