Page 45 of Kissing Chaos
It’s quiet for a moment except for the coffee maker.
“Farrah didn’t come with him. He filed for a divorce, and she signed immediately.”
“Good riddance.”
“Noah,” she scolds. The emotion in her voice is palpable.
I know better than to eavesdrop, but it sounds like important sibling talk and after what I learned last night, the lastthing I want to do is interrupt if Noah’s actually getting stuff off his chest. Unfortunately, Sadie chooses that moment to blow my cover, her pitter-patter of nails clicking along the wood floor as she runs to give me kisses.
“Hey, Sadie girl. You have good sleeps?” I ask as I scratch her favorite spot behind her left ear before walking to Noah. His hands are against the counter, fingers clenched tight and a look of frustration marring his handsome face. I slip my arms around his waist and burrow as close as I can.
“Mornin’ sunshine,” Noah says softly.
“Sun’s not up yet. Why are y’all?” I mumble to both siblings.
“Ugh. No fair. You’re cute straight out of bed, too?” Oakley complains, but a slight tilt of her lips and the gleam in her eyes makes it clear she doesn’t mean it. “Seriously, though. Nerdy but cute. It suits you.”
“Um, thanks?” Noah finally turns in my arms and settles his hands on my waist. “At least, I think that was a compliment.” Noah chuckles, clearly amused by his sister.
“Definitely a compliment in Oakley language.” Oaks explains halfheartedly, but I tune it out as Noah looks at me.
“How’d you sleep?”
It was like sleeping on a cloud with my own angel holding me close.
“Woke up without you or the furry beast, but the sleep part was decent.”
The little crinkle between his eyes as he worries over my words is much cuter than it should be on a grown man. “Sorry. Oakley was originally heading out this morning, so I was planning on sending her off and rejoining you until I had to leave for work.”
Oakley’s chair scrapes across the floor as she stands.
“Okay, TMI, big bro. Sorry to wreck your plans.”
I can do nothing to stop the blush from turning my cheeks pink, but Noah just watches me, those chocolate eyes probing deep into the locked parts of my soul.
“We still can,” he whispers soft enough that only I hear, but I shake my head slightly. No way can I go back to bed with him when his sister is right. There.
The audacity of this man.
Leaning my forehead against his chest, I groan. “I think you just like making my brain a mess.”
“Don’t know about that, but I definitely like making you a mess,” he adds, and in that moment, I wish the floor would swallow me. He says it softly, but the choked laugh from across the room sets me into a mild panic.
“He’s kidding!” I yell, unable to make eye contact with her, or Noah, for that matter.
“And on that note, I’m retreating to the guest room. If anyone wants to grab a coffee with me since my flight for today was canceled, I’ll be ready in thirty.”
Once the door down the hall closes, I risk a peek up at Noah. “Can’t believe you just said that in front of your sister.”
The growing happy side of me is preening at the obvious claiming he just staked in front of her. But the broken people pleaser in me is on pins and needles trying to avoid making anyone uncomfortable.
The shit-eating grin on his face is proof he found it comical, not that I had any doubt. “You’re cute when you’re being bashful.”
I swat his chest playfully before sinking into his hold again. I can’t help but sigh at the comfort his arms provide.
“Can’t believe she wants me presentable at 5:45 in the morning.”
“That’s Oaks for you.”
