by Alexa Powers
“Oh, baby,” Emma drawled. “Why don’t I drive so you can relax?”
“Might be a good idea,” he confessed, as he moved very gingerly, getting out of the car slowly.
As Emma started the car and headed for home, she took a deep breath. She was glad to have Noah home again. She’d missed him terribly while he was away, and was growing more and more anxious about meeting his family. Having him home relaxed her, and his presence gave her peace of mind.
“Suzanne seemed nice,” she stated, as Noah took her hand in his.
“Yeah. She’s a saint and been good for Tucker. She keeps him focused and out of trouble.”
“Is that a nice way of saying that he was a bit of a bad boy?” Emma chuckled.
“I guess you could say that. He was a mess before he met her. Always going out on the piss and getting into trouble. Not taking care of himself. She keeps him in line.”
“Well, then she’s been good for him.”
“Having a good woman waiting for you at home makes all the difference, eh?” The gentle stroke of his thumb against her wrist was both soothing and exciting, and when she turned to look at him, she had to remember she was driving.
Noah’s eyes were a dark sapphire and, even though they were having an average conversation, there was nothing average about the way he was looking at her. His eyes were full of pent-up desire, and suddenly, she couldn’t get home fast enough.
She felt the caress of his gaze as it slid from her lips to her breasts, as if he was physically touching her, and her nipples puckered in response.
“Yes, it does,” she agreed, and when they got home, she’d show him just how good it could be.
After what felt like an eternity, Emma was finally pulling the car into the garage. Noah’s large hand had drifted to her thigh and was slowly tracing a blazing trail up and down the length of it, inching higher with each trip. His constant ministrations were driving her mad with need, and if she had to wait another minute to get her hands on him, she may have burst into flames or pulled the car over and had her way with him on the side of the road.
Dropping his bag by the door, Noah crushed his mouth to hers in a hungry kiss that lit her already-aroused body on fire. His strong arms circled her waist, holding her firmly. She couldn’t get enough of him as she pulled his shirt from his trousers, needing to feel the touch of his skin. Within seconds he had her top off and her pants quickly followed, falling in a pile on the kitchen floor.
“Not here. I want to take my time with you,” he said, as his appreciative gaze caused a shiver of anticipation. It still amazed her that just one look from him could cause her insides to flutter and her body temperature spike to a fever pitch within seconds. “I want to do too many things to you right now. God, I’ve missed you, Emma.”
“I’ve missed you, too. So much.” She gently kissed him and then started towards their bedroom.
Emma giggled as he licked the sensitive spot behind her ear and his arms banded around her waist from behind, as they marched in step down the hall. She had to focus on putting one foot in front of the other, as one hand covered her breast and the other slid into her panties. The dueling sensations were overwhelming, and by the time they reached their bedroom, she was already on the verge of climax.
Laying her on the bed, Noah stood back just to look at her. He’d missed her so much while he was gone, and the sight of her spread out and waiting for him left him aching to sink into her. He’d missed the rosy blush to her cheeks after he’d satisfied her, and her sexy moans and breathy sighs as she came apart for him.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes, baby.” He quickly lost the rest of his clothes and reveled in the way she watched him, her eyes following his every movement. She was so pretty in her pink bra and panties, the silken material almost as soft as her skin, but he needed to feel the real thing.
When he joined her on the bed, his lips instinctively found hers as their tongues mated and danced. The taste of her was as intoxicating as her sexy whimpers, but it wasn’t enough, he needed more.
Propping himself on his forearms, he leaned down and gently kissed her, loving the glazed look on her pretty face. “I love you, Emma. It’s good to be home.”
“I love you, too. I’ve missed you so much. I’ve missed this.” Her fingers softly traced his cheek before wrapping around his neck, pulling him down to her lips for another kiss.
Burying himself in her was like coming home…she was home. And as he made love to her, he made a vow to himself that he wouldn’t lose her. Ever.
Collapsing against her, he rolled over onto his side, taking her with him. She snuggled in close, ghosting her fingers along his ribs, as her cheek rested against his bicep, using it as a pillow. Her gentle touch was like a healing balm to his aching muscles.
“This is a really bad bruise, sweetheart. Are you sure you’re alright?” He could see the concern in her eyes as she watched her fingers gently ministering to the ugly patch of skin on his ribcage.
“Yeah. I’ll be fine. The doctor looked at it. It’s just a deep bruise.”
“Would a bath help?”
He instantly perked up at the thought. “Will you be in there with me?”
“Maybe,” she answered coyly. “Only if you think it would help.”
“Oh…I do believe it would. And put some of that honeysuckle stuff in there too, please.”
“Aw, you want to smell pretty, baby,” she teased.
“Well, I do love to suckle your honey, if you haven’t noticed.” Her eyes opened wide and even after everything they’d done together, her cheeks tinted with the hint of a blush.
Sinking into the jetted tub full of bubbles, he watched as Emma stood naked in front of the mirror, putting her hair up in a knot on the top of her head. He rested his head against the tub and sighed as she gracefully lowered herself into the hot water, but as he watched her luscious body sink beneath the fluffy cloud, he instantly regretted requesting the bubble bath.
She was a vision of loveliness as she closed her eyes, laying her head back, and the feel of her legs sliding against his under the water was making him hard already.
“This is nice,” she smiled, as her hand found his leg under the water and gently massaged it. “I can’t believe this is the first time we’ve taken a bath together.”
“You know what they say. The family that bathes together, stays together.”
With a sassy grin, she pushed herself off the edge of the tub and quickly closed the distance between them. “Umm hmm, I’ve heard that a time or two.”
He winced. “I’m going to pretend that I’m the only man you’ve ever shared a tub with. Okay?”
“Mmm, Okay. And I’ll pretend that I’m the only woman you’ve had in this tub.” By the pained look on her face, she didn’t like the idea at all, and he liked that she didn’t like it.
“Well…honestly, you are.”
Her face instantly brightened as she settled herself against his growing erection. “Well then, let’s christen this bad boy properly…right now.” When she pressed her lips against his, he couldn’t think of anything he’d rather do than bury himself deep in her sweetness. His hands found her breasts and teased her there as she sank onto him and started to move.
“You are a naughty girl, aren’t you?”
“Very,” she simply stated, as he stroked her bottom and squeezed it before thrusting into her once again.
The erratic motion caused the water to splash over the edge of the tub and onto the floor, but he didn’t care, and as Emma cried out her release, he swiftly followed. Pulling her to his chest, he held on tight as he caught his breath, and wondered how he had gotten so lucky to have her.
“That was amazing. But I think we made a mess.” Her laugh tickled his neck as she snuggled against him.
“Don’t care. That was worth it. The house could have been on fire and I would have let it burn.”
Falling into bed after a shower and a quick dinner, Emma had never felt so
good. Having Noah home made everything better…made everything right. While he was away, she’d worked herself into a near-panic over meeting his family, playing out all the different scenarios in her head over and over again. Would they approve of her? Would they be upset they were living together out of wedlock?
Would they wonder why he was wasting his time on a girl who was only temporary? That thought, in particular, made her cringe every time. She refused to believe they were wasting their time. What they shared was special, and as she cuddled next to Noah in their big bed, she had no doubt as to just how special he was.
She never understood the urge to have another person complete you, but as she looked at Noah, that’s exactly how she felt…complete. Maybe that’s what true love was, completely trusting another human being with your heart. Willingly giving them the power to crush you, but at the same time, opening yourself up to fully experience the power of true love. It was a relief to know she could trust Noah with her heart, that it was safe with him, just as his heart was safe with her.
She wanted to make love to him again, to show him how much she truly loved him, but as she gazed into his tired eyes, she just snuggled against him and rested her arm across his chest. She’d missed the simple act of falling asleep tucked securely against his side, drifting off to sleep with a contented smile on her face.
It was dark outside when she woke with a moan from a very erotic dream where Noah’s skilled hands and mouth teased and tormented her, but as awareness settled upon her, she quickly realized it wasn’t a dream at all. Noah’s hands expertly worshipped her backside as he kissed and licked a path down the line of her spine.
After thoroughly ravishing her until she was gasping for air, driving her higher and higher until she was flying amongst the stars, fireworks exploded behind her eyelids, and she was sure her cries of ecstasy were heard all the way down the beach, but she didn’t care.
Noah followed her in his release and collapsed his full weight on top of her, pressing her into the mattress. She could feel his heart pounding against her and his breath tickled the back of her neck as he kissed her there.
Finally lifting off of her, he turned her to face him and hungrily kissed her as his arm slid around her waist, pressing her against his chest. He loved to make out after sex and she loved that he just didn’t roll over once he was finished, but kissed her like he couldn’t get enough...like she was a treasure. And he was such a good kisser. A girl could get lost in his kisses…In him.
“Wow…you sure know how to wake a girl up,” she smiled demurely.
“I needed you, and you didn’t seem to mind.” His sexy smile had her body waking up all over again.
“Not at all. Feel free to wake me up like that any time you want. I thought it was a dream at first, and was about to wake you up to finish me off.” She blushed at her candid confession.
“I’ll gladly do it again. Anytime. You just say the word and I’m there.” He sounded like a little kid, and she couldn’t help but giggle at his dramatics.
His happy expression melted her heart, as he dazzled her with his childish grin. “You’re too cute for your own good. You know that?”
“Glad you think so. If you give me just a minute to recover, I’ll be ready for another round.” He buried his face in her neck and nuzzled her with his nose, then started to nibble on the sensitive spot behind her ear. “Then we can start all over again in the morning.”
“You’re exhausting,” she stated sarcastically, wrapping her legs around his waist, pressing herself wantonly against him.
“You love it and you know it.” His knowing look as he hovered over her had a swarm of butterflies fluttering in her stomach and her body instinctively responding to him.
“Yes, I do. Now kiss me, Noah.”
She couldn’t hide how much she wanted him and delighted in the fact that she didn’t have to. One of the things she loved most about being with Noah was the honesty they shared. She always knew exactly where she stood with him and it gave her the security to be herself.
It was such a heady feeling, and she now realized that this was how it was supposed to be. The drama and anxiety that took up too much of her time in previous relationships was draining, and eventually sucked the life out of her, but time spent with Noah was refreshingly drama-free.
If possible, she’d go back in time and save herself for him. If she only knew then what she knew now, she would have. Nothing compared to being with him, and experiencing his love and the act of wholly becoming one with him was more than she’d ever dreamed of.
This was what a healthy relationship was supposed to feel like. It was what her mother tried to describe to her over the years, while trying in vain to talk some sense into her when she mistakenly confused lust and infatuation for true love. This was what her parents shared. Wincing at the thought of her parents having sex, especially the crazy hot variety she’d just shared with Noah, she scrubbed her memory of the disturbing thought.
But this was what her mother wanted her to wait for. For her to not settle for anything less than complete and total surrender, and a love that was equally shared by the other person. Loving someone with all of your heart left you wide open for heartache if the other person didn’t feel the same way, but she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Noah was just as vulnerable as she was, that he loved her as deeply as she loved him.
Chapter 21
Noah watched as Emma’s anxiety level slowly ratcheted up the closer they got to Hamilton. Her fingers had been wrung to within an inch of their lives, and now she was chipping away at her fingernail polish. He’d never seen her so nervous and it was starting to make him edgy too.
He really wasn’t sure what to say to ease her anxious mind. “Relax, sweetheart. They won’t bite. They’re going to love you, almost as much as I do.” He tried to give her a reassuring smile, but based on her reaction, she wasn’t buying it.
“I’m not usually this nervous and my nervousness is making me nervous. Does that make sense?” She cocked her head and gave him a sweet smile that left him no choice but to smile back at her.
Even though she was clearly worried about meeting his family, she was still the prettiest thing he’d ever seen. Looking at her distressed face, all he wanted to do was pull the car over and hold her in his arms. The need to comfort her was overwhelming.
“Perfect sense. But you really do need to calm down. You’re getting yourself worked up for nothing.” He spoke in soothing tones, not liking the strained look on her face. This was supposed to be a fun get-together with his family, and he didn’t like causing her such discomfort. His family may not have been the life of the party like hers was, but they were genuinely nice people and would welcome her with open arms.
Her beautiful face grew serious as she turned to look at him. The vulnerability he saw in the depths of her green eyes just about undid him. “But, what if they don’t like me, Noah? God, I sound so needy, I’m making myself sick.” Her quiet chuckle and subtle headshake relaxed him slightly, as he saw her take a deep breath and settle against the seat. She briefly gazed out the window before locking eyes with him once again, looking for reassurance.
“I don’t know what else to tell you, baby. They can’t wait to meet you. My mum even called to make sure you’d like lamb for Easter. And trust me, if I didn’t like it, we’d still be having it. But she was going to make whatever you liked.” He gave her an uplifting smile as he tried to lighten the mood.
His mum strictly adhered to the mindset of ‘you’ll eat what I make or go without’, so for her to even offer to modify the dinner menu was monumental, but Emma had no way of knowing that. Other than his birthday, his mum had never consulted with him on the menu offerings, ever. Emma was so worried about making a good impression, but so was his mum. She made no secret of wanting him to settle down with a good woman, and start churning out the grandchildren, so she was willing to pull out all the stops.
“That was so sweet of her.” Emma gave him a genui
ne smile and some of the tension eased from her eyes. “We always have lamb for Easter too, though, so not having it would seem wrong to me. You know, Jesus is the Lamb and all.” Her serious tone caught him off-guard as he turned to look at her.
Dressed in a casual outfit of jeans and a lightweight navy sweater, she looked so pretty. She wore her hair down and had fussed over it so much that he’d wondered if they’d ever leave home. It didn’t look all that different than it usually did when she let it dry naturally, but he didn’t dare ask what had taken her so long. He just gave her a supportive smile and told her how beautiful she was. And she was beautiful, achingly beautiful.
“You’re seriously putting too much pressure on yourself.” He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle tug, bringing it to his lips and was relieved when the simple gesture appeared to calm her nerves a bit more. “Trust me. They’re going to love you. Now, take a few deep breaths and stop worrying yourself. Let’s turn that frown upside down, shall we?”
At her sudden outburst of laughter, he turned to see that her pretty smile had returned. “That’s my girl.”
A soft smile turned up the corners of her lips and his heart skipped a beat. “I know I’m being unreasonable, but this is really important to me, that they like me.”
“I know, sweetheart. Just be yourself, and everything will be fine.”
Turning onto the tree-lined street that led to his childhood home, he felt at ease for the first time since they’d left home after lunch. He watched as Emma checked her makeup in the mirror, swiped some gloss across her lips, then flipped up the visor and took a deep breath to fortify herself.
Parking in front of the Tudor-style home he’d grown up in, Noah leaned over the console for one last kiss. When he pulled away, she tugged on the nape of his neck and brought her lips to his once more, then wiped the gloss off his lips with her thumb. The tender gesture left him unable to move and a bit breathless as their eyes locked onto one another’s for a long moment.
