Page 31 of Play On

I swallow. At least I have that much. “I’m sorry if I hurt you,” I say. “You have no idea how sorry I am.”

Noah stares deeply into my eyes. I stare back, unblinking, willing him to believe me.

“I believe you,” he says again. “And I accept your apology.”

I feel a measure of relief. Noah understands that I pushed him away not out of lack of interest, but because of fear. “Thank you.”

He doesn’t reply. I bite my lip, hesitating, desperate for him to say something else.

But he doesn’t.

“Thank you for hearing me out,” I finally say. “It was important to me that you know the truth. You’re an incredible man. I’ve never met anyone like you, Noah. And I promise you, the next woman you ask out is not only going to be thrilled and say yes, she’s going to keep her date with you and count down the minutes until it happens.”

I pick up my bag and rise, causing Noah’s head to snap up.

“Again, I’m so sorry for everything.” I gaze into his eyes for the last time. “Please don’t walk me out. I don’t want to take up any more of your time this evening.”

Then I leave. I cut through the quiet bar, sadness lingering over me like a thick, heavy blanket. My heart is like lead inside my chest—heavy and unmoving. Being with Noah tonight only served as a painful reminder of what I am missing. Hell, evenhim being so protective of me outside of Wisteria House is so telling of the kind of man he would be to date.

I’ve only dated boys before,I realise as I manoeuvre down the long, dark hallway.Dating Noah would have been dating a man.

No, he was more than a mere man. Noah was a true gentleman.

You stupid, stupid, fool,I think, tears stinging the corners of my eyes.How often do you meet a man like Noah? How could you have thrown away an opportunity to go on a date with him?

I move past the flickering sconces on the walls, about to make my way to the top of the stairs when I feel a hand on my elbow, rough fingertips clasping around my skin and bringing me to a stop. I jump in surprise, my heart leaping straight into my throat. I whirl around and then I freeze.

The hand on my arm belongs to Noah Darby.

“Noah,” I gasp. “What are you doing?”

He lets go of my elbow, but his hand finds mine, and before I can think of what to say, he’s leading me back down the hallway. Noah abruptly pulls me into a darkened alcove, and there’s barely enough room for both of us to fit. My heart is racing, and I can hardly breathe as I stare up at him. His hands immediately go to my waist, pinning me against the wood panelling.

“I thought I could let you walk away. I kept telling myself all night I had to protect myself from another rejection. But I can’t do it, Violet. I can’t. I wanted to put my hands on you the second I saw you tonight. I could feel your heat through this dress,” he says, his voice rough, “and it was torture.”

I lick my lips. His brown eyes flick towards my mouth and I instinctively wind my hands around the base of his neck. Noah draws me closer, so my body is flush with his. I can smell theclean citrus scent that kisses his skin, and my pulse hammers in my throat.

“Ask me for another chance, Violet,” he commands huskily. “Ask me.”

I’m becoming dizzy. The way he’s talking to me is the biggest turn-on I’ve ever had in my life.

“Noah, will you take another chance on me?” I manage to ask.

“Do you want me to answer with words or with actions?”

Ooh!

“Action,” I gasp.

And the word has just escaped my lips when Noah’s mouth crashes down onto mine.

Chapter Nine

The Alcove

His mouth is demanding, immediately parting my lips, his tongue hot and desperate in pursuit of mine. I give him access, my hands sinking into his thick hair as we kiss furiously in this alcove. Noah’s kiss is steamy and desperate, and I’ve never been kissed like this in my life.

I want more of it.

---