Page 98 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

He slid his hand down my arm and rested it on my hip. “I know, baby. I’m never leaving your side again. I promise.” Noah always spoke in such a deep, modulated voice that was so addictive to listen to.

The song had reached its bridge, and I listened to the male vocalist singing about love and trust. I’d promise to love Noah and trust him. That was my only wish. I couldn’t tell if it was a coincidence that those specific lyrics suddenly played at that particular moment, or if it was divine intervention showing me a sign. No, there couldn’t have been greater forces at work. Feeling this way about Noah was wrong, and I was certain that God, angels, or whatever other powers above were shaking their heads at me in disgust.

“I love you,” I murmured.

His face lit up with a warm smile. “I love you too.” He pulled me into his arms and safely covered me with his strong masculinity. I breathed him in and wrapped my leg over his waist. I kept wishing he would kiss me and slide his hand up my leg, past my inner thighs, under my skirt, and … but that was just wishful thinking. It was never going to happen.

Noah left two kisses on my forehead and looked at me. “So Vanessa told me that you’re bringing that guy over tomorrow. What was his name again? Brian?”

“Ryan,” I said. “And yeah, I figured since you’re so curious to meet him, I’d invite him to dinner.”

“Okay, that’s cool.” He held my thigh in place over his hip while gently caressing my skin with his thumb. Our eyes locked, and Noah held my gaze before saying, “I was just double checking.”

God, so hot.

“Your birthday is tomorrow.”

“Don’t remind me,” I sighed.

“I know you don’t want to do anything big, and I promise there won’t be any scary surprises, but we can have a barbecue if you like.”

Hmm. That doesn’t sound so bad.

“It doesn’t have to be anything fancy,” I said.

“How are barbecues fancy? You throw some burgers and dogs on the grill, pull out some cold beers …” He paused. “Well, the alcohol would be for us adults. You kids can have carbonated or caffeinated beverages.” Noah grinned, knowing that I’d get annoyed.

“I’m not a kid!” I playfully slapped his chest as he threw his head back laughing. I tried to pull my leg back, but he tightened his grip around my thigh even more and pressed it closer to his waist. My body was forced forward against his. Those clear blue eyes left me breathless every time they penetrated mine.

His laughter died down to a low chuckle. “You really hate it when I call you that, huh?”

“Yes, because I’m not a child.”

“But you’ll always be my baby.”

“Oh God, Noah.” I groaned. “Stop it, please.”

He smiled and released my thigh before rolling on top of me in a flash. My heart was doing cartwheels in my chest when I felt his crotch push against me.

“Don’t you want to be my baby forever?” Noah carefully supported his weight on his elbows while tangling his fingers though my hair.

I couldn’t think. The only thing I understood at that moment was the fact that his body was pressed right against mine. The heat was unbearable. I felt like I was suffering from an Amazonian fever. I was so in love with him, it hurt.

Choosing not to shy away from his intimidating stare, I conjured some confidence and forced myself to speak. “Nothing lasts forever.”

He looked at me intently and said, “A bond between a father and daughter does.”

“I guess so.”

“Iknowso,” he insisted.

The stimulating scent of Givenchy permeated my sense of smell. I loved that cologne on him. His face was beautiful, and I was mesmerized by its symmetrical perfection as I lightly traced his jaw down to his chin with my fingertips.

“What are you doing?” He chuckled, his cheeks heating up from my touch.

Is he shy all of a sudden?I wondered.

“Tracing your face.”

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