Page 87 of Coming Home

“You’re a badass, baby.” He bent to kiss her.

The delicious taste of tomato soup lingered on his lips. Deepening their kiss, a tingle spread through her body. Nat rose to her feet and stepped into his arms. His hands were strong and gentle as they wrapped around her waist, pulling her against his firm chest.

“Does your office door have a lock?” she panted as they broke their kiss. Thanks to her period last week, it had been several days since they’d had sex.Unacceptable!She was leaning into this horny teenager phase they were in.

Noah lifted her onto the desk. Pivoting, he walked to the door and locked it. Hunger darkened his blue eyes as he prowled across the office to her. A starving wolf ready to devour a helpless doe. Although, she wasn’t helpless, and the way her nails left the imprint of her passion in his skin showed she was more she-wolf than docile doe. Heat crawled up her body with each step he took.

“We’re alone,” he nipped her lower lip, the delicious sting coursing through her. “No need to be quiet.”

She was not quiet. Neither was he.

Sated and giggling, they walked out of the office. Nat smoothed her ponytail, which had come undone during their rather athletic office sexcapades.The desk and wall will never be the same.Noah’s button-up was untucked and wrinkled from where she’d pulled it off him and tossed it to the floor. As they headed down the short hallway coming into the main front of the bar, clapping halted their steps.

Todd leaned against the bar, a giant grin on his face, as he clapped. “Nicely done, you two.”

Nat’s cheeks flamed. “Oh, my goddess!” she squeaked, burying her face against Noah’s chest.

“I thought you weren’t coming in until three,” Noah grumbled, running soothing strokes down Nat’s back.

“I came in early to work on the pumpkin ale for Fall Fest next weekend. I was in the basement.”

“I’m mortified.” Her voice was muffled against Noah’s chest.

Getting caught by Todd making out was one thing, but getting caught post-coitus at his place of business was quite another thing.

“Don’t be embarrassed, Nat.” Todd’s default snarky tone turned tender and comforting. “I barely heard anything. Although, what I did hear was rather impressive.”

“Dude!” Noah snapped, his tone warning. He tightened his arms around her.

Nat poked her head up, twisting to Todd.

His lips turned down in a frown as he looked at her face. “Sorry, Nat. I’m a dick. If it makes things even, I haven’t had sex with anyone but my left hand in two years.”

Strangely, that did make her feel a little better.

“Why the left hand?” she blurted.

“Because I’m right-handed, so it’s like I’m having sex with someone else.”

“Ha!” she barked.

“Dude.” Noah vibrated with embarrassed laughter for his friend.

Todd shrugged. Not a twinge of mortification tinted his green eyes nor his smirk.

Nat faced Todd while Noah’s arms remained draped around her shoulders. “Todd, we need to get you a girlfriend.”

“I don’t wantagirlfriend. I’d likethegirlfriend.” Wistfulness shaded his voice.

Nat knew whothegirlfriend was. At least, she suspected who it was. Maybe it was a kinship with a fellow crusher, but she could never be annoyed with Todd. For years she’d crushed on Noah with no hope of the feelings being returned. She hadn’t been brave enough to put her desires out there. Todd’s advances and flirtations had been batted away by Summer countless times. Nat believed the rejection had nothing to do with Todd and everything to do with Summer’s past.

Noah kissed Nat’s cheek. “I highly recommendthegirlfriend.”

Her pulse ticked up.The girlfriend.It had been just over a month since Todd had first caught them kissing behind the Wine Down. Like a boiling pot of water, her feelings had only intensified. She toggled between a lightness that almost lifted her off the ground and the too-full sensation within her heart.

Thoughtfulness lit Todd’s features. “I’m glad Prince Charming finally found his queen.”

“Thanks, Todd.” She smiled.I am a queen, not a princess. Suck it, Duncan!

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