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“There’s my sweetheart,” he tells me. Pulling me close, he drags his soft lips across mine.
“Hey, Katie!” Jerry says from the living room when I enter.
“Hi!” I say, and he smiles big. “Belinda made some chocolate cake if you want some dessert.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I just had dinner. Though it’s tempting, I don’t think I can eat another bite of anything.”
We stand awkwardly in the living room and talk about nothing before Noah leads me upstairs to his room.
“So tell me everything,” he says after we sit on his bed. His arm brushes against mine, and I can feel the warmth of his body.
I explain what happened at the deli and what Brittany said.
He laughs. “I can’t believe you’re so feisty. Kinda turning me on a bit,” he admits with a sly smile.
“I was pissed! The fact that she thinks I’m a jealous girlfriend or something…”
“You are,” he jokes. I narrow my eyes at him, and he laughs. “I’m kidding.”
“Good.” I pretend to pout, then grin.
“Seems like Brittany’s asking people who are close to us questions like she’s trying to gather as much information as she can. I need to get with Belinda and see if she’s heard anything else. I’m convinced there’s a bigger plan in the works, and I’m waiting for them to strike, but I’m hoping this time I’m smarter. Now what did Loretta say?” he asks.
I let out a long breath. “She said she was moving the money because of Elliot’s gambling addiction. She took it out to hide it from him so he wouldn’t spend it.”
Noah shakes his head, and we sit in silence for a few passing moments. Eventually, he speaks up. “I don’t know if I really believe that.”
“That’s what I was thinking too,” I explain. “I know people can relapse with addictions, but I also know how hard Elliot worked to stop gambling. Plus, no one around town has said anything about it. When he was gambling hard-core, it was all anyone talked about. Lawton Ridge would’ve gotten word about it by now, and we all would’ve known.”
“You’re right. People don’t really tell me anything anymore, but I know Belinda would've brought it up in passing. Even Dad would’ve mentioned something or at least tried to reach out to him even if it wouldn’t have gotten anywhere,” Noah explains. “It seems like she’s using that excuse to cover up the real reason.”
I nod. “She wants to see Owen, and I told her I’d think about it. I don’t feel comfortable letting him be around her.”
“It’s your decision, Katie. You have to do what’s best for your son,” he encourages.
I give him a smile. “I won’t allow him to see her, and I won’t stop asking questions until I figure this out.”
He winces, and I reach for him, placing my hand on his thigh.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, just every once in a while, if I sit in one position too long, my muscles freeze up.” His mouth turns up, and he slightly relaxes. “I’m fine, baby, but it’s cute to see you worried about me.”
“I’ll always worry about you, Noah.” I press my lips against his. The kiss deepens, and our tongues tangle in a slow dance. By the time we pull apart, I’m breathless but also greedily want more. I change the subject as I squeeze my legs together. Noah notices but keeps his comments to himself. “Owen was pretty upset that ourStar Warsnight was canceled.”
“I was bummed out about it too,” he admits, and I love how genuine he is when it comes to hanging out with Owen. “Let’s plan another night soon. I promise I’ll make it worth the wait.”
“He’d love that so much.”
Noah gives me a wink, then looks at the clock on his wall. “You should probably get going. I don’t want you driving around so late.”
“You’re right. Wish I could just take you home with me. But I need you to fully recover first. Don’t want to break you.” I waggle my brows, and he chuckles.
“Break me? Sweetheart, you haven’t seen anything yet. Once I’m better, I’m gonna bend your body in unimaginable ways,” he purrs against my ear.
“Stop it, or I might not leave,” I tell him.
“Well, considering my dad’s downstairs…”
