Page 42 of Spell Ya Later

He shakes his head, returning his mouth to mine. His movements deepen, teeth nipping at my lip to coax me into opening to him. I lead him toward the couch, pulling those long limbs on top of me the minute I hit the cushions.

My fingers get what they’ve wanted since the moment I saw him as they finally tangle into his brown curls. So soft.

His stubble rasps against the skin of my neck—kisses rain down on a path toward my collarbone. Legs are tangling together and hips moving, finding a rhythm.

A high-pitched moan escapes me on a particularly perfect movement of his hips.

“Hazel.” His voice is broken like he’s been gargling rock salt twice a day since he last saw me. Chest heaving, he stares at me. His body is completely still otherwise, just staring at me with lips turned rosy from kisses and lip gloss.

“Yeah?” I don’t like the talking. I want more of the kissing.

His head drops onto my chest, forehead pressing right in the center. “You’re driving me crazy.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

That earns me a grin, a dimple-in-the-chin grin. My favorite.

“I’m gonna put my cards on the table, okay?” He stays tangled with me, forearms holding his weight. “I’m falling fast, faster than I ever expected. And I feel like it’s reciprocated. Despite that, I—shit.”

I nod, one hand coming up to caress his cheek as he speaks.

He exhales. “Can we eat dinner and watch a movie?”

“Absolutely. And Noah?”

“Yeah?”

“It’s more than reciprocated.”

His smile is everything, a light that fills up even the darkest parts of my aching soul. He’s sunshine and I’ve been in the dark too long. I’m unwilling to let go of our spark, the gentle buzz that’s been dancing along my skin, so I follow him as he sits upright.

He doesn’t seem to mind as he wraps me up into his side, where I fit perfectly. I thought maybe he’d be tough to cuddle with, considering all his million lanky limbs. I thought he’d be bony or sharp, but he’s comforting as he snuggles around me.

“What kind of movies do you like?” I ask, handing him the remote. I need to peel back some of these layers, see the full picture that is Noah.

He turns on the TV, navigating to Streemz. “I can watch anything with a good story. While I tend to gravitate toward sci-fi, I like a good romance every now and then. How does that sound for tonight?”

“That sounds lovely.”

The sectional couch is wide enough for both of us to lie together horizontally, which is how we end up a few hours later. Belly full of handmade gnocchi with pesto, buzzy cuddles, and a cheesy romantic comedy? This may be the perfect evening.

My eyelids are heavy. The electric shock has dulled into a soothing hum that relaxes each and every muscle in my body. I snuggle further into Noah, pressing my face into the soft skin of his neck.

His hand travels up my back and into my hair, stroking the strands in a slow, gentle rhythm.

Goodnight world, it’s been real.

I’m floating.Maybe. Weightless in a way that makes me feel like I might fall at any moment.

I throw an arm out as my eyes open, finding Noah carrying me through the apartment. I must have actually fallen asleep on the couch during movie night.

I’m such a butthead. He came over to spend time with me and I fell asleep!

“Hey,” I say as he awkwardly opens the door to my bedroom with his foot.

He smiles, meeting my gaze. “Hey, you.”

A wave of sleepiness threatens to pull me back under, the comfort of the evening settling a little too easily into my bones. But not yet. Not yet.