Page 54 of One Last Time
I’m surprised he read it, but I’m not sure if I want to know what he thought. His face isn’t giving me any clues. “And?” I can’t helpmyself.
“I think the title is funny,” hesmiles.
Mission accomplished. Eli has mentioned that they never read the tabloids, claiming that it’s better to pretend you don’t know what people are saying about you. I’ve seen some of the comments about Noah online. It’s horrible that anyone thinks they have the right to judge his life. So what if he eats unhealthy once? Why is Noah subjected to being told that his acting isn’t up to par with someone? Access to celebrities is a luxury I never had as a kid, but I’d like to believe if everyone treated them the way they would face to face, it would be a betterplace.
“I didn’t know you read articles about yourself,” I say as I make my way to thecouch.
I’m sure he has thick skin, but he isn’t made of Kevlar. Words can hurt, I know this better than most. Scott may have never physically assaulted me, but he planted seeds of doubt that bloomed into roses with thorns. Each prick drew blood, forcing a new rivulet of pain to flow, showing me that there were possible truths to his words. Even once those wounds healed, there was a scar to remind me that it happened. I would do anything in my power to never feel that way again and I completely understand why Noah would protect himself by not looking atarticles.
He shrugs. “I don’t, but I wasn’t concerned with reading a bunch of bullshit. Plus, I needed to know if I had to discredit you with the information Ihave.”
My head hurts from this conversation. Him and his information. No one is going to care about what I do. Plus, he seems to forget I may not be able to say what was off the record, but I sure can use it to make his lifehell.
Instead of arguing, I go back to the beginning of this discussion. “About therules—”
“Yeah about that.” He cuts me off. “I think they’re dumb, and I’m not interested. We’ll just do this myway.”
Seriously? He doesn’t get to decide that. I’m the one leading this article, so there needs to be some sort of order. Plus, I don’t care if he’s interested, this isn’t up fordebate.
“No rules, noarticle.”
“Again, I’m going to call bullshit.” He grips his chin with his hand. “When I talked to your boss, she was excited about this. I have a feeling you really don’t have a choice, do you?” He grins, and I fight the urge to punchhim.
“Why is that, Noah?” I can’t wait to hear thisone.
“Not a clue. I was simply helping out a friend. You know, job security is a rarity in thisindustry.”
Sure, I believe thatone.
Noah walks into the living room like he owns theplace.
I watch him, letting the one nagging question come back to my mind. “What made you decide to do this anyway? You’ve never done any kind of major press, so what could possibly be the reason you suddenly feel like telling your lifestory?”
“You.”
My lips part. “What?”
“Because of you,” Noahrepeats.
I look for some sign that he’s joking, but there isn’t any. He’s completely serious. For a fleeting moment, I think it actually could be me, and then I realize I am being ridiculous. There is no reason for it to have anything to do with us; we’renothing.
He wouldn’t stay in Tampa for weeks just for me, wouldhe?
If he is, what the hell does thatmean?
“Why would you say that?” I ask while touching mythroat.
He pushes off the table and stands before me. “I’m being honest. I find that there’s no reason to beat around the bush. If you ask me a question and we’re not on the record, then you’ll never have to question my words, Kristin. It’s because of you that I’mhere.”
I stare at him, hating that my life is so fucked up. That I’m so fucked up. If it were another time and place, I’d be all over him. In a few short days, I’ve felt more for Noah than I have for anyone in years. When he’s near me, I forget the rules of what I’m supposed to be . . . I justam.
But giving in to him would be a mistake. One I’m not prepared tomake.
I’m damaged inside, and there are far too many bruises and broken bones left to heal before I can put myself outthere.
“I know you think that, but you have no idea what I’m reallylike.”
Noah’s hand lifts and skims my cheek. “I know that your laugh makes my heart race. The way you smile when you think no one is watching stirs something inside me that makes me desperate for more. The way your entire face lights up when you talk about Finn and Aubrey. I know what it feels like to have you in my arms, touch your lips, and fuck, I’d be lying if I said I’m not wishing for it again. I think about you more than I should. I know that you think you’re weak, but I see a strong, beautiful, and smart woman who deserves a man to worship her. More than any of that, Kristin, I should walk out and let both our lives be a hell of a lot less complicated than trying to start something, but here I am. You’re worth complicatingthings.”
