Exposure - Kelly Moran Page 0,14

too. His blond hair was carelessly disheveled, as if not bothering with it other than to finger comb. Heat flared in her belly, traveling lower as she watched him.

For ten years she'd shut off the part of her mind that allowed herself to think of him as anything other than just Noah. Now, she drank him in, considering. He was right about a few things. It would be so good between them. It had been too long since she felt this punch of lust.

Dizzying.

"You keep looking at me like that, Raven, and we won't make it until dinner. I'll chuck it and take you right there on that counter." He looked at her over his shoulder. "No doubt you'd taste better."

She sucked in a ragged breath through her nose and looked away, imagining them doing just what he said. There was a problem in his scenario though, and damn if she knew how to bring it up.

Stepping away from the stove, he poured her a glass of wine and slid it across the counter. "Drink. You've gone pale."

Taking a healthy gulp, she didn't even taste the wine as it traced a warm path to her belly. "What are we having?"

"Gumbo. My mother's recipe." He dished some into two bowls and walked them to the table in an alcove, where a basket of homemade bread sat between two placemats. A couple of candles were flickering in the dim light.

He'd gone all out.

"I didn't know you could cook."

"That remains to be seen. I followed the recipe, so we'll find out." He pulled out a chair, waiting for her to accept.

Crossing the room, she took a seat and he pushed her chair in, ever the gentleman.

He sat across from her and sipped his wine. The candlelight made his turquoise eyes darker, like the cusp of twilight. Shadows played over his face, the light scruff on his jaw and the angular edges of his features, and she could see the inner artist in him as if she'd been slapped. She didn't know how she'd missed it before. His gaze took in everything at once, dissecting and analyzing, as if seeking the perfect shot.

The silence was uncomfortable, laced with everything unsaid. Nervous on how to begin, she picked up her spoon and took a bite. Spice exploded on her tongue, both full-bodied and rich. With only a slight after bite, it warmed her from the inside out.

"This is really good. I think you need to chip in now and again on our weekly dinners."

Breathing out a laugh, he began to eat. "It's not bad. Not as good as Mom's."

She couldn't imagine his loss. They'd been together in his dorm room sophomore year when he'd gotten the call that his parents had died. He'd been understandably devastated. "Do you have a lot of her old recipes? I could make some of her dishes if you want."

The look he gave her had all that old turmoil resurfacing. He blinked it away. "That would be nice," he said roughly.

After a few more spoonfuls, she grabbed a slice of bread and shifted the conversation. "About Hoan. Did you really want to set up a show or was that just a means to…other things?"

He stilled, staring into his bowl before carefully setting down his spoon and meeting her gaze. "Those other things being me wanting you beneath me while I pound into you and having you scream my name? Those other things?"

The breath left her lungs and damn if she didn't get damp between her legs. "You don't mince words."

"I don't see the point. I told you what I wanted. I can finally be honest in my desire to have you. I don't think you understand just how frustrating the past ten years have been."

He shook his head and took a sip of wine while she focused on drawing in oxygen.

Setting his glass down, he pushed away his empty bowl. "I'm more than willing to do an exhibit at Elements any time you want, with the understanding that my agent represent me at the show. Hoan doesn't do appearances."

"You always come to my events."

"As Noah, and I'll be there on Hoan's night. As Noah."

She still couldn't grasp what was so important about the secrecy, but she nodded, trusting him. "Okay. I'll have Nicole check our schedule and see when would work for both of us. Do you have any pieces ready?"

He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back. "Several." The pause was lengthy and she could see he