Say You Swear

His chest rises with a full breath, and I rise to my toes, stealing it from his lips.

His hands come up, tangling in my hair, and he kisses me back. His mouth heavy and hungry. Healing.

I need this.

I need… him.

Our eyes open at the same time and he must see something within mine because his body quakes with realization.

My heart beats out of control as I glide my palms down his arms until I’ve reached his hands. I hook my fingers with his, and whisper, “Stay.”

Chapter 28

Arianna

* * *

Noah doesn’t say a word, but he doesn’t back away either, not that I thought he would.

His eyes stay locked on mine, so I blindly lead us toward my room, and with each step, his frown deepens.

At my door, he pauses his steps, his blinding blues searching, so I release him, move one foot farther, and grab the hem of my T-shirt. Slowly, I pull it over my head, letting it fall between us. Noah looks from me to it, and when I reach behind me to undo my bra, his gaze snaps up.

“If I step inside this room—”

“Step inside, Noah.” My voice is a husky whisper.

His jaw clenches, and he moves forward, and when he does, he’s full force.

His left palm wraps around the back of my neck, his right cupping my cheek, his body hot against mine. His mouth descends on mine, but at the last second, he evades it, latching onto my jaw.

He sucks gently, teasing my skin with his pillowy lips until he reaches the sensitive spot of my neck. He nips me then and I gasp into the air, my left hand driving up into his hair.

I don’t realize he’s ushered me backward until my knees hit the edge of my bed, but when I go to lower us both, Noah bites harder, and my body shivers.

His hands come around me, pushing my bra down my arms. He steps from his shoes then, and when I grab his T-shirt, he lowers, allowing me to pull it off his body, but his lips fall to my stomach, causing his shirt to get tangled around his head.

He chuckles against me and my toes curl into the carpet.

“Someone’s ticklish.” He squeezes my hips.

I try again, and this time, I get it off him, grinning when he peeks up at me.

He rises, and as he does, he takes me with him, his hands under my thighs. I lock my legs around his body, and Noah smirks, bringing his mouth to mine.

He kisses me hard, groaning into my mouth when I tug on his hair. One knee hits the mattress, and then the other, and his eyes flash to mine.

“I’m not sure you understand what this is about to do to me,” he says, his words weighty and strong. His gaze dark and deliberate. Promising.

Mesmerizing.

I tighten my hold on him, and his knees adjust on the mattress.

“I want to tell you something,” I say suddenly.

“Tell me.”

My chin falls. “I’m embarrassed.”

One of his hands comes up, his knuckles teasing along the hollow of my throat, stretching my neck until my eyes are forced to meet his. “Tell me anyway.”

The desperation in his tone is almost painful.

My thumbs trace along his bottom lip, and I bring my mouth to his ear.

“I thought of you,” I whisper. “When you were gone… I thought of you. In the morning, the afternoon and at night.” I kiss the edge of his jaw. “Especially at night…”

Noah’s chest rumbles, his large fingers tangling in my hair and gently tugging until my chin is in the air.

He pulls until we’re looking at each other, the creases along his temples deepening.

I swallow and his gaze flicks to my neck but comes right back.

“I wondered what it would be like to have you in my bed,” I admit, the fire brewing in his eyes intoxicating. Emboldening. “I dreamed about it… fantasized about it.”

He trembles with need.

“So much so my body ached,” I purr. “So I had to—”

“Touch yourself.” His forehead falls to mine, his tongue flicking along my lips. “You had to touch yourself?”

I nod.

Slowly, Noah lowers me to the bed, unlocking my legs and hands from around his body.

He glides his hands up my thighs, grips my shorts, and eases them off, taking my thong with them. On all fours again, he presses his palms into the comforter beside my ribs, and says, “Show me.”

Noah

* * *

Her golden eyes widen, her perfect body tensing the slightest bit, so I ease her mind.

I tell her what’s been going on in my head, my mouth aligning with hers.

“I did the same, Juliet,” I admit. “In the shower. In bed.” I drive my tongue beyond her lips, and she eagerly, wordlessly, begs for more. “In my bed.”

Her eyes fly open, searching for deceit she won’t find.