Page 31 of Small Town Boy

I try to respond again, my words still failing me, Noel appearing by my side as if by magic, tugging at his back pocket. My eyes flick to his backside, watching intently. Way more intently than any woman should watch a man remove his wallet. My eyes linger there for a moment after it’s gone, examining the impression it’s left on the pocket, comparing just how smooth the other side is.

Oh buddy…

“No, no,” I protest, regaining my senses. “It’s fine. I’ll just get some next week. I’ll make sure I have cash.”

“Told you, I got it.”

“Noel, really…”

“Hi Noel,” Kitty greets, cutting me off. Biting her bottom lip, she sizes him up, like he’s the prize watermelon at the fair. She doesn’t bother disguising her efforts either, making me more than a little uncomfortable.

“Kitty.”

She giggles, batting her lashes. Goodness, this woman has no shame.

“Just the one jar?” he asks me, ignoring Kitty. His eyes are trained on me, making my insides both melt and freeze simultaneously. I’m starting to wonder if Noel Keller is secretly a warlock with the way his presence makes me react.

No, maybe there’s some old lady who lives on the outskirts of town conjuring up some sort of voodoo. Placing the unsuspecting residents of this town under a spell that makes them react in uncharacteristic ways.

Or maybe Noel is nothing more than an insanely sexy man, and I have finally found my kryptonite. The one who I simply cannot resist and is going to take me out at the knees.

Which, if that’s the other option, I think I prefer the idea of the voodoo.

“Yes. But…leave it. I’ll grab one next week.” I try to be a little more forceful, but he’s not having it.

“Nonsense. Can’t let you go home empty-handed from your first visit to the farmers’ market. Now can we, Kitty?”

“I’m not leaving empty-handed!” I twist to show him my tote bag, the gorgeous dahlias gently resting inside. “I have flowers.”

Noel nods, looking rather satisfied for someone who was just proven wrong. “Mama said she gave a pretty girl some flowers. Happy to have confirmation.”

The heat that was creeping up my neck takes off, sprinting the rest of the way. My face gets in on the action too, and I have to look away. I can’t handle him calling me pretty.

“I love flowers, you know,” Kitty interjects. I bite my tongue, trying to ignore her obvious plea for attention. At least she’s done griping at me about my lack of cash.

“Still fourteen?” Noel asks, also not bothering to acknowledge her last statement. He seems to have this routine down, so I guess it’s not the first time he’s been subjected to it.

“Noel, really, it’s fine,” I insist, finding my voice again. “I can’t let you do that.”

“Sure you can. I got your honey, Honey.”

He emphasizes the second honey, setting off fireworks in me. But not just the kind that I’ve been tamping down all morning, trying not to think about how badly I want to finish that almost kiss. No, these are also the kind that make me want to explode. Something about him calling me that, in that sexy southern drawl, winds me up.

“That isn’t my name. And we’ve been over this. I do not need you to rescue me.”

Noel smirks. It’s lopsided and impish, turning those fireworks into a full-on fire. One that settles in my belly, threatening to go even lower.

“Bronwyn.”

Oh fuck. He says my name slowly, deliberately, like it’s the best thing he’s tasted in a long time. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it. A lot.

Noel turns to fully face me, stepping in closer. “Try to look at it this way—just one friend, helping another.”

“You can help me any time, Noel,” Kitty tries again.

Twirling her hair, she lets out a noise that I can only describe as a purr. I whip my head back to look at her fully, unsure that’s actually what I heard. And yup, pretty sure it is.

Noel forces a polite smile, grunting. This isn’t the first time he’s been through this.