Forever Summer - Melody Grace Page 0,85

I was too late,” she said urgently. “I didn’t tell you … you wouldn’t know … I’m sorry,” she blurted. “I’m falling in love with you, but I got scared—that I would lose you, that something like this would happen and I’d be wrecked all over again, but … I don’t care.” Evie swallowed hard. “I’d rather love you and lose you than never love you at all.”

Evie held her breath as Noah took in her words. Maybe she was a fool, setting herself up for heartbreak again, but she didn’t care. Somehow, this man had come into her life with his laughter and passion and great big, beating heart; she would be a fool not to love him.

The only question, was she too late?

Had she pushed him away so hard that there was no coming back for them?

But just as Evie’s nerves were tightening in fear again, Noah gave her a smile that melted her all the way to the core. “You’re going to need to say that ‘love’ part again,” he murmured, reaching to cup her jaw in his palm. “Many, many times.”

Evie laughed out loud in relief. “As often as you want,” she vowed. “I’m only just getting started loving you.”

“I love you, too,” Noah said, meeting her lips in a fiercely tender kiss. The noise and activity around them melted away, and there was nothing but the feel of his arms around her, and her heart beat so fast with joy, Evie felt like she might burst.

Somebody cleared their throat nearby. She drew back. It was the chief. “We’re all set here, Montgomery,” he said, with a twinkle in his eyes. “If you want to take off.”

“Appreciate it,” Noah replied, still holding onto Evie tightly.

“And I heard you’ll be planning the next few festivals,” the chief added. “Glad to see your community spirit coming through.”

Evie laughed as Noah steered her away. “I forgot about that,” she said, smiling.

“You won’t again, since you’re my new assistant,” Noah replied with a smirk.

“I’m busy!” Evie protested, playful. “I have the inn to be dealing with. And—oh!” she exclaimed, suddenly remembering that she’d left Bunny hanging when she’d dashed out in the middle of her interview.

“What is it?” he asked.

“There’s a stern hotel critic back at the Beachcomber,” Evie said, wincing. “And she’s probably not happy with me right now.”

“I’ll drive you home,” Noah offered, but Evie shook her head. One review wouldn’t make or break her, and right then, the most important thing in her world was standing right there in front of her, looking impossibly sexy in his fire fighter’s uniform.

But he would look even better out of it.

“June will take care of her,” Evie said, leading him towards her car. “And besides … we’ve got a lot catching up to do.”

They made it back to Noah’s place—although Evie didn’t know how, when she wanted him so badly. It wasn’t just desire, although just one touch from him made her melt. It was more, this time, as he took her by the hand and led her upstairs.

It felt like a beginning.

Peeling off each other’s clothes, stumbling back into the shower—the hot water drenched them, beating down on their naked bodies as Evie ran her hands over him; her mouth; exploring every inch as if it was the first time.

Because in a way, it was. This time, her heart was open. This time, she knew the risk of loving him, and she was going to do it, regardless. When she kissed him, she felt free in a way she never had before. Braver. Stronger. Like this was the start of the rest of her life—with him. Noah kissed her back with just as much intensity, showing her with his body and his lips just how much she meant to him. And when they finally came together, their bodies joining in perfect friction, she didn’t hesitate. She didn’t try to keep control. She gave herself over completely to the moment—to Noah—because when they leapt off the edge together, she knew, they weren’t falling.

They were flying.

A few weeks later …

Evie woke to the sound of her alarm and sunlight pouring through the open drapes. She lay there a moment, listening to the now-familiar melody of mornings at the Beachcomber Inn: the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, the call of the gulls circling in search of their breakfast, and the rhythmic lullaby of Noah’s breathing, steady beside her in bed.

Would she ever get used to it? Evie hoped not.