Page 38 of Coming Home

“Good.” He dipped his head, meeting her lips.

Each muscle of her body rang out as if it was an instrument being played.Good goddess, is this really happening? Don’t pinch me.

On raised tiptoes, her hands lifted to his shoulders, finding purchase. A tiny whimper escaped with the strong angles of his chest pressed against her, pinning her between his body and the wall.

This is where I live now!Have her mail forwarded. A crowbar would be needed to pry her from this Noah and wall sandwich.

“Mmhmm,” he moaned. He nibbled open her mouth with soft bites.

The slick heat of his tongue explored her mouth until it found its desired playmate. In a languid game of tongue twister, they luxuriated in each other’s tastes. The sweetness of the pastries still lingered, coating their kisses in vanilla and cinnamon.

His muscular arms slid between her and the wall, cushioning her and enfolding her deeper into him. Their small gasps and relieved moans masked the sounds of people talking, children squealing, dogs barking, and doors screeching open.

Wait. Door opening?

Breathless, he pulled away as if he heard her thoughts. Both their gazes dropped to the open backdoor of the Wine Down, where Todd stood, right eyebrow cocked, a shit-eating grin on his face.

“Looks like you finally stopped kissing the frogs and landed yourself a prince,” Todd snarked.

“Oh my goddess.” Mortified horror rippled through her.

“Don’t worry, this stays with me.” Hands raised, Todd paused with an amused expression. “Nicely done, Prince Charming. Oh, Nat… Summer had to take Liam home. She knewNoah was checking on you and the dillweed attorney-at-law, but text her. She was worried.”

Nat nodded.

Smirking, Todd went back into the wine bar to prep to open for the day.

Their eyes fell back to one another. A quiet beat allowed what just happened to settle.

She just kissed Noah Wilson. Correction, Noah Wilson just kissed her. Scratch that, they’d just made out behind his downtown wine bar and got caught. By Todd.

He stepped back, putting distance between them. “I’m sorry.”

The empty space between them was now filled with his regret. The same remorse that swam in his eyesthatnight was back.

Her heart dropped to the soles of her pink Converse sneakers. “Don’t give me the best kiss of my life and say you’re sorry.” She pushed off the wall and strode to her Jeep.

“Nat,” he beseeched, touching her arm and halting her steps.

She turned to face him.

His gaze met hers and his mouth opened, but no words came. All that spoke between them was the regret twisting his features.

“I can’t have you look at me like that,” she said, her voice sad but resolute.

“How am I looking at you?”

“Like you regret kissing me. Just like how you looked at me that night you almost kissed me. I won’t be your regret.”

She opened her door, got in, and drove away, leaving Noah, and her crush, in her taillights.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“I have nothing to give but this heart so full and these empty hands. They’re not empty now.”~Louisa May Alcott,Little Women

Gravel popped, like her dreams, as she drove onto the driveway of the Little Red Barn. Putting the vehicle into park, she yanked out the keys and leaned back against the headrest. Hot tears trickled from her eyes, and she let the last twenty minutes crash over her. Duncan was an asshole. Noah kissed her. Then looked at her with regret.

“Nope. You’re not going to cry over Noah Wilson. Not anymore.” She dashed away the tears.

---