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“Good answer,” Noah grumbled keeping his eyes on the group of guys a beat longer than strictly necessary.
I slipped my fingers into his and tugged him in the opposite direction. “You wanted me, and I’m all yours, at least for the next few hours. Studying still needs to happen tonight at which point you will be unceremoniously abandoned.”
Noah’s lips twitched as his attention returned to me. “Duly noted. I’d better make the best of the time I have then.” His eyes flicked to Eva, and he jerked his head at our tent. “Can you grab her stuff when you’re done?”
Eva blew a strand of hair out of her face and reached for one of the quiet ducks. “Yeah, but you’re getting rid of every spider we come across for the foreseeable future.”
“Deal. C’mon, Trouble. We’re going for a walk.”
Eva dismissed us with a distracted wave, and Noah led me deeper into the park, away from the group of hockey guys congregating around the finish line. He slowed his pace to match mine, allowing our tangled fingers to swing gently between us.
Tingles raced up my arm, and I briefly considered finding a nice hidden area to attempt a seduction. Old me was close to the surface today. I hadn’t been with anyone since the hockey guy, not from lack of options—I simply wasn’t interested in anyone except Noah.
My lady parts weren’t too pleased with the time off, so they were raring to go, even if it meant a sweaty roll in the dirt. Except Noah wouldn’t have expectations for a sexy outdoor encounter. Despite his attitude change, I didn’t like the chance he’d turn me down for a second time. A prick of apprehension made me have second and third thoughts about whatever it was we were doing.
I snuck a glance at Noah and found him staring at me. “What?”
He smiled slowly. “It’s fascinating, watching the thoughts cross your face.”
“That’s a new one. Most guys aren’t interested in my thoughts when they’re watching me.”
Noah shrugged one shoulder. “Your mind is one of my favorite things about you. I can never anticipate what you’ll do or say.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I didn’t. Boobs were easy. Guys liked my curves, some even liked my smart mouth, but no one had appreciated my chaotic nature before. What was I supposed to do with that?
Nothing. The answer was nothing. I tried to tug my hand free, but his fingers tightened.
“Trying to get away already? I thought you were all mine for the next few hours.”
I pressed my lips together, not willing to admit that yes, I’d planned to make an excuse and flee. His gaze dropped to my mouth, and my brain short-circuited, spewing nonsense.
“I don’t want to give you the wrong idea. This isn’t a date.”
His smile widened. “I know. You don’t date, but spending the afternoon with a friend isn’t against the rules. If you’re having second thoughts, I can send you back to Henry and his minions.”
“Are you including Eva in the minions?”
“Yes. She finally met her match—a creature she can’t control.”
A laugh burst out of me, releasing some of the tension. “Don’t let her hear you say that. Poor Henry would pay the price.”
We strolled in the sun-dappled shade, and I forced myself to stop overthinking everything. It was a beautiful day, and I wanted to spend my time with a friend. It didn’t have to mean anything more than that.
“Where are we going?”
“Across the park to a place I know. Speaking of which…” He dug his phone out with one hand, fired off a text, and slid it back into his shorts. “Had to tell Mac not to wait for me.”
A quick glance over my shoulder confirmed we weren’t heading for the parking lot. The second heat of runners, consisting mostly of families with strollers and wagons full of children, grouped up at the start line in the distance. They hadn’t noticed the ducklings yet thanks to the heavy crowd, but I could imagine the rush once the kids caught sight of the babies.
I winced as I realized I’d left Eva alone to deal with the stampede. As pretty as this walk in the park was, mostly thanks to Noah’s shirtless presence, guilt twinged in my belly. I had my phone in the back pocket of my jeans, though. If she needed help, she could call either of us.
“Does this place require clothing?” I slid my gaze over his chest—not ogling—and plucked at the material of his shirt covering my torso.
A big part of me wanted him to say no for the sheer pleasure of watching him walk around shirtless a while longer. The added bonus of being surrounded by his scent was pretty nice too.
“We’ll be fine.”
In true Noah fashion, he didn’t offer anything else until the concrete path we were following dumped us out of the park on a side street I didn’t recognize. A low wall separated us from the sidewalk, and across the empty road sat a tiny ice cream shop with a walk-up window.
