A Shot at Love

The Calm Before the Storm

Oh my gosh, my dream from last night did happen! While Noah and I were getting hot and heavy in the car, Meredith called. My heart leaps into my throat, and I can't seem to find my voice. I glance up at Noah and wish I hadn't —he's watching me closely, intently. It's unnerving.

"Di—did you answer?" I manage to stammer out.

"Of course not," Noah scoffs, his eyes burning into me. His arm remains pressed firmly against the wall beside me.

My lungs draw in a hasty breath, "Do you speak to her often?" I'm not sure I want to know the answer.

"Almost all communication is through our lawyers. You have nothing to worry about."

I consider the words he's just said, and they strike a nerve. I have nothing to worry about?

"What do you mean? I have every reason to worry!" I lower my voice, "You were just inside of me on an airplane. Meanwhile, your wife is threatening to take your company—where I work—from you, and she's practically stalking us!" I look away, reflecting on my own words. "I don't know, this isn't what I envisioned when I moved to Los Angeles for a fresh start."

Noah's eyes flicker as he looks down at me—dark but soft. "You're reacting the same way you did last night. I know this isn't ideal, but I'm handling everything. Please, Kingston," he says, releasing his arm from the wall and drawing me close by the waist, "just hold on a little longer for me."

How can I want to scream and kiss him at the same time? A dark, tempting part of me whispers to melt into his embrace and let it all go. But my heart is furious and demands answers. "Finish telling me exactly what happened last night."

He rubs his chin in quiet deliberation, clearly hesitant. "After Meredith called, your emotions were even more heightened than they are right now. You declared that you were over this," he gestures between us, "and to take you back to the hotel. Once we arrived, you didn't want to wake up from your nap, so I carried you up to your room. I ordered the tacos you wanted, and you ate them—quite adorably, might I add."

I wince at the thought of me drunkenly eating tacos in front of Noah. "So, what happened between eating and going to bed?"

Noah pauses, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Before or after you tried to kick me out?"

"Westbrook," I say, my tone serious. The tension between us is palpable.

His voice is velvet soft, "I'm fighting for this because we both want the same thing. You said so last night. Please, just be patient. I promise it will be worth it."

Gosh, I wish I remembered everything I said to him. I hope I kept a little mystery. "Where did you sleep?"

He cocks his head to one side, "Next to you."

"And when did I give you that lovely ultimatum?" I look up at Noah through my eyelashes.

"The grand airport gesture? Once in the car and then again in the hotel room," he smirks.

I sigh with bittersweet regret, "Noah, I really have to think about this - the past week has been...a whirlwind."

He raises an eyebrow, amused yet again, "A titillating and thrilling whirlwind, yes?"

I blush scarlet. Noah smells of fresh linen and expensive shampoo. It's intoxicating. I inhale deeply, "Yes," I whisper.

"Baby," his voice is hypnotic, "I'm new to this whole romance thing. I've never had—" he pauses, then corrects himself, "wanted to do it for someone the way I do with you. I want to give you the world, but I'm still learning how to do so." He reaches up and gently caresses my face, his thumb tracing along my lower lip.