Chapter Twenty-One
Sienna
The ache wasbone-deep as I stretched, every muscle in my body complaining. But it was a pain I instantly loved. Something I could so easily get addicted to. Memories of last night trickled through my consciousness as I slowly woke up, feeling the silk sheets caress my naked skin.
I opened my eyes, the smell of sweet and syrupy pancakes wafting through the room. I grabbed a sheet and wrapped it around me, tiptoeing down the hall toward the kitchen. As I rounded the corner, I found Noah standing with his back toward me, flipping a pancake before slipping it on a plate.
Leaning against the wall, I watched him in silence, drinking him in. Broad shoulders. Strong arms. An ass that filled a pair of cargo shorts perfectly. Noah might not wear a suit or designer labels, but he sure as hell didn’t need it. He was all alpha-male and exuded power and strength without having it accentuated in a five-thousand-dollar suit.
“I can feel you staring at me.”
I smiled. “How did you know?”
“I have eyes in the back of my head.”
“Ha. Ha.” I stepped up to the kitchen counter.
“Grab a plate while the pancakes are still hot.”
I sauntered toward the counter, the sweet cinnamon scent filling my nostrils and making my stomach growl. “How does an ex-marine and bachelor know how to make pancakes?”
From the corner of my eye, I noticed him still for a second, as if caught off guard before pouring more batter into the pan. “You can teach yourself a lot of things while living alone.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Hmm, I feel like there’s a lot more to that answer.”
“Maybe. But if you don’t start eating your pancakes, I’m going to stuff your mouth with something else.”
“Is that something else about this big?” I used my thumb and forefinger, and smirked.
Noah dropped the spatula and turned to face me from the other side of the counter, placing his hands on the edge and leaning forward. One action and a simple move from him instantly changed some lighthearted banter into a sexually laden conversation. “You want to say that again?”
I swallowed hard, arousal instantly soaking my thighs. “If you’re trying to intimidate me right now, you’re failing miserably because all you’re doing is turning me on.”
“Good to know.” Abruptly he reached out and grabbed my face, his fingers squeezing my cheeks as he forced me to lean closer, bringing our lips a breath apart. “Keep that pussy wet for me, baby girl. Fucking you until it hurts is on my to-do list for today.” His lips brushed along the corner of my mouth. “Because I want that deep ache between your legs to remind you of what my cock is capable of doing.”
I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until he let go of my face, and I inhaled deep.
“Now eat.”
My body shuddered, his demanding demeanor both thrilling and erotic at the same damn time. After being with Noah, it was hard to imagine that I ever thought of my sex life as fulfilling. Noah’s kiss alone satisfied me ten times more than sleeping with Oakley ever did. I wasn’t sure whether it was because of Noah being more experienced or this tangible attraction between us. This connection seemed to pull us closer and closer together no matter how hard we tried to ignore it.
My bet was on the latter.
Eager to obey—even if it was just eating a damn pancake—I placed a bite in my mouth. It was fluffy and buttery heaven, the maple syrup and sugary taste exploding across my tastebuds.
“Oh wow, Noah. This is delicious.” I took another bite, savoring the tasty lightness on my tongue. “The last time I ate pancakes this good was…” Nostalgia crept up on me, and my words got caught in my throat.
Noah took a seat next to me. “It’s okay to miss her.”
“I know.” It was hard to keep the tears from falling. I scoffed. “You know what the worst part is? The fact that I can’t think of my dead mother anymore without thinking of Elenor as well.” I pierced the pancake with my fork. “That gold-digging whore tainted my mother’s memory and just made losing my mom even worse.”
“Then why don’t you leave? Why not do what Spencer did? Remove yourself from the toxic environment.”
“I would leave tomorrow if I could.” I swept my curls back with my palm. “Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.”
“It sounds real simple to me.”
“Well, it’s not,” I snapped, and Noah simply narrowed his eyes at me. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to…” I breathed in deep, allowing air to fill my lungs along with the sugary scent of syrup. “I promised my mom I would always stay close and take care of my dad. And this is me keeping that promise.” I cut another piece of pancake and popped it in my mouth.