Page 11 of Gossip Game

Charlotte had kissed more than a few men in her twenty-seven years. She’d never been kissed like this, though, that was for sure. Noah may be quiet and unassuming, but his kiss. . . his kiss was nothing short of an erotic adventure.

His tongue swept into her mouth, daring hers to play along. Never one to turn away from a challenge, she was only too happy to oblige. Especially since this was the most action her lips had seen in—well, a while.

It was as if her body was on autopilot, sliding provocatively against his while their tongues dueled. What started as a chivalrous gesture to save her had morphed into a sensual mating of their mouths. He kissed her like a man on a mission. A mission to pleasure her thoroughly. And, oh, was she down for that.

His hands began to roam over her body, leaving a trail of heat wherever they went. She nipped at his lip, beseeching him not to stop. Not to let go. Ever.

She let out a whine of protest when he abruptly pulled his lips away. The elevator had stopped. More importantly, they were the only two people inside. She vaguely noticed the doors opening and Noah punching at the button agitatedly. Her breathing was a bit fractured as they climbed the remaining floors. Unable to shake off the sensual haze brought on by that kiss, she blindly followed him to his room. Once there, she hurried to the window, threading her fingers through her affirmation bracelets, trying to reclaim her composure.

“I’m going to find your brother,” he announced behind her. “He needs to know about Kincaid.”

No!

The last thing either of them needed was her brother getting involved. Not when it had taken several years for her to live down what Jay considered her poor choices in men. He would think she’d sought out Bucky’s attention on purpose. Not only that, but she didn’t want Noah somehow becoming collateral damage in her brother’s eyes. Not when she gave him no choice but to help her.

She spun around quickly to stop him. “Jay isn’t arriving until tomorrow. And I’d rather he didn’t know about this. I’d almost prefer Kincaid’s boorish behavior to Jay in big brother mode.” That was a lie. But she needed to brazen this out. It was for Noah’s own good. She crossed her arms over her chest and notched up her chin. “Trust me, I plan on avoiding this place for the rest of the team’s stay.”

An expression she couldn’t decipher flashed in his knowing eyes before he quickly shuttered it.

“Suit yourself. You’re welcome to hide out here.” He picked up a book from the end of the bed and headed for the door.

“You don’t have to go,” she called after him, ashamed that she couldn’t quell the panic lingering in her voice, but relieved she was able to bite back the rest of her thoughts.

Please don’t go. I don’t want to be alone.

He remained where he was, which she took as a good sign. She wandered nervously about the room, searching for the words to thank him for his help earlier. Except it was hard to know where to begin without mentioning that mind-blowing kiss.

Her cheeks grew warm with embarrassment. The intensity of her response had been over the top. He’d only been playing the role she’d thrust him into. Yet, she’d acted like a woman who hadn’t seen any action for years. It was true, she hadn’t. That didn’t mean she couldn’t have played it a lot more chill, however. He’d likely chalked it up to her Princess Charlotte reputation of churning through lovers. Her face burned hotter at the thought.

She spied a travel backgammon set on the coffee table, moving closer to sweep her fingers over it.

“I haven’t played this in forever.” She settled onto the sofa to give her shaky legs a break. “Jay taught me when I was in the first grade. Before he...left.”

Before he deserted me.

That wasn’t fair. Charlotte’s father had done a number on Jay. Hindsight was twenty-twenty, and she suspected that her dad resented the closeness between his daughter and the son his wife brought to their marriage. That’s likely why her dad made the choices he had.

And while Jay wasn’t physically in the same place as Charlotte, he had always been there for her whenever she needed him. Even when she was a rebellious brat. Which, she was ashamed to admit, was often during those teenage years.

She shook her head at her ridiculousness and looked up at Noah. “The last time we played together, he accused me of cheating.”

Noah snorted.

Excuse me?

“I was nine,” she argued. “And I don’t cheat.”

At least not anymore.

She set up the pieces on the board before arching an eyebrow at him, hoping he’d stay. A long moment later, he tossed the book back onto the bed and sat down in the chair across from her. Her stomach did a little victory dance while the rest of her body began to relax.

Charlotte filled the hours, chatting nervously. All the better to avoid the elephant in the room. Noah listened patiently as she jabbered on, nodding, and laughing where appropriate. It was refreshing to be around a guy whose ego didn’t demand to own the conversation. He was easygoing with a depth he kept hidden for some reason, only showing it to her when they landed on the topic of education.

And football.

They’d somehow ended up watching her favorite movie, both of them on the same bed. She never once felt uncomfortable or threatened. She was so cozy, in fact, she ended up falling asleep, only to awaken just before six, with his arm draped loosely over her waist.

The sense of contentment was so unexpected it brought tears to her eyes. This was what a genuine relationship might feel like. This was the feeling she’d been searching for all these years.

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