I tilt my head, our gazes locking. Knowing she needs to hear the words, I murmur, “I love you, Carla.”
A dazzling smile graces her lips. “Say it again.”
I lean closer to her until my mouth brushes against her ear, then I whisper, “I. Love. You.” Pulling back, I take the box from my pocket and place it down on the table. “I got you something.”
Carla’s gaze darts to the box, and then she frowns. “Really? A gift?”
I nod and watch as she carefully opens the lid, and then her lips part on a gasp. “They’re stunning.” Her eyes dart to me. “But why?”
“Because I wanted to,” I say as I lean back against my chair.
“Thank you, Noah.” Carla removes the diamond studs she’s wearing and puts on the new set. She closes the distance between us and presses a kiss to my mouth. “I love them.”
“Yeah?” I murmur as she pulls back.
She nods, a euphoric expression on her face.
Lifting my hand, I brush my fingers over the line of her jaw while my gaze drinks in every inch of her face.
We stare at each other for the longest while, then Carla says, “Tell me something about you, I don’t know.”
I let out a chuckle. “That’s impossible, seeing as you stalked my ass. I’m starting to think you know me better than I know myself.”
Letting out a burst of laughter, Carla shakes her head. “I didn’t know you were a caveman. I’m pretty sure there’s more I don’t know.”
My phone beeps, and glancing at the screen, I see it’s a message from my mother. Opening the text, I turn the device so Carla can read what Mom sent. “This is what I’m always reading on my phone.”
Mom: I did an anatomical segmental resection today. Basically, I removed a cancerous tumor, the blood vessels, the lymphatic drainage, and the lung segment where the tumor was located. The patient is in recovery and responding well. How’s your day?
Carla’s eyes scan over the words, then she looks at me. “I’m going to pretend I know what your mom’s talking about.”
I let out a chuckle and reply to Mom.
N: I’m proud of you. My day was good. I’m having dinner with Carla. TTYL.
Turning my attention to Carla, I say, “My mom’s medical journal entries have been my bedtime stories since I can remember.”
Carla scrunches her nose. “No wonder your IQ is so high.”
I move my hand to her leg and begin to caress my fingers up and down her inner thigh's soft skin. “Tell me something about you, I don’t know.”
“My grandfather and I read the same books, then discuss them once a week,” she whispers, her breathing speeding up a little.
“Yeah? What are you reading now?”
Carla opens the kindle app on her phone and shows me the cover of the book. “You Do You by Sarah Knight,” I read the title. “How is it?”
“Inspirational,” she answers. “Thought-provoking.” Her eyes smile into mine. “Kinda like you.”
Her words make me close the distance between us, and I press a tender kiss to her lips.
Chapter 16
CARLA
I’ve been studying all morning and afternoon, and exhausted, I shove the laptop aside and lie back on the bed.
Damn, I could sleep for a week.
I snuggle into my pillow and figure I’ll just close my eyes for a couple of minutes.
“Carla,” I hear Noah murmur.
I let out a groan, then mumble, “I just finished studying. Give me a couple of minutes, and I’ll be up.”
Noah places his hand on my forehead, then asks, “Do you feel sick?”
I pry my eyes open. “No, I just want to nap.”
His eyes scan over my face, a concerned look tightening his features. “You’ve been sleeping since yesterday afternoon.”
I shoot up, gasping, “What?”
“It’s Sunday. Eleven in the morning,” he states.
“Nooooo!” I glance around for my laptop. “I needed to study. Why did I sleep so much?”
Noah frames my face with his hands and makes me look at him. “Are you sure you feel okay?”
I nod. “I’m just tired. It feels like I haven’t slept at all.” I begin to scoot off the bed. “I need to make up for the hours I missed.”
Noah rises to his feet and then locks his fingers around my hand. “Shower. Eat. Then you can study. I’ll help you catch up.”
I let out a sigh. “Okay.” I move closer and wrap my arms around his waist. Closing my eyes, I rest my cheek against his chest. “God, I could sleep just standing like this.”
His arms move around me, and he holds me tightly. “After the exam tomorrow, you can sleep all you want.”
I nod, and pulling away, I walk to my closet to get clean clothes.
“What do you feel like eating?” Noah asks.
Not hungry at all, I say, “Something light. A salad or soup?”
Noah’s eyebrow pops up. “You want soup? Now I’m really getting worried.”