Page 31 of Noah

Liam released the most obnoxious whistle, and the rest of the table clapped. Was it possible to hate people and love them at the same time?

It took me until Thursday to work up enough nerve to ask Brody out.

He slipped onto a barstool in front of me. I leaned on the counter, coming as close to him as the bar top would permit. "Hey, gorgeous. How's your day treating you?"

"Better now that I'm with you."

I smiled. "I love your honesty."

"Bit of a default of mine."

"Can I touch you?"

A small smile and a nod. I reached for his fingertips, brushing mine across them. The light touch was the most I felt Brody would be comfortable with in such a busy place.

"Thank you for asking and keeping it subtle," Brody said, confirming my suspicion.

"You're not into PDAs."

"They make me uncomfortable. I don't like to draw attention to myself."

I pulled my hand away from his. "I like touching you."

Brody stared at me, his breathing becoming heavier. "I'd like my usual."

I chuckled. Brody's mannerisms made me smile. He was so direct and always asked for what he wanted. I'd been telling him the truth when I told him his approach was refreshing.

"On it, handsome." I hesitated. "Before I ring that in, though, I have something I want to ask you. You don't have to say yes. There's no pressure, okay?"

Brody's lips parted and he licked them. I'd made him nervous.

"It's nothing bad," I continued. "I'm not booked in to volunteer at the centre this Saturday. I know you don't like to leave your home on the weekend, but I was thinking of going for a hike up Mount Douglas and wondered if you'd like to come with me."

Brody blinked at me. Time crawled as I waited for him to speak.

"Like a date?" he asked finally.

"Yeah. Is that all right?"

"You want to date me?"

I shifted my weight to one hip. "Isn't it obvious that I'm really into you?"

Brody nodded. "I like you too."

"Then let's go on a date together."

Brody wrinkled his brow. "Okay, but I've never been hiking before."

"We'll stick to the easy winding trails at the base of the mountain."

"I work out on a treadmill and lift weights at home."

"Oh." That would explain his toned muscular body. His biceps were to die for. I wanted to lick them from the sensitive skin at the crook of his elbow, across the hard curve to what I'm positive would be an intoxicating scent beneath his arms. "Then you'll be fine."

"What time?"

"We can meet in the parking lot at two. The weather is supposed to clear by then. Make sure you dress in layers. You might start out cold, but you'll heat up after going up those hills."

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