I stared at them as they disappeared around the corner. Noah had come out of nowhere and took that kid out without a second thought. It was crazy and dangerous, and he could have been hurt, but there was obviously no hesitation. He had heard the guy insult Chris, and he had stepped in to throw the asshole out. I was in shock, still dripping wet. I hadn’t even seen Noah standing nearby, let alone close enough to hear what the dude was saying.
Chris looked back at me, obviously as surprised as I was. It happened so fast, and neither of us had a chance to do anything. Noah was quick and strong, and although the dickhead had been pretty drunk, I had a feeling Noah would have been able to take care of him no matter what.
“Ohmygod that was cray!” Selena cried out in my ear.
I cringed.
“Yeah, that was crazy.”
Chris approached, frowning. “You okay, Linda?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just covered in fucking beer.”
“You want to get out of here?”
I looked around, but didn’t see Noah. I had no idea what I wanted. I definitely didn’t want to be covered in beer, but I also wanted to thank Noah for taking care of that guy before the situation had escalated further.
I didn’t have to decide, though, as he appeared around the corner, his face a mask of anger and concern. He walked directly up to me and put his hands on my shoulders.
“Are you okay?”
I looked up at him, my mouth open. He was clearly still angry. It was the first time he had really acknowledged me all night, despite several chances.
“I’m okay. Just covered in beer.”
“Come on.” He grabbed me by the hand and began to lead me away.
“I’ll be right back,” I said to Chris, and she grinned at me.
I wished I could apologize for leaving her alone with Selena, but we were already out of earshot, Noah moving confidently through the crowd. He took me back into the main foyer and began to climb the stairs.
“Showing me your childhood bedroom?” I asked.
He laughed. “No, getting you a change of clothes.”
“Oh, so I don’t get a ride in your racecar bed?”
He looked back at me, and I saw something there in his expression. It was conflicted, anguished, and it confused me.
“Here, this is my sister’s room.”
We pushed into a huge room, the third door on the left. Inside, the walls were covered in band posters from stuff like Woodstock and the Grateful Dead. There were tie-dye T-shirts, frilly skirts, and plenty of pastel colors. The bed took up half the space; it was an enormous four-poster with thin gauze hanging down around it.
“She’s kind of a hippie,” Noah said, opening her closet. “But I think you’re about the same size.”
I came up next to him and looked at her stuff. He wasn’t kidding: peasant tops and long flowing skirts with bright colors dominated her collection.
“Not sure what you can do with this,” he said, shrugging.
“Thanks. Are you sure she won’t mind?”
He laughed and shrugged. “Who knows, she never comes here anyway.”
I began to dig through her closet until I found a suitable top. My pants were fine, and wouldn’t need to be changed, but I’d have to ditch my shirt and bra. I looked back at Noah, and he was sitting on the bed, leaned back on his hands, his legs stretched out in front of him.
“A little privacy?” I said.
“I was really hoping I’d see what the colors are tonight, dots.”
I fumed. “Oh yeah? So you want to ignore me all night, then try and get in my pants?”
That made him frown, his exquisite face contorted downward. Without another word, he stood up and turned his back, crossing his arms. That was more like him. One second, he was punching guys in the face for me, and the next he was turning his back.
“This good?” he asked.
“Fine, just don’t look.”
Quickly, I pulled off my sticky, soaked shirt, and tossed it on the floor. I unhooked my bra, and tossed it on top of the shirt, then began to struggle into his sister’s top. How I ended up in Noah’s house, struggling into unfamiliar clothes, I’ll never understand. But there I was, half naked and still smelling like beer, frustrated and completely turned on.
“I’m sorry, Linda,” I heard him say softly as I pulled it over my head.
“What are you sorry for?”
“Ignoring you. I know I’ve been a dick.”
“What’s your deal, Noah?”
He turned around, his eyes serious and burning into me. He crossed the room and grabbed my hips, pulling my body against his. He touched my bottom lip with his thumb and I began to breathe deep.
“You have such a perfect fucking mouth,” he said, and then he leaned forward and pressed lips against mine with a searing kiss. He was fierce and hungry, and his mouth opened to flood mine with his fresh taste. I reached up and began to run my fingers through his hair, losing myself in his kiss and my desire for him.