“I guess, yeah.”

  I slid closer to her. We had changed so much since we were kids. We used to be roughly similar heights, but now I towered over her.

  “Good weird?” I asked.

  She bit down on her lip. “Yeah.”

  Her voice was throaty, and I knew that voice. She might have changed in a lot of ways, but I knew that voice.

  “So, tell me something about grown-up Rachel,” I said.

  She smiled. “Honestly? I’m still figuring her out. I thought I had my whole life planned out back in Houston. Being a nurse, living downtown . . . it was my identity for the past several years. Now, though? I’m starting to imagine a new future for myself. Feeling it out as I go.”

  I wanted to ask if that new future included me, but I wasn’t anywhere near brave enough. There was still a chance Austen was right, and I was going to take what I could get with her while I could get it. I didn’t want any regrets or what-ifs between us when she left.

  Rachel tilted her head back, her eyes wide. “The stars are amazing. I’d forgotten how peaceful it is out here.”

  The stars were nothing compared to her, though. I didn’t even bother looking up—I just kept gazing at her. She was the most beautiful thing around, by far. The curve of her lips. The soft skin at the base of her throat.

  “I used to have dreams about bringing you here. Making you mine,” I said softly.

  She lifted one delicate eyebrow. “How very caveman-like of you.”

  “I’m serious.”

  She flashed me a smile. “So am I.”

  I let out a low chuckle.

  “You mentioned something earlier, about kisses,” I reminded her.

  “So I did.” She smiled and nestled closer to me, the water shifting around her in the steamy pool.

  I leaned in then and took her lips with mine, greedily, hungrily. We’d been interrupted too many times. But out here in the middle of nowhere, I wanted her and her alone. Unless a squirrel stumbled by and needed her help birthing a kit, I had Rachel all to myself.

  Wasting no time, I lifted her easily and pulled her onto my lap. Feeling her bare thighs against mine sent a new wave of naughty thoughts racing through my mind.

  I pulled her closer because I wanted her to feel exactly what she was doing to me.

  She gasped in response, then moaned in my mouth. “Noah.”

  “I want you.” I growled the words. “Every inch of you.”

  No use in denying it. The choice was hers entirely, but she might as well know where my head was at.

  She let out a sharp breath of approval that spurred me on.

  My hands found the curves of her ass, and I groaned when she rocked her body over mine.

  She wrapped her legs around me then and resituated herself over me. I knew a lot more now than I did at sixteen. I knew she was getting my hardness right on her sweet spot. Taking full advantage, I rocked my hips up, and she groaned in reply.

  Sliding my hand up her back, I unclasped her bra. The younger me would be so proud at my skill now. That thought gave me a new idea. There was something I’d never been able to do properly with Rachel, and I wanted more than anything to correct that now.

  “Sweetheart, you’re killing me,” I groaned.

  “Well, we can’t have that,” she murmured, pressing one more soft kiss to the stubble on my jaw.

  Her lips felt wonderful, and though I shouldn’t, I couldn’t help but wonder how amazing they would feel on other parts of my body.

  “Should we get out of here?” I asked, and she nodded.

  In one motion, I stood up, lifting her in the process, and spun with her, setting her down on her feet and then wrapping her in one of the throw blankets. We dried off in a big hurry, which was fine by me.

  The mineral water felt amazing, but staying in it too long could dehydrate you, and I had other things on my mind. It seemed Rachel did too.

  18

  * * *

  TOUGH AS NAILS

  Rachel

  When we stepped out of the water, a devilish smile crossed my face. I swooped down quickly and snatched up Noah’s clothes. He froze, half out of the water, his eyes locked on mine, a look of pleading on his face.

  “You wouldn’t. Please,” he begged.

  I shook my head slowly. “I’m so sorry, Noah, but I have to. You know that.”

  In a flash, before he could utter one more word of protest, I darted off into the field.

  Was I freezing? Yes. Did my feet hurt running over rocks and sticks? Yes. Did I give two hoots? Not a chance.

  Noah tore after me but was more affected by the rocks. “How are you running on this?” he called out after me as he picked his way through the field.

  “I’m tough as nails,” I called out triumphantly.

  “You’re insane!” he shouted across the distance.

  When I reached a small group of trees just before the road, I finally stopped. I certainly couldn’t be stripped down to my birthday suit next to the road. It might be late, but people could still drive by and see us.

  I dropped his clothes in a pile and peeled off my wet underwear. My pants stuck to my legs because my skin was still a little damp, but I managed.

  I was fully dressed by the time Noah caught up to me. I watched in fascination as he peeled off his boxers and slipped on his jeans.

  “Isn’t that . . . uncomfortable?” I nodded toward the zipper.

  “It’s not bad. Not ideal, but not bad.”

  “Huh. The things you learn,” I said thoughtfully.

  He laughed easily, and we turned for the truck.

  Then, for the first time in nine years, Noah Hart laced his fingers through mine. We walked away from the hot springs with new, better memories, just as he’d promised.

  19

  * * *

  SO MUCH BETTER

  Noah

  The drive back was excruciating, but it passed quickly. When I pulled onto the road that led up the mountain, Rachel leaned over and put her hand on my knee.

  “Let’s go to my place.”

  Those were the sweetest words I’d ever heard. I had wondered if I should be a gentleman and just drop her off. But hearing her say she wanted me to come over, well, let’s just say it did all kinds of things to my already overactive libido.

  I maneuvered the truck up the gravel drive and pulled to a stop in front of her cabin. I cut the engine and hopped out, crossing around to help her down from the truck. Not that she needed it—I just wanted another chance to be close to her.

  Rachel’s hands landed on my shoulders, and then our mouths found each other.

  The kiss went from zero to scorching-hot in a big damn hurry. I’d never wanted anyone more.

  I lifted her into my arms and kicked the door shut behind us as I carried her into the house. She wrapped her legs around my waist—just like she’d done in the hot spring.

  Carrying her straight toward the bedroom, I knew it would be pointless to ask her if she wanted another glass of wine, or to talk in the living room. She was kissing me like she was every bit as desperate for this as I was, and making little pleasure-filled sounds when my tongue stroked hers.

  After setting Rachel down in the center of the bed, I stood for a moment, just appreciating the view. It wasn’t one I’d ever planned on enjoying. The girl I once loved, back here again. If this was the only night I got before she came to her senses about this place, I wasn’t going to waste it.

  “Noah . . .” She reached one hand toward me, beckoning me to join her.

  I sat next to her on the bed and wasted no time bringing my mouth down to hers again.

  Kissing was usually just okay, something you had to do to get from point A to point B. But with Rachel, it could easily be the main attraction. It was that good. Her hot little mouth was doing wicked things—stroking my tongue with hers, trailing warm, sucking kisses down my neck. My heart rate was out of control and my body was primed and ready.

  Easing my hand under her sweater, I found her perfect tits. They were soft and warm, and her heart was beating wildly. She brought one hand between us and grazed the back of her knuckles along my denim-covered shaft.

  Our eyes connected, and a thousand things were communicated between us. Neither of us was backing down from whatever this was.

  I moved down the bed, positioning myself between her legs, and pulled her jeans down. Her panties were damp, and I pulled those off next, running my hands up her thighs.

  Finally, I couldn’t wait any longer.

  I kissed a path along one slender leg . . . from her knee down to the curve of her inner thigh. She shifted and made a needy sound. I grinned and repeated the same slow kisses down the length of her other thigh. When I glanced up, she was propped on one elbow, watching me. I stroked my thumb along her center, and she whimpered.

  Rachel was so soft and wet. Perfect.

  I couldn’t wait any longer for a taste.

  Burying my face, I inhaled her, tasted her, and then set to work moving my tongue steadily over her sensitive flesh. I started slowly, gradually building until I heard the little gasping sound that confirmed I’d found what she liked. The only thing that mattered was making her feel good. And based on the eager sounds she was making, I knew I’d found the mark.

  My hands wandered up her belly to her breasts. They perfectly filled my hands.

  “Oh—my—Noah—don’t—stop,” she mumbled between halting breaths.

  It took everything I had not to smile, and to ignore the ache between my legs. But there would be time for that later, I hoped.

  For now, I was driven purely by the need to show Rachel how good we could be together, to give her the pleasure she deserved.

  Her hands snaked through my hair, and she clenched at the short strands, tugging harder than I expected. I figured she was close, and I wasn’t disappointed.

  Not a second later, she let out a strangled moan, her once-smooth motions devolving into jerky spasms. I eased back and looked up to watch her unravel. To my shock, she was looking right at me. Her eyes blazed wildly.

  “Noah.” She gasped, her tone pure surprise. Her chest heaved as she fought for breath.

  I guided her to the pillow and lay beside her, kissing her throat.

  She giggled. “That was . . . I have no words.”

  “Amazing?” I said helpfully with an innocent shrug as I tilted my gaze.

  She laughed and leaned closer, so our bodies were perfectly aligned.

  “Is there anything better than amazing?” she asked as she ran her toes up the side of my leg.

  “Extraordinary?” I suggested.

  Her hand rested on my knee, and my cock twitched with anticipation. I wasn’t going to press anything else on her tonight. I was happy to give and not receive in return. But I sure as hell wasn’t going to turn anything down.

  “Extra-credi-mazing,” she said decidedly.

  “That doesn’t sound real, but I’ll take it.”

  “An unreal word for an unreal performance.”

  She laughed and skimmed her finger along my belt buckle. My body practically jolted in response.

  “You don’t have to return the favor,” I managed to say through a dry throat.

  She moved lower in reply, landing back on my lap, straddling me. “I want to.” She practically hummed the words.

  Anticipation shot through me.

  We both leaned in to kiss. I did my best to keep cool when her fingers unbuttoned my jeans, and then she slipped her hand below the waist of my boxers. She gripped me and gave me a light squeeze, then broke our kiss.

  “I forgot how big you are,” she whispered, then squeezed me in her palm again.

  “Fuck, Rachel,” I rasped.

  Her hand on me, talking about me like that . . . it was all I could do not to pick her up right here and lay her down and bury myself inside her.

  She stood up then, and knowingly, I swung my legs over the side of the bed while she perched herself on the floor between my feet. She eased my boxers down, and I lifted my hips to help her.

  At the sight of my straining cock, she licked her lips.

  It was enough to send me over the edge . . . well, not literally, but emotionally. I was done for. There was no way this was going to last long. And here I’d thought I would be impressing her with my maturity, and I was already fighting back the urge to sail right over the edge.

  She gripped me then and lowered herself, her mouth coming down around my tip, her tongue swiping over the sensitive notch under my cockhead.

  Fuck. I was in trouble. Rachel knew things too now, apparently. Things she didn’t know before. Her mouth was the best thing I’d ever felt, hot and wet and perfect.

  She moved slowly, deliberately, as if to draw out my pleasure. I made a helpless sound—something between a groan and a curse—and her gaze lifted to mine.

  “So good, sweetheart,” I said low, encouraging her.

  My fingers stroked absently through her hair as I tried to catch my breath, but nothing was stopping this train. Her mouth was perfect, but when she worked me in her hand too, it was un-fucking-bearable.

  My balls tightened to my body, and I felt the pulses of pleasure coming fast and hard, a deep heat building down my spine.

  “Rachel, I’m coming.” I managed to warn her, but she didn’t release me. “Rach,” I said once more, desperation in my voice.

  She didn’t let up, and the heat shot through me. I stroked her hair and gazed down on her with adoration as she took every inch of me apart, piece by piece.

  I felt dizzy with pleasure. When she finally released me, I took a few deep breaths.

  I must have had an insane look on my face, because Rachel’s expression turned serious.

  “Are you okay?” she asked curiously.

  I held up a finger. “Just. Need. A. Minute.” Each word took immense effort on my part.

  Her face relaxed then, and she sank back into the spot beside me.

  Finally, when my heart had settled down, I wrapped her in my arms, inhaling her scent. “I missed this,” I said with a sigh.

  She leaned back to look at me. “Hooking up? The way I hear it, you get plenty.”

  My smile dropped, and I turned her chin with two fingers until she was looking at me. “No, Rachel. I missed us. Missed you.”

  The soft look returned to her eyes. “Oh.”

  “And for the record, what we did tonight, that isn’t anywhere in the same universe as hooking up with anyone else.”

  I could see her fighting off a smile.

  “I’ve never been in a healthy romantic relationship as an adult. Be gentle with me,” she whispered, tucking her face in close to my neck.

  “Always. I promise.”

  20

  * * *

  HEARTS

  Rachel

  “Do you, uh, have anything I can wear?” Noah asked, his tone doubtful.

  I chuckled. His clothes were still in a heap on the floor.

  Crossing to my bag, I riffled through it and held up a pair of big pajama pants with white hearts all over them. “Will these work?” I waved the fabric around enticingly.

  He shrugged as if this was all perfectly normal and took the pants from me. Amazingly, they actually sort of fit, at least his trim waist, though the legs were halfway up his calves.

  I slipped on clean pants and a T-shirt and cut the light. The darkness was blinding as I shuffled to the bed. He was waiting for me under the covers.

  Noah Hart. In my bed. The thought was still unreal. Megan would have been proud, of course.

  His arm was outstretched, ready to scoop me into his side. I rested my head on his shoulder.

  “This won’t be practical for sleeping, but it feels nice,” I told him.

  “Not practical? Says who? I can hold you all night like this.”

  I snorted. “You’ve had people sleep overnight before, right?”

  A shockingly long silence passed.

  “Not like this,” he finally told me.

  I wasn’t sure what he meant, but I didn’t really want to ask. It suited me much better to be none the wiser.

  “I can’t believe I’m really here with you,” I said with a giggle.

  Noah squeezed me harder to his side. It was the perfect moment—comfortingly familiar, tender and sweet.

  After a while, when I thought he might have already fallen asleep, he stroked my hair lightly. “Thank you for staying.”

  I breathed out softly at the thought in his words, and my eyes welled up with tears.

  I didn’t want to be constantly comparing Noah to Roger, but I couldn’t help it in that moment. My heart was filled with this feeling . . . like I was whole suddenly. Like I was cared for completely. Like everything was going to be like this from here on out.

  There were too many thoughts in my head just then.

  How stupid I’d been for not realizing that Roger didn’t really love me. He’d never go to sleep with me, even when I begged. He said he hated cuddling, it was too cliché, and he never whispered sweet words to me.

  I’d been missing out completely on all of that. The stuff that makes a relationship . . . the moments that let you know you are the center of someone’s world. I wasn’t even sure if Noah felt all that deeply about me, but I could already see it was a hell of a lot more love than Roger had for me.

  If Noah was game, I was going to take the chance to be with him. I didn’t need to rush it, I had all the time in the world . . . but I knew I wasn’t going to hold back anymore.

  Maybe all this had happened for a reason—losing my job, leaving Roger, having to come back home to take care of Grandpa’s affairs. The universe was pushing me right back to where I needed to be.

  And right now, I needed to be in Noah’s arms.

  21

  * * *

  SURPRISE VISITS

  Rachel

  Everything was falling into place. Things I didn’t think I needed or wanted. Things I could have never known to wish for.