Page 90 of Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad World

The loft was in darkness when he pushed through the door, although dim light seeped in from the streets outside, making it easy to see where he was going. Other than the low hum of distant traffic, the warehouse was peaceful. An oasis in the middle of the busy city—a well-fortified oasis with a team of armed security specialists stationed throughout the building.

Yeah, there was nothing normal about their situation. In fact, everything felt a little surreal, except for the woman in his arms. She felt real. Solid… soft, warm… precious. Noah wanted to wrap himself around her and protect her from every bad thing that came her way. He wanted to do everything within his power to ensure Annabelle Simmons had a beautiful life.

Damn it. He stumbled but quickly steadied himself.

He was falling in love with the client.

This wasn’t just the first bloom of attraction growing in the fallow field of grief. It was the beginning of something far more. The feeling was hard to mistake, and despite having experienced it only once before, he knew what it meant. He was invested. All in. There was no going back—not without ripping his heart in two.

Noah cast his eyes around the apartment, half expecting Therese to turn up with a smug smile and a flippant“I told you so.”But there was no sign of her. Noah wasn’t sure if he felt relief at her absence or sadness that she wasn’t there to share his epiphany. One of these days, he needed to let go of his imaginary friend and move on—just as she’d been telling him to do.

He elbowed the pressure panel on the wall that opened the door to the panic room and carried Annabelle inside. The door slid shut behind them as he gently placed her on the bed. She stirred, looking around, then relaxing when she realized where she was.

“I’d better get ready for bed.” Lazily, she swung her legs around under her and knelt up to look at him, suddenly far more awake than she’d led him to believe. “Are you sleeping here tonight?”

Damn, but she was pure temptation, all soft and sleepy, eyes heavy and cheeks flushed. It was impossible not to touch her. He ran his fingertips down her cheek. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Her frown was adorable. “Why not?”

“Because we’re both exhausted, and if we lie down together, I’m not sure we’ll get any sleep.” Her eyes darkened as the tip of her tongue peeked out to wet her lips. “Plus, I don’t think you’re ready for what will happen if we get into bed together.”

Her hands came up to cup his cheeks. “Noah,” she murmured, “don’t you think it’s a little arrogant to tell me what I think and feel? Wouldn’t it be better if you just asked me?” She cocked her head to one side. “Or perhaps you’re projecting your fears onto me. Maybe it’s you who isn’t ready for what will happen.”

Delight bubbled inside of Noah. “Oh, I don’t know, I feel pretty ready. But I’m also fighting the urge to mansplain why you aren’t.”

Laughter danced in her dark eyes. “How about we just skip the part where we believe we can read each other’s minds and ask instead? Noah”—she held his gaze—”I would very much like for you to come to bed with me. Naked would be best, don’t you think?”

It felt like there was an explosion inside of him. Blood rushed to the surface of his body, making his skin tingle and burn with the need to be touched.

He cupped the back of her head. “You’re sure?”

“You know, this good-guy thing only goes so far before it becomes annoying. Take off your clothes, Noah. I’m sure.”

Chuckling, he leaned in to press his lips to hers. He burned with wanting her. But it was more than that; he needed to be close to her. To connect. To know her in a way only he could know her.

Oh yeah, he was definitely falling fast.

Their kiss felt right. Like coming home. They teased each other slowly, in no rush to take things faster. He liked thatabout her. He liked that the journey was just as important as the destination, because he wanted to enjoy every step of the way.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered against her lips.

“You look like a bruiser, but I’ll take you,” Annabelle said with a smile in her voice.

He was chuckling when her fingers found the hem of his T-shirt and her hands slid under it. They caressed their way up his abs to his chest.

“Lemme see,” she demanded tugging at his shirt.

“No patience,” he teased and whipped the shirt off over his head.

Annabelle sat back on her heels, her mouth hanging open. “Oh my, those abs… You look like Batman’s suit,” she said in wonder.

Noah burst out laughing as he reached for her. They tumbled onto the bed together, a tangle of limbs and laughter as they kissed, their hands exploring.

Annabelle tore her mouth from his, and he took a certain male satisfaction in seeing her swollen lips.

“What’s this?” She prodded his side, straining to see what she’d discovered.

Noah pushed up and held himself above her with locked arms. He glanced down his body to the spot just above the waistband of his jeans on his left side. “Knife wound.”