Her body wasn’t all bad, and she was getting used to being around Noah semi-naked. She liked it when his fingers touched her. Sometimes she was sure he touched her breasts. Cupping her breasts, she looked into her eyes, and wondered what the hell was going on with her.
Noah wasn’t her type. He was the most popular boy in school, which to her equaled, not for her.
“Get over it, Elsa. He’s not for you. Not now, not ever.”
The sound of the front doorbell going had her frowning. She didn’t know why it would be ringing this late at night.
Grabbing a robe, as she didn’t have time to put on anything else, she made her way downstairs.
Glancing through the peephole, she let out a sigh of relief. Noah was at the door, no one else. She frowned and opened the door. “What’s up?” she asked.
“Hey. I heard you saying to Kim that you were alone tonight, and I thought I’d come and keep you company.”
“You just happened to be in the neighborhood?”
“I don’t live that far from you,” he said, chuckling.
Moving out of the way, she let him past. “How did you hear I was on my own?”
“I was passing by when you asked Kim what she was doing tonight. I figured I’d stop by to keep you company.” He held up a bottle of whiskey and some movies.
“You’ve brought me alcohol?”
“I’ve got us both alcohol.”
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” She closed the door and followed him through to her kitchen. It was rather surreal to have one of the popular guys at school offering to spend time with her. She was also completely naked beneath her bathrobe, and she needed to remember that.
“I know you’re all pure and innocent. Consider this a little walk on the wild side.” He grabbed down a glass, opened up the whiskey, and poured out some dark liquid. She watched as he took a sip before offering her some.
She shook her head. “I’m not going to get drunk. I’ve got to go and get dressed.”
“Why? You’re okay in your pajamas.”
“I’m not wearing any.” She slapped her hand over her mouth. “Crap, I can’t believe I just said that to you.”
“You’re completely naked underneath your robe?”
“Yeah, I am.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I wasn’t exactly expecting company tonight. With Mom and Dad gone, I was just doing some, erm, some checking.”
“Of what?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re confusing me.”
“I was looking at myself in the mirror. I was hoping to see some results, and even though I see something, it’s not exactly a lot. I was hoping for something more.”
“Elsa, you do know you don’t need to lose weight?”
She snorted. “Yeah, right.”
“I’m being serious. You’re fine the way you are.”
“You don’t live with my mom.”
“You’ve got to do what feels right to you, not to your mother.” He put the glass down and took a step toward her. “I’ll be with you every step of the way. I’m helping you because I couldn’t watch you torture yourself with running.”
They had soon moved from the treadmills to the pool. She’d never forget how awkward she’d felt when she had to go to the main pool. He’d been in boxer briefs, and the modest one-piece costume she had didn’t hide enough for her liking. She’d spent most of the time in the pool underneath the water so no one saw her, especially Noah. His thoughts about her concerned her. No guy had ever gotten this close.
Even Kim had noticed that she was distracted lately.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” she asked.
They had never been close. Sure, they had been together a lot throughout their lives. They had shared classes, teachers but never getting to know each other.
“Why can’t I be nice to you?”
“I don’t know. You’ve never taken the time to get to know me. We don’t know each other. Take your pick.”
“Our lives have never connected. I get that until this moment. I’m not going to be mean to you, Elsa. In fact I’ve done nearly everything in my power to make you as comfortable as possible. I don’t know what more you want me to do.”
Rubbing her temple, Elsa couldn’t argue with him. He was right. “You’re right, I’m sorry.”
He walked toward her and wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Don’t worry about it. I’m here.”
She held onto him, resting her head against his shoulder. His hand rubbed her back, and the other stroked over her hair. Closing her eyes, she found herself basking in his scent, and the strength of him. Noah was a large man, and he worked out a lot.
The hug changed. It went from one of comfort to awareness, or at least to Elsa it did. Biting her lip, she chanced a look up at him, and Noah was staring down at her. The hand on her hair moved to her cheek, and he brushed his thumb across it.