Page 65 of Million Dollar High

Noah opened the single heavy black door and stood back.

Crossing the threshold, she gasped. “Ohmigod, this place is stunning. Who lives here?”

Shutting the door behind him, he came forward and held out the keycard to her. “It’s one of the places I picked out for you to look at, but judging by your reaction, I’m thinking this place is yours?”

Her mouth sagged open. “Are you serious?” She turned around and stared at the amazing living room. White leather sofas stood diagonal to black ones with a white scalloped rug completing the space. Above the seating area, a silver and crystal chandelier glinted, catching the sun’s rays through wide rectangular windows.

She twirled and rushed to the opposite side of the room then screeched with delight at the less formal sitting area, complete with an Eames recliner, a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf and entertainment area.

She’d never given much thought to cooking her own meals or making her own coffee in the morning because Warren’s housekeeper, Rita, had taken care of that. But now, the idea of total independence thrilled her into smiling broadly as she trailed her hand over the West African teak, which covered the center island. She imagined taking a gourmet cooking class and making a meal half as decent as the one Noah had cooked for her last week.

Checking out the rest of the Christopher Peacock designed kitchen, she walked through a short archway into a dining area. Beyond the chill-out space, sliding doors led outside to a huge balcony complete with a small pool and a set of white-cushioned lounge furniture.

Grinning, she turned to find Noah watching her, a smile on his face.

Walking over, she battered her eyelashes at him. “Oh, Mr.Realtor, show me a bedroom with a skylight and I’ll be yours forever.”

His smile faded. One hand slid over her nape and tugged her close. “Careful who you pledge yourself to, Miss Michaels. I understand you belong to a possessive motherfucker who doesn’t like to even joke about imaginary assholes poaching what’s his.”

The atmosphere altered. Electricity and angst arched between them as Noah’s hooded eyes pinned her. His head began to descend and she held her breath. Her mouth tingled, silently screaming for the kiss he’d denied her so far. He loomed closer until he filled her vision. At the last moment, he twisted his head to one side and kissed the space below her ear.

Robbed of what she craved, Leia didn’t hear his command to go until he tugged on her arm.

The rest of the two-bedroom condo was equally stunning, but her enthusiasm had waned. She made the right noises and even agreed to meet with the realtor, but inside, her heart had turned to stone.

“You ready to go?” Noah asked after one final inspection.

She nodded and headed out of the kitchen.

He trapped her by the door and lifted her chin. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“You know what’s wrong. I’m beginning to wonder what I need to do to get you to kiss me again.”

His eyes dimmed. “You don’t think I want to more than any goddamn thing in my existence?”

“Then do it. God, it’s so easy. I’m right here…”

He laughed. “It’s the most difficult thing in the world to kiss a woman who doesn’t trust you… Who doesn’t think you’re worth a call when she’s in trouble.”

His thick voice broke, and ice drenched her. “Oh God, Noah. I didn’t mean?—”

He shut her up with a finger on her mouth. “I don’t care what you meant. I only know that it ripped my guts out to know you chose to be alone in a goddamn hotel room rather than pick up the phone and call me after that asshole attacked you. You want me to kiss you? Show me that I’m worth something to you.”

Dropping his hand from her lips, he stepped back and opened the door.

She stood frozen for a full minute after he walked away, blinking back stunned tears and the knowledge of how much she’d hurt him.

The sound of the elevator arriving galvanized her into movement. He waited with one hand on the door. When she reached him, they stared at one another for a long moment before he pulled her into his arms. They travelled in silence up another floor. She watched, puzzled, as Noah went to a similar door and slotted in the keycard.

“Are we viewing another condo? I thought… the one downstairs is fine for me.”

He threw the door open before answering her. “This one isn’t for you.”

“Then who… Oh, you?” she blurted.

“If it suits my needs.”

A bolt of happiness shot through her, followed immediately by a well of despair. Aware that Noah was watching her, gauging her reaction like a hawk tracking its prey, she tried to neutralize her features. He shut the door and faced her and she knew she’d failed to fool him.

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