18. Let Me Love You

Chapter 18

Let Me Love You

Jade

Me: I don’t know if you’ve heard, but my house caught fire last night.

Noelle: What?! Are you okay? Where are you staying? I know I don’t have much space, but you are always welcome to stay with me.

Me: I’m okay as I can be... I take it your social media detox is going well, since you haven’t seen anything. *sends link*

Noelle: Holy shit! RIP cocks, you led a very fulfilling life.

Me: They took a picture with a drone. What kind of person does that?

Noelle: One that clearly has no morals or respect. You’re staying with Noah? *smirking face emoji*

Me: For now... it’s convenient.

Noelle: I’m sure it is. Are you sleeping in his bed?

Me: I have been.

Noelle: You know this is going to be permanent, right? That you’ll be selling your house as soon as it’s repaired? Or maybe both of you can sell and buy a place together.

Me: Um, no.

It had been a few days since Noelle had put such ridiculous thoughts into my head, but I couldn’t stop going back to the conversation. She was crazy to even bring up such a thing.

I had decided to continue to stay with Noah temporarily while things got situated with the fire investigation and insurance. It wasn’t such a simple process, especially with a multi-million-dollar home and the potential cause being a product malfunction.

A product from a competitor.

It was bad enough that the world thought Ravishing Whispers had faulty products, but when it came out that it was another brand’s toy, I knew there would be an uproar and possible legal action against me. If the situation were reversed, I’d be suspicious if my competitor had a house fire involving one of my toys. I would wonder if it was done on purpose. My legal team was preparing, just in case.

The insurance had already approved my loss of use payment, but they needed a cause before paying for repairs. It could be months before fire investigators confirmed the culprit, and because of that, I couldn’t touch anything upstairs, even if I did have my own money to start repairs.

For now, the easiest solution was to stay with Noah. He’d already said he was fine with me staying in a guest room if that made me more comfortable. I had yet to take him up on that, since sleeping next to him was surprisingly comforting.

It seemed everything with him that started as temporary turned into more. I was still apprehensive about it, but I couldn’t deny that he was the type of man I could see myself with long-term.

Groaning, I threw my phone onto Noah’s bed and went into his closet to pick out clothes for the day. He’d given me a small section of his closet, which was already almost full of new purchases.

After getting dressed, pulling my hair back into a clip, and putting on a light layer of makeup, I went downstairs, my mind already on work. I’d been out of the office all week, and even though it was Saturday, I needed to at least catch up on emails and review product development meeting notes.

Music came from down the hall leading to the office, guest room, and home gym. I headed that way, since I’d left my laptop in Noah’s office.

I stopped at the gym door, which was open just far enough to see inside. The spacious room was outfitted with cardio equipment, weights, and an open area that I now realized was for dancing. A large television on the wall showed a Zumba instructor leading a class through an upbeat Latin song.

I stifled a laugh at the sight of Noah dancing while trying not to step on Captain, who was doing his damnedest to attack Noah’s feet. He’d been dancing for a while, his bare chest and back glistening with sweat.

He hadn’t noticed me, so I leaned against the doorway and enjoyed the show. He was quite good at following the choreography and moving his body in a way that made my blood heat.

Noah adjusted his backward baseball hat, then did a turn, stopping when he caught sight of me watching him. His mouth opened in surprise before his lips curved into a smile. “Well, hello there. Enjoying yourself?”

“I sure am.”

Noah turned off the TV and scooped up Captain. “What are your plans for this morning?”

Anticipating his reaction, I cringed. “I have some important things I need to take care of.”

Noah set Captain on the weight bench on his way to me. “Are these work-related things?”

“Maybe.” It hadn’t taken long for him to realize how addicted I was to work. If it hadn’t been for him, I would have been working every day over the past week.

“It’s Saturday. I’m going to go shower and then go to the farmer’s market. You should come.”

“I really need to get some work done, since we’ll be busy tomorrow.” My lip curled in disgust at the thought of the football game. I didn’t hate football, but being near my parents wasn’t my idea of a fun time.

I’d tried to get out of going, but during the brief conversation with my father the day before, he’d made it clear that he still expected us at the game. He didn’t seem too concerned that my attendance would draw extra attention.

So I’d relented, mainly because if I didn’t go, I’d never hear the end of it. I was a grown-ass adult, and I still struggled with disappointing them. Plus, there was Noah to worry about.

“We don’t have to go.” Noah reached out and stroked my arm. “It’s okay to tell them no.”

I forced a smile. “You don’t have an excuse not to go, and someone needs to be there to protect you.”

“Is that person you?” He wrapped his sweaty arms around me and kissed my cheek.

I swatted his chest, trying and failing to stifle a laugh. “Get your sweaty body off me.”

“That’s not what you were saying last night.” He released me, but not before stealing a kiss. “How about we make a deal?”

I crossed my arms, intrigued, since his bet had resulted in me getting an orgasm. “Go on.”

He walked over to where a small towel was draped on some equipment. “If you come with me to the farmer’s market this morning, I’ll not only let you work this afternoon, but I’ll be your personal bodyguard against your parents tomorrow.”

“That doesn’t seem like a fair deal for you.” My parents were going to be even worse than they’d been at brunch, since I was now staying with Noah and had stirred up bad press.

“I think you’re right. I deserve the entire day today.” He wiped the towel across his chest and down his abs. Was he trying to torture me?

I hesitated, my mind lingering on the pile of pending work, but finally nodded in agreement. “Deal.”

“Yes!” He looked more victorious than a man getting a date to a farmer’s market should.

“See, no one has even glanced your way besides a few men who were about to lose their eyes.” Noah stepped into line beside me at a food truck, wrapping his arm around my waist. “I’m ravenous.”

“All that hip shaking work up an appetite?”

“In more ways than one, but for now, I’ll have to be satisfied with pancake tacos instead of another kind.”

“Noah.” I nudged him playfully. “Some thoughts are meant to stay inside that pretty little head of yours.”

“You think I’m pretty?” He tipped his sunglasses down his nose and batted his eyelashes.

“Pretty ugly.” I booped him on the nose just as we got to the order window where a woman who was old enough to be my great grandmother was grinning at us.

“What can I get for you two lovebirds?” She looked at me first, and my mood instantly lifted. I absolutely hated when people—even women—spoke to the man first.

After ordering and getting our food almost immediately, we found a table that was set up in the middle of all the food trucks. It was a genius idea to have a variety of food options in one location.

I dipped my “taco” into the little cup of syrup that came with it and groaned as I took a bite. Using a pancake as a vessel for eggs and sausage was inventive and made it easy to eat without a fork.

“Don’t do that.” Noah took a bite of his own taco and groaned.

I nearly choked as I swallowed. “That was way more sexual than mine.”

He merely grinned in response.

As we ate, the music from somewhere nearby switched to the song Noah had been dancing to earlier. I smiled, unable to stop thinking about the way he’d moved.

“What’s that smile for?”

“Just thinking about your dance moves. I never would have guessed you could dance like that.” I smirked at him before taking another bite of food.

Noah raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

“All sexy and Magic Mike like. Did you ever take dance lessons?” I knew he had just been following the instructor’s lead, but it was the way he moved so fluidly and with ease that made me think he had.

“No lessons. My roommate back in college dragged me to Zumba classes because he was in love with the instructor. Plus, it’s a great way to get some cardio in.”

“Did you play any sports?”

“Nope, but not for lack of my dad and brothers trying. Recreational games are great, but playing competitively takes the fun out of it for me. What about you?”

I scrunched my nose. “Tennis. I hated it and refused to play when I went to college. That was for the best anyway, since I dropped out... Now I prefer to just lift weights, run, and practice yoga.”

“I take it your parents didn’t take you dropping out very well?”

“That’s the understatement of the century. There was a lot of yelling, and they basically cut me off financially. I’d already prepared for that though and had some money saved.” I finished my taco and took a sip of my coffee.

Noah’s face fell, and he reached across the table, taking my hand. “I’m sorry. That must have been hard, not to mention terrifying.”

“It was, but I figured that if I failed, I could always go back to school or get a job. My mother still likes to bring up my forfeited trust fund, and there have been several times I’ve been tempted to earn a degree just to spite her.”

Noah laughed and squeezed my hand before letting it go to eat the last bite of his food. “One day they’ll regret how they’ve treated you.”

But would they? When they were old and couldn’t take care of themselves, they had plenty of money to hire people.

“I wouldn’t count on it.” I waved off his comment with a flick of my hand, trying hard to keep the bitterness out of my voice. “Familial loyalty is not part of their portfolio.”

“Jade…”

“Enough about me and my family drama, let’s focus on something more fun.” I wasn’t in the mood to dwell on the past or the sour relationship with my parents. “You know what? We should take dance lessons together.”

Noah nearly choked on his coffee, coughing and clearing his throat. “Really? You think you can handle all this?” He gestured to himself with a dramatic flourish.

“I’ve never backed down from a challenge.”

“I don’t know, Jade. I saw the way you were ogling me earlier. You might not be able to keep your panties dry.”

I scoffed playfully. “Please, I was simply admiring yourcoordination.”

“Is that what we’re calling it now? Because I could have sworn you were checking out my ass.”

My cheeks flushed, which seemed to happen way too often around him. “You’re so full of yourself.”

“Naw, just confident in my abilities to make you swoon with my hip action.” He did a little shimmy in his seat for emphasis.

I burst out laughing. “Oh, my God, stop! People are staring.”

“Let them stare. They’re just jealous.”

“You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

“Ridiculously charming and irresistible? I agree.” He flashed me a grin that never failed to make my insides flutter.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re impossible.”

He grabbed my trash and stood before holding out his free hand. “Shall we?”

I took his hand and got to my feet. He entwined our fingers as he threw the trash away and started toward the vendor stalls.

It was strange how comfortable I felt around him, considering we had only known each other for a short time. There was something about him that felt right, like a deeper part of me just knew. He was kind, funny, and genuinely interested in getting to know me. And the way he looked at me made me feel like I was the only person in the world who mattered.

No one had ever looked at me like he did.

“Oh, these look good.” Noah stopped in front of a peach stand, letting go of my hand so he could pick out a few. “Were you serious about the dance lessons or just messing with me?”

“Hm?” I picked up a jar of peach preserves to read the label and glanced over at him. “I was serious.”

“Let’s do it then; we can look for a place to take a lesson or class.” Noah took the jar from me and paid the vendor.

It was weird being out with a man who didn’t want to split everything... and one who wanted to do things together. Was this how adult relationships were supposed to go?

I’d been in a relationship with Tyler for almost two years, and besides dinner and events, we didn’t do things like go to the farmer’s market or take dance lessons. We had both been so busy, it had just been easier to stay in unless absolutely necessary.

Noah and I continued through the farmer’s market, wandering from booth to booth, buying things here and there. I was surprised no one recognized us considering our pictures had been all over social media the past week.

Since we kept stopping to buy fresh fruit and a few vegetables, he didn’t take my hand again, but his fingers occasionally brushed mine, and even that small touch sent tingles up my arm .

“Oh, these tomatoes look awesome.” Noah stopped at a table that was piled with a variety of different colors.

“Don’t you have tomatoes in your garden?” I stepped up beside him, my arm grazing his.

“Yes, but not like these. I should grab a few to make caprese salad later.”

“Caprese salad?” I raised an eyebrow. “You’re quite the chef, aren’t you?”

“I’m a man of many talents.” His gaze locked with mine, the intensity in it making my breath catch. He reached out and gently brushed a stray hair from my face, his fingers lightly skimming my cheek.

The vendor cleared his throat, and Noah dropped his hand, turning back to the tomatoes. I didn’t need to look at anything besides him; somehow, merely watching him select what he wanted and interact with the vendors qualified this for my best date ever.

When he was done, he turned back to me. “What?”

“Nothing.” I took his hand, and we continued walking until we reached a small section with handcrafted items for sale.

Noah pulled me to a stop at a vendor selling handmade jewelry made from crystals. He picked up a dainty sterling silver necklace with a heart pendant. “This is beautiful. What kind of crystal is it?”

The young woman’s eyes lit up as she looked between me and Noah. “It’s rose quartz, which restores harmony and trust in relationships and symbolizes unconditional love, either in a relationship, friendship, or in the family. ”

“It’s perfect, I’ll take it.” Noah didn’t spare me a glance as he paid for it and took the small box from the woman.

“Laney will love that.” I hated to admit that I was a little disappointed it wasn’t for me. The thought sobered me a bit from the high I’d been running on all morning.

The last thing I should be thinking about was romantic gifts from Noah. It was way too soon for that, but so far, everything with him had been too soon, hadn’t it?

We were at the end of the market, and Noah turned at the end of the row, leading us toward the lot we’d parked in. I sighed, not ready to leave, despite having visited nearly every booth. Noah had been right to convince me to come; it had been just what I needed.

After we got to the car and put our purchases in the trunk, Noah turned me to face him. “The necklace isn’t for Laney. It’s for you.”

I didn’t know how to react, so I just stood there like a deer in headlights.

He took the necklace from the box and moved behind me, draping it around my neck. His fingers brushed against my skin as he clasped it. “A perfect fit.” He kissed my neck before circling to stand in front of me.

I reached up to touch the delicate pendant, my fingers trembling slightly. “You really didn’t have to?—”

He silenced me with a soft kiss, his lips caressing mine with a tenderness that made my knees go weak. I melted into him, all my worries and doubts fading away as quickly as they’d stirred.

When we finally parted, Noah rested his forehead against mine, his breath tickling my lips. “You deserve the world, and I want to be the one to give it to you.”

I searched his eyes, seeing the depth of his feelings reflected there. Gone was the playful spark, replaced by vulnerability and hopefulness.

My hand moved to cup his cheek, his beard tickling my palm. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Then don’t say anything,” he murmured, pulling me close and pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Just let me love you.”

Let me love you.

The last of my walls crashed down. I needed to let myself feel the full force of my growing feelings for this man. He had come out of nowhere, and I no longer had the strength or the desire to push him away.

Wrapping my arms around his waist, I buried my face in his neck. “I can do that.”