Page 62 of Kissing Chaos
Jett
Sometimes, sinking into a mountain of pillows with a weighted blanket on my lap, theHamiltonsoundtrack playing softly, and a big fluffball of a dog curled into my side is exactly what I need to be productive. I’m in the zone, flying through edits on the sweetest client’s first manuscript. It’s all going so well, until a gentle hand lands on my shoulder and squeezes.
“What the hell, Noah? I was in the middle of something.” I slam my laptop closed, my heart pounding in my ears. With my hyperfocus broken, I feel discombobulated. Like I was in an entirely different plane of existence and have been doused in ice-cold water.
As I jump to my feet, intent on storming off to—I don’t know, somewhere—Noah grasps my fingers, spinning me into his chest and wrapping his arms snuggly around me.
Completely.
One arm is tightly holding the entirety of my waist while the other travels from hip to head, grazing his fingertips with just enough pressure. His lips rest at the crown of my head. I fight a little to get out of his hold, but he holds tighter.
“Breathe, gorgeous.” His thumbs begin moving in tandem, taking gentle swipes along the skin that they can reach.One on my hip bone and the other on the base of my neck. “I didn’t mean to break your focus, sweet girl.”
I slowly relax against his chest, letting his body heat envelope me as my heart rate returns to normal. Turning my head, I rest my ear over his heart, letting the slow and steady rhythm soothe my own hummingbird heartbeat.
We stand in silence until my body sags against his completely.
“Sorry,” I mumble into his shirt, the embarrassment of snapping at him for no logical reason hanging over me. My cheeks burn with it.
Noah slides his arm from my waist, bringing his hand up to gently grasp my chin between his fingers, effectively forcing my eyes up to his.
“What’s going through that pretty head of yours?” he asks softly.
I test his grip by trying to turn my gaze away again, but he holds firm. Not hurting, but steady. A rock in the midst of my storm.
“I was trying to finish up some edits for this indie author’s debut novel. I promised her that she’d have it back by tomorrow, but I keep getting distracted. I was finally in the groove. And we are creeping up on opening day for my dream store. It’s literally less than three weeks away.” Rubbing my eyes with the palms of my hands all while he still cradles my face, waiting patiently, I sigh again. “I lost track of time, I guess. And then you were suddenly just standing there, and it scared me.”
Never have I ever had someone maintain this much eye contact when discussing something so minor. Not until Noah.
And when he grins? Holy fireballs, this guy.
As his lips meet mine, I am thankful his other arm is still holding me. This man.
Pulling away, he says, “Skin’s a little flushed there, gorgeous. Feeling alright?” That grin still presses on his lips, a knowing glint in his eyes.
“No fair,” I mumble, tucking my chin to my chest to avoid his gaze.
He walks me backward oh so slowly, until my back touches the wall. “Isn’t it, though?” His fingers skim my skin, traveling from hip to breast to collarbone to neck. Calloused fingers grazing the column of my neck as he leans even closer.
“How?” I murmur, not really caring about the answer so long as he keeps doing what he’s doing. As he steps closer, closing the space between our hips, I can feel how glad he is to be there.
“Because just looking at you, all nerdy innocence, has me wanting to touch. To taste. To claim.”
I can’t help myself; I rock into him just enough as his lips run a path along the shell of my ear. I whimper, need heating my body.
“Tell me what you need, Jett.”
I want to tell him that I need him. That I want him to sink into me, make me forget everything that’s gone wrong over the last few months. The last few years.
But what if that isn’t what he is eluding to? What if I am reading all of this wrong? What if he doesn’t like what I suggest?
What if, what if, what if?
My thoughts whirl together, none of them leaving my mouth, as if words are too difficult to form.
Increased pressure on the column of my neck short-circuits my thoughts as breathing becoming slightly more difficult. Suddenly, all thoughts stop.
Except one.
