Soaring with Fallon (Big Sky 4)

A cool shower feels nice. I even wash my hair, intending to knock Noah’s socks right off when he sees me, making the half hour of blow-drying my long mane worth it.

I stare at myself in the mirror as my hair dries. I feel lighter than I did just a few weeks ago. I know myself well enough to know it’s a combination of things. My physical training has been on point with all of my yoga classes and the little extra I do at the gym. And, mentally? Well, I’m home.

I haven’t felt that way in a very long time.

I found my place, and I found my person. Happiness and contentment feels so much better than I ever dreamed.

When my hair is dry, I pull a wand through it, giving it a loose curl, and then I put on some makeup. Using a light hand, I use a soft foundation with sunscreen, neutral eye shadow that accents my green eyes, and a couple of coats of mascara.

It’s amazing the difference a little makeup makes.

I’d just pulled on some shorts and the tank top I bought at Willa’s today when I hear Noah come through the door.

“Sorry I’m late,” he calls. “I’ll hurry.”

“You’re fine,” I say with a smile when he comes into the bedroom. He stops in his tracks, his eyes wide, and he slowly looks me up and down.

He swallows hard. “So, we’re going to leave the house, and I have to control myself from getting you naked?”

“That’s how a date works, yes,” I say with a laugh. “You’ve seen me before.”

“You’re beautiful,” he says, and I swear all my insides suddenly turn to a pile of goo. “I’ll be in jail for beating all of the men up for looking at you.”

“They can look,” I say and saunter to him, boosting up on my toes to kiss him. “Only you can touch.”

“Damn right,” he growls and kisses me soundly, still not touching me. “I’m dirty. I need to wash up.”

“Go ahead, I’m ready when you are.”

* * * *

“This doesn’t seem like the kind of food you’d usually eat,” Noah says an hour later. We’re at a bar downtown, the kind that serves the greasiest of foods and has a row of pool tables in a back room.

I grin and take a big bite of my burger. I only eat one a year, and this one is worth it.

“Sometimes, a girl has to let out her bad girl,” I reply as I reach for my pool cue. “A little grease isn’t going to kill me.”

“You might kill me when you bend over in those shorts,” Noah informs me.

“But what a way to go.” I wink and circle the table, searching for my next shot. I’m horrible at pool. Maybe the worst in the universe. But I can look cute while I suck at it, enjoying this flirty game with Noah, turning us both on.

I lean over, making sure Noah has a view of my ass, and take my shot.

To my utter shock, I sink the ball.

“Not bad,” he says, swallowing hard. He’s barely touched his burger and fries.

“Aren’t you hungry?” I ask as I reach for my fries and pop one into my mouth.

“Starving.”

His eyes are hot as they roam down to my breasts and then move back to my face. This top has done its job, showing off my cleavage, but keeping enough to the imagination to make him want to see more.

Willa’s got good taste in clothes.

I move to walk back to the table, but Noah snags my wrist and pulls me against him, burying his lips next to my ear.

“I’m going to do things to you tonight that you never even knew were possible.”

My heart skips a beat, and I have to bite my lip to keep from gasping. After taking a steadying breath, I back up and smile. “Promise?”

“You are sassy tonight, sweetheart.”

“I’m sassy every day, I’ve just turned it up a bit tonight.”

“Any particular reason?”

I look at the table and take a shot. This time, I miss the pocket by a mile. “I’m happy.” I shrug as I sit on my stool and take a sip of my beer. “And it feels good.”

Noah brushes his thumb over the apple of my cheek before walking to the table and whooping my ass.

He sinks every damn ball he aims at, including the eight ball at the end.

“You’ve done this before,” I say with a frown, sticking my lower lip out in a pout.

“A time or two,” he says with a laugh. “Let’s play again. I’ll give you some pointers.”

I perk up, excited at the thought of Noah pressed against my back as he shows me how to hit the ball.

“What just went through that pretty mind of yours?”

“I always enjoy having you pressed up against me,” I say and step off my stool. “So, yes, please show me how to play.”