Chapter 12

Noah was in over his head, but he’d decided to just go with it. That’s what Krista seemed to be doing. Ever since their little talk at the grocery store, she’d been back to her old self. Whatever was bothering her—and he hoped it wasn’t regret about last night—had melted away. The mountains tended to do that to a person. It was one of his favorite places, aside from being in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

And in Krista’s arms. That was a new favorite place. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever get back there again, but he sure planned on trying tonight, despite that little voice inside him telling him it was a bad idea. He’d never been able to listen to that voice, so why start now?

“Okay. The bathrooms are sparkling.” Krista walked out of the master bathroom—the one where he’d seen her deep in a bubble bath yesterday—and blew up a breath to lift the strand of hair that had fallen in her eyes.

“You must really love Grace,” he said. “Jack’s my flesh and blood. I’m obligated to do this dirty work, but you aren’t.”

Krista set a bucket of cleaning supplies down on the kitchen island and went to wash her hands. “I do love Grace, just like she was my own sister.”

“So when Joey gets married one day, you’ll do this for him, too?”

Krista rolled her eyes. “No, way. Joey is on his own.”

Noah chuckled. “Well, I’ve stacked the firewood and cleaned up outside. Tossed some mothballs around the place because we don’t want the honeymoon mood ruined by snakes.”

Krista’s eyes widened as she turned to face him. “Snakes?”

“Rattlesnakes mostly. The closest hospital is miles from here. You could die from a bite by the time you get there. Best to keep the hissers away.”

“You didn’t tell me there would be snakes.”

“I didn’t know I needed to. You’re an outdoors girl.”

“Ocean-outdoors girl. That’s a lot different than mountain-outdoors girl.”

Noah scratched his chin as he watched her. “Okay. Well, just so you know, there are bears out there, too. And coyotes.”

Her face grew a shade paler, which he found adorable…and sexy. Without thinking, he pulled her to him. “Lucky for you, I know my way around all the outdoors, ocean and mountains.” Holding her against him felt as natural as breathing. Feeling her heart beat against his made his pulse jump.

After a moment, she tugged out of the embrace.

Noah cocked his head sideways. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m, uh…I’ve been scrubbing tubs and toilets this afternoon. I don’t think you want to hold me.” She hooked a thumb behind her. “I should probably go get cleaned up.”

Images of her in that bubble bath yesterday flooded his mind. “Need help with that?”

This made her laugh.

“Just being a nice guy,” he added as she continued toward the master bedroom.

“Uh-huh. I won’t be long. I want to go out to the lake before dark because now you’ve got me worried about what’s scurrying around out there.” Her gaze went to the window.

“You’re such a girl,” he teased.

“Are you just now realizing that?” Before he could answer, she disappeared behind the bedroom door.

No, he’d always known she was a girl, but he’d been doing his damnedest not to notice what a sexy woman she’d become. Now he’d seen her naked. He’d been inside her, and she’d felt like velvet magic. He’d gotten a taste of that forbidden apple he’d been circling for years—and he wanted more.

He pulled a few supplies out to make her dinner, resisting the fear that had been edging in on him all day. He hoped to God that he hadn’t made one of the biggest mistakes of his life last night. Krista knew him, though, and there was no way she was going to start dreaming up her own wedding bells and happily-ever-afters. She wasn’t like that. They could deal with their actions and move past them, like two consenting adults.

He’d gotten a little squirrelly earlier but, out of his need to make Krista smile, he’d slipped back into his fun-loving, flirtatious self. They had a rhythm that came easy, that felt right and he never wanted to lose it.

Ten minutes later, Krista walked back into the kitchen, fresh and clean, and absolutely kissable.

“I’m going to teach you the art of fly-fishing today,” he told her, leaving the cooking supplies on the counter and gesturing toward the back door.

Krista was wearing his flannel button-down shirt over her own T-shirt to keep her warm. How the heck could something like that look so damn sexy?

She pulled on a heavy jacket and a knit toboggan hat, too, because it was freezing outside. Then they started in the direction of the lake. After a few steps, Noah stopped and turned to her with one eyebrow raised. “What are you doing?”

She looked up. “What do you mean?”

“You’re lifting your feet about a mile off the ground every time you take a step.”

“I’m avoiding the snakes,” she said, looking serious.

“The snakes have all scared off by now. They’re typically more scared of us than we are of them. Plus, they’re likely hibernating.” He shook his head lightly, chuckling under his breath, and continued leading the way until Krista shrieked behind him.

“Oh!”

Noah turned and caught her as she came flying forward. His hands tightened around her, keeping her from face-planting on the ground. His gaze immediately surveyed the land and saw the culprit.

“You do still have to watch out for knots in the ground. The trees have thick roots that poke up out of the dirt. It’s not as flat as Blushing Bay.”

“Uh-huh. Got it.” She struggled to get her feet back underneath her. Noah didn’t release her until she was standing upright, and not even then.

“Um. You can let go now,” she said, her voice low because he was only a breath away from kissing her. But if he did, there’d be no fishing today. If they kissed, he might find himself tossing her to the ground and making love to her right here. It was freezing outside, but their bodies together could definitely start a fire. “Really. I’m fine,” she said.

“You sure? Don’t want you to fall for real this time.”

“I think I can take care of myself.”

“I’m well aware.” He let go and they continued forward in silence. When they reached the lakeside, Noah laid his tackle box and pole on the ground.

Krista didn’t move. She just stood there, staring at the slick water. So slick that it reflected every tree around it. “This is breathtaking.”

Noah looked out, seeing it through her eyes just like he’d wanted. “I used to play a game in my mind. Would I rather live here or in Blushing Bay? If I had to pick just one and never leave.”

Krista smiled. “I guess you chose Blushing Bay because you never left.”

He’d thought about leaving, though, that one time in college before everything had gone to shit. He shook his head. “Nope. I always chose this place. The tipping factor is that it snows here in the mountains.”

“And rarely does in Blushing Bay,” she said.

“You can fish and ski here, too. And roast marshmallows in the fireplace. Houseboats don’t have fireplaces.”

Krista shrugged. “Good thing you don’t have to choose between one or the other. Because I don’t see you ever giving up that houseboat.”

“I don’t know. Sometimes I think it’d be nice to have enough room to move around without hitting a wall.”

Krista laughed. “It’s funny. You’re a wide open guy who doesn’t want to be pinned in, yet you live in a shoebox on the water.”

“It’s bigger than a shoebox,” he protested, grinning at her. “But not much.” He grabbed a fishing pole and started prepping the line. “You think you love pole fishing at the beach. Just wait until you try this. You gotta take your shoes off and put your feet in the water, though.”

“What? It’s freezing cold in there. And snakes.”

Noah winked. “I’ll keep you safe, and I promise to warm you up when we get back inside.” He scrutinized her every movement to see if that was what she wanted. Because even though there was a war going on in his brain, his body had no reservations. His body really wanted a repeat of last night. He’d be willing to cook her that romantic meal he’d promised. He’d be willing to strip naked and jump in this ice cold lake if that’s what it took.

Kicking off his own shoes, he pointed at her feet. “Fair’s fair.”

She didn’t look convinced.

“Do I need to pin you down and pull those shoes off you myself? Because I can.”

Krista rolled her eyes at him. “Fine,” she said, plopping to the ground and tugging off her boots. Then she rolled up the cuffs of her jeans until they were at her knees.

Noah took a few steps into the water and waited for her.

A soft squeal tumbled off her lips as she dipped her big toe and then her foot into the chilly water. He pulled her out a few feet, positioned himself behind her, and wrapped his arms around her under the pretense of helping her hold the pole.

“I know how to hold the pole. You could just tell me what to do,” she said, but she didn’t try to pull out of his embrace, he noticed.

“Thought I’d keep you warm in the process. And there’s a trick to fly-fishing.” He gripped her hand on the pole and led her arm back over her head. Then in a quick movement, he guided her to flick the line forward and out into the water. The bait pierced the lake’s smooth surface, causing a ripple effect.

“Now we wait,” Krista said, shivering in his arms.

He held her tighter, his mouth just beside her ear. She smelled like lavender and honey, and he breathed her in for a long moment until the line tugged and Krista squealed excitedly.

“We got one, we got one!”

“Hold on.” Noah jerked the line back up and out of the water, revealing a small trout, wiggling and wrestling against the air.

“Wow! I forgot how much I love that feeling,” Krista said, as Noah reached for the fish, securing it tightly in one hand. “She’s so beautiful.”

“It’s been a while since you’ve gone fishing with me. Wanna kiss her before I toss her back?”

She scrunched her face. He’d always threatened her with kissing the fish when they were kids. “The answer is still no. And as much fun as that was, I’m f-f-freezing.”

He gently placed the fish back into the water. Once released, it swam away like its life depended on it. Noah could learn a lot from that fish. “Well, you got a little taste of the action here at least. Guess I’ll have to bring you back in the summer time when the water is just right. We can even go skinny dipping if you want.” He waggled his brows as if he was teasing, but he was mostly serious.

Krista rewarded him with a laugh. The sound, like the fishing lure, pierced through him, causing a ripple effect of its own. This whole weekend had been one series of ripple effects.

“C’mon. Let’s go warm you up,” he said, taking her hand and helping her back to dry land.

Thank God she could feel her hands and feet again.

Krista leaned over a plate of hot pasta at the kitchen table. She lifted her gaze to watch as Noah headed to the table holding two candlesticks and some matches. He lit them both, then sat down in the dimly lit room. “Who says I’m not romantic? I give you a candlelit dinner and wine.”

“You’re doing well.” Krista reached for her glass and started to take a sip.

“Whoa, hold up. Let’s toast.” He raised his glass and waited for hers to meet his. “Since you’re teaching me a little bit about the subject this weekend, let’s tap our glasses to romance.”

“To romance.”

They drank and then dug in.

Krista closed her eyes as she tasted the food.

“Good?”

“So good. I had no idea you could cook like this.”

“Well, you were coaching me on that, too. I can’t take all the credit. We make a good team. We always have.”

Krista twirled a forkful of pasta above her plate. “I dread leaving here tomorrow.”

“Yeah?”

She nodded. “It’s going to be a busy next three weeks. I had no idea there were so many maid-of-honor duties.”

“Jack only gave me this, and this isn’t so bad. I’m kind of having a great time. And by kind of, I mean a whole hell of a lot.”

Krista shifted on her chair. “I promised Grace I’d help with the gift registry and the reception they’re having afterward, too. Jack has no interest in filling out a registry and Grace’s mom isn’t really healthy enough to help because of her Parkinson’s disease.”

“Jack said he didn’t want a bachelor party. I asked.”

“Grace said the same about a bachelorette party. But I don’t feel right about doing nothing. I mean, you only get married once.”

“If you’re lucky.”

Krista met his gaze. Did he mean that? Did he think that those who fell in love and got married were lucky? Because that would surprise her. “Maybe we should have an anti-bachelor-and-bachelorette party. We could do it the week before Thanksgiving. And plan it together, since we make such a great team and all.”

Noah thought on this. “I like that. Sounds like a plan to me. They’re getting married the weekend after Thanksgiving. Why don’t we just—”

“Exactly!” Krista bounced on her chair.

“I didn’t even say anything yet.” Noah grinned at her, those boyish dimples sending shivers up her spine.

“But I know what you were going to say. We should have a Friends-and-family-giving. They can’t protest that. And we’ll bring everyone together and celebrate Jack and Grace’s upcoming marriage.”

Noah scratched his chin, casting her a teasing look. “Yeah. Glad I thought of that. That’s a pretty damn good idea.”

“Your boat and my townhouse are too small.”

“We can have it at the Sawyer Seafood Company’s office. We’ll give Grace the day off, for some reason that I’ll make up, and you and I can get busy.”

“I love this idea.” Krista finished off her glass of wine, feeling elated and tipsy and absolutely in lust with Noah—more so than usual. The romantic dinner he’d created was definitely working its magic on her. And so was the charm of the cabin.

He set his fork down. “I’m full.”

“Me, too.”

Leaning forward, he blew out the candles, leaving them in the glow of the setting sun through the window.

His gaze lingered on her. “So, what else should I know about romance? Since I’m learning this weekend.”

Krista tapped her chin, thinking about it. “I’ve always thought dancing was romantic.”

“I used to do one mean Funky Monkey.”

A laugh tore from her throat. “I remember. It was terrible,” she said through scattered breaths.

Noah looked offended. “Girls swooned.”

Yeah, she’d been one of them. “I was talking about slow dancing. You know, standing close, her hands on his shoulders, his hands on her waist.”

Noah nodded, keeping his gaze pinned on her. “I knew what you meant. I’m not sure Jack is much of a dancer.”

“Oh, you’d be surprised what a man will do when he’s in love.”

“Yeah? Talking from experience?”

Krista shook her head. “Not my own. But, from what Grace has told me, I’m willing to bet that Jack will dance.”

“We should set it up then.” Noah stood and headed into the living room. He opened the entertainment center and thumbed through a drawer of CDs. “Aha. Nothing more romantic than this,” he said, shielding the CD as he slid it in.

“I’m scared to ask.” She sat on the edge of the couch.

He glanced over his shoulder and grinned. Then he pressed PLAY. A slow romantic tune filled the air.

“The Righteous Brothers,” Krista said, IDing the band immediately. “Good choice.”

Noah held out a hand to her.

“What?” She furrowed her brow.

“Your hands on my shoulders. My hands on your waist. Isn’t that how it goes?”

Her heart sped up. “Are you asking me to dance?”

“Trying to.” He stepped closer and reached for one of her hands, pulling her to stand. He draped her hand on his shoulder. Eyes locked on her, he did the same to her other hand. Then he stepped closer, leaving only inches between them as he anchored his hands on her waist. “Yeah,” he whispered. “I can see how this would be romantic. I’m learning a lot from you this weekend.”

She swallowed and wished she didn’t want to kiss him so much. His mouth was so close to hers. His breath tickled her desire.

“You know what I’ve always thought was romantic?” he asked.

“What’s that?”

“Kissing.”

Her heart stopped beating for a quick second. “Me, too.” The music and his proximity, his hands and the way he was looking at her had her dizzy. “If I kiss you right now, it might turn out like last night, though,” she said in almost a whisper.

He leaned in a little more. “I happened to like last night.”

Krista rolled her lips together. The desire was thick and hot, building inside her so much it ached. She curled her fingers into his skin, holding on even though part of her wanted to pull away. “Me, too.”

Before she could say or think anything else, Noah brushed his lips against hers. The music slipped into the distance as they clawed at each other, their kiss deepening from sweet to passionate. Krista couldn’t help herself. She lowered her hands from his shoulders and started to pull his shirt overhead. She cast it to the living room floor, then fumbled with the button of his jeans.

“Whoa, there, sweetheart. Thought it was more romantic to go slow.” He smiled against her mouth, then his tongue traced her bottom lip.

She couldn’t help it. Her knees weakened and she almost dissolved into a puddle right there. “Screw romance. I want sex.”

“No, no, no, no. I’m doing this right.” He lifted her shirt off her body, slow and deliberate. The slow reveal made her skin burn. She needed him to touch her like he’d done last night. Needed to feel his hands and mouth on her. When her shirt was gone, he reached around and unclasped her bra, letting her breasts spill down into his ready hands. “I want these pants off you, too,” he growled, then unfastened her jeans and yanked them down, dropping to his knees as he did.

Krista was so weak with need she could barely stand up. “What are you doing?”

“Tell me what you want me to do.” He scraped his unshaven cheek against her inner thigh, making her moan. Then he bit down gently on her sensitive skin.

Her knees nearly buckled right there.

“Tell me.”

“I want you to make me naked,” she said.

His hands rode up her legs, cupping her bottom. Then he yanked her panties down, making her cry out softly.

Noah pulled her down to the floor with him. “This is what I want,” he said when she was under him. “I want you on the floor, in front of this fire.”

Krista reached down and gripped his length as he pressed it toward her. “I want to feel this inside me,” she said.

He thrust against her hand. Then he lowered his mouth and plunged his tongue inside, mimicking the movement she’d told him she wanted. The kiss went on forever, the ache escalating until she was writhing beneath him.

“I’ve got to get another condom from the honeymoon stash.” Noah lifted off her body and headed to the bedroom, giving her just enough time to collect her thoughts. The first time had been a lapse in judgment. Was a second time really a good idea?

Noah returned and held up a golden wrapper. He was naked and glorious, and all hers—if only for tonight.

Oh, definitely. This is a very good idea.

Noah covered Krista’s warm, naked body, sliding into her arms like it was the most natural place to be. And it was. He felt comfortable with her. She was his life-long confidant, and having sex with her was far beyond anything he’d ever experienced.

“You okay?” he asked, hovering above her.

“Better than okay.”

“Good.” He pressed against her, kissing her long and slow. He loved how she clung to him, pulling him to her, as if she couldn’t get enough. He pressed his length against her, once, twice, and then he was inside her.

She moaned beneath him, showing him her satisfaction, urging him on and driving him absolutely crazy.

“God, you feel like heaven.” And if he had to choose right now between Blushing Bay, the Sawyer cabin, or her—which place would he stay forever if he could choose only one—no contest, he’d choose Krista.

He stopped moving for a moment above her, the thought of forever paralyzing him.

She tugged, pulled, her body writhing against him. The fire crackled beside them as they laid on the floor. “Don’t stop now.” Her eyes were mere slants. A smile held her lips. God, she looked like an angel. What the hell was she doing with him? He kissed her sweetly, then long and deep, his body moving inside her again, pushing his nagging thoughts away.

She rewarded him with a moan. After only a few minutes, she sucked in a sharp breath. Taking her over the edge, he pushed harder, faster, his own groans ripping from deep inside him. Satisfying her was his greatest pleasure.

“Go ahead,” he said.

Her moans increased. Then her eyes closed and her body tensed and arched.

He watched her, working hard to keep his own eyes open. He wanted to see her, to memorize this moment because it was so much better than he’d ever fantasized. And despite himself, he’d fantasized about her over the years, especially over the last couple weeks.

With a cry, she went limp beneath him. Her smile drew up higher and even in the dim lighting, he could see the glow cast along her features.

Yeah, he could definitely stay here, in this moment forever.