Page 131 of One Last Time
Not a bad idea. I open my mouth, but Noah speaks first. “Good toknow.”
“I think he thinks I’m kidding.” She nudgesDanielle.
Danielle snorts. “I think he’s afraid you’renot.”
“Or that I’d join in,” Nicole jokes. “I’m game foreither.”
My legs are wrapped around his waist, and I attach myself like a second layer of clothing. He looks down at me with a mischievous grin. “You planning tointerject?”
“She couldn’t handle your hotness, baby. Plus, she likes twomen. . .”
Noah chuckles. “You two have spent too much time together lately.” His voice drops low so only I can hear. “Tonight, we’ll see what else has rubbedoff.”
Oh, there will be lots of rubbing tonight. I wiggle my brows and smirk. “I’m counting on that, hotstuff.”
“I missed you.” Noah twists a little as I continue to hang on him. “You getting down so I canmove?”
“Nope.”
I’m perfectly content like this. I have three weeks’ worth of hugging to make up for. I almost feel bad for him, but then I don’t. For the last eight months we’ve dealt with long flights, time zone issues, his ridiculous filming schedule, press inquiries about our relationship, and me starting my new job. It’s beenhell.
It’s finallyover.
I’m clinging to this moment because I’ve needed it—I’ve neededhim.
“Okay then.” He smiles and walks into the living room with me. Noah gets to the couch and drops me on my back with him covering me. “Nicole, you wanted to watch, right? I think someone should entertain thekids—”
“Noah!” I yell and push him off me. “Oh my God, you’re such anass.”
“Maybe, but you love me,” hechallenges.
Damn right I do. But then again who wouldn’t? He’s freakingperfect.
Andhot.
Andsweet.
And loves me with his wholeheart.
But I do love messing with him and feel it’s my duty to keep himhumble.
I shrug. “Eh, you’re allright.”
“I’ll give you allright.”
Danielle clears her throat. “As fun as it is to watch you two, and by fun, I mean not at all, your contractor will be here soon, and you’re not even close toready.”
He gets to his feet and pulls me up with him. I slice my hand across my throat as she talks, but she doesn’t take the hint. Damnit.
“Wait?” Noah turns. “Notdone?”
I rock back onto my heels and tuck my head down. “I might have exaggerated a little about how much I gotdone. . .”
Thankfully, my son emerges, saving me from the lecture that was sure to come. “Noah!”
“Hey,man!”
Finn and Noah’s relationship has grown even with the distance. It’s been great watching them bond. Noah has helped settle everyone without even trying. I’m happier, the kids are happier, and all of us are excited about thechanges.
