Page 46 of My Kind of Trouble
‘That’s fucked. But also, I don’t buy it. She couldn’t be less interested. He just needs to give it up… It’s not like there isn’t plenty more actually available women around here.’
‘And less dangerous ones at that. If Alex finds out, Marcus may as well get a flight back home. I wouldn’t like to be on the receiving end of that when it blows up.’
And wasn’t that the truth.
Having heard enough, Alex stormed out of the lobby toward his room.
Once he got inside, he didn’t even bother to close the door before he began pacing.
Fuck.
Should he go looking for her? The dipshits downstairs seemed to think they’d be coming back, but was that a risk he was willing to take? The thought of anyone taking advantage of a woman like that, let alone Noa, made him feel sick. He had to muster all the strength in him to fight the nausea that threatened to fold him over.
If Marcus so much as laid a finger on her…
Just then, Alex’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of conversation outside his door. It was still ajar, and the sweet sound of Noa’s voice felt like an instant balm for his anxiety.
Christ, was this what she dealt with every day?
He didn’t know how she did it. The past twenty minutes were confirmation that she was the strongest person he knew.
The calm didn’t last long, though, as her voice was followed by one that had his jaw crunching with the strength of his gritted teeth. Marcus’s flirtatious tone grew closer as the next words spilled from his mouth.
‘I just thought, why end it here? Maybe we could go for—’
And just like that, Alex knew he couldn’t hold back.
Chapter 28
Noa
Arriving back at the hostel after a full day of sightseeing, and feeling proud of the rise that she managed to get out of Alex earlier that morning, Noa sauntered toward her room. It had been a busy day and they’d made no plans for the evening, so she had decided that a date with her Kindle and her bed to recharge was exactly what she needed. They had an early flight to the Philippines the next day, and she didn’t want to be exhausted when they arrived.
‘Noa, wait up,’ Marcus called, jogging down the corridor behindher.
The two of them had spent the whole day together and, despite enjoying his company, there was no deep connection there. No spark or heat. No desire. All the day had done was reinforce how much she felt those things for a man that she couldn’t help but feel like she shouldn’t. As Marcus moved toward her now, she felt unease spread inside her as she also wasn’t sure that he shared her feelings. Or lack thereof, as it was.
‘Hey. Are you okay?’ she asked.
‘Yes, I’m more than okay. That was one hell of a first date,’ he beamed, and she just continued to stare at him.
First date? Shit. Had she blurred the lines and lead him on, or was he trying his luck? It was hard to tell when it came to Marcus, so she just waited for him to continue.
‘I usually get what I want and, I have to say, you drive a hard bargain, Noa. You’re quite good at giving a guy the run-around. But the wait was worth it.’
Was he for real?
She gaped at him, not hiding her shock. This year was set on trying to swear her off men, she was sure of it.
‘Marcus…’
He didn’t let her finish, just leaned in close enough that she had to back into the wall.
‘I just thought, why end it here? Maybe we could go for—’
Quicker than she could process, he was cut off by a fist that came flying in his direction. A cracking sound filled the air and Noa gasped. Alex charged at Marcus, pinning him against the wall. Noa’s heart beat more rapidly.
In fact, it felt like it may break free from her chest any moment.
