Callie glanced down at the man at her feet, pressing her hand to the shower wall to steady herself as the sight sent a new wave of desire flooding through her. His shirt was plastered to his body, displaying the hard planes of his chest and abdomen, the corded muscle of his arms. Lower, his pants were soaked through, the wet fabric clinging to the obscene outline of the most intimidating erection she’d ever seen. She’d felt him before, when she’d woken to his morning hard-on pressed against her, but seeing it was another thing entirely, even through the layers of cloth and at this odd angle. She exhaled a curse and brushed his dripping hair out of his eyes, needing to touch him back somehow.
Noah finished the final stroke of the razor and set it down on the floor beside him, his other hand still gripping her thigh. He looked up at her as she continued to run her fingers through his hair, but he made no move to release her or get up.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice a raw whisper.
He turned his head to the side and pressed his lips to the inside of her thigh. A slow, lingering kiss, heat blooming beneath his mouth. She gasped, her free hand tangled in his hair, holding him against her skin, like she could keep him if she could hold him closer.
He wrapped his free hand around the upper thigh of her other leg, fingers brushing against the curve of her ass, and he kissed her again, half an inch higher. Her hips bucked of their own accord, straining to get his kiss closer to where she wanted it. The things she wanted him to do to her… He grinned against her skin as if he had heard her thoughts.
On the counter, her phone vibrated, buzzing loudly against the marble and pulling them both back to their senses. He released her and fell back on his heels, his hands planted on the floor. She stumbled back and clutched the towel to herself tighter.
When had the shower turned cold? She hadn’t even noticed. Noah scrubbed his hands over his face, brushing the water out of his eyes, before getting to his feet. Callie reached around him and turned off the water. Then, without a word, she stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in one of those tiny hotel bathrobes. She caught his eye in the mirror and gave him a shaky smile.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
Her smile faltered. “They’re waiting for us.”
∞∞∞
I’m sorry?
Jesus, what was he thinking? And what had he even apologized for? For nearly putting his mouth between her legs? For being interrupted before he could? Worse still, all he could think about was taking her back up to their room and finishing what they’d started, dinner be damned.
What the fuck is happening to me?It had to be all the pretending, like Callie had said the other night. His body was confusing their fake relationship with a real one. And he dared anyone with eyes to see Callie naked in the shower and not go half mad with want. The water had wrapped around her curves as though outlining all the paths his tongue could take, daring him to do it.
But he hadn’t just wanted her. He’d wanted to take care of her. He’d heard the tremor in her voice, and it was such a simple thing to help her shave if it meant that tremor would go away. And if it meant he had an excuse to touch her, to for a moment feel her bare skin on his…Fucking hell.
Everyone else was already assembled in the dining room when they arrived. “Arriving late is becoming a habit,” his mother said with a raised eyebrow as he pulled out Callie’s chair for her.
“It’s my fault, Mrs. V. I was daydreaming in the shower and lost track of time,” Callie said.
“I bet you did,” Jamie said, his eyes laughing as he raised his water glass in a silent toast to them both.
Shit. We both have wet hair. They think we were fucking in the shower.Noah shifted in his seat, willing himself to stop picturing it before his dick got any bright ideas. Again.
Callie caught his eye for a moment but looked away, fussing with her napkin in her lap.Fuck. Why the hell did I say I was sorry?He took her hand where it lay in her lap. He didn’t understand this need to be constantly touching her, nor did he want to examine it too closely.
What if Liam is right?What if I’m falling for her?For the first time, he didn’t immediately reject the thought. He let it linger in her mind, tried it on for size. Ridiculous. Impossible. Noah Van Aller didn’t do relationships. He certainly didn’t fall for people. But Callie wasn’t justpeople…
“Room for one more?”
All eyes turned to the entrance to the dining room. Uncle Stu, suitcase still in hand, did an impressive job of filling the doorway, light reflecting off his snow-white hair.
“Uncle Stu!” Livi shot to her feet and met him in the doorway, wrapping him in a fierce hug. “I thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow!”
The older man dropped a kiss on her forehead, setting his bag to the side. “I moved some things around. I’m only sorry I couldn’t get here earlier.”
“We’re glad you’re here now,” Daemon said, shaking his hand. “Please, come, sit.”
Uncle Stu made his way around the table, pausing to greet everyone in turn. When he reached Noah and Callie, his eyes lingered on their clasped hands, an eyebrow arching.
“Stu, you remember Callie,” his mother said.
“Of course. So nice to see you again, young lady,” he said with a smile. “Noah.” Was he imagining it or was his uncle’s voice already full of disappointment before Noah had even opened his mouth?
“Good to see you, sir,” Liam said, shaking his former boss’ hand.
Uncle Stu clapped him on the shoulder. “You too, son. And you, Ms. Taylor,” he said to Min, who blushed under his gaze. “Or is it Mrs. Jacobs now?”
