AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It seems mutual.” Everyone at the shop could see the connection they had. How at ease Melody was when Wes was around. “If only they’d stop dancing around each other.”
“They aren’t the only ones dancing around their feelings.”
“What are you talking about?”
“We get close, and you pull away.” Noah pressed his lips into a thin line, silently kicking himself for his unguarded choice of words. Emotionally five feet apart.
“You rearranging my guts almost every night isn’t close enough?” Lexi huffed, pulling herself from his arms and making her way out of the truck.
“That’s not what I meant.” He followed closely behind her, stopping where she bent down to pull her shoes on. “Come on, babe.”
She tugged at the heel of her shoe and teetered off balance, grunting in frustration when Noah grabbed her hand to steady her. “No. Fuck!”
Noah kept his hold on her, pulling her toward him until their eyes met. “I didn’t plan on pissing you off tonight, Lex. Will you chill, damnit? Please.”
“You know how I feel about you. I’m sorry if I have a crappy way of showing it.” she snipped halfheartedly. His question clearly threw her off balance.
“Hey, hey.” he gripped her forearms and made her look up at him. “I don’t know what I said to piss you off, but I’m sorry. Tell me or I’m sure I’ll put my foot in it again.”
“I don’t love you the way everybody else loves.”
“If my words said that, I’m really fucking sorry. I get a little crazy when you’re gone.” Noah cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb over her bottom lip.
“Lexi, I love you. I know we didn't go into this expecting anything but fuck, woman, do you have me fucking twisted inside. You're the first one I think of in the morning and the last on my mind before I fall asleep. I don't just like you, and I don't only enjoy spending time with you. You fucking consume me, Lexi. You are all I can think about, and you are all that I want. I fucking love you.”
He kissed her deeply before she could reply, his hands tightly clasping her face and trapping her against his demanding mouth. Her fingers gripped onto his shoulders, sagging against him and surrounding him with her scent.
Time seemed to stand still as they kissed, their bodies pressing together like two puzzle pieces finding each other in the dark. Noah didn't want this moment to end, and miraculously, it felt like his wish was granted when neither of them pulled away first.
Instead, Lexi leaned further into the kiss, fisting her hands in his shirt and pushing herself closer to him until there wasn’t any space between them at all. Every sense was heightened as they explored each other's lips and tongues like it was their first kiss all over again.
A small smile tugged at her lips as they finally pulled away from one another, both panting from their passionate exchange. Neither said a word as he brushed her hair from her face. His hand ran down her shoulder, their fingers intertwined.
“Lex, marry me,” Noah blurted, running with his heart and throwing caution in the wind.
His words echoed in the silence, Lexi’s brows raised as she let the words sink in, letting him stew in the silence stretching between them .
“What?”
“Will you marry me?” Being met with more silence, Noah stepped closer, invading her space. His eyes searched her features for an answer to the risky gamble he’d made.
“I—wait, I…” Lexi sputtered, her eyes widening. “Of all the pigheaded things. You boneheaded fucker!” She sucker-punched his arm. “Why would you ask me that!” The fury in her eyes hid her fear well but he could see it . “You can’t be serious!”
“Because I love you, and I'm ready to move forward. Tie my life to yours. I want it to be with you.”
Lexi stepped back, Noah's hand still grasping hers. “I don't want a marriage. I don’t have any inte—”
“Ours won't be a disaster. Trust me, Lex, please.” He knew asking would open a can of worms, but he had to believe they could love each other through anything.
“No.”
“No? But—” How?!
“ I like things the way they are,” she insisted while threading her fingers with his, tugging to get his attention. She whispered, “ Noah, that's all I have to give .”
He stood there silently, holding on to her hand as if she’d dissipate and slip through his fingers. He wanted to argue with her, reason that they wouldn't end badly. That he’d love and care for her the way she deserved, unlike how she’d been treated in the past.
“I just want you, baby girl,” he tried to reason. She burnt fire through his veins and made all of the struggle worth it. Why was it so wrong he wanted to tie his life to hers?
