Page 62 of Stuck with My Bossy Protector

“It’s just me,” Noah says.

He’s carrying a stack of white cartons. It looks like he’s prepared to feed an army. The smell hits me immediately, and my stomach growls in response. “I smell bacon,” I gasp.

He grins and carries the cartons to the small table. “Oh, I got bacon.”

“Going all out, I see,” I tease, easing myself up in the bed, my energy levels a little replenished after the much-needed nap.

Noah just chuckles, setting out the food on the table, his grin never wavering. “A hot meal after such a hellish few days sounded like a good idea.”

“No arguments here,” I admit. The aroma of the food has my mouth watering and my stomach grumbling eagerly. I grab the blanket and wrap it around me. I sit at the table, watching Noah scoop scrambled eggs and bacon onto two plates. There’s toast, too—buttered and warm, along with coffee. Another container is filled with fluffy pancakes. My heart swells as I watch him prepare our meal. His attentiveness is touching. I find myself falling for the man more and more every minute.

“Eat up,” he grins as he takes off his pants. “They’re still wet. Don’t want to chafe,” he adds with a wink.

We devour the food like we haven’t eaten in weeks. I have zero qualms about stuffing my face in front of him. I can be dainty later. We don’t talk as we eat. It’s one bite after another. I can’t get the food in fast enough.

Eventually, our eating slows, and we take a moment to appreciate the quiet. I lean back in my chair, a content sigh escaping my lips. Noah does the same, his chair creaking slightly under his weight.

“That was...amazing,” I say, laughing softly. “I didn’t realize I was so hungry.”

“Well, running for your life tends to work up an appetite.”

There’s a brief pause before we both burst out laughing. It feels good to laugh despite the life-threatening circumstances that led us here. As our laughter subsides, I notice how Noah is looking at me—a soft but intense gaze that tells me he’s seeing more than just the woman who shared his wild adventure. It’s as if he’s trying to memorize every detail of my face.

“Now, I’m sleepy,” he murmurs.

“Me too.”

Full and warm, we crawl into bed together. The stillness is a stark contrast to the chaos of the past few days. Noah turns to me, his expression serious. “I’m sorry, Mia, for getting you involved in all of this. If I had known—”

I shush him, placing a finger over his lips. “You couldn’t have known. It’s not your fault.”

He looks relieved but still guilty. “I’ll replace your camera equipment.”

I shake my head. “There’s still a chance it’s at the cabin. Don’t worry about it.”

The cozy bed and the comfort of his presence start to lull me into a sense of security. But then, he shifts closer, his breath warm against my neck.

“Mia,” he whispers, his voice husky. “I—”

Before he can finish, I turn to him, our faces inches apart. The proximity is electric, the air between us charged with unspoken words and shared experiences. Without thinking, I close the gap, pressing my lips to his.

With this kiss, I release all the fear and tension that has built up inside me. His response is immediate, his arms wrapping around me, pulling me closer. The kiss deepens. All the pent-up emotions of the past few days come pouring out.

We break apart, breathless, and he looks at me with an intensity that makes my heart race. “Are you sure?” he murmurs. “We should get some sleep. The police and Feds might be here soon.”

“We can sleep later,” I tell him.

“What about the birth control thing?” he asks.

I think about it for a second. “You’re right. We shouldn’t push our luck.”

He kisses my forehead. “We need to sleep anyway. I don’t know if I have the energy.”

He pulls me against him, snuggling me close. I can almost forget everything about last night. Being in his arms, warm and replete, makes it feel like there could be nothing wrong in the world. His steady heartbeat gives me a sense of peace I haven’t felt in forever. Noah’s arms hold me tight as he lets out a soft sigh. His breath ruffles my hair, and I feel safe. Safer than I have in a long time. I know the nightmare isn’t over, but for right now, I can relax. I didn’t even realize how tense I’d been for the last couple of years, constantly looking over my shoulder.

We lay there, and I start to drift. My mind wanders back to our first encounter and how angry he was with me. I remember the danger that has brought us so close and the fear that kept us on the run. The thought of running again makes me clench my fingers into Noah’s chest; he responds with a reassuring squeeze.

“You okay?” he whispers, his voice filled with concern.

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