Page 80 of Under Her Skin
Noosh took the elevator– she wasn’t confident enough with stairs yet – and hobbled out to the reception. Liam was nowhere to be seen. She glanced around then heard a voice behindher.
“I’m sorry, I made him saythat.”
She turned to see Christo smiling at her. God, that smile – boyish and warm all at once. He stepped towards her. “I knew you wouldn’t call, you see, and so I thought I’d give you the option of telling me to leave you alone inperson.”
He was close now, and Noosh gazed up at him. “Do you want me to leave you alone,Noosh?”
She shook her head, and he smiled. She wobbled, her legs shaking, and he slid his hands onto her waist, steadying her, pulling her into his hard body to balance her. He stroked her face. “I hate that you gothurt.”
“No biggie.” Her voice was gravelly, but all she could think of was how nice it was to be in his arms. She couldn’t stop staring at his handsome face, his eyes, so soft and full of sweetness. He’s looking atmelike that, she marveled, and then a second later, as he bent his head and brushed his lips against hers, she gave an involuntary moan ofdesire.
“That,” he said in a whisper, “that right there is howyoumakemefeel.”
He kissed her again, his lips firmer this time, his tongue sweeping into her mouth to caress hers, his fingers tangling in her long hair. “God, Noosh…Noosh…”
She wanted him to touch her everywhere as he whispered her name over and over, but then she remembered they were still in the very public reception of her building. Ruefully, she broke away, smiling up at him. “Maybe we should go somewhere less, um,open.”
Christo grinned. “That sounds promising. How about I take you todinner?”
“I would love that. Let me just get mybag.”
“No need.” Liam suddenly appeared out of nowhere, clearly having been spying on them. He grinned unashamedly at them and handed Noosh her bag. “Here you go, sweets, I thought you might need this. Ally says have a good night, by theway.”
Noosh gave him a mock-scowl. “All of this seems very…planned.”
Christo laughed. “Don’t blame Liam, blame me. I’m afraid I’ve had my spies out for a couple of days – and Liam is remarkably easy tobribe.”
Noosh gaped at them both for a moment, then laughed. Who the hell cared? “Well, then you’d better buy me areallygood dinner,Montecito.”
“Warning, she can out-eat a water buffalo,” Liam ducked away from Noosh’s slap. Christo grinned and offered Noosh hishand.
“Shallwe?”
