Page 55 of Double Fault

The scent of his body wash lingers, the only proof that this was real.

That and the dampness of my panties.

I give myself another minute to calm down before I clean up the mess and use the bathroom. In bed, I force my eyes closed and will myself to go to sleep, though it takes a long, long time.

I ease into the suite, carefully shutting the door behind me so I don’t disturb Maddie or Noah.

As I turn and pop my earbuds out, I’m met with a towering wall of muscle that’s bristling with anger. Several hours ago, that same hulking body was beneath mine, coming in his pants. But since his nostrils are flaring like an angry bull, I choose not to point that out.

“You went on a run without me.”

“That’s a statement, not a question. How would you like me to respond?”

“Sabrina.” He growls my name, but not in the low, sultry way he did only hours ago. This is all gravel mixed with shards of ice.

“I didn’t think you’d want to come.” I turn toward the fridge and fish out a bottle of water. Twisting off the cap, I lean myhip casually against the desk, feigning nonchalance. “I was doing you a favor.”

“A favor?” he scoffs. “Leaving me to wake up to find you gone, to worry, is doing me a favor? I’ve been pacing the room waiting for you to get back so I could make sure you’re okay. You didn’t take your phone.”

I roll my eyes at his dramatics. “It’s not that serious, Noah.”

“It is!” he shouts, eyes darting to the closed door between us and a sleeping Maddie. “It is to me,” he says, voice softer this time. He picks up my phone and holds it out to me. As I take it, I glance at the achingly long list of missed calls and texts. I even spot Fisher’s name before the screen goes black again.

“Why? I was fine running on my own before you ever came along.”

My defenses are up, my hackles raised. I didn’t do anything wrong. When he doesn’t answer, I huff and sidestep him, but as I pass, he grasps my arm, his thumb digging into my elbow.

At the sensation, I try not to think about how his thumbs were rubbing my nipples earlier.

A muscle in his jaw twitches, his attention averted.

“Noah?” I prompt. “Tell me why you don’t want me to run by myself. Give me a reason.”

His hold on me loosens. He steps back, running long fingers through his dark brown waves and breathing harshly, like he’s in pain.

Just when I think he won’t answer me, he says, “My sister was attacked on a run. It?—”

Horror floods me, but he reaches out again, this time in a reassuring way, calming my fears.

“Nothing like what you’re thinking happened. A witness was there and stepped in, but she never got over it. I haven’t either. I was supposed to be with her, but practice had run late the day before and I was tired and…” He exhales a breath so heavy it’sas if he’s been holding for years. “That’s why I don’t want you running by yourself. Okay?”

Painful remorse weaves through me. It makes so much more sense now. “I wish you would’ve told me that sooner.”

He nods, hands on his hips. “Maybe I should have, but it’s not my story to tell.”

On instinct, I grip his wrist lightly. “I won’t run by myself anymore. I promise.”

His eyes drop to my lips before he looks away. “Good. Thank you.”

“Look at you.” I let go of him. “Learning communication skills. I’m proud.”

A gruff laugh rumbles in his chest. “Sure, let’s call it that. I’m going to go call Fisher and tell him you’re safe.”

I drop my head back and groan. “You didn’t send Fisher out to look for me, did you?”

“No, he volunteered. He was afraid that if I was the one who found you, I might strangle you.”

I shake my head, trying not to smile. This man is funny, even when he isn’t trying to be.

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