“Mia, why is it that everything you say has the kinkiest subtleties? You know you drive me insane, right?”
See, now this man makes his feelings clear. Rather than being vacant, his eyes are dark, heated, fueled with a burning want. His lips are curled up in the most delectable grin as he licks them, driving me pretty insane myself. And his hands—they never leave me. His body is always in contact with mine somehow, letting me know he can’t get enough. Why is it so easy for him to show me how much he wants me after only two months but so difficult for Declan after ten years? Is that just the pathetic truth behind every marriage? How sad.
I put my finger up to get our waitress’ attention. The desire for sex that’s radiating off Noah is making me way too hot. “I need some water. This beer is doing wicked things to my judgment.”
“Good.”
“What!?!” I can’t help sounding surprised.
He laughs again, but this time he’s nervous. “No, I didn’t mean good like that.” He brings a hand to his forehead, dragging it down the length of his gorgeous face. “I meant I wanted to talk to you about something and maybe the alcohol will loosen you up a little. Make you have an open mind.”
Oh, God. This sounds serious. Wasn’t I just basking in the glory of the unserious nature of me and Noah? “Okay?” I drag out the word, terrified of what’s about to come next.
Noah takes my hands, caressing my knuckles, scaring the crap out of me with his unspoken intentions. “Don’t look at me like that, Mia. I’m not about to propose or anything like that, but I do have a proposition for you. Can you hear me out?”
Propositions are serious. Can I hear him out? I just might rather listen to the woman on stage, murdering Beyonce’s Irreplaceable. I can only muster up a nod, telling him to go on.
“I’ve been asked to donate my time and expertise to Habitat for Humanity. The supervisor of this particular site reached out to me after seeing some of my work. He was really enthusiastic about getting me on board. At first I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it because the summer is our busiest time of year, but when my partner told me he’d man the ship for us so that I could help out, I pretty much jumped at the chance. I’ve always wanted to help out with an organization like this and the community they’re building is in a dream location. The opportunity was too hard to pass up. So I didn’t.”
The excitement Noah is exuding is like nothing I’ve ever seen. It confirms what I’ve learned about him in this short time. He’s an all around wonderful man. “That’s amazing, Noah. Sounds like quite the opportunity. I’m genuinely excited for you.” But I’m left wondering—what’s this have to do with the proposition he mentioned?
“The job’s in San Diego and it starts in a few weeks. I want you to come with me.”
Ho-ly-sha-it! What the hell do I say to that? I can’t even think of a thing. He clearly hasn’t thought this through. “Noah...the kids. I...”
“Bring them. We’ll be car rides away from the zoo, Sea World, Disney. We can take them anywhere they want to go. They’ll have the time of their lives.”
Okay. Maybe he did think this through. A little. But the idea of uprooting the kids, bringing them across the country and away from their Dad... “Noah. It sounds amazing...and I’m so touched that you’ve thought of the kids but...”
“Don’t. Don’t make your decision now. I know you have to think about it, and...all I want you to do is think.” Those eyes again. So full of hopefulness, eagerness. It’s hard not to be impulsive and pounce on his thoughtful proposition.
Instead of being rash, I fake equanimity. “Okay. I’ll think about it.”
“Mia, I know our relationship isn’t the norm, but...you have no idea how happy you’ve made me these last two months. I’ve never felt this way about anyone in my life. I just wanted you to know that.”
Oh, Geez! I’ve wanted to hear those words from Noah Matheson for as long as I lived. But now that he’s said them, I’m not sure what to do with them. I want to reciprocate by telling him the same, but I can’t lie. I have some strong feelings for Noah, but I’m not ready to throw everything else away and belong to someone else entirely.
I need more time.
“I know I’m piling on all kinds of crazy shit tonight. Let’s not think about it right now. Sleep on it. Take your time. I just wanted you to know where I stand.”
I open my mouth to tell him that I will take it all into consideration when I sit down to make my decision, but I’m distracted by a familiar voice over the sound system.