Page 52 of Love: Take Two

I took his arm to descend the steps, then I took it again when he helped me out of my town car—I wasnottaking a filthy cab in this dress. He valiantly blocked me from the view of any sleazy photographers trying to get an upskirt shot and caught my dress's wayward strap when it slipped down my shoulder.

Later, he held me by the hips to move me out of the way of a waiter's tray, then skimmed my shoulder with his fingertips as he whispered something about a director we both hate. Two hours in, and I'm a tingling, pulsating mess.

What the fuck am I supposed to do after this? Go home? Wear down the batteries of my wand while eating another TVdinner?You never get enough to eat at these things, I grumble to myself.

I look up at Noah for the hundredth time tonight, and my breath catches. He's obviously got plans for us.

"You wanna get out of here?" he murmurs. His face is close enough for his lips to graze my earlobe, and I nearly whimper.

Across the room, Tabitha's maneuvering like a pro; she's done a million of these. Yong-rae is nearby, gabbing with members of the supporting cast and doing a terrible job of keeping his crush on Tabitha under wraps.

I turn back to Noah's smoldering gaze and decide, just this once, to throw caution to the wind. I work hard. I deserve a little fun for once in my impressive but extremely lonely life. And I'm so fucking horny I can't think straight.

"Yes, please."

Chapter twenty-eight

Noah

Araucous crowd of twenty-somethings nearly knock me down as I step out of the car.Fucking Spring Break. That's the only shitty thing about living around West 4th; you're often at the mercy of a bunch of college kids playing out their fantasies of living in New York. Unfortunately, those fantasies always seem to include shouting at the top of their lungs at all hours and vomiting in the street, but the live music and comedy venues make up for it…most of the time.

"Everything OK up there?" Awa asks from inside the car. I tamp down on the urge to channel my inner grumpy old man and shake my fist at the kids. I offer my hand to Awa instead.

"Yeah, sorry about that. Some college students almost ran me down."

When she places her warm, soft hand in mine, I look to her mouth and find a mischievous grin.

"College students, huh? Don't tell me you're one of those guys who hangs around freshmen trying to relive his glory days."

I scoff and gently tug her upright.

"Please. These kidswishthey were as cool as me. I just love being in the center of everything. This neighborhood has a certain energy, you know?"

Her teasing eyes say she still thinks I'm out creeping on undergrads in my spare time, but that's OK. I'm about to show her my type is grown, sexy, career women with plenty of sass and more than a little ass.

She whispers something to her driver, who nods, then retakes my arm and follows me to the building.

"I hope you didn't tell him to wait," I joke with a wink. "We're going to be a while."

Her lush laugh goes straight to my dick, already hard after a full day and night of shameless flirting.

"You know, the cocky asshole bit isn't usually my vibe, but it suits you."

"Oh, I'm plenty cocky," I answer with a chuckle. She rolls her eyes, but I don't miss the racing pulse at her throat. She's as into this as I am.

After Carl grants us access to the building, we make our way across the lobby in silence. The tension is palpable; the expectation that tonight will make up for our last disappointment looming heavy in the air. This time, I'm the one in unfamiliar territory.

"Welcome to my humble abode," I murmur, pushing open my front door and waving her through.

My apartment is modern, but still homey, with lots of family pictures, a painting Henry gifted me from one of his art collector clients, and some colorful throw pillows that Adam's wife, Maya, makes. I'd have more space if I left the city like Henry, but after years in LA, I know New York is the only place for me.

Awa turns away from my stellar view of Sixth Avenue to receive a glass of crisp white wine.

"Thank you," she murmurs, taking a sip and drawing my eyes to her full, burgundy lips.

"I was pleasantly surprised you had an elevator. I wasn't in the mood for a fifth-floor walkup after all day in these heels."

"Do you want a massage?" I offer, gesturing to the couch facing the wall of windows.