“I have enough for both of you,” I interjected.
Noah grinned. “Perfect.”
Henry chuckled. “She’s a keeper. For sure.”
Noah’s hand tightened on my shoulder. “I agree.”
After dinner, it was such a nice night, Noah and I walked back to his place. Holding hands, we strolled down the narrow road, the sounds of the country all around us. Crickets and night owls, the sound of the breeze rustling through the fields and trees—the gentle noise was music to my ears. I hummed in contentment when Noah stopped, wrapped his arm around my waist, and tucked me into his chest, nuzzling my head. “I told you my parents would adore you.”
“They’re great, Noah. Your whole family is.”
“Do you find them overwhelming? I can forbid them access. Tell them you’re not baking anymore.”
I giggled. “Not sure that would work. I think they’d see through your plan. Especially your dad.”
“I think you have a big fan there.”
I pressed a kiss to his scruff. “I’m a big fan of his son.”
“Yeah?”
“Huge.”
“I want to take you home and show you huge.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Do it, Noah. Take me home.”
With a low rumble in his chest, he swept me off my feet, carrying me cradled to his body. I leaned my head against the hardness of his torso, listening to his heartbeat—strong and fast—under my ear. He was so solid. Like the earth he farmed, he was real, natural, and filled with life.
He was my earth.
I sighed when he tugged my hair back and kissed me, never breaking his stride. “I want you so much, Dani. I’ve never felt like this…ever.”
I teased his mouth, his breath washing over my face. “I want you too. Take me home, Noah.”
He moved faster.
I woke up Sunday morning, once again wrapped in Noah. The affection he bestowed on me in his waking moments definitely carried over into his sleeping habits. It didn’t matter where I was on the bed; he was with me, his arms holding me close, head buried into my neck, and his hot breath dancing across my skin as he slumbered. When I moved, he moved. If I shifted and rolled, seconds later, he followed, his mouth pursing into a kiss on my skin before falling back into a deep sleep. Currently, he was draped over my torso, his head lying on my chest, while one hand fisted my hair and the other was wrapped around my waist. I had no idea how he could sleep like that, but I was totally his prisoner. I ran my fingers through his unruly hair, made all the messier by my tugging on it last night, and smiled at his soft hum as he opened his eyes, blinking and lazy.
“Hey,” he rasped, his voice low in the still of the room. “You okay?”
“I’m good. A little hot, but good.”
“I’d say you’re pretty fucking hot, Sprout.” He grinned, nudging my thigh with his morning wood.
I giggled at his obvious train of thought. “I meant hot as in temperature-wise. You need to come with a warning.”
He laughed and rolled off me, lying on his side, bending his elbow and propping up his head. “I like being close to you.”
“I noticed.”
“Too much?”
“No, I like it.”
He reached out, running his knuckles along my cheek. “I like you.” He paused. “More every day, Dani.”
All the air left my lungs in a long sigh. “Me too.”
He smiled softly. “Good. That’s a good thing.”
We were both quiet for a few moments, enjoying the silence and simply looking at each other. Noah caressed my skin in gentle strokes, touching my arms, neck, and cheeks, his touch light and affectionate.
“You want to stay here for a while or head into your place?”
“Um—”
“My mom was going to make brunch for us before we left if you have time. If not, we’ll take a rain check.”
“Oh.”
“No pressure. If you have time, we’ll stay. If not, we’ll head in. Whatever you need to make it easier on you.”
“We’ll stay for brunch.”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t have a lot to do. But if I go home now, I’ll just fuss over things all afternoon.”
“Okay. I’ll let her know we’re on for brunch. But, Dani?”
“Yeah?”
He cupped my cheek, his voice filled with reassurance. “You won’t be going in alone, and I won’t let you fuss. My job for the next couple days is to keep you calm and do whatever you need to get through to your meeting. Okay?”
“Okay.”
I hated leaving the farm. Driving away from the peacefulness and calm it represented to me. It was odd how some place I hadn’t even known existed a few weeks ago now felt like a safe haven. When I was there with Noah, it felt as if I had come home. More so than I had ever felt in Toronto. It was disconcerting on some levels, yet felt natural on others.