Page 81 of Play On

“I’m so sorry, Violet. I knew this could happen, but I was hoping it wouldn’t. I should have warned you.”

I laugh. He blinks in surprise.

“Noah. I hate to break it to you, but you aren’t the most famous person I’ve hung out with lately. That title would belong to HRH Princess Isabella of York. She has a bit of an edge on you.”

I feel nothing but happiness when I see his expression has completely changed with my words.

“Noah. No big deal. I’m half-tempted toaccidentallyget some egg on my face so they can fire that up on social media and I can score an article inDishing Weekly,” I assure him.

Noah laughs. Loudly. And the sound of it makes me feel warm inside.

“I should dare you,” he says.

I lift a brow at him. “Do you?”

“No, I’m kidding,” Noah says, putting out a hand.

I take a bite of my egg and purposefully drop the spoon on my chin, sending egg yolk running down my face and the spoon clattering onto my plate. Noah stares at me, shocked, and thenI burst out laughing, the sound carrying across the tables on the patio and causing several people to look over at us.

“We scored headlines with our night at Wisteria House, but now we can score a ‘Lady Violet has Abysmal Table Manners’ one,” I say gleefully.

I can’t decide if Noah thinks I’m mad or mad fun at this moment.

I reach for my napkin, but he has already grabbed his and is leaning across the table, gently wiping the egg yolk from my chin. Then he lifts it up with his thumb and forefinger and leans in, pressing his lips against mine.

Ooh, this is nice.

Noah breaks the kiss and gently runs his thumb over my lower lip again, sending a fission of desire running through me.

“I think we’ve given them more than enough to talk about. Anything else I’m reserving for when we are alone,” he says, his eyes darkening sexily.

“I look forward to that,” I manage to say.

He picks his fork back up and continues to eat, and I shift the conversation to what we are going to do today.

“I hope you don’t mind that I’m saving the beach for tomorrow,” I say, slathering butter on another stick of toast. “I’m really excited to show you the ins and outs of Wintersmith Hall. I have to show you the mythology book I found. I can’t wait to share that with you.”

“I can’t wait to see it. I still can’t believe you found it.”

“I know. It was where one of my ideas actually led me to something brilliant,” I say happily. Then I smile coyly at him. “I also have a surprise planned for you.”

“A surprise?”

“Yes! Can I tell you?”

Noah laughs. “I thought you wanted to surprise me.”

I frown. “Well, I do, but I’m also dying to tell you what it is. But I won’t if you don’t want me to.”

“You can tell me.”

I grin at him. “We’re going to have a falconry experience.”

Noah’s eyes completely light up. “Are you serious?”

I nod. “Yes! I tracked down Luke this morning, and he said he’s free this afternoon after lunch. He’s going to show us how they fly and hunt, then you’ll get to have one land on your arm.”

“This is going to be sosick!” Noah says excitedly.

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