Page 73 of Stolen Kisses
Chapter 16
“Just make sure you’re going into this with your eyes open. That’s all I’m saying. It’s my brotherly duty to tell you that and I’d be remiss if I didn’t.”
Krista had come home to Joey wanting to talk to her. They’d talked, he’d gone out to tinker with his cab, and he was back in the living room now, reiterating their earlier conversation.
Krista walked over and made a pot of coffee despite the late hour. If she didn’t have a cup now, she’d be going straight to sleep and it was barely eight o’clock. “Eyes wide open already, Joe. I’m not a helpless little girl, you know.”
“On top of that warning, I want to add, I think you and Noah are a good idea. I like you two together.”
Krista turned in mid-reach to get the coffee mugs. “Now this is news. You never think any of the guys I date are a good idea.”
Joey followed her and helped her retrieve the mugs which were just an inch higher than she could get without a stool. “Helpless little girl,” he tsked, then crowed as she tapped an elbow to his ribs and snatched the mugs. There were two, so she guessed he was having a cup of coffee with her.
“I thought you gave up the nighttime coffee habit now that you’re working days.”
“I did, and I’ll be working nights again just as soon as I get the cab fixed.”
Krista took the pot and poured him a healthy glass. “Yeah? So you’ll quit fishing with Noah?”
“Nope. I think I’ll do both. Fish during the season. Cabby a couple nights a week. I enjoy it.”
Krista poured her coffee and took a sip. “Well, I won’t mind having you drive me, Grace, and Abby around on Thirsty Thursdays again.”
Joey climbed up on the edge of the counter and sat with his cup of coffee. Sometimes Krista thought her brother had no idea how big of a man he actually was. She feared for the counter momentarily, that it might crumble under his muscle and stature. “Grace is about to get married. You’re dating Noah. I foresee those girls’ nights falling apart. You’ve already missed the last couple due to Grace’s wedding planning. Just a matter of time before Grace and Jack start a family.”
“Yeah. I know. Thirsty Thursdays will turn more into me stopping by her place to help change diapers and rock the baby to sleep.”
“You’ll be too busy doing whatever you and Noah do when you’re alone.” He covered his ears. “Not that I want to hear those details.”
Krista laughed, then turned when the doorbell rang. “You expecting someone?” she asked Joey.
“Nope.”
Krista headed toward the door. “Noah and I agreed to take the night off.” But a little spark of excitement tore through her veins at the thought that he might’ve stopped by anyway. That he might have been unable to resist.
“Hey,” Noah said, standing just over the threshold as she opened the door.
“Hey, yourself. Couldn’t stay away?” she asked.
“Evidently not.” He looked past her to Joey standing in the kitchen. Yeah, having a roommate put a damper on things. It wasn’t as if she could invite Noah inside for wild, or even tame, sex. And she had her heart set on sleeping in her own bed tonight, so…
“Want to come in for a cup of coffee?” she asked. “I just made a pot.”
Noah shook his head. “I had a beer at Castaways. I might not sleep tonight if I do both. And, while I don’t mind missing sleep for other reasons—”
“That’s my exit cue,” Joey announced. “I have supersonic hearing, you know.” He collected his coffee and walked down the hall to his bedroom.
Krista laughed. “Come in,” she said, gesturing into the living room. Noah took a step inside and she closed the door behind him.
“I don’t know why I’m here. I guess I just didn’t want to go home without saying good night. Is that stupid?” he asked.
“I think it’s romantic.” She leaned against his body, went up on her toes, and kissed him.
“Coffee breath,” he said, breaking into a smile.
“Sorry.” But she was smiling, too.
He kissed her again, deeper this time, letting his hands run over her back and down to her backside. “It just doesn’t feel right ending the day without doing this. And doing this makes me ache to do other things to you.”
