We sit down on a blanket, courtesy of my mom, and unwrap the pieces of pie we took to go.
“It smells delicious.” I fork my pie and stare out at the people running or walking along the path.
“What did you expect? I made it.” He gobbles down a healthy forkful.
I swear he has the metabolism of a teenager.
“I’m so nervous about the show.” I nibble on the inside of my cheek.
“Don’t be. The show is going to be great. Besides”—he leans in, and his breath tickles my neck—“I’ll be right by your side.”
I laugh. “Believe me, Bette will keep you occupied.”
“No one can keep me from you. Don’t worry. I guarantee everyone is going to love your work. You’ve done other shows,” he mumbles through another bite while my pie stays in the container, uneaten.
The pie looks mouthwatering, but my nerves don’t allow me to eat. “They were so small compared to Bette’s. Not to mention, the others were all new artists fresh out of the academy.”
“Don’t get me wrong. When my time comes, I’ll be sweating bullets in the kitchen, but this is your dream.” He grabs my shoulders to face him. “Your dream. Everything you’ve worked for. Now’s the time.”
“I know. It’s just nerve-racking.”
“Don’t lose faith in yourself now. I’ll just keep reminding you of how amazing you are.”
He goes back to eating, and I lean back on my hands.
“You’re sweet. Thank you.”
“You’ll do the same with me. Look what you did with Edith and Karla.”
“Speaking of which, what’s going on with that?” I say, like it was a big deal to act like his fiancée. Not at all.
“They haven’t called.” Now, he puts his fork down and lifts his legs to rest his arms across them.
“They will.” I knock him.
He catches himself before falling to his side. “Why are you always knocking me over?”
“It’s fun.”
The urge to hide behind my lens emerges, and I stand with my camera and start snapping pictures of the trees, the people, and water. The park is beautiful, and somehow, I’ll always think of it as my spot with Todd.
“Can you wait until I finish?” He holds his hand up in the air to block the camera.
“No.”
I look through the lens at Todd, and I can’t deny how good-looking he is. I’ve always known he’s gorgeous, but these last few weeks, it’s become about more than his chiseled jaw or bright blue eyes drawing me to him. He’s nice, encouraging, and protective of me. He bears a natural kindness to everyone, and lately, my thoughts drift to him instead of Davis.
“Is Davis coming back for the show?”
I turn my back to Todd and act as though I’m taking a picture of the boat floating on the lake. “No.”
“He’s not?” The judgment toward Davis is clear from his tone.
“No. He bought me a ticket to a movie premiere, and I was supposed to go out there.”
“The same weekend?”
“Yes.” I sit next to him and place my camera down. “Can I ask you something?”
I wish I had the nerve to ask him if he liked me, but instead, I decide to test the waters and see if I’m by myself on this attraction island.
“What’s up?” He downs the remaining part of his pie.
“Let’s say that you get your restaurant. Do you think your career should come before your girlfriend?” There. I asked it.
“No, but I’m different than Davis. Davis is all career-oriented, which isn’t a bad thing. His drive got him to where he is now.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
I think about my conversation with Davis the night before he left, how he did the enormous gesture for his now ex-wife. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want that side of Davis, or anyone for that matter.
“I told him I wanted to take a break.”
“Because he can’t come back for your show?” Todd’s eyes dig into mine.
I wish he’d kiss me and tell me we’re meant for each other. Shit, focus, Amelia.
“No, he called Bette to get the date of my show changed.”
“Maybe he just wanted you to be with him.”
“Don’t you get it? He wants to control the situation. He wants to control me. I don’t want a relationship like that.”
I could pound my fist on the grass from Todd not understanding why I’m angry with Davis.
“I get it, but it came from his heart.”
Why is he sticking up for Davis?
“Oh, my God. I want a guy who would put me in front of himself. A guy who I know, when I’m in his arms, there’s nowhere else he’d rather be. A guy who loves me with every fiber of his being.”
“Do you love Davis?” Todd licks his lips, and he inhales a breath.
“Obviously not. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have told him I needed a break.” I grab my camera. “Enough of this sappy shit.”
“Noodle, let’s talk.”
He pulls my sweatshirt, and I fall to the ground.
“What do you want me to say?”
“What do you want?”
Who do I want is more like it.
“I want a guy who does the grand gesture for me. A guy who abandons everything just to be with me.”
He peers down at me, and my breathing staggers with every beat of a second, thinking we’re about to cross the line.
He leans down, and I suck in one last breath.
This is it.
He snatches the camera from the blanket, and my attempt to grab it back fails.
“Look at me.” He poises the camera in my direction.
My hands fly up, and I bury my face into my chest. “No. I’m not meant to be on this side of the lens.” I twist around, dodging his advance to snap a picture of me.
“Come on, Noodle. It’s just for fun.” He places his hand on my arm.
I release a breath, staring over at him. He clicks the camera once, and my hands move to grab it away from him, but he turns around, gripping it in his hands.
“Todd.” I sigh.
He shakes his head. “This is your time. Come on. Make sex to the camera.”
He stands and squats down on the hill a few feet away, and I hear the shutter of the camera clicking nonstop.
“Todd, I’m not like that,” I pout.
He doesn’t change his position from holding the camera my way. “Sure you are. It’s me. Show me your spontaneous side.”
He clicks the camera button again, and I cringe.
I turn around and place my thumbs in my ear, bringing my fingers out like antlers. He laughs, and his finger doesn’t release the button.
“Not exactly sexy, but I’m easy,” he mumbles.
“I’m much better at hiding behind the lens.”
My head dips down, and I look up at him through my eyelashes.
Snap. The picture gets taken.
“Okay, enough.” I run over to him and try to grab the camera again.
His arm holds me out at length while the camera clicks away.
“Todd!” I scream.
His amusement only grows louder to my antics. “You get the camera, and it’s yours,” he eggs me on.
I lunge again, and I end up on top of him, my hands reaching over his head for the camera.
“I kind of like this game,” he comments.
I look down at my breasts in his face.
I sit up and straighten my shirt, buttoning the top button that came undone in the midst of our struggle. I inhale and exhale deep breaths through my mouth, and I compose myself.
“Hey, why did you move? I liked it.” He sits back up.
I look over at him. “Like I said, I’m not meant to be on the other side of the lens.” I stand and brush the grass off my ass. “Let’s go.”
The pie container crumples in my hands on the way to the trash can. My heart races from Todd coming so close but continuing to pull away.
His footsteps crunch on the l
eaves behind me, and I step away because I can’t be that close to him right now. My want continues to increase, and I need to distance myself if he doesn’t want to cross our line of friendship.
“Noodle,” he mumbles. His fingers linger on my shoulder, igniting a rush of shivers up my neck. “Was there any other reason you told Davis that you wanted a break?”
I inch back into him, and his hand grazes down my shoulder until his long fingers merge with mine.
“I’m scared.”
“Of what?” His chest protects my back from the chill of the wind at dusk.
“You,” I admit, my stomach clenching.
“You do the same to me.” His lips brush along my bare skin under my ear. “You terrify me,” he whispers.
I lean into his touch. “Why?”
I look around and find the bike paths are mostly empty. We’re alone with no one to stop us this time.
“You have the power to destroy me. You’ll be the first and last person I’ll completely trust.”
I close my eyes, relishing in his lips cascading small kisses on my skin. He can’t think I’d be his last because I’m going to teach him he can trust people—especially me.
I withdraw my hand from his and turn around to look in his eyes. The blue irises are pure and only mirror the love I feel for him. I cradle his cheeks within my palms and stare into his big, hopeful eyes for a few seconds.
“Somewhere in the middle of all of this, I fell for you. That’s the reason I ended it with Davis.” A huge weight lifts from my body, finally admitting it not only to Todd, but also to myself.
“You pull emotions out of me that I’ve never felt. I pray I won’t fuck this up.”
I shake my head. “You won’t.” My hands travel down his muscular arms and entwine our fingers.
“How can you be so sure?”
I squeeze our hands together. “Because I know you. You’ll never hurt me.” Tears fill my eyes.
“Never on purpose.” He draws his hands from mine and pulls me into a hug.
“Never,” I whisper into his sweatshirt.
He tightens his hold on me. He pulls back, and his eyes lock on mine. “I don’t deserve you, but I promise I’ll never forget that fact.”
“Todd?”
“Yeah?”
“Kiss me.”
My heart pounds out of my chest as he leans closer, breaking the minuscule distance between us.
I notice a small scar just under his chin, and my curiosity wonders where he got it. By some jerk of a foster parent or a fight? There’s so much I don’t know about him, but that small flaw on his perfect face makes me anxious to find out every detail of his life.
Todd dips further, and my pulse quickens from the anticipation of our first kiss. He meets my lips, and a current of warmth runs through my body. My arms swing around his neck as I rise to my tiptoes and lose myself in his soft, warm lips.
The taste of huckleberry pie swirls between us as our tongues slide along one another’s. His hands grip the back of my jacket, and he draws me closer. Our mouths smash harder, and I fist a handful of his hair. Moans and groans replace the noises of the park.
Todd’s hands release my jacket, and mine relax around his neck as the kiss closes.
He cradles my head in his strong hands. “Come home with me. I’m not asking you to sleep with me, but I want to be alone with you.”
I nod.
He blesses me with a gentle kiss that lingers longer than I expected, and he guides me out of the park.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Todd
Noodle and I step off the elevator, her hand warm in mine. My eyes ping to her door, and I silently pray that Tatiana stays behind it. If anyone interrupts us, I’ll lose my fucking mind.
I might have lied slightly when I asked Noodle not to sleep with me tonight. Secretly, I hope she can’t keep her hands off me, like I already know I can’t from her.
I insert the key into my lock and glance over to Noodle. Her classic sweet smile absorbs her angelic features, and she inhales a deep breath. Unable to withstand a moment without her in my arms, I press her body to the wall with mine. She gasps, and her fingers hook in my belt loop.
“You’re so damn beautiful.” My lips graze along her jaw, and then I devour her mouth.
Her minty breath tingles my mouth, and I turn my doorknob in my free hand.
“Take me, Todd.”
I don’t need to be told twice. I pull her through the door and push her against it as it clicks shut.
My hands mold to her ass, and I lift her in my arms. Our lips crash together, our heads twisting and turning right to left. I flick the bolt lock and turn us around. The pictures shake out of place as our bodies slam against the wall, pinging back and forth like a pinball down the hall.
Her fingernails dig into my shoulders, and she grinds against my stomach every time I squeeze her ass.
I throw her onto the bed, and she scoots up to make room for me. My breath catches in my throat when I see her on my bed, in my room, ready for me. The last few weeks, I’ve pictured this exact image, and I could slap myself to make sure it’s actually coming true.
Her shirt inches up, revealing a line of skin, and my mouth waters. Her tits are calling my name, but I want to cherish her. I will make sure every inch of her body is touched by me before she leaves this room.
I toe out of my shoes, and her flats drop to the floor.
“Are you sure?” I ask, double-checking, especially since we’ve been going at each other since we opened the door.
“I’m positive. Come.” She sits up on her elbows, and her eyes roam my body.
My fingers fiddle with the buttons of my shirt.
“No. Let me.” She moves up to her knees, and her fingers manipulate the buttons.
Shivers rush along my skin as her hands slide my shirt off my shoulders.
“You’re gorgeous,” she says. Her eyes eat me up, only spurring my arousal.
She inches on her knees to the edge of the bed, and my hands grab the hem of her shirt and strip it from her body. She sinks back and her shoulders jut out, like she’s trying to hide herself from my eyes.
“Hey.” I take my finger and rest it under her chin. Persuading her to look at me, I bend down and gently kiss her.
Her chest rises and falls at a quick pace, and my hand cups her cheek as my thumb brushes along it. I allow my lips to travel down her chin and neck before peppering soft kisses on her shoulder. My hands slowly move down her shoulders and around the back, finding the clasp of her purple satin and lace bra. She sucks in a breath and holds it until my fingers slide her straps down each arm.
“You’re so hot that I can barely hang on,” I whisper.
She tilts her head, allowing me to continue manipulating her neck with my lips. Her fingers graze down my abs and I suck in a breath, waiting for her to disrobe me of my jeans. She undoes the button, and her shaking fingers pull down my zipper. Her hands push my jeans down to pool at my ankles, and a growl escapes my lips.
I step out of my jeans. “My turn.” I hook my fingers on either side of her black leggings and pull them down, stopping at her knees. “Lie down, baby.”
She follows directions, and her body quivers under my touch. Her bravery shocks me. She’s nervous to be with me, because I know this isn’t her first time.
She helps me take off her leggings, and I stare down at her in only her matching purple lace and satin panties. I bend down and move up her leg, kissing each inch of her delectable skin. My hands move ahead and capture her breasts. She arches her back, pushing them into my hands further. My thumbs roll her nipples, and she whimpers. The effect my touch has on her only spurs my own craving higher.
I slide my tongue up the curve of her breast and nestle myself into her center. My dick grinds into her, and her breath catches in her throat. My fingers thread through her hair, and I claim her mouth with mine. We move in sync, both of us moaning. Her fingers dig into my ass, pushing me harder aga
inst her, and my skin tingles as sweat beads between our smashed bodies.
“I can’t hold off much longer.” She gasps for breath.
“Hold on.” I slide off her, immediately missing her warmth. I dig through my drawer and pull out a condom. The tear of the foil wrapper echoes from wall to wall, and I strip my underwear off.
Noodle wiggles out of her own, and as much as I would love to dive into her to taste her, I need to be inside her more.
“Hurry.” She sighs.
I climb on top of her then roll us over. “I want to see you.”
She straddles me, and I see stars when I enter her. So damn wet and warm.
“Oh, shit.” I tighten every muscle just to stop me from losing my load.
She moans, and my hand pushes against her tit while the other one plays with her clit. Her hips circle, and she clenches my dick.
Fuck, I’m going to embarrass myself here.
“Todd!” she screams, her hands flying to my headboard to gain a better grip.
She bounces up and down on my dick, and her tits jiggle in my face.
Holding on by an inch, my hands dig into her hips, and I guide her up and down. My ass pushes off the bed, and she whimpers when I get deeper inside her.
Sweat drips down the globe of her breast and drops to my chest. Our bodies slide and grind as gasps and moans flutter out of our mouths.
Unable to hold back any longer, a long, animalistic growl escapes my throat, and my fingernails clench her hips. She stills on top of me, and her body releases the tension.
My hands slide up her sweaty back and into her dark locks. I guide her down to me and passionately kiss her, cherishing every swipe of our tongues.
“You’re perfect, everything I thought you would be,” I say.
A small smile creases her lips, and her head falls into the crook of my neck.
* * *
Noodle lies in my arms. A stream of light peeking through the blinds highlights her body.
For the first time in my life, I made love last night—twice.
My hand rubs along the length of her arm, the warmth of her body pressed against mine.
I tried to convey how beautiful she was last night, so she never doubts what I see when I look at her. Not a day will go by that I won’t tell her.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand, but I let it go to voicemail. I’m not ready to leave the serenity with Noodle.
Seeing You Page 19
