Page 23 of The Photo
“Oh.” We will definitely be having sex tonight.
A familiar rise of panic ripples inside my chest. When he runs his index finger down my forearm I push the feeling away. It finishes at my hand, and his fingers link with mine. A lazy grin lifts on one side of his mouth. The combination charges my heart beats, so they skip merrily. I’m ready to have a proper one-night stand with the only man I’ve ever fancied.
“Hello!” Chelsea draws out the word, her voice disturbing the sensation of his thumb stroking my skin. She can’t see my amateur attempt to flirt, only my hot gaze clashing with his. Oddly, my subtle attempt seems to work because his other hand is now gliding down my back. “You two need to get a room, but that would mean leaving me here with this guy.” I catch her prodding a thumb in Sam’s direction. “I understand Noah’s a real-life fantasy and all that, Rowan, but you’re giving Romeo here ideas.” Her eyes roll when Sam feigns shock and mouths the words, ‘who me’ with a cheeky smirk. “Let’s be honest with each other, Wham Bam No Thank You Sam. I‘ll never touch your dick,” she grunts.
“You’re playing hard to get, Chelsea.” Sam snickers playfully. “Don’t worry, I like my women a little less…”
“Less hot?” she huffs.
The waitress returns with our drinks, and Sam’s wide eyes drift to her freckled face. “Less obnoxious.”
Chelsea balks. “You can’t handle a confident woman, Sam.”
“Oh, confident, is that what you’d call it?” He coughs subtly when the waitress ignores his waiting smile. “Seriously, Noah, if I had your gifts, I’d fuck my way around the world.” Sam swigs his beer.
I suppress the impulse to knock that bottle into his teeth and take a small sip of my beer instead. Noah doesn’t need a reminder of that lifestyle. Not now, not when he’s sitting with a simple girl of no consequence. Just one in a trillion women who’d be willing and capable.
Noah’s fingers return to the table and wrap around his glass of fizzy juice. “There’s nothing stopping you, buddy, if that’s what floats your boat.”
“Really?” Sam cocks an eyebrow. “You make it sound easy. Normal guys like us have to graft for it. We’d kill for an ounce of your—” Sam waves his hand, pausing, like he’s unsure what name to apportion to Noah’s unbelievable good looks and effortless sex appeal.
Noah hums a husky laugh. “I’m fairly normal, Sam.”
“No, no, you’re not. You have that certain quality. Is there another secret?” I knew women would trip over themselves for Noah, but Sam is equally in awe.
“Sam, he’s built like a beast and has a face likethat!” Chelsea taunts. “It’s no secret - and no comparison.” There isn’t a woman in the bar who hasn’t noticed Noah. My stomach twists at the truth of his attention. “He’s like a spectacular mountain stretching to the clouds, and you’re like an annoying particle of grit in my eye.”
“Awe, Chelsea.” Sam focuses on her. “At least I’m in you.”
She flaps and shifts in her seat.
“So, Noah, do you ever drink alcohol?” I ask, to break up the conversion that’s bound to lead to how many women Noah’s slept with.
“Not that much. Hangovers are a nightmare. I travel a lot, which means plenty of early starts.” He lowers his hand and taps my wrist lightly with one finger. It’s a gentle, light stroke that makes me squirm.
“I don’t drink that much either.” I wave the bottle to and fro. “Mostly on a Friday night after a long week at college. Chelsea goes out during the week, but I’d rather drive around looking for the next photo opportunity.”
The pad of his finger circles softly. He leans in close to my ear. “Is there any part of your body that has never had lips on it?”
I guzzle down a mouthful of beer, hesitant with my reply. In that second of indecision, his heated gaze suddenly flicks away. He reaches inside his jacket and peers at his phone. With a subtle eye roll, he excuses himself while he stands and leaves the table. I watch him leave with that confident, manly gait that makes my blood rush.
“That guy is too handsome for his own good.” Chelsea lifts her beer. “And I don’t mean that as a compliment.”
“Even I think he’s hot,” Sam chirps.
“How can thatnotbe a good thing?” I quiz, my gaze following him across the bar.
“He’s got the face of a cheater. A guy like him is so striking that he could never be faithful. He’ll always be one woman away from temptation.”
“Bullshit,” I argue, a wrench of truth aching my ribs. “That's like saying everyone from Ireland loves Guinness.”
“They do.” Sam scowls.
“No, Sam, they don’t. There’s a small percentage of people there who hate the stuff. That might shock the shit out if you, but it's a fact. Just like handsome guys can have values.” My head shakes dismissively, and I scan the crowd. I almost lift off my seat, looking for the guy.
Chelsea fixes her top with a pouty expression. “I’m just saying. You’ve adored that guy for ages. I’m keeping your feet on the ground, Rowan. If you stare at the sun, you’ll go blind. No one lives up to the hype.”
“I’m not delusional, Chelsea.” Noah disappears outside. Through the window, I can see a phone pressed to his ear, and his hand hides his face. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
