Page 33 of Bond Strength

He stared at me, chewing on his lip. “So you’re leaving.”

My chest squeezed tight. “I don’t want to.”

“Thursday is in two days.”

“Too damn far away.” I crossed the room, hating the distance between us. I didn’t want to leave. The fear that everything would shatter the second I walked out of this house grew to a fever pitch as I closed the space between us. I tipped Declan’s chin up and pressed my lips to his. He moaned into my mouth and melted for me at once. Heat rushed through me as I kissed him with everything I was worth.

I lapped into his mouth, tasting his sweetness, the lingering sharpness of his tea. He gripped the arms of his office chair, moaning again. God, I’d never met a more perfect man in my life.

And I wouldn’t find another like him.

I’d tried.

I drew away at last, even though my chest ached at the separation, however brief. Declan wanted to try dating. I had to hold on to the reality he’d offered, the truth of his words, that he wouldn’t try tofabricate for my benefit. Declan was honest, even when the truth hurt, but that aspect of his personality also meant I could trust him.

“Thursday, okay?” I said. “Nothing will keep me away.”

“When?”

“The second you’re done work, I’ll be here to pick you up.” I brushed my lips over his one more time in a soft kiss. I savored it, then drew away again.

“What will we be doing?” he asked.

“I’ll let you know when I figure it out.” I winked at him and walked to the door. I didn’t look back. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to make myself leave. With each step away from him, my fears rose, that I’d somehow imagined everything that had happened and the next time we saw each other, he’d stare at me blankly. But I could still taste him on my tongue, could still feel the phantom sensations of his hands on my body.

Declan had promised we could try, and I needed to place my trust in him.

Truly, Thursday couldn’t come fast enough.

Chapter thirteen

Declan

The wait for Thursday had been agonizing, but the day had arrived.

Part of me had been unsure if our communication would die out the moment Noah left, but he’d texted me throughout the day, sending pics from his job site and dorky commentary. I’d replied when I came up for air from my work projects, and we’d continued on the same trend until our date. I would’ve thought his constant communication would annoy me, but it felt similar to the Brannon family text chain. He didn’t expect an immediate response, so I dipped in when I could, which eliminated the pressure.

The steadiness soothed something inside me I hadn’t even realized was unsettled. I hopped out of the shower and toweled down, then slipped on the button-down and jeans I’d brought. I ran some product through my hair and styled it, then patted my neck with cologne.

My whole body hummed at the idea of getting to be in Noah’s proximity again. The urge to crawl onto his lap and ride his cock thesecond he arrived was strong, but I’d been the one to suggest a date, so we needed to try to be normal humans or whatnot. I doubted he’d be comfortable in a relationship where my modes were either ignoring him to work on projects and then fucking him until we were both wrung out.

Though who knew? Noah was full of surprises.

A knock sounded on the door, and my heart soared.

I tweaked a few strands of my hair one more time and exited my bedroom, walking a little faster than normal. Noah had always made my pulse increase, and for years, I thought it had been from annoyance. However, the truth was clear—I was deeply attracted to Noah Langston, and there was a factor of difference that had never existed with the people I’d hooked up with.

My whole body reacted to him, not just my cock. The fluttering in my chest was deeper than attraction, and I knew it. I swallowed hard as I tugged open my front door.

Noah stood in front of me, and my mouth dried.

He’d cleaned up after work, his blond hair styled, and a goofy grin on his lips, brightening his sky-blue eyes. Noah wore a white tee that showcased his broad shoulders and defined muscles. His blue jeans had a similar fit. Saliva pooled in my mouth, and the insistent thump, thump, thump that had risen in fervor while we were apart settled.

I crashed into his chest, and he wrapped his arms around me, squeezing me. Ngh. His sage and cedarwood scent surrounded around me, stoking flames that hadn’t died. When I looked up, he dipped his head and kissed me with a fervor I hadn’t imagined, like he tried to take me apart and piece me back together again in a single breath.

The comfort that washed over me, pressed against him was bone deep, and I craved it. I wanted to climb inside him and live there.

When he pulled back from the kiss, any worries I’d had that what had happened the other day was an anomaly vanished.

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