Page 96 of Keeping Guard
The pleasure built inside her, the pressure of an oncoming climax growing, and while that was happening, she watched his face, searching for some hint that this...what was happening between them meant more to him than just fun times. As if he didn’t want her to see into his mind, he closed his eyes.
She wanted to tell him to open them, to let her see, to give her a glimpse of his feelings for her, to allow her to hope. Instead, he flipped them over, taking control, angling deeper with each thrust. She got lost in the feel of him, in the waves of pleasure taking over her body, and she stopped thinking.
“Noah. Oh God, Noah.”
“That’s it, baby. My princess. So damn beautiful.”
Maybe it was knowing that her time with him was ending and that had her greedy for all that he was giving her, or maybe it was the first time when making love with him that she absolutely knew she was in love with him, but whatever the reason, her world shattered, and she soared to the stars. It was like nothing she’d ever experienced before.
It was profound.
Make the most of the time we have left.
Sunday came before Noah was ready. He’d hated those words coming out of her mouth, as if all she wanted from him was sex, or “tingles.” He’d expected tears or at least regret in her eyes, had been surprised at how much he wanted a sign that she didn’t want him to go. Was she even going to miss him? He wasn’t sure he’d ever be ready to leave her.
He hadn’t told her about Jack’s job offer, mostly because although he was considering it, he’d probably re-up. Why get her hopes up—if she was even hoping—that he might be back, emphasis on themight.
She’d asked if Jack could take him to the airport, and he’d hidden his disappointment. Was she that anxious to get rid of him? He tossed his toiletry kit into his duffel, picked up the bag and his guitar case, and carried them out to the living room.
Peyton stood at the window looking out, and he wondered if this was the last time he’d ever see her. That damn sharp-edged rock in his chest grew into a boulder. He swallowed past the lump in his throat.
“Guess that’s it then.” Was that the best he could do? He’d been inside her body, his mouth had loved every inch of her. He owed her more than a few meaningless words. He dropped his duffel and guitar case on the sofa, then walked over to her. “I’m going to miss you, princess.”
“I’ll miss you, too.”
And that was the extent of any discussion on his leaving. It seemed like there should be more to say, but for the first time since he’d looked into the sky-blue eyes of a runaway bride, he couldn’t read her. Her usually expressive face was blank, her thoughts hidden from him.
Was she ready to be back on her own and get on with her life? Because he didn’t know, he didn’t tell her what was in his heart. Truth, he wasn’t even sure, another reason he stayed quiet. He thought he was falling in love with her, but what if once he was away, he realized it was just lust?
Equating his feelings for her to nothing but lust didn’t sit well, though. She deserved better than that, so he shut down trying to analyze whatever this was or wasn’t between them. His phone buzzed with a text.
“That’ll be Jack. He said he’d message when he got here.”
“Okay. Well...” She put her palm on his cheek. “Be safe, Noah.”
“Always.” He wanted more of her chatty words, the babbling that only ended when he kissed her. To hell with it. He lowered his mouth to hers. If this was the last time he’d get to kiss a princess, he wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass.
Her body melted against his and her mouth opened, welcoming him in. How the hell was he supposed to leave her? His tongue slid over hers, and at hearing her sigh, he knew he couldn’t leave without asking if she’d wait for him. Then...
She pushed against his chest, taking her mouth away. “Jack won’t be able to double park for long. You better go.”
Ask me to stay.
She didn’t, so he left.
Chapter Thirty-One
Peyton had pulled off a miracle. She hadn’t begged Noah to stay.Please don’t gohad been on the tip of her tongue. By sheer willpower, she let him go. It was the hardest thing she’d ever done.
She walked to the window. Noah came out of the building, Lucky at his side, and after opening the back door for Lucky to jump inside Jack’s car, he lifted his gaze to the window. He didn’t smile, didn’t mouth words to her, didn’t lift his hand to wave. He just looked at her, and then he walked around the front of the car, got in, and they left.
“Don’t go,” she whispered.Please don’t go.The tears she’d managed to hold at bay in front of Noah fell down her cheeks. She crumpled to the floor, brought her legs up, and pressed her face to her knees.
It was too quiet, the silence in the loft thick and heavy. She tried to draw air into her lungs, but it was hard to breathe. He hadn’t even said he’d call her. Her throat burned, her chest hurt, and the tears burned her eyes.
Even the dog was gone, back in Jack’s care. She should have asked if she could keep him. God, she was a sad country song. Maybe she should get one of her beers to cry into.
She swiped her hand across her cheeks, pushed up, and went to her bedroom. If she was going to be a sad country song, she was going all out. In her bottom drawer was the T-shirt she’d never given back to Noah. She brought it to her nose and inhaled. It didn’t smell like him anymore, and that brought more tears. Wasn’t fair that he’d even taken his scent with him. She put it on anyway.
