Page 69 of Healing the Heart

“I didn’t,” she protested, although it was feeble at best.

“You did. I look forward to making you do it again—with me inside you.”

“When?” she immediately replied, blurting out her question much louder than she meant to.

Noah laughed, his hand cupping her cheek that had flooded with heat. “What’s this? Are you asking to become a regular on the playroom floor?”

She wasn’t too proud to admit she was wrong. “As long as I’m with you, sir, I believe I am. But...”

“Out with it. You shouldn’t be afraid to ask me anything.”

“I realize I have work to do on my confidence and self-image, especially under a spotlight, but could we reserve a room upstairs from time to time? I was a member for a year and only played in one, and there wasn’t much to it that wasn’t dangling over my head.”

“We can explore them all if you’d like. Where would you like to start?”

There was an office, a classroom, a medical exam room—the thought of which made her a little squeamish, except perhaps with Noah, a real MD—and the aforementioned suspension room. The remaining eight she couldn’t recall off the top of her head. They all sounded naughty and so much fun she couldn’t choose.

Smiling up at him, she shook her head. “I trust your judgment, sir. Surprise me.”

“I can certainly do that.”

Chapter 18

You Lose, Naughty Kitten

TWO MORE WEEKS PASSEDwith little progress on the investigation. The police had removed the yellow tape, and she was free to return to her apartment, but her renter’s insurance was taking their own sweet time processing her claim. For safety, and out of necessity, she and Noah were essentially living together.

Also, out of necessity, he’d returned to her apartment and packed the rest of her clothes. He did so alone, sparing her the trauma of seeing it again.

When he got home, he was in a foul mood. After dropping her bags by the door, he came to her, picked up her phone from the end table, and handed it to her.

“Call your insurance rep and give her permission to deal with me from here on out.”

Privy to only one side of the conversation, she listened to his calm, professional tone as he asked about the status of her claim. When he didn’t like what he was hearing, it changed. Still calm, but with unmistakable authority, he laid out his expectations.

“I’m through with delays and excuses. Miss Delacour’s policy outlines response times for issuing funds for emergency housing, living expenses, and more when there is a loss of residence. Also, for reimbursement once the claim andsupporting documentation, including the police report, are filed. She has been timely with all of your requirements, but you have met none of your obligations. This is unacceptable. You have three choices: release the funds immediately, transfer me to your supervisor who can do what her policy promises, or speak to her lawyer about this. Which will it be?” After a brief pause, he replied, “That’s what I thought.”

When he hung up, he dropped her phone into her hand and went back for her bags, the entire time muttering about incompetence.

“Noah, what did she say?”

“What I expected her to. She’s overnighting your check. You’ll have it tomorrow.”

As he carried her belongings down the hall to his room, she grinned. When she imagined the look on the agent’s face trying to figure out what just hit her, Fiona laughed.

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