Page 34 of Kissing Chaos
“I have a sweet tooth,” I say, trying to soak up some of his body heat without being obvious.
“Favorite food? I’m talking actual meal, here. Not snacks, not processed sugars.”
I cut my eyes at him. “Since you knocked my favorite food groups out of the acceptable answers, I guess chicken nachos take the cake.” I glance back up to the screen that neither of us are paying much attention to just in time to see Voltage’s number thirty-two score.
“I can get behind Mexican food any day. Especially if there’s extra queso included.”
“I tend to fixate on food. So, I could eat the same thing for three weeks and not even think about another dish. Grilled chicken, fresh tomatoes, and queso on top of some corn chips is one dish I can always count on to be satisfying. What is your favorite?”
“I’m a pasta lover, but an extra cheesy lasagna is my favorite. Has to be homemade, and it’s even tastier on day two.” He hands me a cookie and continues with his questions.
As we keep sharing small tidbits of our lives, I grow more and more comfortable in his space. There are no awkward silences, no forced laughs or uncomfortable questions.
“On our coffee date—”
“Not a date.”
Noah is unphased by the interruption. “When you were talking about your dreams. Have you put any feelers out around town?”
I shake my head in response. “I don’t see anyone here taking a chance on an outsider. But no, I haven’t looked into any locations yet. I think I’m just going to focus on the freelancing thing. I’m more so just worried about bills, you know? My savings can cover me for a little while, but they aren’t indefinite.”
“If nothing else, both the bar and the café are always looking for help.”
We sit in silence for a few minutes, Sadie at our feet. My eyes keep glancing to the corner chair where a pile of blankets sit. Without realizing it, I’m gravitating toward them, searching for one that is soft enough.
“Are you touch-testing my blankets?” Noah asks, startling me.
I freeze in my pursuit of pulling the fluffy cream and deep purple one from the bottom of the stack.
“Blankets are my weakness. I didn’t realize I’d even moved. It’s just habit.” Embarrassed, I sit back down without the blanket.
“I didn’t mean to call you out on it. Are any of them what you were wanting? I have more in the hall closet that you’re welcome to.”
“It’s okay. I’m good.” My cheeks and ears heat, and I know my face is red from getting caught in a crazy person moment.
Noah studies me for a moment before leaning forward and grabbing the blanket I had been eying while I try to disappear into the leather of the couch.
Before I can process Noah’s intentions, he drapes the blanket over me, leaning close to tuck the edges under my body in a cocoon. The deep sigh of contentment that his actions pull from my body has no chance of being silenced, and the tilt of Noah’s lips confirms it doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Stop with the people pleasing bullshit, Jett. You want something? You tell me. No judgment, ever. Got me?”
The seriousness in Noah’s gaze is intense, but I fight the urge to look away. Instead, I nod and let the weight of the blanket and the lingering smell of teakwood settle my soul.
“Now, why this blanket? There’s at least five right there, and this seems to be the only one that passed your test.”
Pulling the blanket up higher, I covertly breathe in the scent of Noah again before answering. “It just feels right.” Sitting a little straighter, I add, “I don’t know how to exp—”
Noah holds up his hand to stop me. “You don’t owe me—or anyone—an explanation. If it feels right, that’s all that matters.”
I stare at this ruggedly handsome man who somehow fell into my life at the most inopportune time and can’t help myself. “Who are you?”
He chuckles, draping his arm over the back of the couch. For once, I don’t think. I just let myself react, leaning into the offered contact. I sink into his side as he answers.
“I’m just a dumb elevator guy who hates people.”
“Well, if that wasn’t self-deprecating, then I don’t know what is.”
His hand gently palms the top of my head, effectively holding me close. “Funny, funny girl.”
