Page 29 of The Marriage Mission

When their orders were ready, they took their sandwiches to a nearby picnic table. Noah immediately dug into his order, making a satisfied sound that had Jacqui trying to gulp past that lump in her throat. She thought of the dream she had of tasting his lips. She thought of earlier in the morning when he'd offered.

"You wanna give it a try?" he asked.

"Beg your pardon?" she said.

Noah broke off a piece of his order and held it out to her. "Here. Try."

Normally, she would not have even dared. But it was like he was a genie granting her secret wish. Jacqui wasn't sure if he moved closer or she leaned forward. She found herself next to him, her lips parting. And then the food was in her mouth.

Her taste buds instantly lit with the flavors of perfectly seasoned meat, tangy sauce, and crisp vegetables. She couldn’t help the moan of appreciation that escaped her. She shot Noah a look of surprised approval.

“See? What did I tell you? Good, right?” Noah’s voice was thick with satisfaction, his eyes crinkling with delight at her reaction.

She didn't answer. She didn't need to. He knew she liked it. She did, but why did she feel like she'd just lost a point in a game she didn't realize she was playing?

ChapterNineteen

Noah was going to win this game. Already he was racking up points. Not necessarily with his wife, but with her community. He'd schmoozed each and every vendor, farmer, butcher, and bystander they'd come across this morning. He knew her grandmother was already in his pocket—or maybe Noah was in her pocket. And her sister had looked at him like he was her hero when he'd rescued her fridge. The best friend hadn't cracked a smile yet, but he'd make her come around.

"Good, right?”

His attention was rapt on his wife's mouth as she bit down on his sandwich. A dollop of tangy barbecue sauce threatened to escape those kissable lips. Noah reached out with his thumb, catching it just at the corner of her mouth. The contact was minimal but electrifying.

He felt Jacqui's sharp intake of breath. Her body tensed under the intimate touch. Her eyes widened, a flicker of something more than surprise—attraction, perhaps?—passing through them. Her nostrils flared, as if she was breathing in the moment, breathing in the sensation, breathing in him.

They were locked in a gaze that seemed to acknowledge the undercurrent of attraction that had been building between them. Then, almost as if embarrassed by the intimacy of the moment, Jacqui turned her head to chew and swallow her food, breaking the spell.

Noah watched her, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His heart pounded out a rhythm of hope. Yes, indeed, he was winning this game. He waited for her to meet his gaze again, the background noise of the market fading into a soft murmur around them.

Finally, Jacqui looked back at him, her cheeks slightly flushed, her expression one of defiance as if challenging the emotions that had just surfaced. Noah's smile widened as he took in his opponent. One day soon, she would realize they were on the same team.

"Are you going to return the favor? Can I have a bite of your food? It’s only fair."

Jacqui's eyes narrowed, the corners of her mouth twitching upwards. She tore off a piece of her dish. Noah leaned forward, his lips parting. Jacqui pitched the food into his mouth, completely avoiding his lips.

He grinned as he bit down on the morsel, wishing it was her thumb. Or better yet, her bottom lip. Though her upper lip looked just as enticing.

As though to mock him, Jacqui sipped at her beverage. Noah glanced at it to see that it was a small carton of milk. A dollop of white cream coated her upper lip. Her tongue darted out, and she licked.

He coughed from the want of her. Then coughed again. Then again.

"What was in that?" He had to repeat himself. The first round of words were said hoarsely.

"Jalapeños."

"Crap."

"What? Too spicy for you?"

"Yeah," he said. Or at least he tried to say. He coughed again and then again. He took a deep breath, but only a few currents of air got past the wheeze.

A pat came on his back. "You okay?"

Noah couldn't speak. He'd never been good with spices. And Jacqui apparently liked it very, very hot. He pointed.

"What?" she asked, eyes getting large with concern.

He pointed again, jabbing his thumb at the carton that sat on the other side of her on the bench. Jacqui looked off toward the cart which was also on that side of her. Seeing he was getting nowhere—and desperately in need of relief—Noah reached for her milk.

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