by Jess Epps
She's quiet. Not good. I reach for her top and hand it to her and then reach for my own, putting it on just as the Eye starts moving again.
“Well shit, they must have gotten the generator running or something. I have a hotel room if you’d like to join me? I’m rather enjoying having you all to myself.”
“I’d like that a lot.” She jumps up and pulls her jeans on without those panties I ripped to shreds. “What hotel are you staying in?”
“The one right across from your apartment building. Your sister helped me book it, as well as find you.”
Her smile kills me. "You really went to a lot of trouble, Noah," she says as she runs her fingers through her sex hair.
“I’ll go to any lengths or distance to get you back.”
“I’m yours.”
“Damn right you are.” I pull on my shirt and she walks over to me, buttoning it up for me. I think she enjoys dressing me just as much as she enjoys undressing me. “Thank you, baby.”
She puts on her jacket and I help her into my coat afterward, not wanting her to be cold once we’re out of this glass capsule. Our fingers are laced together as the door slides open and we step out. It’s still storming, but so is our relationship.
Heather Lane is the reason I haven’t slept in forty-eight hours. She’s the reason I didn’t change the name on my passport and ID. She’s the only thing that’s keeping me whole and together. She’s been mine again for all of two hours, and I’m the happiest bastard on this planet.
Heather
I'VE BEEN LYING awake for hours just watching this gorgeous man sleep. The Greek god is once again mine, and I'm beyond thrilled. I'm still in shock that he flew across the world for me, and that my scheming sister helped him to track me down. I can hear his heart beating regularly as I lie on top of him.
In my spot.
On my man.
I lean up and kiss his jaw, whispering, "Do you want to know what my favorite thing is?" He's dead asleep, so I'm sure he won't hear me, but I've got plenty of early mornings to tell him over and over again. "Waking up with you."
He's so tired and I don't want to wake him. I can't help but nuzzle him though…anywhere I can. His chest is rock hard but still so comfortable to lie on. I cannot believe that he said he loved me. What's even crazier...I said it back. I've been terrified to fall in love with him all along. But Dillen was right: I already was.
He breathes in deeply when I kiss his pectoral muscle and his arms tighten around my body. I decide that I'll wake him up with breakfast. I know he hasn't been sleeping—I can tell by the look in his eyes—but I hope he's at least eating. I move up and kiss his lips before quietly sliding out of his arms to get dressed. I head downstairs to the hotel restaurant to order us breakfast. I make sure to get an extra side of bacon for us to share.
They are taking their sweet time with my order and I decide to get some coffee as well for Noah. I know he likes it and I want him to relax. While I wait, I find myself thinking about last night. It was amazing. We reconnected in such a way that I doubt we could ever duplicate it. I made such a horrendous mistake by leaving him and I know I can't ever make it up to him. I feel horrible for the way I acted, but I'll do anything I can to make him happy.
I reach into my purse for my phone. There's a text from Dani.
Sister, did your yummy Greek god in a golden-sash toga come to your rescue?
My smile is huge while I reply: You sneaky butthead! Yes, he did. And thank you for helping him.
Her reply comes back almost instantly. So you're back together? It worked? FINALLY! The world is whole again.
I can't help but laugh: Yes, we are. And...he told me he loves me.
Oh you lucky lady! I love you the most though. I’m going back to bed. Night-night.
I look at my watch and see that it's still late there: Night, sister. I love you too.
Finally, they bring my order and I take it upstairs. I open the door as quietly as I can and walk inside. He’s standing there in all of his naked glory, but he looks restless and his chest is tight. He’s breathing heavily and I can see the veins on his arm popping out, leading down to his clenched, white-knuckled fists. He’s too pale, but his eyes widen when he looks up and sees me at the door.
"Baby? What's wrong?" I'm sure he can hear the panic in my voice. He doesn't look good. I walk toward him cautiously, setting our breakfast down on the table.
"You're here?" he says panicked, as he strides toward me and lifts me up to his chest. His skin is damp. "Fuck...I thought you left me!" He buries his face in my hair and breathes in heavily.
"Oh baby...no." I run my hands up his chest and over his shoulders, in an attempt to calm him. God, what have I done to him? "I just went to get us breakfast. You were sleeping so well that I didn't want to wake you."
His grip on me is tighter than I've ever felt. I think he's shaking from the panic. Tears sting my eyes. I can't stand that I hurt him the first time, but this is killing me. I've wrecked him. He needs to know that I'm not going to run away from him. He's mine.
"Noah? Please talk to me?" I pull back to make him look at me, rubbing my thumb under his dark eyes gently.
“I’m good, ballerina. Hell, I need you. I love you, Heather.”
Pointing my toes, I start nuzzling his neck, my whole body attuned to his, placing soft, gentle kisses, whispering sweet things to him. Soon, I feel his body relax significantly. "Come eat something. I got us bacon."
“Mmm, my girl and her bacon.” He sets me on my feet and we sit down at the small dinette in the suite to eat.
“I have a favor to ask, ballerina.”
I sit close to him and rest my hand on his thigh. I feed him a piece of bacon before biting from the same strip. "Anything, Noah. What do you need?"
He places his hand on mine and sighs heavily. "Would you mind meeting my parents with me?"
I accidentally drop my fork and it clatters loudly against my plate. Recovering, I look up at him. "I...yes, of course."
He gets up and kisses my cheek before pulling on a pair of those skintight boxer briefs. He comes back with his tablet and sits down, pulling my chair toward him.
"Can't get enough of me, can you?" I ask.
He laughs and shakes his head. "No, I can't, ballerina."
He pulls up his email on the tablet and there's one unread email from Joel. "Last night before you met me at the London Eye, I asked Joel to email me all the information he had regarding my parents."
I'm chewing on my lip—I can feel his tension. His finger hovers over the email. He's not moving. My poor Noah, he's so nervous. I'm here for him no matter what. He needs to know that. I lean my body into his and rub his rock-hard thigh with my hand. "Go on, baby; I'm here. You can do this."
He nods and taps the screen. The email opens and two names in boldface are the first thing we both see.
To: Noah Ryan/Jorden Somer
From: Joel Aldrich.
Subject: Birth Parents
Noah,
I’ve attached all the documentation I have found on your parents. I’m more than willing to help you get in contact with them. Let me know when you’re ready.
Father: Henry Somer
Mother: Ellery Somer
Henry and Ellery have been married for thirty-three years. They married in 1981, and Ellery gave birth to you in 1985 at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. They have since relocated to Southampton in Long Island, New York. They currently reside in Southampton with your grandmother, Hazel Somer.
Best of Luck!
Joel Aldrich.
He pulls up the search engine and types in "Henry Somer, Southampton" then hits enter. My heart is beating wildly, but for other reasons. Links pop up on the left-hand side of the page and picture after picture fill the right-hand side box. I immediately recognize his face. I inhale sharply and sit up straight.
Oh my God. I know him.
Be on the lookout for book two:
A WINTER’S DATE
; The Date Series
Stay in contact with Jess & Sasha (JSAuthors)
www.JSAuthors.com
Facebook: /JSAuthors
Twitter: @JSAuthors
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Please find and follow our Pinterest board, JSAuthors, to see small snippets of our inspirational photos for It’s A Date.
We would each like to thank every single person who has encouraged us to pursue this book as well as the upcoming series.
Thank you to my friends and family, near and far. Oceans apart have had no effect on who you all helped make me today. Specifically, I would like to thank my father, Andrew, my mother, Vanessa, and my brother, Tynan. Without the love and support I receive from the three of you daily, this book would have never been possible. Thank you for always cheering me on to be my own person in everything I have done. I love you all!
-Sasha.
Thank you to my husband, Jason, for your undying love, support, and encouragement through this entire process. I love you.
-Jess.
Collectively, we thank the following people for their time they contributed to making this book what it is today:
To our beta readers, Kristina Bedolla, Ashley Scales, Andrew Brümmer, Jillian Crouson-Toth, Lauren Denni, and Tara Thomas. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read over our manuscripts and devote countless numbers of hours to it.
To Aleatha Romig, for being the most amazing role model any aspiring author could ask for. Thank you for all of your help when answering our silly little questions. We absolutely adore you!
To Dani Naas, thank you for your friendship and continuous support.
To Lexi Brodie, thank you for helping us get our names and book out into the world.
To Lisa Aurello, the world’s most remarkable editor. Thank you so much for all of your hard work, time, and effort!
To Judi Perkins, we cannot thank you enough for the most beautiful book cover! The knowledge and talent you bring to the table is simply amazing.
To Cassy Roop, thank you for your expertise in formatting, and for always sharing encouraging words.
To our two PA's, Dani Naas and Ashley Scales, we cannot thank you enough for all you have done for us. You are two of a kind, and we’re so grateful for everything you do.
To all of the beautiful women at Concierge Literary Promotions (Keelie Chatfield, Judi Perkins, and Ruth Martin), we cannot begin to thank you for keeping us sane and at ease with all things PR. Your positivity is much needed.
The biggest thank you to my best friend: I couldn’t have done this without you.
Lastly,
Thank YOU for reading It’s A Date.
-JS
