Page 48 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

“I feel sorry for the boys at your school.”

His comment truly flattered me. “I wasn’t expecting to feel this way about you either.”

Oh no. I’d said it. What if he wanted me to explain, what then? What would I even say?

His eyes sought mine for the longest while before he said, “Lie down. Let me hold you, angel.”

I shifted off his lap and lay next to him. He moved in closer, spooning me, pressing his naked chest against my back. I trembled when his hand caressed my hip, traveling over my stomach, freeing a swarm of butterflies that fluttered about inside me. Noah kissed my right shoulder and I shivered when he brushed his hand up and down my tummy. The tiny, swollen mounds on my breasts began to harden, and I was thankful that he couldn’t see. That would have been embarrassing.

“So tell me how you feel, exactly,” he said quietly in my ear. The sensation was sending goose bumps all down my arms.

I took a moment to think carefully about how I would answer that question. Being in his arms like this was the closest thing to paradise, and I didn’t want to be kicked out of there just yet.

“I feel something … between us.”

Panic, anxiety, fear—those were the emotions that rushed into my bloodstream. He pulled me to his body and stroked my hip with a lazy hand. I shut my eyes and tried to breathe as he slid his hand up higher so that his fingertips were resting right on my ribcage. There was a part of me that wanted to turn over and kiss him hard on the mouth, but I rolled on my back instead and innocently stared up at him.

“I feel something too,” Noah said. His eyes were heated, swirling with seduction, as he rubbed my tummy in a gentle motion. I couldn’t deny the sexual attraction I felt toward him any longer. My desire for him to consume me body and soul was overriding my moral judgment.

“I feel like I’m the luckiest father in the world.”

My heart sank when he said this, because for one sweet moment, I had believed that he felt what I felt. But I was wrong.

If only you’d move your hand up an inch more, then it would land directly on my …

Why was I even thinking these things? My body craved his touch in places that made my cheeks flush. Did he desire me too? Was this his way of harmlessly trying to cuddle me? Maybe the alcohol was getting to his head. Or maybe the reason why he downed all that liquor so fast was so that he could do this with me. No, I was pretty sure it was my own sick mind coming to these conclusions.

“Noah …”

“Yes, baby girl?” His voice sounded relaxed and sleepy.

“Do you believe in love at first sight?” Okay, what the hell kind of topic was that to discuss?Nice one, Aria.

I’m sure he felt awkward. My question made me super shy all of a sudden. I turned away from him and snuggled back against his body, hoping he would spoon me again.

“I’ve never experienced love at first sight, though I can’t say the same about the many women who have unfortunately laid eyes on me.” He chuckled lightheartedly.

I laughed. “That’s cocky of you to say.”

“For me,” he said, “it’s always beenlustat first sight.”

I shivered when he saidlust.

“What about when you met your wife?”

My jealousy was suddenly poking its ugly head out of the closet.

“I was attracted to Vanessa when I met her, but I wouldn’t say that it was love at first sight. I believe it takes time for love to grow between two people.”

Was that what was growing between us, love?And if it was, what kind of love was it? How was he able to control my feelings so much with just one look?

“Why do you ask, princess? Is there someone you’re in love with?”

I shook my head.

“Come on, you can tell me. What’s his name?”

I bit my lip, then released it, taking a deep breath. “He’s older than me.” I imagined Noah knitting his brows together upon hearing this.

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