Page 28 of In the Middle of No(ah)where
He shakes his head. "Still here."
"I see that. And I'm glad we get to reconnect. I know we can't pick up from where we left off, but I would like to get to know you all over again. If that's something you want." I tell him truthfully.
"Very much." He says in barely a whisper.
"Good. Now, tell me what was making you nervous a few minutes ago."
His cheeks blush even darker, and it makes me more curious. "Don't hate me. But I saw you standing next to the wall, putting the pale away and saw the leather straps. My mind went in a whole different direction rather than training elephants."
Oh.
"Is that something you want to explore?" I ask.
"I think so. But it goes deeper than that." He starts to shift uncomfortably. "Can we save this conversation for another date?" he asks. Eyes pleading.
"Of course, Puppy. What else?"
"There is something I've been dreaming about…if you think it would be okay," he tells me, a little braver this time but shifting from foot to foot still in my hold—nervous energy buzzing through him. Since we are similar in height, he pulls back slightly, offering me his heated eyes. His thumb skims down my stubbled jaw before he leans in, pressing his lips to mine.
At first, I don't move because I'm in shock. I spent so much time dreaming of this moment that I'm at a loss now that the moment is here. Not sure what to do, I stand still, getting my brain to register what is happening. Before Noah can pull away, I place my hand on his lower back, making soothing small circles before deepening the kiss. My lips move across his. Tongue teasing the seam, seeking entrance before tasting the world's most delectable dessert. The kiss is everything I thought it would be. Passion and heat explode between us. I realize this isn't a kiss. It's worship.
Holding tight to Noah, I feel his body quake as he buries his face in my neck. I give him a minute to process what happened.
"Did that really just happen?" he whispers.
"I hope so. I also hope we can do that again…soon." I tease.
At the sound of a sniffle, I place my hands on his shoulders and push him back slightly, not sure what I would witness on his face.
Regret?
Embarrassment?
"I'm okay. Just a lot to process for today."
He's right. There is a lot to unpack with everything that happened today. I need a night to process it as well and figure out how to move forward.
"Noah. Before we run out of time together,mayI take you out to dinner this Friday?" I request.
"I work Saturday morning." He lets me know quickly.
"Perfect. We can make it an early night then."
"Okay."
I lean in and seal the date with a lingering kiss, causing Noah to melt into me.
Noise out in the barn has us pulling away, smiling at each other like lunatics. Entering the main room again, we see Barrett and Caleb climbing down from the feeding deck. I smile, knowing that Barrett is pulling out all the stops and will have that boy eating out of his hand in no time.
When they see us getting closer, Caleb yells out with his eyes focused on Noah, "I fed Samba!"
Barrett shakes his head. "Inside voice, Peanut." Caleb let out a visible shiver. Yep. Eating out of his hand.
Caleb lowers his head in embarrassment. "I fed Samba," he whispers. "What did you do?"
Noah looks at me with a blush climbing up his neck. Yes, Noah. Whatdidyou do?
"I just explored the habitat and got to hide some food for the elephants." He explains, but his hand rubs his face, which looks a little raw from my stubble. Barrett gives me a knowing grin, but Caleb is deep in what looks a lot like little space.
