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“I didn’t realize I was in a…relationship.” I wrinkle my nose since that word still feels strange on my tongue. I’m not sure why, since this sleepover thing has been going on awhile, and it hasn’t been about taking care of him for at least a week. Maybe Xander’s right and it never was. I just wanted to be around him. God knows, I’ve opened up to him more than anyone else in my life. I was just too stubborn to admit it to myself.
“We don’t have to call it a relationship if you aren’t ready for that. We can stick with the friends who fuck thing.”
“Well, lightning hasn’t struck me down yet so…”
“What if we don’t use labels?”
I take a deep breath and let it out with a heavy sigh. “You’re a public figure, people will hound you to define this until you do. And really, I’m being silly. Lots of people dream of a hockey god sweeping them off their feet. I should be shouting that shit from the rooftops.”
“Not if it makes you uncomfortable.” Noah’s voice is understanding even though he tenses underneath me, and I feel like an ass for making him confused.
I kiss the shoulder I’m leaning on, which feels surprisingly natural. “You don’t make me uncomfortable.”
“But dating does.” When I only nod, he continues. “Are you willing to tell me why?”
“Not today. I will,” I rush to clarify, “but realizing I’m in a…a…”
“Relationship.”
“Yeah, that. That’s enough for one day.”
“Okay,” he says, and for the second time since I walked in the door, I’m struck by how sweet my Thor is. Omigod, it’s happening. I called him mine—in my head—but still. Is that normal? One second, you’re a proud hedonist and the next you have a…person?
“You’re thinking awfully hard over there.” Noah’s lips brush over my forehead.
“Yeah, it’s just. I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to be with someone.”
“I think we just keep doing what we’ve been doing. Hanging out, helping each other get through the shit we’re dealing with. Maybe with more kissing, though.”
I wait for another bout of panic to hit me, but instead of the cool tingle of anxiety I feel a warm tingle of desire. As much as I don't want to admit it, I've enjoyed the feeling of Noah’s mouth on mine. Up until this point, it’s only happened during sex, when we’re breathless, and desperate, and ravenous for each other. I wonder…
Tilting my chin up until our lips are a hairsbreadth apart, I hold as still as a statue, waiting. Watching. Gathering courage and seeking permission. Noah’s breath hitches, but he doesn’t make a move, giving me the space to do only what I feel comfortable with. Fuck it.
Holding my own breath, I lean slowly forward, closing the distance between us until our lips meet in a soft, chaste kiss. The instant we make contact heat blooms deep in my gut, though it’s not the familiar heat of arousal. More like the warmth of affection. The promise of faithfulness and honesty and trust.
Gentle hands stroke my face as our lips brush softly together. The tender touch somehow even more intense than the passionate kisses we’ve shared previously, despite the fact it’s not making my dick hard. And the crazy thing is, I don’t even care. I’m sort of content to have no ulterior motive, no end goal driving me forward. I just like the comfort of Noah’s mouth on mine, giving me the stability and support and care I didn’t think I wanted, but now can’t imagine going without.
As Noah’s tongue meets mine, it occurs to me I’ve never been kissed like this before, with reverence and respect. It’s so sweet yet so powerful, I feel like I’m melting and flying at the same time. Invincible and vulnerable, but not scared like I was earlier. Not with Noah. He makes me feel…whole.
Chapter 21 - Noah
“Oh …” I lick my lips and swallow thickly as Tripp emerges from the bathroom in his tux, tugging casually at the cuffs peeking out from under the jacket. It’s a mundane action but his catlike grace makes it look effortless and sexy in a refined, aristocratic sort of way. The blond hair and dark stubble on the other hand, coupled with the bowtie slung around his open collar, gives him a downright sinful air.
“You like?” He smirks impishly.
“I like.” I cross the room to meet him, resting my hands on his hips while I nip at his plump bottom lip. “I like it so much I sort of want to bend you over right here, right now.”
“That sounds better than your stuffy charity party.” He tilts his head to the side so I can kiss along the side of his neck.
“If I didn’t like the cause, I’d skip it.”
He rubs his stubbled cheek against mine. “What’s the cause again?”
“Underprivileged youth.”
“I suppose that’s worthy of delayed gratification.” Tripp sighs heavily.
“I know I should be thinking of the cause.” He groans softly as I pull him to me, rubbing our pelvises together. “But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the idea of showing up with the sexiest man alive on my arm.”
