Sandcastle Kisses: Chapter 18
I ran hard all the way to Noah's door. His window was open despite the storm, and I could hear his rich laugh from inside followed by the higher birdsong of Beth's. The rain had eased up slightly, but the world was still painted in shades of gray. Night was coming. With ragged breaths, I pounded my fist on the door and waited.
He opened the door, a smile on his face. His suit jacket was off, and his white dress shirt was open at the throat, the tie undone and resting on his shoulders.
“Shit, Izzy,” he exclaimed, concern quickly replacing the smile. “Are you okay? What's happened? What's wrong?”
He stepped out of the doorway and into the rain, his hands going to my shoulders. They were almost hot against my skin after the cool of the rain. Raindrops fell on his white shirt, plastering it to his skin and making the fabric translucent. His eyes were blue oceans of caring, taking me in and letting me lose myself.
“They sold it...” I sobbed, the words coming out in a jumble of syllables and sounds. I wasn't even sure if they even sounded like words. “It's gone... and...”
Noah wrapped his arms around me, pulling me in to him. “Shh,” he whispered, stroking my wet hair. “I'm here.”
I buried my face in his shoulder. His shirt was now soaking wet, from both the rain and holding a sopping girl in his arms. He didn't seem to care. I sobbed into the fabric of his shirt, finding strength in his embrace. In his arms, I was safe and warm. The storm couldn't touch me here. The world couldn't destroy this.
“I'll be back in the morning,” Beth said quietly, slipping past Noah and out into the rain. Her face held only sympathy. Noah gave her a nod as she hurried to the main house. He held me close and squeezed me tightly.
“Come inside,” Noah urged gently. He brought his hand to my face and wiped my cheek with his palm. “Let's get you out of the rain.”
I nodded meekly, letting him guide me into the house. He closed the door behind me, and I stared at the floor. I was dripping all over. The rain was quieter now, making a soothing sound on the roof. I hugged my arms around me and looked up. There was an open bottle of champagne on the table. Noah and Beth had been celebrating something.
“I'm sorry,” I whispered, staring at the bottle. Noah followed my gaze and then put his forefinger under my chin, his eyes soft and kind as he looked at me. “You have work. I can go...”
“No,” he said firmly with a shake of his head. “My work is done for the day. It was actually a good work day for me.”
I smiled weakly. “At least it was good for one of us.”
He wrapped his arms around me again, giving me strength. He was so warm I didn't want to let go of him. Ever.
“If today wasn't good for you, then it wasn't good for me either.” He released his hold on me, still keeping physical contact as he turned me toward the bathroom. I was eternally grateful he hadn't asked for more information yet. I wasn't ready to say the words out loud to someone. Maybe if I didn't explain to him that the Grove had been sold, it wouldn't be real. He took my hand in his. “Let's get you dried off.”
He took two steps, but I didn't follow. I stared at the tile floor, then at his feet, up his legs, up his chest, up to his eyes. He was so handsome. He was everything I wanted in a man.
“Izzy?” His eyebrows raised, concern evident in his every feature.
“Make me forget,” I whispered. “Make me feel better. Just for a little bit.”
A tear slid down my cheek. Now that I was out of the rain, it felt hot on my skin. Noah towered over me, protective and strong as he came back to get me. He didn't say a word, just put his hand under my chin and tilted my face up to meet his. His kiss was soft, but there was a burning need behind it. There was heat and spice at the edges. I could lose myself in him, and that was exactly what I wanted.
I opened my mouth, my tongue questing for his. I was insistent. I was pure need.
He responded in kind, nipping at my bottom lip and then soothing the sting with his tongue.
I grabbed his tie in both hands, balling the silky fabric in my fists and pulling him in to me. He kissed me harder, thrusting his tongue into my mouth and tightening his grip on my hips. I hoped there would be bruises. I wanted bruises.
I let go of the tie and started to fumble with the buttons on his shirt, my hands slippery with the rain. Instead, Noah just reached down and ripped his shirt open, sending buttons flying in all directions. I could hear the quiet plastic tings as they scattered across the floor.
I kissed his chest. His skin was damp from the rain, but warm against my lips. His nipples were hard and small, either from the cold or my kisses. I didn't care why. I was letting my body do all the thinking, forcing the cerebral part of my brain to shut up.