Veronica wondered if he’d heard her thunderous gulp as she gazed at his flawless body. The burning in his eyes that she’d become so conditioned to lately with their goodnight kisses was back. He smiled at her, his big hands skimming her arms, pulling her back to the mat. He poised over her and stared into her eyes. “Ready?”
She nodded feeling hypnotized by his heavy gaze. Since he’d already pleasured her she thought for sure he’d get right to it, but instead he kissed her long and deep then sucked her neck and she didn’t even protest about hickeys this time. Obviously it was something that turned him on. They’d work out some kind of compromise later, for now she let herself enjoy his toe-curling feel of his mouth on her skin.
Feeling his hard naked body over hers drove her crazy. She wanted him in her now. “Fuck me, Noah.” The strained words escaping her made her gasp. She’d never said that to anyone. Not even Derek who’d she’d been with for almost two years. But she wanted Noah so bad now. She’d dreamed of this too many times. She couldn’t wait another minute and he didn’t make her.
Noah groaned in response, obviously not having any objection to her choice of words. Gently he spread her legs, positioned himself and entered her slowly. Veronica had almost forgotten how long it’d been but feeling the stretch as he pushed in further, reminded her it’d been too long.
She held on to his big shoulders as he pulled her leg up to drive in deeper. There was slight discomfort at first but as he drove in all the way with a grunt it felt so good she cried out.
She’d never admit to comparing but with Derek, once they got to this part, it was over quickly. So it surprised her how long Noah kept on. He’d speed up then slow making it last longer, making her absolutely crazy.
He stared in her eyes, increasing the intimacy between them as he slid in and out and the pleasure amazingly began to build again. Veronica could hardly believe she was going to come a second time more intensely than the first but it was happening and she welcomed it crying out again as he drove in one last time lifting her leg even more for maximum penetration.
Holding the position for what seemed like a very long time she watched Noah, his eyes squeezed shut tightly, the deep pinch in his brows a testimony to what he was feeling and she loved it—loved that he was feeling this because of her. She held him tight enjoying the thud of his heartbeat thud against her own. “I love you, Roni.”
“I love you, Noah.”
He kissed her temple, his breathing hadn’t steadied yet so his words astonished her. “I can hardly wait to get you home and do this to you all night.”
Veronica had to giggle. He couldn’t possibly be serious. But he was—and he did—all night.
EPILOGUE
Even though last year they’d spent the holidays together and it had been wonderful, technically this was their first Christmas together. Noah told Veronica that made it extra special but she had an even bigger reason why it was.
Picking out the tree this year had been so much easier than all the other years. Somehow she knew no matter what tree she picked it’d be wonderful because it was their tree.
They spent the day decorating the house, singing along to Christmas carols like they had last year. They were finishing up with the last touches of the tree and Veronica brought out the box with the special tree topper.
“Ah the very final touch,” Noah said with a smile. “I’ll get the stool for you.”
“Nope, no need,” Veronica said, pulling out the crystal star.
“Why?” Noah slipped his arm around her waist. “Should I just lift you?”
“No, because you get to do the honors this year.” Noah’s panicked expression made her laugh. “What?”
“Me?”
“Uh huh.” She nodded. “Remember the tradition is the newest family member takes on the duty until another one comes along?”
“But I’m not family.” Noah lifted an eyebrow.
“You’re more to me now, Noah. And since you are officially living here—permanently now.” She kissed him and added, “You aren’t going anywhere now, mister!”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He kissed her back.
“Good,” she said with a big satisfied smile. “Then it’s settled. You place the star on the tree from now on.”
As nervous as he looked he still took the topper from the box and with no need for a stool proceeded to lift it, but Veronica stopped him. “Wait!” Noah’s exasperated expression made her laugh again. “I’m sorry I wanna take a picture of this.” She grabbed her iPhone, and focused it on Noah. “Okay go for it.”
She snapped several pictures, giggling at how extra careful Noah was about making sure he got it up there securely.
“Good?” he asked, looking back at her.
“Perfect,” she said taking one last picture.
Glancing at the small gift bag under the tree Veronica had to fight the urge to give it to Noah already but she’d wait until later tonight when the guys left. They’d be there any minute now. They were coming over to discuss Gio’s next fight. It was in January but the guy he was a fighting was a pretty big deal and the first undefeated fighter Gio had ever taken on.
Veronica busied herself in her dark room developing her latest batch—photos of her and Noah’s trip to the snow last week. She almost gave him his gift then but decided to wait just a little longer. She’d said she would wait until Christmas but there was no way she was waiting that long so she decided tonight would be the night.
When the guys finally left, the excitement crept in. She snuck over to the tree on the way to sit with Noah on the sofa and grabbed the small bag.
Noah smirked when he noticed her hiding something behind her back. “What are you up to?”
“An early Christmas gift.”
After deciding to go into this relationship with Noah and taking it one hundred percent seriously earlier that year, Veronica made sure to cut things off completely with Derek. She wanted to avoid any arguments with Noah at all costs but that summer she found out avoiding arguments in a relationship was impossible. There was still another sore subject she was now careful not to stir.
Noah had playfully mentioned that he couldn’t wait for Veronica to have his baby. She’d just as playfully responded they weren’t even married then made the mistake of pointing out that he was too young to be a father anyway.
Noah had responded furiously, as he had months before when she’d told him he wasn’t in love. He argued that he was more readier than some of the supposed “grown ass men” who didn’t know the first thing about being a responsible father—Nellie’s now ex-husband serving as a perfect example because when Courtney was only five months pregnant he told her he wasn’t ready for a family and broke things off.
The argument escalated into him leaving after accusing her of being the one not ready. And that once again proved his argument that age was but an illusion.
He was back a few hours later, calmer, apologizing for flying off the handle. Veronica apologized right back and agreed that obviously, she hadn’t known what she was talking about either this time. It was her who wasn’t ready. Noah said he respected that and let her know that whenever she felt ready to just say the word, because now that they were together he felt more ready than ever.
Veronica handed Noah the small bag, feeling a flutter in the pit of her stomach.
“Roni, babe. I didn’t know we were doing early Christmas gifts.”
“Of course you didn’t—it’s a surprise.” She sat down next to him nervous about what he’d say—think.
He tried to look angry but the smile gave him away. Then he began pulling out the gift. Veronica had wrapped it in tissue paper and she laughed nervously at his puzzled expression when he saw the small flat octagon shaped plastic case.
“Open it,” she said when he looked up at her completely lost.
So he did and he took out the only thing in it: a small folded paper. He unfolded it and read the two words on it. “I’m ready.” He still l
ooked confused. “You’re ready?”
She nodded and smiled waiting for him to understand but his expression was still blank so she gave him another hint. “That’s last month’s birth control pill case. I didn’t get it refilled when I finished it.”
His eyes shot wide open. “Are you…”
“No. Not yet but I’m ready, so if it happens—”
He tackled her before she could finished and she laughed out loud. She knew he’d be pleased but she was thrilled that he was this excited about it.
“It’s not just gonna happen, Roni,” he said devouring her mouth instantly arousing her. “Haven’t you picked up on the irony of life by now? Things only just happen when you’re not ready. When you’re ready, you start trying, and gadamn I feel like trying right now.”
She felt silly even asking but she didn’t want the excitement of this clouding his thinking so she had to. She palmed her hand against his shirt. “And you’re sure right?”
He pulled away but he took her hand, standing up. She stood up cautiously, hoping he hadn’t taken her asking the wrong way. She yelped startled when he suddenly lifted her and in the next second had her cradled in his arms. “Let me go show you how sure I am.”
Veronica wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. She wouldn’t tell him she may very well already be pregnant since she stopped taking her pills the last week of November—let him think he had to try extra hard.
My loyal readers. I really hope you enjoyed Noah and embrace him like you did my Moreno gang. Next up in the 5th Street series is Gio. You know where to go to get more info and updates on my upcoming projects. For new readers. Thanks for giving me a shot. I hope you enjoyed and for information on more of my books and upcoming projects read ahead in “About the Author”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elizabeth Reyes is also the author of The Moreno Brothers series. For her full bio and information, excerpts, teasers of her other books visit her website at: www.ElizabethReyes.com
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As usual I’d like to thank my family for their patience in understanding that when I’m sitting in my pajamas all day in front of my computer I am at work. I think they finally get it! Love you guys!
My critique partner Tammara Webber. I honestly don’t know how I ever did it without you. I’m so glad you’ve been part of this incredible ride and I hope you’ll be around for good. Purple Power! <3
To my Editor Stephanie Lott aka Bibliofile Services, thanks again for you fast and efficient work. I’m so glad Tammara found you!
To my beta readers Judy Devries and Dawn Winter! Your opinions and keen eyes for any inconsistencies in story line or even just personality traits that don’t seem to mesh are invaluable to me! The fact that you two are lightening speed readers is a huge plus too! Thanks for plowing through my stories as fast as you do! And Judy thanks so much for all the fun we have on your blog with my poor guys! LOL
To my new cover artist Stephanie Mooney. OMG I’m so happy I found you and here’s where I give a shout out to fellow writer and friend, Abbi Glines for finding you first and then gushing about your work. Your talent speaks for itself! Your covers make me all the more excited for my upcoming books!
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
EPILOGUE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Noah Page 29
