“I’ve never been able to get you out of my mind.” His voice had a raspy sound to it, thick with emotion. “God knows I wanted to, but Jesus, Randi. I think you’re in my blood.” He brushed his lips lightly over hers again. “I’ve regretted the things I said that night and the way it all ended more than I can ever tell you.”
She stared into his eyes, searching for the truth of the matter.
“You hurt me, Noah. More than I can tell you. It still hurts that after everything we were to each other you could treat me the way you did. Say the things you did.”
Pain slashed across his face. “I was an arrogant, conceited know-it-all who thought I could make decisions for both of us.”
“You wanted me to drop everything and run off with you on your exciting new job without even one opportunity awaiting me,” she reminded him.
“I was an ass,” he agreed. “But the other part? About moving from EMT to firefighter? Randi, I loved you so much t hurt and I was scared shitless for you to put yourself in danger.”
“I hear you,” she told him. “But we could have worked through it together. You just wanted to take the decision out of my hands.”
He stroked her cheekbone with the pad of his thumb. “Because I was scared to death something would happen and I’d lose you.”
She sighed. “But you knew this was something I’d wanted all my life. I just—“
He pressed the tip of one finger to her lips. “Ssh. Enough. I want another chance with you. All the success in the world means nothing to me without you. I learned that the hard way.” He locked his gaze with hers, staring intently into her eyes as if trying to read what was going on deep inside her. “Can you give me another chance, Randi? Please?”
God, she wanted to so badly, but she was afraid to trust what he said.
“Please?” he asked again, and she heard the deep emotion in his voice.
She closed her eyes, trying to sort through all the crazy emotions assaulting her.
“Randi, you about ready to go?”
Dan Kessler’s voice startled her into awareness of where she was and what she was doing. She blinked, trying to kick start her brain again. When she looked over Noah’s should she saw Dan standing there, impatience and irritation in every line of his posture.
“Um,” was all she could manage.
Noah tensed but he did not drop his hands from her face. Instead he stared intently at her as if searching for answers or maybe sending her a message.
“Come on.” Dan sounded impatient now. “Don’t forget we need to pick up your car.”
“Where’s your car?” Noah asked.
“I, uh, left it at the firehouse. Dan picked me up when we went to check the fire sites again. It was easier just to come right here when we were finished.”
“I’ll take you to get your car,” he told her in a soft voice. “Or I can take you home and we can pick it up in the morning.” He paused. “Your choice.”
“Randi?” Dan’s voice nudged at her. “I’m fine, Dan. You go on. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
“Are you sure?” he persisted. “I can wait if you aren’t ready to leave yet.”
“She told you she’s good,” Noah said, an edge to his voice.
“He’s right.” Noah’s touch burned against her cheeks. “Thanks for being my caretaker but Noah will see that I get home okay.”
For a long moment it seemed as if he wasn’t going to leave.
“Fine,” he said at last. “Call me first thing in the morning.”
“Okay.”
“Do you want to go pick up your car now?” Noah asked.
“I’ve hardly spent any time here,” she pointed out. “I don’t want to be rude to Jeff.”
He gave her a heated smile. “I think Jeff has enough company that he won’t miss us. Let me text him and tell him we’re leaving. I can talk to him in the morning.”
He pulled his cell phone from his jeans pocket, sent Jeff a message, then took Randi’s hand and tugged her toward the walkway leading around the townhouse. Her heart was thumping so hard and fast that she was sure he had to hear it. Reservations aside, the anticipation of being with Noah again had every cell in her body on high alert. All ready the walls of her pussy were flexing with need and her breasts demanded to feel his warm hands on them.
As they rounded the townhouse and headed toward when Noah had parked his rental car she noticed Dan’s car still parked at the curb.
“Wait.” She stopped, forcing Noah to stop with her.
“What?” He studied her face in the streetlight. “Please don’t tell me you’re changing your mind. I’m not sure I could stand it.” His mouth curved in a crooked smile as he placed her hand over his fly. “And neither could he.”
“No, not changing my mind.” If even her brain told her she should. “It’s just—That’s Dan’s car and he’s sitting in it. I wonder why he hasn’t left.”
“He’s either making calls or keeping an eye out for you. I don’t think I trust that guy.”
“He’s fine. He’s just been a little off lately. I hope he’s okay. This care we’re working has really gotten to both of us.”
“Dan’s fine.” He swung her around to face him.
