Page 50 of Pure Seduction (Chamberlin Brothers 1)

Luckily for me, I found a convenient escape for myself when I saw how much wine he was pouring into his glass.

“Hey.” I took the bottle from him. “You said there were two dishes we were sampling tonight, didn’t you? Don’t fill up on this.”

“Good point, and yes, the second one is the herb-crusted lamb chops.”

“Nice pick, Mr. Chamberlin.”

Noah smiled. “You love lamb. That one was a no-brainer.”

My chest tightened at the sincerity in his eyes, and some part of me recognized the fact he’d remembered such a small detail should probably freak me out.

“That’s right. It was always something special whenever Mom made it.” I smiled. It wasn’t always easy to do that when thinking of Mom, because I felt so robbed by her early passing. But this memory was a good one.

“I remember. You used to always ask her for it on your birthdays and at Christmas.”

“Also at Easter and Thanksgiving. Don’t forget that. When I want something, I make sure to take full advantage.”

Noah eyed me and then took another sip of his wine. “A trait I hope you kept as an adult.”

And just like that, all talk of the past fell away between us and was replaced by the present, as Noah stood, reached for my empty plate, and winked at me.

“Don’t go anywhere.”

Don’t go anywhere? Where would I go?

I was about to be served my favorite meal by the sexiest man I’d ever been on a date with. I wasn’t going anywhere, and he knew that. At least not tonight, anyway.

“Well, here it is,” Noah said as he re-entered the dining hall and placed a plate down in front of me. “The herb-crusted lamb chops with rappini, arugula, and spinach.”

My mouth watered at Pete’s top-of-the-line cooking, and when Noah gestured to the wine bottles, I immediately pointed to the 2012 Merlot. He handed it to me along with the corkscrew, and then retook his seat.

I was more than aware of his eyes on me as I uncorked the wine and reached for the proper glass.

Noah closed his eyes and took a sip. “Hmm.” His sound of pleasure made my nipples harden and the throbbing between my legs return full force. “Now this is nice.”

So was the red-hot sensation coursing through my body. I tightened my thighs beneath the table. Noah opened his eyes and locked them with mine, and I felt the proof of my desire soak the thin strip of lace I wore beneath my dress.

“Laurel?”

“Huh?” My breathing accelerated as I imagined him making that same sound of pleasure down on his knees, and suddenly the last thing I wanted was to eat herb-crusted lamb.

Noah placed his glass on the table and pushed to his feet. My eyes fell to his lap, and oh shit, the material of his pants did nothing to hide the thick erection inside. He crooked a finger my way, and the meal sitting in front of me was completely forgotten.

25

Noah

SOMETHING IN THE air had shifted between Laurel pouring me a glass of Merlot and right now, and if I were a betting man, I would say it was my enjoyment over the bold flavor of the wine.

Whatever it was, I didn’t much care. Laurel was getting to her feet and moving around the end of the table. I reached for my jacket where it hung loose off her shoulders and slowly removed it. After tossing it over the back of the chair I’d just vacated, I reveled in the decadent picture she made in that slip of a dress with her nipples pressing hard and taut against the silky fabric.

Fuck. I made a mental note to never forget the erotic picture she made, then trailed the back of my hand down her arm to her fingers. I interlaced mine with hers and then tugged her in tight to me. She gasped, placed her hands on my chest to steady herself, and tipped her face up to mine.

I grinned. “Careful.”

“Is that what you really want? For me to be careful?”

“I think you already know the answer to that.”

Her gaze lowered to my mouth. “Then why are we still talking?”

I leaned down and brushed a kiss along her jaw. “Because I didn’t want to come on too strong.”

“And what constitutes too strong? Almost making me come before I was even past the lobby?”

I nuzzled in under her ear, and she tipped her head to the side for better access. “I did, didn’t I?”

“Yes. So, what are you waiting for? Permission?”

Hell no. But when she brought our joined hands between our bodies and flattened my hand between her legs, any control I’d been exhibiting finally snapped.

“I’ve been aching for you since last night, Noah. And if you don’t finish what you started right now, I just might kill you.”

I nipped at her lower lip. “Is that right?”

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