Page 40 of Touchdowns and Temptations

“So, are you coming with me?” he asks.

I bite my lip, asking myself the same question. Noah and I have never been alone at his house to spend an evening together. I think back and forth, undecided. I wonder if this is too intimate. We are friends, but isn't that what friends do?

“Cara?” he asks. “Yes or no?”

“I don't know,” I answer honestly. “I don't have my car...”

“I'll drive you home later,” he offers. “And, of course, I won't drive you if you want to stay with me.”

My pulse races and goose bumps spread over my body. I can't imagine that there could be more between us than just a nice evening with friends. It's not possible.

“Do you have bad intentions towards me?” I try to keep the conversation light.

“Absolutely not,” Noah says, winking at me. “We're spending some time together, as friends.”

I take a deep breath and look back at Alex and Toby.

“Okay,” I finally give in. “I'll come with you.”

12

Cara

Noah opens the front door for me and I go in after him. This is the first time I've been in his house. The lower level of the apartment is dominated by a large kitchen. A huge black leather couch sits in the middle of the room, facing a giant flat-screen TV.

“Make yourself at home,” Noah says, setting his gym bag down by the stairs. “Wine?”

“Sure,” I reply, smiling at him. “My usual wine buddy is unavailable at the moment.” He raises his eyebrows, which makes me grin. “Marina,” I explain to him. “She's not allowed to drink wine right now.”

“Oh, right!” he says. “Is she excited about the baby? How much longer will it be?”

“She's very excited,” I answer, following him into the kitchen. “She is due to give birth in February.”

I put my purse on the counter and sit down on one of the stools.

“Marina can hardly wait and is counting down the days.”

“It's still more than half a year away,” Noah replies amusedly, taking two glasses from the cupboard. Then he walks past me into the living room to get a bottle from the huge wine rack on the wall.

“Red or white?” he asks, looking at me over his shoulder.

“White, please,” I reply. “That's what I tell Marina, but she doesn't want to hear it. Is this a sweet wine?”

“Like you?” he replies mischievously.

“Sweet?” I ask.

I laugh and Noah sets the bottle down in front of me.

“Of course I'm sweet,” I claim. “You have no idea how sweet I am.”

“No?” he asks, resting his forearms on the kitchen island and leaning toward me. “Could you show me?”

I lean over the counter to him. Noah looks at me expectantly. His gaze dances between my lips and my eyes. We're so close again, I can feel his breath on me. My heart beats faster and my skin tingles at the thought of his lips on mine. Fuck, we're friends. I hastily pull away, ending the magical moment between us.

“The wine,” I clear my throat. Noah stays in his position for a moment and stands up as well.

“Wine,” he mumbles. “Of course.”

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