Page 20 of A Biker for Noelle
My gut tightens at the thought. “You did what you had to. I respect that.”
“Yeah, well, now I have to look over my shoulder every second of the day.” Noelle turns her head, peering through the passenger’s window. “It’s not the life I want for Zack. He deserves better.”
“He’s alive and has you, baby.” I turn the wipers on when it begins to snow.
The weight of the conversation lingers in the air, heavy with unspoken words as we drive down the long road leading to my home—a cabin nestled in a thicket of trees.
I park, step out of the truck, and stroll to the passenger side, opening the door. The cold presses against us as I lead her onto the front porch. Noelle looks around, taking in her surroundings.
“You can get a better look once the sun comes up. Come on, let’s get out of the cold,” I say. The moment we step inside, warmth engulfs us.
I kick off my boots, leave them beside the front door, and shrug off my coat before helping Noelle out of hers and hanging them on the wall hooks. Following my lead, she removes her boots and places them beside mine. I take her by the hand and lead her into the living room, where we find my mom sleeping in the recliner, covered by a quilt, in front of the fireplace.
“Um, does your mom live here with you?” Noelle raises her brow.
I let out a low chuckle. “No, baby. She has her place on the backside of my property, a small one-bedroom cabin.” I keep her hand in mine and start walking. “I want my mom close, but not that close.” I lead her quietly down the hall to the spare bedroom I set up for her brother. The room is dimly lit, the nightlight casting shadows on the walls. Zack is curled up under a blanket, sleeping. Noelle stands in the doorway, watching him for a beat.
“Come on,” I say, leading us to the end of the hall. Then, I push open the door to my bedroom. “You’ll sleep in my room,” I say, and she investigates.
Noelle looks at me, her eyes searching mine, a hint of hesitation surfacing again. “What about you?”
I rub the back of my neck. “I’ll crash on the pullout in the living room.”
“This is too much, Torin. I don’t know how to thank you.” Then Noelle steps closer, bringing her body against mine as she raises on her toes, her lips hovering dangerously close to mine.
“You sure, baby? ’Cause once I taste you…”
“I’m sure,” she whispers.
The instant her soft, warm lips meet mine, a surge of electric energy courses through my entire body, setting every nerve ablaze. Kissing her feels like returning to a place I never knew I’d been missing. As we finally part, both of us are left breathless, and I can sense my heart thumping against my chest.
Our eyes lock, and in that moment, we both comprehend there’s no going back.
CHAPTER NINE
Noelle
The smell of coffee wakes me from what was possibly one of the best nights of sleep I’ve had in a long time. Torin’s mattress is so plush it feels like I’m lying on a cloud. And there is something about having his scent all around me that makes my senses tingle, in a good way.
Sitting in bed, I swing my legs over the edge and stretch my arms above my head. My feet hit the cool wood floor before I pad over to the bedroom window and pull back the curtain. The clouds are gray, and a light dusting of fresh snow has started to blanket the trees. Most people love the sunshine, but not me. Perhaps that makes me odd. Cloudy days are my favorite. There is just something so calm and relaxing about it.
Something else I’ve learned about Ember Falls in my short time here is that it feels like home. I lived in Texas my whole life and never felt like it was where I truly belonged. Maybe it’s because Texas is filled with bad memories and chaos. Ember Falls feels like new beginnings and hope.
Life for me has always been about surviving and protecting my brother. I’m a pro at survival. The part about protecting my brother is where I failed. I once considered the legal route, thinking I could trust the system. The lawyer said I’d have to prove Zacks’s father was unfit, and if the courts decided that was the case, then he’d most likely end up in the custody of the state while I fought to be his legal guardian. Going the legal route costs time and money, money which I did not have, and time was something my brother didn’t have either.
Murmured voices snap me out of my thoughts. Realizing Zack is probably awake, I head for the bathroom.
Minutes later, I follow the sound of hushed voices into the kitchen to find Torin leaning against the counter with a coffee cup in hand. He’s wearing jeans and no shirt. Fully clothed, I could tell the man was in shape, but the sight of his six-pack abs give me pause. I can’t help but take in the sprinkling of dark chest hair that travels between those stacks of muscles and disappears under the waistband of his jeans.
The sound of Torin clearing his throat knocks me out of my stupor. My eyes immediately snap to his, and I find him looking amused. My face heats with embarrassment at the fact Torin caught me admiring him. I try to ignore how his gaze follows me across the kitchen to where Zack sits. The kid is so engrossed in his breakfast of eggs and bacon that he is oblivious to what’s happening between Torin and me. “Mornin’, buddy.” I kiss the top of his head.
“Coffee?” Torin asks.
I nod and make my way over to the coffee pot.
Torin comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, pushing me aside. “I got it, baby,” he whispers against my ear, making my skin prickle and my breath hitch. “Go sit.”
Swallowing, I nod and then join Zack at the table. I go to tell Torin what I like in my coffee, but before I can, he sets asteaming hot mug in front of me. I pick the cup up and bring it to my lips. On first taste, it’s perfect—just the right amount of sugar and cream. I look up at him through my lashes. “Thank you.”
