Page 101 of Hush (Fighting Fate)

And I’d definitely take him up on that offer. I’d heard it could be hard to get a job when you were fresh out of college. “Really? Thanks. That’d be awesome.”

The rest of our day went great after that. After Mom had mentioned Noah in passing, Sam had started asking about him. I’d been hesitant to tell him much, purely because it was important not many people knew the link between Noah and Mitch, but it seemed he already knew. He’d been on call at the hospital the night of the bust and had seen Noah. Apparently those who knew Mitch hadn’t really died had had to sign a confidentiality agreement in order to keep Noah’s identity safe.

It made me feel better knowing he was being protected too.

Even though Mom was exceedingly coy throughout the entire lunch experience, by the time we were done and had said our goodbyes to Sam, I knew without a doubt I’d be seeing him quite a bit in the near future.

When we got home, I rushed up the stairs to start getting ready for the party. I knew I still had a couple of hours, but I wanted to look the best I possibly could for Noah. It was the first time I’d actually had the chance to dress up for him after all.

Noah arrived right on seven, and when I opened the door and saw him standing there in a pair of dark denim jeans and a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, I suddenly realized I hadn’t had the chance to see him dressed up either. And damn if it wasn’t a sight to be seen.

I shook my head in wonder. I suddenly couldn’t understand why someone like him would be interested in someone like me. He could seriously go anywhere and pick up any girl he wanted to. And that was just with his looks. It was worse once he opened his mouth, because he was just…sweet.

But I sure as hell wasn’t going to argue. If he was willing to give it, I was sure willing to take it.

Looking me up and down, he slowly shook his head. “Damn. You look amazing.”

The sound of his voice woke me from the little dream I’d fallen into. Damn right I looked amazing. I’d put a lot of effort into making sure I did.

I had on a cute, black party dress that was gathered at the waist and flared out with layers of tulle that fell a little shorter than mid-thigh. Even though the top was sleeveless and sheer black with a round neckline, the bodice was covered with sequins from the waist up that curved to make it look like it had a sweetheart neckline. I also had on a pair of four inch black pumps that made the top of my head come to somewhere around his eye level.

Stepping closer, I gauged it by testing what my mouth would come into contact with, finding myself very happy when I discovered it somewhere in the vicinity of his neck.

Placing my hands on his hips, I brought our bodies as close as I could without touching, and breathed him in. A shiver went through me when I heard him draw in a sharp breath, and I swore I felt his body tremble a little under my fingertips.

Making sure I didn’t touch any other part of him, I softly pressed my lips to the side of his neck, slowly dragging my lower lip over his skin before exhaling, nice and long.

Noah groaned, his hands finding my waist and tightening. Goosebumps spread over his skin, making me sigh with satisfaction.

“If you don’t stop that now, we won’t be making it to your party,” he said gruffly.

I actually didn’t think I would mind that option at all.

Noah growled. “The fact that you’re thinking about it isn’t helping. I mean it, Kaeli. I’ll take you right here on your doorstep if you keep that up.”

I pulled back from him and grinned, making him narrow his eyes and shake his head.

“I don’t think you realize what you do to me,” he said, still clinging to my waist. “You’re dangerous.”

Now that made me laugh. “I’m dangerous? I think we both know who’s more dangerous between the two of us, and it isn’t me.”

He pulled me hard against him so I could feel the hardness at his crotch. “It most certainly is you. You’ve got the surprise element. People expect me to be dangerous just from how I look. You on the other hand, you’re all sweet and sexy looking with this air of innocence that brings bad men like me to their knees. Believe me, that is way more dangerous.”

Cocking my head to the side, I gave him a contemplative look, wondering if he truly meant it. It looked like he did, but I didn’t see how.

Noah rolled his eyes and grabbed my hand. “Come on, danger-woman. Let me get you to your damned party. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can leave, and the sooner I can fuck you.”

My breath caught. Holy shit. Did he really just say that?

Heat flared between my legs as he towed me to the car and urged me inside. Even my damned breath was coming faster as I watched him move around the front of the car.

I tried to really concentrate on calming myself as we drove towards Mia’s house, but his words just kept sounding inside my head like it was on replay. I don’t know why it affected me so much. It just sounded…hot.

Taking a few slow, deep breaths, I squeezed my legs together, hoping to alleviate the ache I was feeling.

“Damn it, Kaeli. I swear to god if you don’t stop doing that I’m going to pull the car over right now and fuck you on the side of the road.”

Shit. I swear I almost orgasmed right then and there. It was his tone that did it. Even though his words were harsh, his voice only sounded desperate and achy. A bit like how I was feeling right now.

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