Page 11 of Fourth Heartwarmers Trilogy
Chapter Thirteen
Mary and Noel made themselves comfy on the sofa, sitting close together while they enjoyed nightcaps. Though she didn’t want to admit to relief that Steve and Josie had called it an early night, inside she felt gleeful for having some alone time with the man who’d been on her mind since she awoke that morning.
A connection was happening between them. It sparked every time they were together… an awareness, a sweet recognition that they stood on a precipice of something truly beautiful.
Being that she’d just passed her thirtieth birthday still single, uninvolved with any significant other, she’d gone to sleep many nights praying the next day would bring her a mate. A man she could love with all her heart, marry, and together they’d bring up a family of happy, normal children.
Was Noel her man? Had he finally arrived? She had no idea about his past, other than the tragedy he’d recently gone through. She knew he didn’t have a wife or a girlfriend, butmaybe it was time she found out more about the stunner’s private life… before she let her heart get any more invested.
Noel set his wine glass on the table and placed his arm along the top of the sofa, behind her head, his hand close to her hair. “Thank you for preparing the feast today, Mary. I’ve never eaten such delicious carrot cake and it’s my favorite dessert. My mom made it for me a lot, but it never tasted like yours.”
“Most people don’t put enough walnuts in. I’m glad you liked it. I wanted to keep Josie busy today and cooking seemed to be the best way of handling that. When I was younger, my aunt used to get me in the kitchen many times when life became difficult.”
“Many times? What made things so tough for a pretty girl like you?”
“Well, boyfriends, mainly. I’d have a crush on a fellow over the summer, and then I’d have to go home and leave him only to find out my faithfulness hadn’t been reciprocated. My young girl’s heart was broken more than once. And oh, how I’d mourn, like a movie star in a B-grade film.” Mary laughed fondly at her reminisces. “I was such a little actress. And Auntie Maxine was so tolerant and sweet.”
“I can’t imagine any male letting you down or giving you up.” Noel’s voice deepened. Gently, he captured her face in his hand and turned her his way. Again, their eyes caught, and emotions spiked.
Before she knew the words would break loose, they tumbled out. “Why don’t you have a girlfriend? A man like you—”
He interrupted her. “I do have a girl. One I just met and who’s stealing my heart more every time we’re together.”
He slipped his fingers through the golden strands of her soft hair. “She’s quite beautiful and takes my breath away.” He looked deeply into her shyness and smiled. “This woman haseyes so blue they remind me of the summer sky when the sun highlights the radiant color to unbelievable depths. So pretty…”
Mary sat spellbound, her gaze caught and held, listening to his husky, loving tones.
Within seconds, his hand rubbed and then cupped her cheek while she let her head rest in his palm. “So soft.” He leaned in and laid a kiss there. “Your skin is soft—”
“Like a baby’s bottom, as some folks say?” Embarrassed, Mary broke in, adding levity to the moments where his words made her giddy.
Noel laughed. “Since I’ve never had the opportunity to feel a baby’s butt, I couldn’t say. But I was working up to something banal like the petal of a rose.”
She giggled.
Hawkishly, he watched as the smile eased from her expression, and she became serious. He waited as if needing a sign that he wasn’t the only one affected by these intimate moments.
Sensations abounded. Lightheaded from the sweet moments, her pulse rioted while her heart swelled to bursting.
Shyly, overcome, she leaned into him, her forehead against his chin. He waited. She needed to put his anxiety at rest. “I have a new boyfriend too. This brave man came into my place and put his life on the line to save my friend from the devil. For that alone, he will always have my utmost admiration.”
“What if he wants more?” Huskiness prevailed while his words hung in the air. Anticipation palpable, he put his arm around her shoulder and gathered her closer.
After seconds of striving for control, she returned her eyes to his and whispered, “This man… you… can request anything. If it’s within my power, it’ll be yours.”
He kissed her then, his lips searching, sharing, the passion igniting, delving into her body - instantly setting it on fire.While their mouths clung, excitement built quickly. Finally, he wrenched himself out of her arms and stood, his hands gripping his hips.
He leaned over, pinning her with a solemn stare. “I’ll hold you to that promise, Mary Star. Once this nightmare at the plant has been dealt with, I’ll be coming for you to be my girl. To go out with me so we can get to know each other.” He reached for her hand, led her to the hallway, shutting the lights behind them as they exited. He stopped at the door of the guest bedroom. “Sleep well, sweet Mary.” With one last mesmerizing kiss, he turned swiftly and hurried to his room at the end of the hall.
Slipping inside the darkness, Mary leaned back against the doorframe. She knew why he’d left her there, why they couldn’t be together. Yet her heart yearned, and her awakened body desired him to have stayed so they could have continued in the way of lovers who recognized each other. To find the sweetness of discovery that seemed undeniable. In her heart, she knew it was too soon, but it truly felt like she’d known him all her life.
Easing her regrets, she reminded herself that once they solved the mystery at the Bradford Company and found out who was responsible for the crimes being committed, he’d come for her.
Dazed by a sudden feeling of desperation, Mary hated the thought of having to return the next day to a place of fear and worry. Noel faced a dangerous mission. Being reminded of the fact that two brutal men had a grudge against him didn’t help matters whatsoever.
Chapter Fourteen
Noel had a hard time sleeping that night. With Mary on his mind, he let his thoughts drift, fantasizing about the wonderful life they could someday have together.
