Page 41 of Stolen Kisses
Noah let the hot water run over his face. He’d always enjoyed teasing Krista, but now it felt flirtatious, when it never had before. He guessed it was the shift in how he was viewing her these days. And dammit, he didn’t want to view her any differently.
The thought of her holding up the enhancer ring he’d purchased at Sweet and Spicy and trying to figure out what exactly it was made him chuckle under his breath.
Krista was so innocent. And adorable. And sexy as hell.
And he couldn’t get her out of his mind.
He grabbed the bar of soap and ran it over his body working through his irritation at himself. He didn’t need a hot shower, he needed an ice cold one.
He turned the water off, grabbed a towel, and dried off. Pulling on some fresh clothes, he headed back out to find Krista…nowhere to be found. “Krista?” He walked through the house, glancing in each room. Then he opened the front door and found her swinging on the front porch.
“My favorite spot, too,” he said, closing the door behind him. “Mind if we share?”
She looked so relaxed. He liked seeing her this way. She usually had a hard time relaxing after a busy day at work. Her heart was so big that she often took her work home. He’d always admired how much she cared about her patients.
“Sure.” She scooted over, giving him room. The swing was built for couples, though, and their thighs touched as he sat down.
Should’ve taken that cold shower.
“This is the best spot to see the sunrise,” he said. “If you wanna see an unforgettable sunset, you go out back near the lake.”
“What time does the sun set here?” she asked.
“ ’Bout an hour from now. I’ll make sure you see it. It’s not something you want to miss out on.”
Krista grinned. “I’m glad I’ll be here a couple days. I know we’re here to work, but I really needed a mini getaway.”
“Work problems?”
Krista blew out a seemingly endless breath. “I’m not getting that promotion.”
Noah glanced over with concern. “Who is?”
“Well, I don’t know. It’s not been decided yet. But it’s definitely not going to be me. Karen thinks I’m too young, that I get too close to my patients, and the other night she showed up on my date with Chandler from Cardiac. Dating colleagues is frowned upon.”
Noah guessed he should be thankful that she was discussing Chandler with him again. She’d been so tight-lipped on that subject. Then again, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know the status of Krista and Dr. Dale’s relationship.
“I know you’re not a fan of Chandler,” she said on a sigh. “He’s really a very nice guy, though.”
A sickening feeling moved over Noah’s stomach. The kind he had when he entered the fish house sometimes. “Yeah, of course. I’m just glad you found someone who makes you happy.”
Krista twisted her mouth to one side. “That’s not exactly the case. I told Chandler I just wanted to be friends.”
“Oh, yeah? Why is that?” Relief hit Noah like a cool mountain breeze.
“Because he’s just not the one for me. But I’m determined to find the person who is.” She looked over. “I want to get married, just like Grace and Jack. I want kids. I want it all.”
“Easy there.” Noah held up his hands and Krista laughed.
“Sorry. I know that stuff scares you.”
Noah straightened. “Does not.”
“Does too.”
They looked at each other and for a moment, Noah had the undeniable, irresistible urge to lean in and steal a kiss. Krista’s lips looked so effing inviting. She was sitting so close, and her scent lingered on the mountain breeze like a wildflower that he wanted to pick.
Her chest lifted on an inhale as their gazes held. It was turn away or kiss her, and they both knew it.
