Forever Summer - Melody Grace Page 0,38
happy to offer my services,” Noah continued, with a wicked grin. “With the shopping, I mean.”
Oh boy.
Evie’s pulse kicked up a notch. She’d spent all morning trying not to think about Noah in bed, and there he was, lying beside her, like something straight out of her steamiest fantasies. Of course, in those daydreams they weren’t in the middle of a crowded furniture store, with an irritated couple bickering in the background and the salesman lurking nearby.
Evie had to laugh. Clearly, the universe had a sense of humor.
The universe—and her pesky best friend.
“Well, since you’re here, I’m trying to pick out the beds for the inn,” she said, giving the mattress another bounce. “What do you think?”
“Comfy.” He flashed her a smile. “But will it stand up to a workout?”
“Excuse me?” Evie raised an eyebrow, trying to play it cool even as her mind flooded with images of what, exactly, a workout with Noah would be like…
“I meant kids bouncing on it,” Noah replied, looking amused. “It was always the first thing me and my sister did when we traveled with our parents.”
“Me too,” Evie replied, relaxing. “What it is about hotel rooms that make them so much fun?”
“And hotel bathtubs,” Noah added. “I usually stick to showers, but point me at a hotel tub and some free bubble bath …”
Evie snorted. “I’m trying to picture you up to your ears in pink bubbles,” she said, shooting him a smirk.
“Don’t forget the shower cap,” Noah replied, grinning. “The frillier, the better.”
She laughed. This was the part that was so seductive: the quicksilver flirting, already fizzing in her veins.
And as for his smile …
She swallowed. “Well, if there’s going to be bouncing, we’ll need something sturdier than this.”
She slid off the bed before he could make another dirty quip and moved to the next model. Noah followed. “Now, this is more like it,” he proclaimed, collapsing onto the mattress. “I could stay here all day.”
He patted the empty space beside him invitingly, and Evie climbed on up—making sure her skirt didn’t ruck up in all the wrong places.
“Ooh,” she said, sinking into the soft padding. “It is nice.”
“Do you think they ever have to throw people out for falling asleep?” Noah asked, scooching around and getting comfortable. “Because I could really go for a nap right now.”
“Me too,” Evie agreed, letting out a yawn. “Jules and I were up late last night, talking.”
“No wonder my ears were burning,” Noah said, looking smug.
“What makes you think we were talking about you?” Evie asked.
He grinned. “Because Jules just told me so.”
Dammit. Evie cursed inside. So much for playing it cool. “And what did she say?”
“Just that I’d better bring my A-game if I want to impress you.” Noah flashed a smile. “Apparently, you’re a very selective lady.”
Evie relaxed. OK, Jules was forgiven.
“So, how about that date?” he continued. “I know a great little restaurant just outside town. The chef’s a friend, it’s quiet … romantic … serves a delicious cocktail or two …” He trailed off, waiting for her response.
But Evie paused. The man played havoc on her self-control in a public, well-lit space. Throw in wine and candlelight, and she may as well strip off all her clothes and yell, “Take me now!”
Noah must have misread her hesitation, because his smile softened from “seductive” to “friendly.”
“It’s OK, don’t feel any pressure,” he said, sitting up on the bed. “It’s cool if you just want to be friends, or you’re not ready to be dating—”
“No, I am,” Evie found herself replying, with a rush of adrenaline. Jules was right, she didn’t have to go diving in the deep end. Noah was clearly a casual kind of guy. Why shouldn’t she see what it was like to have some fun?
And kiss him again.
Dear Lord, she wanted to kiss him again.
Evie sat up, wracking her brains for a safe, non-romantic date idea that wouldn’t have her immediately melting into a puddle of pure lust at his feet. Then she remembered the conversation at the bakery.
“I actually have an idea,” she said. “Remember how I pretended to be your girlfriend?”
“Vividly,” Noah murmured, his gaze fixed on her.
Evie blushed. “Well, maybe you can return the favor. I want to visit some of the B&Bs in the area, scope out the competition,” she explained. “And I thought maybe I could get away with some snooping if I had some company. We could pretend to be looking for a honeymoon spot.”
“You mean, undercover?” Noah’s smile widened. “Count me in.”
“Great.”