Page 24 of When Love And Destiny Collide

"What time do I need to pick up Davey?" I ask, struggling to mask my discomfort when pain throbs in my ankle as soon as I stand up.

"Cara asked if he could stay for dinner, so you can relax." His tone is soothing and reassuring.

"In that case," I say, positioning the crutches under my arms. "I'm going home."

"You're not going anywhere, young lady," he says firmly, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"What? Are you going to force me to stay?"

"I was hoping I could bribe you with dinner," he says teasingly. His eyes soften as he steps closer, and the warmth in his gaze makes my heart flutter.

"I'm not hungry," I lie, my voice unsteady as I try to ignore the growing attraction I feel.

"You scared me half to death, Lily." His eyes are filled with raw intensity as he takes another step closer.

"What are you doing?" I ask. My heart is in my throat as he takes one last step, leaving only inches between us.

"The thought of you getting hurt was absolutely unbearable."

"Well, as you can see, I'm fine," my voice is brimming with a defiance I don't feel.

His eyes lock onto mine, and everything else fades away in one heartbeat. He leans in, pressing a tender kiss to my cheek. Thesoftness of his lips ignites something inside me that touches my heart.

As sweet and gentle as it is, it feels like a tantalizing promise just out of reach.

"Noah, please," I say, trying to keep my voice from trembling.

But he doesn't step away. Our bodies remain close, almost touching. He leans in closer, and my breath catches as he whispers against my ear, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." The warmth of his words sends a shiver down my spine, the intensity of the moment making it hard to think of anything but him.

"Noah?" The sound of his name on my lips feels personal and intimate.

"What?" he whispers. The electricity swirling around us is so tangible that I can feel it dancing across my skin, igniting a fire that threatens to consume us both.

"I'm not sorry," I say softly."

"You're not sorry for what?" he asks, pulling back in confusion, his eyes searching mine. For a split second, he stands there, frozen, until I let the crutches fall to my sides and wrap my arms around his neck. The shock on his face is a delicious victory I savor as I rise on my tiptoes.

"For this." Balancing on one foot, I run my fingers through his hair, gently pulling him down until our lips meet. The kiss is a spark that quickly ignites an inferno that feels like destiny unfolding in this moment. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me closer.

Where I lack experience, he makes up for in spades. Though I initiated the kiss, it's his passionate guidance that sweeps me off my feet, leaving me utterly captivated by the magic he weaves. His mouth sweetly teases, coaxes, and explores mine with a tenderness that fills me with a need for more. A need for him. The soft pressure of his lips against mine awakens a symphony of emotions, deepening our connection. As his hand gently cups my face, his thumb brushing against my cheek, I feel the world melt away, leaving only the intoxicating sensation of his lips on mine.

When he ends the kiss and gently brushes my cheek with his lips, I have to force myself to open my eyes. His gaze is so intense and irresistible it threatens to pull me deeper into the spell he has cast over my heart.

"Can I make you dinner?" he whispers against my ear.

"Hmm?" I murmur, feeling a flutter in my chest. My knees feel like jelly, and I wobble slightly, still balanced precariously on one foot.

"Here, let me help you," he says, his strong hands gently guiding me back onto the couch. My knees are weak, and my lips are still tingling with the sweetness he left behind.

"What are you making for dinner?" I ask, hoping to shift the conversation away from the charged moment we just shared.

"How do steak fajita bowls sound?" he asks, sliding a pillow behind me for extra comfort.

"I'll come with you," I say, picking up the crutches.

In the kitchen, he pulls out a chair at the table, takes my crutches, and gently helps me sit down.

"Do you want something to drink?" he asks, opening the refrigerator. "Looks like we have iced tea and strawberry lemonade."

---