Page 73 of Resisting You
“We’re going to break this piano,” she said, laughing. “I don’t think it’s meant to bear the weight of two adults!”
“Fuck it,” I said. “What’s a grand piano even doing in a strip club?”
“They have dueling piano night every Tuesday.”
I pulled back to gape at her. “How the hell do you know that?”
“How the helldon’tyou know that? This is your state, Tripp.”
I shook my head. “Believe it or not, I didn't exactly frequent the nudie bars when I lived here.”
“I don’t believe you,” Rosa laughed.
I clutched my heart, mocking pain. “Have you met my mother? She would have kicked my ass if she ever found me in a place like this!”
“And what about now?”
“Now I have you to whup my ass.” I teased in a whisper meant only for her ears, leaning close enough to see the flecks of gold in her eyes.
"Maybe," she whispered back, the corner of her mouth quirking up in a challenge. "I didn’t realize you were into that sort of kink, Noah Tripp.”
“When it comes to you, I’m into everything.”
“That’s a dangerous statement to make.”
“A little danger never scared me.”
Rosa's laughter was a melody that nearly matched the last note that hung in the air. I cut off her laugh, pressing my lipsto hers, claiming her mouth, claiming her as mine in front of everyone.
Our lips met, and the world—its noise, its relentless pace—all of it just faded to a soft murmur in the background. It was one of those kisses that said everything words couldn't. It spoke of shared dreams, whispered promises, and a future brimming with color and light. Her lips were soft, certain, and when they parted from mine, I felt like I was gasping for air after being submerged in the most beautiful ocean.
"Wow," she breathed, her voice a tender echo of my pounding heart.
"I’m sorry about earlier today," I managed to say. “My costars, when they come around I just, I don’t know. I lose sight of what’s important.”
Her jaw ticked, the humor and happiness from before flicking away in a blink. “So what happens when we go back to reality and you’re around them all day, every day on set?”
I didn’t have an answer to that. “I don’t want to do this tv series forever. Or even much longer. But I do love the world of acting. And I want to do more film work. Be taken seriously. I’m working on finding the balance, I swear to you. But if my career costs me you, then I don’t know if I want it anymore.”
A smile breaks through her frown and she rolls her eyes. “Well that’s a load of horseshit.”
“It’s not.” I squeezed her hand and brought it up to press against my heart. “I would give it all up to keep you.”
She searched my face, examining my expression for the truth in my words. “I don’t want you to give up acting. I just don’t want to be around that version of Noah. He’s kind of a douche.”
“Kind of? He’s the king of douches. I don’t want to be around him either.”
“Great,” she said. “So we both agree. Actor Noah is a douche. I guess I’m looking forward to seeingthisNoah more often. Evenwhen he’s around those guys.” She pressed her palm flat against my chest and my heart raced, thrumming, hitting her palm with each heavy pulse.
“So… we’re going to do this? You and me. For real.”
With a quick lick of her lips, she nodded. “Let’s do this.”
I kissed her again, hard, as more cheering erupted around us and we both laughed as a bunch of male strippers celebrated our love and helped us down from the piano.
As I helped Rosa down from the stage Morgan was there, two glasses of champagne in her outstretched hands. “Cheers, you two,” she said with a flick of her scarlet hair over her shoulder.
I narrowed my eyes at her. I didn’t trust her. Not for a second.
