Page 51 of Kissing Chaos
Wishing McKenna didn’t have to work the weekend so she could help talk me out of bad decisions.
Finishing off two bottles of Stella Rosa.
Calling Joey.
Calling Ella.
This time as I dry heave over someone else’s toilet, a cool washcloth is placed on the back of my neck while large, warm hands rub soothing circles on my lower back. I sit back on my heels, my face burning with embarrassment at this entire situation. Before I can say anything, Noah pulls me into his arms, my back to his chest.
“Noah,” I whine.
He latches his arms tighter and leans his forehead against the crown of mine. “Do you have any idea how worried I was last night when you didn’t show up?”
“I’m sorry,” I reply in the same soft tone he is using.
“I was getting ready to dial your brother when Jace called me.”
“So, so sorry,” I repeat as I give in to the desire to melt into the warmth that is Noah’s body.
One of his hands gently traces some sort of circle design along my arm, and I get lost in the sensation of his touch.
“Then, when I went to rip Jace a new one for not cutting you off sooner, he informed me that you’d been more than tipsy before you even made it to the bar.” The hand on my arm travels up, up, up to move my hair away from my shoulder before Noah presses a kiss on the exposed skin between my neck and shoulder. “Taking care of you and keeping you safe is difficult when I don’t know what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours.”
I don’t know what to say to him, because he is right. I keep saying I’m in this and then running at the first sign of “date” talk. All the Sunday snuggles, sleepovers, texts, and calls just add to the proof. I am tired of running from Noah Slater, and that is the most terrifying discovery I made during my drinking escapade.
“I’m scared,” I whisper into the quiet bathroom while steeling myself for his response. I can feel his nod where he rests his head on my shoulder.
“I get that,” he says. “I do, but I am, too.”
Something resembling a snort sneaks out.
He spreads his legs a little, allowing me to settle more firmly into his lap, humor in his voice as he continues. “I’m serious, Jett. You know Maya’s death messed me up. But you had me the second I laid eyes on you. And all these moments we’ve had together over the last few months have me only wanting you more. Give us a chance to thrive before ending us, chaos.”
Goosebumps sprint to the surface of my arms and legs at the nickname that, coming from anyone else, would feel hurtful. But the way he says it, so gentle and commanding.Endearing. Like he loves that I am that way. I love it. And I love—
Nope. No.NO.
I do not.
I cannot.
I am not falling in love with Noah Slater. We are not to that point yet.
Taking in a deep breath while still trying not to upset my stomach and swearing I am still a wee bit drunk, I tilt my chin to try to catch Noah’s eyes.
He helps by shifting ever so slightly.
“One date,” I concede. Excitement dances in his dark-brown eyes, but before he can comment, I continue. “But there will be stipulations.”
He tries to keep a somber expression, but the man is exuding so much happiness right now that I can’t help but huff out a laugh.
“Who knew cuddling a girl who can’t hold her liquor would make you this happy?”
His hand comes up to cup my cheek, thumb slowly running along my jaw. “Sweet girl, I will hold you anytime you need it. Joy, sadness, sickness, drunkenness, or just needing a hug. Don’t even need to ask. My arms are always open for you.”
***
A short while after our heart-to-heart on Noah’s bathroom floor, he moves me to the living room wrapped in blankets. I felt my mood closing in on me and opted to stay here, although I don’t think Noah would have given me the option to go home just yet. Instead, he turned on the replay of the Voltage game that we were supposed to watch last night.
