Noah had dutifully finished his plate of burnt waffles and overcooked sausages, then proceeded to express his “gratitude” by spreading her out on the teak countertop and making her scream through several mind-altering orgasms.
Two weeks later, she walked into Noah’s condo, excitement and a touch of anxiety bubbling in her chest.
He was in the kitchen, shirtless, stirring a bubbling pot on the stove. She paused in the doorway, completely arrested by the sight that never ceased to make her whole body quiver with delight.
“Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes,” he threw over his shoulder.
She nodded and walked to where he stood. Unable to resist,she placed a kiss between his shoulder blades, flicking her tongue out to taste his skin. He tensed and gave a tiny hiss before turning around to catch her in his arms. Bending down, he buried his face in her throat, then drifted his mouth to the point between her shoulder and neck. His teeth claimed her before he soothed the bite with his tongue.
Broad hands captured her ass and pulled her into his groin. “Hi,” he growled.
“Hi,” she answered. “I got you a house-warming present,” she forced out, unwilling to spoil the moment with the painful knowledge that once again he’d avoided her mouth.
Noah hadn’t kissed her in almost a month. Of all the punishments he’d delivered, this was the one that hurt the most. And the unshakeable certainty that it hurt him almost as much as it hurt her killed her. She lowered her gaze as he released his hold and turned back to the stove.
“No need, you already gave me one,” he said.
Leia frowned. “I’m pretty sure I would’ve remembered that.”
Setting down the black cardboard wrapped package next to the counter, she leaned next to him. Watching him cook was another major turn-on. It really was bad for her heart that Noah King was so great at everything he did.
He shrugged, smiled, and offered her a taste of sauce from the ladle.
She tasted, groaned at the seriously good white wine sauce, and pursed her lips. “Don’t try and seduce me with your cooking, King. Where’s this present then? I want to see what I supposedly gave you.”
“It’s in the bedroom.”
Still frowning, she dropped her bag and walked down the hallway to the bedroom, which took up the whole east wall ofthe building. Opening the door, she stared at the huge emperor-size bed, the nightstands, and the dresser. Nothing.
Walking into the black-tiled bathroom, she peered on the shelves and in the drawers, then tried his walk-in closet. Striking out, she retraced her steps and found Noah in the middle of the room, an enigmatic smile on his face.
She threw out her arms. “Is it invisible?”
He laughed, and she tried not to dissolve into a puddle of hopeless need. He walked to his side of the bed and patted the middle. “Lie down.”
Her eyes widened. “I’m the present? I was kinda looking for something along more… inanimate lines…”
“Shut up and park yourself on the bed,” he growled playfully.
Tugging off her boots, she looked down at her short blue leather skirt and Chinese doll top. “Do I need to be naked?” she asked half-hopefully.
“Nudity is always appreciated but not necessary for this particular show.”
Curbing her disappointment, she did as instructed.
He opened his nightstand drawer and took out a small electronic square with a dented middle. Lying down next to her, he aimed it at the far wall and pressed down with his thumb.
A soft whine preceded movement on the wall opposite his bed. Two panels slid back and a painting rose slowly from below. It clicked into place and soft lights illuminated the large image.
Leaning on her elbows, Leia stared, open-mouthed.
“Ohmigod…” Chills chased up and down her body.
Stretching out next to her, he slid his arm around her and pulled her close. “I know how you felt about me having thepicture on my phone, but I couldn’t bring myself to delete it. This way, it stays hidden and only comes out for me.”
“God, Noah, it’s… it’s…”
“Fucking beautiful. And for my eyes only,” he whispered gruffly. He slid his fingers into her hair and massaged her scalp, while his other hand drifted up and down her legs. “Do you like it?”