Page 61 of Kissing Chaos
“It’s amazing what happens when you quit letting other people dictate your life.”
“I’ll get out of your hair. After your call and then not hearing back from you, I just needed to make sure you were okay.”
“Real worried, huh? That call was a month ago.”
“She has everything she needs,” Noah says, a slight growl to his tone that has a giggle threatening to bubble out of me. I’ve never had a guy get growly over me.
Joey starts for the door but pauses as he opens it to step out. “Keep chasing your happy, Jett. You deserve it.” And with that, he’s gone.
I turn into Noah’s chest, burying my face in the base of his neck. His fingers gingerly stroke my head, playing with my hair. A deep sigh bordering on a groan escapes my throat as he adds a little more pressure, making my knees weak as the swirling thoughts freeze.
“Love you,” I mumble drowsily.
It isn’t until his hand stops and I feel more than hear his breathing pause that I realize what just slipped out.
Old Jett would back away and run. Go for a walk. Avoid.
Chase your happy.
Embrace the chaos.
Stepping back just a smidgen, I look up at Noah, my arms settling on his waste. “I love you, Noah. I think you already know that, but I need to vocalize it. I love you. I love you. I love you.”
His hand trails up to my jaw, cupping my cheek and running a thumb over my lips. “Best sound I’ve ever heard is those words coming from these lips,” he whispers before leaning down and capturing my lips into the gentlest of kisses. He pulls back just enough to add, “I love you too, Jett Taylor,” before pulling me close and swaying us side to side.
We stay like that, just enjoying being held by each other, until a thought about the way Noah addressed Joey breaks through my daze.
“So, you’re a growly man now, huh? Trying to imitate my book beaus?”
The full belly laugh that escapes Noah is contagious, and before we know it, both of us are fanning the flame between us while trying not to combust.
“If we don’t stop now, we aren’t making it back down to the festivities.” Glancing at the little microwave for the time, he continues. “We have less than twenty minutes to get over to the ranch before someone comes looking for us.”
“I don’t care,” I groan, going up on tiptoes to try reaching his lips again.
Noah chuckles, obviously enjoying my irritation. “I don’t think scarring your brother or our friends should be on your to-do list today, sweet girl.”
“No fun.” Noah keeps that smirk on his face until I add, “I’m kidding. Kind of.”
“My girl’s got jokes today,” he says before leaning down to drop a kiss on my waiting lips.
I can’t help but smile up at him, my hands reaching for his belt. Before I can touch the buckle, both hands are swept into one of his large ones behind my back, effectively containing me.
“Be good, and I promise to make it worth your while when we get home.”
Those words shoot straight to my core as a whimper slips from my lips.
“Deal?” he asks, his breath hot on my neck.
I nod, but it’s not enough for him.
With a nip below my ear, he mumbles, “Words, pretty girl. Do we have a deal?”
“Yes,” I squeak.
“That’s my girl.” He steps back, releases my hands, and is at the door before my mind has caught up with what just happened.
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