Page 42 of Three of a Kind

I want no part of being tied to his life of crime. It just makes me feel pathetic that I believed the lies for so long.

Exhaling heavily, I aim for the kitchen. I have dishes to do from mine and Libby’s snack. It’s better to tackle those now, so I can wake up to a clean kitchen.

I’m just tossing the last of Libby’s toys from the floor into her living room toy box when someone knocks on the front door.

My head tilts to check the clock, but I know without seeing the numbers that it’s too soon for Lennox to be home.

I’ve debated long and hard about calling Bless. I’m not supposed to, in case Avan has someone tracking my calls, but I’m not sure how I’m supposed to verify if Gunner and Maverick work for her if I don’t call her directly.

Normally, if it’s important, I’ll call her from work or the phone at the coffee shop.

The knocking gets slightly louder, and I stomp toward the door.

This apartment isn’t small, but the last thing I need is someone waking Libby up right after she fell asleep.

If that happens, she’ll act like she took a late nap and stay up for hours.

I tip up on my toes to check the peephole and exhale in pure relief when I spot Noble.

Tugging open the door, I step back and extend an arm.

“I wasn’t expecting you.”

“After last night, I figured I should check in on you.” He slides inside with a huge brown bag held in his hand by the handles. “I brought dessert.”

My hand falls to the bottom of the old band T-shirt I’m wearing, and I give it a tug. I didn’t think he’d pop back over so soon, even though, when he left this morning, he told me he’d see me again soon.

“Let me just run and grab some pants,” I say, hoping my hideous maternity underwear isn’t showing.

I close the front door and bolt toward my bedroom.

His throaty chuckle that follows me as I waddle away isn’t helping me pretend to be more composed.

Noble is totally out of my freaking league.

Chapter Thirteen

Brooklyn

Isit cross-legged on the couch, facing Noble, as we devour the pints of ice cream he brought. It’s such a bizarre feeling to even hang out with someone these days.

I’ve been lonely for so long, it’s hard to know if I’m taking advantage of his kindness. It’s still dangerous for anyone to get close to me, but also, I’m tired of living like a hermit because of the fear of Avan’s backlash.

“Wanna trade me a bite of chocolate?” Noble asks, running his tongue over the bottom of his spoon.

“Did I take the flavor you wanted?” I ask, tilting my head. He seemed indifferent to either vanilla or chocolate.

“Nope, I’m just a little jealous of your spoon.” He chuckles, scooping a small bite of vanilla out of his container and holding it out to me. “Want a taste of mine?” He wiggles the spoon, and I lean forward, wrapping my lips around it.

It’s cold and creamy, with a gritty vanilla flavor that my senses adore.

His eyes darken as his teeth dig into his lower lip. “It’s good, huh?”

“Yeah,” I agree, focusing on my ice cream to scoop him out a taste.

My hand shakes as I hold out the utensil.

Noble has his spoon back in his container, and his huge hand moves to cradle my wrist as he bends to savor the ice cream. His tongue swirls around the bottom, making a shiver run down my spine.

---