Page 100 of Play On

“Do you know a lot about ruins in this area because of your interest in art history? I can only imagine how fascinated your brain must be by the palace that once stood here. Do you think about what kind of art and treasures must have been inside?”

I love that his question is so thoughtful. It shows he really does see me as a whole person, and I decide I’m not only going to acknowledge it, but tease him about it as well.

“Do you know what is special about you? You actually care about knowing me as a person, and not just a girl who lets you pick out her knickers.”

Noah instantly begins to colour a bit in his neck, a warm flush growing upwards.

“Come here,” I say, sliding in front of him and releasing his hand so I can frame his face with both of mine. “You’re so special, and I really think you have no idea how much.”

Then I kiss him, right here in the ruins of a keep in the rolling English countryside.

Noah kisses me back, then stares down at me. And I don’t feel a bit guilty that he forgot his sunnies and I get to look into his gorgeous eyes the whole time we wander around Corfe Castle.

“I think I can say the same about you, Butterfly.”

Le sigh.

“Let me take your picture next to that arrow slot, and then I’ll answer your question.”

Noah agrees, moving next to it, leaning his arm up over the top and smiling back at me.

I take that one, but have more ideas. “Now look out of it, like you are the one firing the arrow,” I suggest.

“How bloodthirsty do you think I am?”

I giggle at that, and he grins.

“Go on, it will make for an amazing picture.”

Noah complies, and the way he leans in and peers down through the ancient wall, down to the ground below, makes for a spectacular shot.

“We need some of us together,” he says. “Come here, Violet.”

I slide next to him, and Noah extends his arm out to get a shot of us.

“I want one where I’m kissing your cheek,” I say after he takes the picture.

“Are we taking influencer travel shots? Are you aiming to get some free travel for us with all these posed pics?” he teases.

I laugh loudly at that. “These are all for memory making. I want lots and lots of memories from this weekend.”

“Then let’s take it,” Noah says. “I’ll set my timer for five seconds. Pucker up.”

I burst out laughing and can’t stop, so our first take is me laughing like a lunatic and Noah making a face at me. But I love that photo, so I don’t let him delete it. On the next try we get the classic, my hand on his chest, his head dipped down, and my lips gently pressing against his cheek.

“Oh, we do have some lipstick stain, but it’s a nude peach so it’s not as dramatic as my red lipstick,” I say, gently rubbing the spot with my fingertips. “Now come on, let’s go find a murder hole!”

Noah throws his head back and laughs deeply. “I’ve never seen a woman so excited about a murder hole. This should scare me.”

I stop walking and put my hands on my hips. “How many women do you know who even know about murder holes?”

He quirks a playful brow at me. “Bella would. She’s into medieval history, remember?”

Oh. She would.

“But Bella, in addition to being Camden’s girl, is not the girl who fascinates me.”

Ooh!

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