Page 13 of Norah

Eventually, Norah wriggles a little and I reluctantly let her down. She looks up at me with her gorgeous blue-gray eyes and gives me a grin. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too. And I’ve been worried. Are you feeling better?” It doesn’t appear that she’s in pain; her whole body had been tense last night, and today she appears much more relaxed.

“Much better.” Norah takes my hand and tugs me inside her apartment. “I’m sorry I worried you.”

“Don’t apologize. You weren’t feeling well. There’s no need to be sorry. I just hated thinking about you here alone and sick.”

“It won’t happen again.”

I’m not sure how she can think she’ll never be sick again, but I won’t argue. “I brought you some stuff, like a care package, but without the actual package.” Moving to the coffee table, I empty my bags: chicken soup, chocolate, fuzzy socks, and an assortment of magazines that looked like women might like them.

“Oh Ethan, this is so sweet!” She covers her mouth in surprise, but her eyes are shining. Then she links her hands around my neck and pulls me in for a kiss. “Thank yousomuch.”

I’m reminded of the Norah who didn’t want me to buy even a small gift at the museum gift shop, and compare her to the one in front of me. This one seems happy, and I vow at this moment to do whatever it takes to keep her this way.

NORAH

I’ve been feeling guilty all day.

I didn’t technically lie to Ethan last night, but there’s a saying about lies of omission, and that applies pretty well in this case. The rest of the night I kept envisioning his face, creased with concern, as he asked me to stay and let him take care of me.

This new hopeful part of me wondered what if I had told him everything? Then the dark voice whispered,you know that can’t happen. It’s another reason that I should end things with Ethan. How can I be with him when I can’t tell him the truth?

If the guilt wasn’t enough to put me in a bad mood today, having the nightmare again certainly was. I know what triggered it, but explanations don’t help when I wake up screaming. What if I stayed at Ethan’s place and had the nightmare? He’d think I was a freak. Or at least mentally unstable.

The day got worse as it went on, and I could barely concentrate on my mindless job as a medical transcriptionist. It’s horrendously boring, but lets me work from home and usually can lull me into a dulled state of awareness. Not today. By the time Ethan arrived, I was gearing myself up to make an excuse to cancel. Or even end things with him completely.

But as soon as I opened the door and saw him, all my bad thoughts and feelings flew away. All I could think was,thank goodness you’re here. And when he picked me up and hugged me, my whole body felt like it unfolded, like a day lily opening to the sun. Decision made.I’m not letting him go. Not yet, at least. Not until Ihaveto.

All the gifts Ethan brought almost bring tears to my eyes. The idea of him wandering through stores, looking for items that would make me feel better, makes my heart feel like it’s swooping into my stomach and back again. How did I get so lucky?

He’s extra handsome tonight too, still dressed in his suit. The charcoal colored suit looks tailored for him, and contrasts against the crisp white of his shirt. The collar is unbuttoned, tie removed, and the flash of tan skin at his neck makes me want to lick it. Whoa. I’ve never considered licking a guy before. Then again, I’ve never dated a guy that looked like Ethan, either.

“Like what you see?”

I’ve just got busted by blatantly eyeing Ethan’s neck, and I pray I didn’t unknowingly lick my lips. So embarrassing. “Um… I…” God,say somethinginstead of babbling like a fool.

He lifts an eyebrow and lifts his lips into a tiny smirk. “You can stare at me as long as you please.”

Kill me now. “Would you believe me if I said you had something on your shirt?”

“I might. If I hadn’t looked in the mirror before leaving work. It looked perfectly fine."

Time to face the music. “OK. I was staring at you. Happy?”

His smirk turns into a huge grin. “Veryhappy.” His eyes drop to my breasts with obvious intent. “I assume you won’t mind me doing the same?”

Actually, Idon’tmind, because Ethan’s eyes on my body are making me hot all over. I debate whether to keep up the modest act or let my inner minx go free. I should go slow, says the modest me. The minx tells me togo for it. Ethan’s watching me with barely restrained desire darkening his eyes, waiting to see what I’ll do next.

Go for it!In one quick move, I whip off my shirt and toss it to the ground. “I think you might enjoy this view.”

His eyes flash, and he steps so close to me I can feel his breath. “Idefinitelylike this view better.”

ETHAN

My first thought-wow.My second thought-this is unexpected.

Then I stop thinking and move. So close to Norah, I can see the pulse in her neck and hear her rapid breathing. I don’t touch her yet, just breathe in her scent and gaze at her breasts, now encased only in lace. The white lace bra doesn’t cover much; showing off her perfectly formed curves.

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