Page 74 of The Pursuit

Grinning up at him, I replied, “It’s okay. I have an annoying little brother myself.”

Noah shook his head. “I don’t ever want him disrespecting you like that.”

I stepped closer to him, bringing my arms around his neck. “I know. You defended me well—my very own and verynakedknight in shining armor.”

With a laugh, Noah replied, “Damn straight.”

Rising up on my tiptoes, I brought my lips to his. We were just getting hot and heavy when a bang came at the door. “Quit fucking around in there, or the food is going to get cold,” Liam’s voice boomed.

At Noah’s growl, I could only laugh. “Come on, Naked Knight. Let’s get you dressed before you have to defend my honor again.”

Chapter Fourteen: Noah

My last night in Atlanta had finally arrived. I’d spent each and every day since the wedding with Gaby. Besides the hours spent in the pool, the rest had been devoted to her. I had no fucking clue how I was going to get on a plane in the morning without her. Although we’d talked about every possible thing from our pasts and the present, we hadn’t talked about me leaving. I didn’t think either of us really wanted to think past tomorrow and what that would look like for us.

After our night in the jacuzzi, we’d thrown denying sex out the window. We just made sure we spent more time together out of the bed than in it. Of course, we didn’t just regulate ourselves to the bed. We’d fucked in over half the rooms in my house. I was still too afraid of AJ to risk banging at Gaby’s house.

Tonight we wouldn’t have the chance to be alone for a while since we were dressing up for a night on the town to see her brother’s new band. They were all sons of the members of her dad’s band, Runaway Train. Thankfully, her dad had just left on the road for a run of charity shows, so I wouldn’t have to see him.

After checking my phone to make sure I had the right address, I pulled to a stop in front of a gated mansion. I punched the buzzer on the call box. “Hello?”

“Hey, it’s Noah Fitzgerald for Gaby.”

“Come right on through.”

Once the gate opened, I eased the car through. When I pulled to a stop in the circular driveway, I whistled at the sight before me. Whatever I had imagined Gaby’s house looking like paled in comparison to what I actually saw before me. Compared to what she grew up in, my parents’ very comfortable six-bedroom, five-bath house was practically a shack. I was thankful she wasn’t one who cared about a dude with money because I sure as hell couldn’t compete.

After ringing the doorbell, I expected a butler or maid to answer it. Instead, Bella threw open the door wearing a silk robe, her hair wrapped up in fuzzy curlers, and a green facemask on. “Hey, Noah,” she said cheerfully.

For a moment, I was too stunned to speak. “Um. Hey, Bella.”

She laughed. “Not what you were expecting, huh?”

“Not exactly. For starters, I thought a maid or butler might answer.”

“My parents aren’t that pretentious.”

“Good to know.”

She motioned for me to come inside. “I’m running just a tad bit late, but lucky for you, Gaby was almost ready when I came down to get the door.”

When I stepped into the foyer, my neck craned up to take in the enormous chandelier. “Holy shit,” I muttered under my breath.

“Mom’s a hugePhantom of the Operafan, so she went for a replica.”

“So is my mom. A fan of the musical, not so much of chandeliers.”

Bella laughed. “With her amazing voice, I’m not surprised she’s a fan of musicals.”

“Thanks.”

“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll finish getting ready.”

I nodded. “You’re coming to the gig tonight too, huh?”

“Gotta be a good big sister and support Alex.”

“I can’t wait to hear him play.”

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