by Marie Harte
She had turned beet-red after asking her question, and now she looked mortified, which satisfied him on one level while on another endeared her to him.
Christ, even embarrassed she’s beautiful.
Be cold, man. Ice.
“I am so sorry. Sometimes my mouth runs away with me. I read a lot of romance books, so I can get carried away.” She buried her head in her hands. “I cannot believe I asked you that!”
He chuckled, which brought her face up. “You’re really red right now.”
She groaned. “I know. I’m sorry. It’s really none of my business, but I figured I’d probably never have a chance to ask you anything personal again, so I’m giving it my best shot now.”
He frowned. “What do you mean never have a chance to ask me things again?”
“Come on, Noel. In the two years you and I have lived next door, you’ve never wanted to be social. Now you have friends—sorry, associates—at your house and a baby, and you don’t seem to want any of them there either. The only reason we’re even out on a date is because Deacon asked me first.” She studied him. “I bet you didn’t want me asking him any questions about you, did you?” She seemed depressed, all of a sudden. “As soon as they leave, you’ll soon follow, and you and I will be back to square one.”
“You have a vivid imagination, don’t you?”
“I told you, I read a lot.” She ate in the sudden quiet, and he did his best to remain emotionally distant while he took in every detail of her in the candlelight. “I’m just sorry we can’t be more than neighbors. But I understand, and I respect your decision to have some space. Let’s finish our meals and call it a night, okay?”
Again, another out. But some masochistic part of him refused to take it. “Over a year ago, Hammer, Deacon, and I had concluded some business in Central America. We celebrated—drinking a few cervezas—then went our separate ways. We’re all dark-haired. The note left with the baby was for the father—who’d had a good time in Mexico. The mother didn’t identify herself or name the father. Well, all three of us had been down there. And I know that baby can’t be mine.”
The more he said it, the more he hoped he spoke the truth. He had nothing against the kid, but Noel took his responsibilities seriously. A baby would ruin his preciously scheduled life.
“Oh.” She gave him a tentative smile. “Thanks for telling me.”
“You’re welcome.” He put down his fork and knife. “Now, since I told you something about me, you tell me something about you.”
“I already told you things about me.”
“Why aren’t you married with kids already?” A nosy question, but hey, she’d started it, and he wanted to know.
“I haven’t found the right man yet.”
“Really? I find that hard to believe.”
“It’s true. The men I’ve dated have either wanted one thing from me, which they aren’t getting until I’m ready for that.” A warning he couldn’t miss. “Or they want too much too soon. Someday I’d like to marry and have kids, but not after a few dates. Intimacy takes time, commitment.”
“I agree.”
“It takes a person being there to develop that commitment.”
He nodded. “Yes, which is why I hadn’t asked you out until now. And for the record, I didn’t do it because Deacon asked first.”
She raised a brow.
“Don’t give me the annoyed teacher look,” he warned. “Okay, Deacon asking you out, right in front of me, was a little off-putting. But I never do anything I don’t want. I asked you to dinner to spend time with you.”
She seemed thoughtful. “So you don’t want to have sex with me?”
He hadn’t expected such frank talk, but he appreciated her not playing games. “Hell no. I’d love that. But I agree that kind of development takes time.” See, this I understand. Noel liked to make plans, to do things on a time table.
“How much time? Is this where you ask me for a second date and then demand sex?”
He stared at her, his brown eyes so dark they looked black. “Do you talk to all your dates like this?”
Because if you do, I understand why you’re still single, went unsaid.
Addy didn’t know what had gotten into her tonight, but she wanted to see the real Noel again. For a while, he’d been there with her. Then it felt like he’d gone into his head and hadn’t come back out. He spoke and curled his lips into the semblance of a grin, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
He had a clinical way of dissecting conversation, and an almost pregnant pause before he spoke, as if measuring what he gave away. She had seen him blush when she’d mentioned sex, which astounded her. She’d never have pegged Noel to be embarrassed by anything she could say or do. He seemed so controlled and self-assured.
She felt reckless, teetering between wanting to end this debacle or continuing until she took him to bed. One way or the other, she wanted to put an end to her hopeless fascination with the man.
The baby wasn’t his? Of course it wasn’t. Practical Noel Cavanaugh, financier extraordinaire, would never forget to wear a condom or practice safe sex. He was too buttoned-down to walk on the wild side.
And what a shame, because with a face and seething cauldron of energy like his, Noel had been made to live life on the edge.
He turned the conversation to his many journeys abroad, and she enjoyed the remainder of her safe, if disappointing evening. He certainly had been well-traveled. From Mexico to Iceland to Russia, he’d bounced around the globe working for some investment firm she’d never heard of.
The meal came to an end and Noel paid the tab. She would have offered, but he’d subtly slipped the waiter his card before she could.
“Thank you.”
He smiled, yet his eyes remained flat. Did he really think she couldn’t tell he wasn’t all here? Why bother asking her out in the first place?
After the waiter brought back his card, Noel drove them to her place, pulling all the way up her driveway to her front door. The night sky had a full moon and bright, twinkling stars. A surprisingly clear night for Bainbridge, and the ideal backdrop for romance had her companion—or she—been so inclined.
She glanced toward his house while they stood on her porch, aware of the thick trees and fence that kept his privacy. Like the man himself, walled off and unavailable unless she scaled his barriers.
If she even wanted to anymore. Solene was right. Men were such a pain in the ass. Too much work.
They climbed the stairs to her front porch and stood in front of her door. No more sexual tension. No awkwardness between them, because she’d have to feel some kind of emotional investment or attraction from her date to get that. And the icy male seemed oblivious to her presence. Like always.
She sighed.
“Good sigh or bad sigh?” he asked, not appearing to care either way. Once again, the man who rarely let an emotion show remained in control.
For her own sanity, she decided to draw the line with him. “You know, I’m just going to be honest with you.”
“Please do.”
“I think you’re attractive. I think you’re intelligent.” Did he seem to stand a little straighter at that? “But you’re emotionally distant and, well, cold. It seems a real shame that you’re so closed off, Noel. But that’s your business. Your life. From now on, we’ll be great neighbors, casual acquaintances who might pass each other from time to time, but that’s it. I’m sorry if I seemed pushy about getting to know you. You’re obviously a private man. And tonight has shown me I should keep my distance.”
So disappointing that Noel was bad boyfriend material. But what had she expected?
“What exactly did I do that upset you?”
Again, no emotion in that voice.
Irritated, she glared at him. “You really don’t see it, do you?”
He qu
irked a brow, so patronizing, and said nothing.
Frustrated, because he had so much potential—nice with her parents, lived close by, great income, manners, attractive—she let fly, “I can’t do this. You’re like a robot, you know? I used to think you weren’t even into women before you asked me out. You’re so quiet and detached and… Oh, forget it.” She opened her door and entered, but when she tried to close it behind her, he stepped inside.
“I have something to say. Then I’ll leave.”
She should have been frightened by how he’d invaded her space. But she wasn’t. Noel didn’t feel like a violent man. Hell, he didn’t “feel” like much of anything…warm, mammalian, or human.
She tossed her coat and purse on the couch, then turned and crossed her arms over her chest. “Go ahead.”
He stared at her a moment, then walked closer. An odd look entered his eyes, and she knew a moment of uncertainty. “Do I frighten you?”
A normal guy would ask if he scared her. Noel enunciated each word with polite entreaty.
“No.” Unnerved maybe, but not exactly terrorized.
He nodded. “Good. You have a valid argument. But there’s something I’d like to point out.”
“Please do.” He was so civilized, so proper. So much handsomeness wasted on someone so…cold.
“I went out with you because I’ve wanted to for a long time. That much is true. But I think you’re equating my sense of control with a lack of imagination.”
“I’m sorry. What?”
“I’d like a good night kiss.”
“Huh?”
“I’m not asking for sex. I won’t put a hand on you. I just want to show you that I’m a flesh and blood man under all my robot armor.”
She flushed. “I didn’t mean to insult you. It’s just that we’re so different, and I—”
“One kiss. Then I’ll go.”
She shrugged and leaned closer, then closed her eyes. “Go ahead.”
The things I’ll suffer to keep on good terms with my robot neighbor.
Chapter Four
Noel had never been as out of control as he felt right now. The stubborn, aggravating, self-righteous woman called him robotic? Cold, maybe. Self-controlled, sure. But gay? Not into women?
Her lips parted and her eyes remained closed while she waited.
He leaned in and called on his arsenal of seductive weaponry. He’d show her asexual. Noel whispered a kiss over her lips before he thought the better of his plan.
Because just a taste of her told him he’d made a slight miscalculation. Her startled breath stopped him, but he didn’t back away. Especially when she softened under him.
He gently pushed against her mouth, sliding his lips over hers while fighting the urge to bury his hands in her silky hair. He deepened the kiss, slanting his mouth across hers for better access.
The heat between them felt combustible, a sexual chemistry he couldn’t deny. And neither could she, apparently, because she groaned and parted her lips, opening for him.
He slipped his tongue inside, and she teased him, sucking him deeper. His body locked up, his need for her electrifying. God, he ached between his legs, but he’d sworn he wouldn’t touch her with more than his mouth.
The kiss deepened, and he stroked inside her mouth, all thought of teaching her a lesson with seduction gone. He wanted nothing more than to hear her moan with pleasure again.
Soft fingers gripped his arms and trailed up his shoulders to curl around his neck.
He tensed and pulled back, staring down at her flushed cheeks and the smudge of black where her eyelashes fanned her cheeks. She slowly opened her eyes to reveal bottomless green depths.
“Not so cold now,” she murmured, drew his head down for another kiss, and dragged one of his hands to her waist.
Taking that as an invitation to touch her, Noel held her gently, not wanting to do anything to stop this exploration.
She sighed into his mouth, and he clenched her narrow waist, aware of how much bigger he was than her.
Between one breath and the next, Addy controlled the kiss, suddenly plastered against him while she rubbed against his erection, her soft breasts crushed against his chest.
The last remnants of control left him. Thought took second place behind desire. Behind need. He ravaged her mouth, in command of the situation so he could put her right where he wanted her. He cupped her breasts and pinched her nipples, and she gasped into his mouth.
Then she sucked his tongue again, and he shoved against her belly, on fire to feel her around him.
She moaned and clenched his neck, her nails biting into his skin.
He dragged his mouth down her cheek and blew into her ear, aroused anew when she shuddered and clamped around him like a vise.
“You’re mine,” he whispered, then kissed and sucked his way down her neck, unable to stop, praying she wouldn’t say no.
Thankfully, she met him more than halfway. He felt her small hands at the snap of his jeans and trembled, hoping he wouldn’t come before he could get inside her.
He dragged off her shirt and bra while she freed him from his confining pants and underwear. When she put both hands around his girth and pumped him, his eyes crossed.
Fuck me. He nearly came and had to pull her hand away before he embarrassed himself.
She was tugging down her pants and panties while he edged her toward the wall, his pants and underwear pushed down just enough to free his cock.
Her bare back hit the wall, and he lifted her with little effort, putting her where she could do the most good. Before he could bring her over him, she positioned his dick and slid down him like a pole, taking him to the root. So damn tight.
She cried out and arched her head back, and he latched on to her throat and started pumping, thrusting faster and harder while she bucked over him, grinding against him with each push and pull.
“Yes, Noel. Yes,” she begged. “More.”
One hot piece of woman. He could barely think as he rode her harder, desperate to reach that pinnacle drawing so close. Needing to mark her as his in the worst way.
She let go of his shoulders, though he didn’t know when she’d put her hands there, and yanked him by the neck down for another kiss.
He devoured her mouth and felt her jerk against him, clamping down as she came. So much heat and that tight grip, and he couldn’t stop himself from tearing free from her mouth while he pounded inside her and released, the orgasm so intense he saw black for a moment.
He held her to him, emptying inside perfection while she planted kisses along his cheek and neck, then his mouth once more.
She gentled her earlier ferocity, the tenderness of her touch pushing past the last barriers he’d been holding and making it impossible not to return such gentle regard.
He stroked her hips and ass, gripping her while he finished, loath to pull out.
At that moment, reality reared its ugly head. For both of them.
She blinked, stared down between them in horror, then paled. “You came inside me.”
“I—oh, shit.”
He was the biggest asshole on the planet. What had he been thinking? All his denials about irresponsibility and how he’d never had sex without protection—which he hadn’t until now—shot to hell. So sure he hadn’t made a baby in Mexico, and then he tried to make one here?
She scrambled to get down, and he let her, mourning the loss of heat around him while she disappeared down the hall and slammed a door behind her.
He stared in dismay at his still half-hard cock, not sure what had just happened.
Ice never made a mistake. Ice was all control, all discipline. No accidents, nothing random. Yet he’d shoved inside a woman—unprotected—and nearly had a heart attack while having the most intense orgasm of his life.
Shaken with what ha
d happened, and why he’d let it happen, he tucked himself back in his clothes and righted his appearance. After washing his face and hands in her kitchen sink, he tried to clear his mind and deal with the problem at hand.
Namely, he might have just given Noel Jr. a baby brother or sister.
Addy joined him wearing a robe that covered her from head to toe. Soft and purple, it looked royal, especially worn around the shoulders of a queen with an axe to grind.
“We—I—you—” She paused, took a breath, and let it out. “I’m not on birth control, but I should be safe. I don’t think I’m at the risky part of the month yet.”
“Good.” The relief that filled him made him light-headed.
“But do I have anything else to worry about?” She flushed but met his eyes, and the rosy cheeks and creamy complexion over her face and neck brought his gaze to her chest, and lower. So damn beautiful. “Noel?” she growled.
So his kitten had a bite.
No, not my kitten. She’s a mistake, that’s all. A curiosity assuaged.
He cleared his throat, still in a daze. “Ah, no. Nothing to worry about. I haven’t been with anyone in months, and I always get checked out. Every six weeks, actually. Part of the job.”
She nodded, embarrassment taking the place of relief.
“Damn, Addy. I don’t…” He had no idea what to say, not sure she’d believe him. He ran a hand through his hair. “I never meant to… I mean, I wanted to kiss you. Sure. The sex was off the charts fantastic. But I hadn’t intended for that. Not tonight.”
Her eyes had a glassy sheen, and the thought of her being upset scared him. Literally caused his heart to race and his mouth to dry up.
She swallowed audibly but didn’t cry, thank God. “It was my fault. I prodded you. I wanted you to…you know.”
“Well, it was my fault as well.” He felt better sharing the responsibility. She might have started their descent into madness, but he’d sure as hell followed her every step of the way.