My heart lurched. “Wh-what?”
“Let me see it.”
“No.” I held it tighter, shaking my head. “It’s private.”
“It’s in my room. I have to make sure it’s actually yours. Hand it over.”
Slowly, as if in a dream, I extended the box. Noel took it and flipped open the lid. His lips curled in amusement. “Sex toys, Hopper? You naughty boy.”
I flushed with embarrassment, even as my cock hardened.
“Okay, you’ve had your fun.” I rose to my feet. I might want to be on my knees for Noel in my fantasies, but this wasn’t the scenario I had in mind. “Give them back so I can go.”
“That’s what you want?”
“Yeah,” I said gruffly. “What else?”
“Hmm. I don’t know.” He held out the box, eyes catching mine. “That’s for you to say.”
My heart missed a beat. Was he suggesting…
Noel pushed the box into my hands and stepped aside, clearing the path to his open door.
The moment was gone. Or maybe I’d misread it entirely.
Either way, it was time to leave before I made a pass and found out Noelwasn’tinterested in a holiday fling. Things between us were awkward enough without me making a fool of myself.
I headed for the door. “Sorry for barging in.”
“Oh, don’t apologize,” he said. “Just have fun with those toys you needed so badly.”
“I didn’tneedthem,” I protested.
He stood in his doorway, smirking, as I stepped into the hall. “Oh, it’s okay, Hop.” He leaned in close and said in a low voice, “Use the toys. That’s why you got them. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even think of me when you do.”
He closed the door, leaving me standing alone in the hall with a box of sex toys, a boner that wouldn’t quit, and the realization that I’d missed my chance.
I stormed toward my room, burning up with frustration, arousal, and anticipation. Oh, I’d use one of these toys, all right, and I’d sure as fuck think of Noel when I did.
I wouldn’t be able to think of anything else—or what might have happened if I’d been brave enough to say that I wanted him a hell of a lot more than any toy in this box.
CHAPTER 11
NOEL
“What is that delicious smell?”Hopper asked as he stepped into the kitchen at 7:00 a.m.
I flicked a glance his way, then refocused on frosting the cinnamon rolls on the cooling rack in front of me. My cheeks were hot, but that was just from all the baking.
I’d gotten up at 4:00 a.m. to get an early start—andnotbecause I’d tossed and turned all night after telling Hopper to imagine me while doing delicious things to his naked body.
I didn’t know if Hopper had complied, but I had thought of nothing else since.
“Noel has been baking!” Mom said, voice cheery. “He’s already made three dozen cinnamon rolls. Isn’t that amazing?”
“Wow.” Hopper came over to inspect my handiwork, standing close enough I could feel his body heat. “My mouth is watering.”
I froze, unsure if that comment was innocent or a sexual innuendo. When I glanced at Hopper, he was smiling smugly. So, probably the latter. Well, I could work with that.
