Chapter 32

Deborah did brilliantly. The whole room fell silent as she read from Bitten. I stood at the back with Noah watching everyone's rapt gazes as she read the scene where the leading lady was seduced by the vampire for the first time. You thought for a moment he might have been there to kill her but you realise they had fallen in love. You could hear a pin drop as she described their first kiss. I rubbed my arms as I got goosebumps. I loved this book so much and this was such a sexy scene.

‘She's brilliant,' Noah leaned in and whispered to me. ‘The team missed a trick not getting her to do more events like this.'

‘The whole room is in the palm of her hand,' I whispered back. ‘I envy the way she has us all hooked. I could never do that.'

‘If you only knew how I see you,' Noah said, his hand on the small of my back to steady us as he leaned in even closer.

My heart thumped beneath my dress. ‘How do you see me?' I asked softly as Deborah reached the moment the vampire kissed the heroine and they both realised their lives were irrevocably changed.

‘I can't take my eyes off of you,' Noah replied. ‘You are beautiful and sweet and kind and enthusiastic, and so sure of what you want. You did this here tonight. Everyone had given up on Deborah but you knew this was a special book and you fought for it. You fight for what you believe in. And you bring everyone right along with you. And that smile of yours. I feel like I want to do anything I can to make you smile.'

I swallowed hard and the room began to clap Deborah. We leaned away from one another, staring into each other's eyes as we joined in. I wondered if Noah could hear my heart beating because it was so loud. That was how he saw me? God. I really was in trouble, wasn't I?

‘And now Stevie is going to join me on stage,' Deborah said.

The whole room turned to where she pointed and I tore my eyes from Noah and walked on unsteady legs up to join her for the QA.

‘Before we start with the questions, I want to thank Stevie. If you don't know, Stevie is publicity executive at my publisher, Turn the Pages, and she only joined the company this month but she did all this, can you believe? Not only this party but the romance rally on Monday too. Stevie is passionate about romance novels and she's reignited my love for the genre and for writing in it. Books that bring people comfort and joy have always been my favourite to read and write. I'm so happy that I can do this as my job and work with people equally enthusiastic. That hasn't always been the case,' Deborah said, turning from me to the room. ‘But if Stevie is the future of publishing then we are in very good hands, I think.'

I was blushing from head to toe as people clapped me. I met Noah's eyes through the crowd and I couldn't miss the look of pride on his face.

‘I don't know what to say,' I said when the room quietened down. ‘Deborah's book is brilliant. It's my absolute pleasure to help get it into the hands of readers who I know will love it as much as I did. So, does anyone have a question for Deborah?'

After the QA, everyone grabbed more food and drink. Georgina turned the music up and it really did feel like a party then. Noah was surrounded by people all through the night, and I couldn't get over to him, being pulled by Emily and Gita to introduce me to people and then walking around with Deborah so everyone got a chance to chat to her. It was a busy night and before I knew it, it was 9p.m. and people started leaving.

‘Well, Stevie, you pulled it off,' Ed said as he and Deborah came to say goodbye. ‘We might consider re-signing with you guys again after all.'

‘But let me guess, we'd need to offer a lot more money,' I said with a laugh.

‘Debs is worth it,' he said, giving her an adoring look. ‘Let's see what the bestseller list says first,' he added, making the nerves return to the pit of my stomach. So much was riding on this book for all of us.

‘Even if this doesn't work, I've had more fun with this book than I have for a long time,' Deborah said. She actually gave me a hug then. ‘Enjoy yourself tonight; you deserve it,' she said, close to my ear.

‘You too,' I said back.

I waved to the two of them and smiled to see Deborah take Ed's hand once they were outside the bookshop. They were why I loved love so much. How two people could connect in a way no one understood but them.

‘Shall we go to the pub?' Emily asked, appearing behind me with Gita and the rest of the team.

I could see Noah was talking to Georgina.

‘Let me sort some things out and I'll see you there,' I told them and waved as they stumbled across the cobbles towards the pub over the road. ‘That was amazing, Georgina,' I said, walking back into the now empty bookshop.

‘It was so fun,' she agreed. She looked at me and Noah. ‘No need to help me clear up. I'll come in early tomorrow and do it. No arguments,' she said, giving us a stern look. ‘You should go and celebrate.'

‘Thank you,' Noah said.

I rushed over to hug her. ‘This place is so special,' I said.

‘It is,' she agreed, smiling as I let her go. ‘Have a good night!'

We walked out and Georgina locked the door behind us. The alley was quiet now. Once the bookshop lights went out, all we had to guide us was the moon and one street light.

‘That went well, right?' I said. ‘I think everyone loved the reading and Deborah was amazing. So, shall we join the others at the pub or do you—' My voice was nervous but I hoped it didn't show.

‘Stevie.' Noah reached out for my hand and pulled me to a stop. ‘Yesterday, spending the day with you like that, I just… It made me happy. You make me happy. And I hate that I ever made you unhappy. I want to fix it so badly it hurts,' he said with such fierceness, it took my breath away. ‘I want to make you happy. That's all I want now. Is there any way you might let me try?'

My head was still saying this was a bad idea but his words tugged my heart so hard that I pulled him closer with our entwined hands.

‘I am still scared,' I admitted, looking up at his brown eyes shining behind his glasses in the moonlight. ‘But being with you made me happy too.'

Noah wrapped his arms around me then. ‘I'll take any crumbs you give me,' he said. ‘We can move at a glacial pace. If you don't want me to kiss you yet?—'

‘Kiss me,' I interrupted. I couldn't hold any longer. My body remembered the hot kiss we'd had right here in this alleyway and it wanted more. I needed more.

Noah looked at me. ‘Are you sure?'

‘Yes,' I whispered.

Our lips met again and that same urgency pumped through us. Something seemed to crackle in the air as Noah held me tightly and I wrapped myself around him so easily, it was like my body was created to fit right against his. His mouth searched mine and I didn't know what answers he found but he let out a contended murmur and pulled me closer. When his tongue touched mine, I moaned and my hands moved to his hair where they had longed to be.

‘Up against the wall,' Noah broke our kiss to half-growl at me.

I backed up instantly, my body sparked alight by his words. He'd always had that power. I loved it when he told me what to do. And he knew it.

‘Arms up,' he purred into my ear as my back touched the wall. His arm came around my waist and when I lifted my arms, he kissed me hungrily. Then he moved his mouth to the neckline of my dress, brushing kisses against the top of my breast that just poked out of the material. I closed my eyes and felt my legs start trembling.

His hands moved to my chest and my nipples hardened as he touched me through the thin material that separated our skin.

I longed for there to be nothing in between us.

‘More,' I gasped. ‘I need more.'

‘You can have anything you want,' he breathed. ‘Will you part your legs for me?'

I moved them instantly on his command, my whole body full of anticipation.

He moved one hand to my thigh. ‘Stevie, please tell me you want this as much as I do,' he said as his fingertips stroked slowly higher up my leg.

I trembled again and almost brought my hands down but he told me to keep them up so I did.

I looked into his hungry, dark eyes. ‘Feel how much I want this,' I gasped out.

Noah's breath hitched then. He looked into my eyes as his hand moved under my dress and up my thigh. I was hardly breathing as his hand found my lacey knickers, making me gasp again.

‘Hmmm,' he said contently as he rubbed me over the top of my underwear with his thumb. Then he moved the fabric out of the way and slipped one finger inside me.

‘Noah,' I said then as he eased another finger in, helping finally to soothe some of the ache between my legs. The ache that had been there, if I was honest, since I saw him again. ‘I need…' I said, trailing off with a groan.

‘I know, I need it too,' he replied, leaning down to kiss me.

I writhed against his fingers and I couldn't stop myself. My arms dropped to his shoulders, pulling him closer.

‘Noah, this isn't enough,' I said, my back arching off the wall.

‘What do you need, Stevie? I told you. I'll do whatever you want.'

‘Will you take me home? To yours…'

Noah paused and our eyes met. ‘You really want that?'

‘I want that,' I said, moaning as his fingers moved again inside me. ‘I want you.'

‘I've wanted to hear you say that for so long.'

Noah moved away from me and my body protested, but I knew it would be soon sated. He adjusted my clothing and I peeled myself off the wall. He was smiling and leaned down to kiss me. It was slow and lingering and when he pulled back, he kept his hand on my waist. ‘This feels like a dream,' he said, using his other hand to brush my hair from my face.

I smiled. ‘It's real. I promise. Let's go home.'

The look on his face when I said that made my heart leap. He took my hand and we left the alleyway to flag down a taxi. My heart was still beating hard and fast and everything felt confusing and crazy, but every fibre of me wanted Noah. I wanted to leap. To take the risk. Because I wanted to be in his arms too much to hold back any more.

So, I shut off my brain and any worries about tomorrow because I wanted to enjoy this moment. If it was only ever a moment then so be it. We'd make it a fucking excellent one.