And just like that, he’d given me the answer I wanted to hear. He didn’t say anything more. Instead, he slipped on his helmet, then kicked his leg over the seat of his Harley and sat down, waiting silently for me to get on behind him. Still in a daze, I put on my helmet, then climbed on behind him, slipping my arms around his waist. Seconds later, we were on our way back to Ada’s. Even though it was late, I was far from tired. That kiss had woken me in ways I couldn’t begin to explain, and I couldn’t imagine going to sleep. I wanted to watch the sunrise while riding through the city, but it was clear that Noah had other plans. He drove us straight back to the storage lot, and as soon as we arrived, he locked up the gate and I followed him up to Ada’s front porch.
I was hoping we might finish what we’d started earlier, but as soon as we walked inside, I heard Ada say, “There you two are. You’s had me worried sick.”
“Thought we’d be back before you got up.”
“Um-hmm. Well, dats why you leave a note.” Ada fussed. “What am I gonna do wit you chil’ren?”
“Sorry we worried ya. I’ll make it up to you.” Noah yawned, then said, “But first, I’m gonna need to get a couple of hours sleep.”
“Go on nows. I’ll keep an eye on dings.” Ada looked over to me as she said, “Look like you could use some sleep too.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Well, ain’t no sense in standing round here.” Ada motioned her hand down the hall. “Get on in dare and gets you some rest.”
Noah had already gone to his room, so without any arguments, I followed suit. When I got to my room, I crawled into bed and tried to fall asleep. It wasn’t easy. Every time I closed my eyes, I was back on Lover’s Loop, kissing Noah. Needless to say, I spent most of my time in bed tossing and turning, so I didn’t get much sleep. After several hours, I finally gave up and got up. I took a hot shower and changed into some fresh clothes. I did my hair, then went into the kitchen to see what Noah and Ada were up to. To my disappointment, Noah was already outside and was busy doing one of his walkabouts. I thought he would eventually return, but he didn’t. Instead, he spent most of his afternoon and night outside—only coming in for a quick bite to eat. Even then, he didn’t have much to say, so I couldn’t help but think that he was avoiding me.
I tried to not let it bother me that he was putting up his walls again, but two days of getting the silent treatment had me beyond flustered. After the time we’d spent on top of that mountain, I thought things between us were going to head in a different direction. It made sense that it would. Every time our eyes met, I felt butterflies in my stomach, and it was almost more than I could take. Over the past couple of days, that feeling had only grown stronger. I had no doubt that Noah felt the same. I could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice, so I assumed that he would finally give in to these intense feelings we had for one another. I was wrong. Instead, he was back to keeping me at arm’s length. Hell, he’d barely said two words to me in days, but I’d seen the way he stared at me when he didn’t think I was paying attention. Those secret glances were getting under my skin, and I knew it was going to take something big to get him to see that I wanted him—all of him—the brooding, tough biker and the tender, kind man hidden beneath.
It was late. Ada had been in bed for hours, and Noah was locked away in his room. I turned off the TV and got up from the sofa, then started down the hall. I knew it was a bold move, like nothing I’d ever considered doing before, but it was going to take something pretty dramatic to make Noah see that I wanted him. I knocked on his door, and his eyes locked on mine as I stepped inside his room.
I held his gaze as I told him, “I know you don’t want to admit it, and you certainly don’t want to talk about it, but this thing...this connection between us is growing stronger by the minute.” I paused just long enough to kick off my shoes, then continued, “I can honestly say that I’ve never felt like this about anyone.” As he lay just a few feet away, watching my every move, I started to slowly unbutton my blouse. “What I’m trying to say is that I want to be with you, Noah. I’ve wanted you from the first moment I saw you, and I think you feel the same way about me.” Once I’d unclasped the last button, I slipped it off my shoulders and let it fall to the floor. As I reached for the button of my shorts, I told him, “I’m not asking for more than you can give me. I just want one night. One chance to be in your arms.”