But was she the type of woman he could see himself spending the rest of his life with? For weeks, shed basically lied to him.
Tonight, shed tell him the truth. If he couldnt forgive her or trust her after that, well then, that was the end of the time shed spent with him. Sure, as Landrys best friend, shed see him occasionally, but the long days riding out over Adair Acres with Noah would stop.
She swallowed hard on the lump forming in her throat. She hoped and prayed it wouldnt come to that. In the meantime, she would look her best to deliver her confession.
In her bathroom, she touched up the curls in her hair with a curling iron, applied a light dusting of blush to her cheeks to mask their paleness and added a little gloss to her lips.
Dressing for her confession was more difficult. What did one wear to a declaration of wrongdoing? She pulled a pretty yellow sundress out of the closet, held it up to her body and tossed it aside. Too cheerful.
A red dress was too flamboyant and jeans were too casual. She finally settled on a short black dress with thin straps. Though it could be construed as what shed wear to her own funeral, it hugged her figure to perfection and made her feel a little more confident. She knew she looked smooth, sleek and pretty.
As she held the dress up to her body, a knock sounded on the door. She squealed and the hanger slipped from her fingers. Just a minute! she called out.
Grabbing the dress off the floor, she unzipped the back and stepped into the garment. Quickly, she slipped it up over her hips and the straps over her shoulders.
Im coming, she said, hurrying toward the door as she zipped the dress as far up the back as she could, while running across the living room.
She had her hand on the doorknob, twisting it before she realized she hadnt put on a pair of shoes or sandals. Too late to go back for shoes, she opened the door and her breath caught.
Noahs broad shoulders filled the doorway. Wearing crisp blue jeans and a soft blue polo shirt that matched his eyes and complemented his sandy blond hair, he made her heart slam hard against her chest and then beat so fast she thought she might pass out. Im sorry, I was just getting dressed and I forgot shoes, and I havent started the grill...
He stepped through the door and closed it behind him. My fault. I finished my errands earlier than I expected. I could have waited at a park or stopped for coffee, but...I wanted to see you. Already standing close to her, he reached out, cupped her cheek and gazed down into her eyes. Hey.
Hey, yourself. She laid her hand against his and leaned into his palm. Im glad you came early. And she was. The right clothes, food and shoes didnt mean anything when he was standing in front of her, looking so handsome.
For a moment she thought he was going to kiss her. He leaned forward, his head dropping low, his lips hovering over hers.
She held her breath, her chin tipping up. She could practically feel his lips on hers. Then the reason shed invited him to her place popped into her head and she knew she couldnt have that kiss without first revealing what shed done. But before she could tell him her news, she decided to feed him first. Her tongue snaked out and wet her suddenly dry lips. If you can wait thirty minutes, Ill cook the steaks and potatoes.
Wheres your grill? I can get that started.
Grills and steaks were the last things on her mind. She could barely think past his broad chest and the way he filled the room in which he stood. On the balcony, she managed to say, but she couldnt budge. Her feet seemed stuck to the floor.
Noah chuckled. I dont know about you, but I have the uncontrollable urge to kiss you.
Same here, she confessed. If only telling him shed spied on him was easy. Maybe we should get started cooking, or we wont have anything to eat tonight.
As soon as she stepped away from the hand on her face, she regretted moving at all. She liked how warm and work roughened his palm felt against her skin and wondered what it would feel like if he ran those hands all over her body. Shed gotten a small teaser that afternoon. It wasnt enough. She wanted more.
Ready to retreat to the safe zone of her kitchen, she spun on her bare heels and would have walked away.
Noahs hand closed on her shoulders. Um, sweetheart, did you have a little trouble getting dressed?
What? Hearing him call her sweetheart made her knees weak.
His fingers brushed the bare skin of her back. Let me get that zipper for you.
Once again, his rough fingers skimmed across her skin and a shiver of anticipation rippled through her.
I find myself wanting to skip dinner altogether. Rather than zip the dress up her back, his fingers hesitated.
Rachel closed her eyes, willing herself to control the raging desire rising up like a tsunami inside. Me, too, she said, all her self-coaching flying out the window with Noahs fingers touching the middle of her naked back.
She leaned against his hand, filling her lungs with much-needed air and letting it out a little at a time, hoping to slow her racing heart.
Is it wrong to go straight to dessert? He whispered the words against the back of her neck, his warm breath stirring tendrils of her hair, causing her nerve endings to ignite.
Who needs steak? she said, turning in his arms, her determination to hold off until she spoke to him crumbling.
I can wait to eat.
Resting her hands on his chest, she gazed up into his eyes. Why now? she asked.
Because I ate a late lunch, and I cant think of anything else but kissing you. He bent to brush his mouth across hers.
No, I mean weve been seeing each other at the ranch for weeks. Why the sudden interest in me now?
He shook his head, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear. Not sudden. Ive always been interested. I just didnt know if you returned the interest until today. I was taking it slow.
She snorted. Slow? You made turtles look speedy. Her eyes narrowed. And now?
And now my life has been turned upside down. The truth as I knew it is a lie, and I dont know anyone anymore. You are the only constant in my life and I guess I was afraid if I didnt do something soon, Id lose you.
Oh, Noah, Im not going anywhere. I was waiting for you to show interest in me. She bit her bottom lip, knowing now was the time to tell him her part in the events that led up to his DNA test and the revelation that he was Reginald Adairs son. Noah, I need to tell you something
He didnt give her the opportunity. He swept his mouth across hers and deepened the kiss, pushing his tongue past her teeth.
Rachel melted into him, her arms circling the back of his neck. This was where shed wanted to be. Forgotten were the marinating steaks and the potatoes waiting to be popped into the microwave.
Noahs fingers slid down her back to where shed half zipped her dress. Instead of sliding the zipper up, he dragged it downward and slipped the straps off her shoulders.
The dress dropped to the floor around her feet and she stood in only a pair of sexy black lace panties. Nothing else.
She dragged his shirt up out of the waistband of his jeans and over his head, tossing it to the floor. Next she unbuckled his belt and slid it through the loops. It joined the shirt. Then she loosened the top button on his fly.