I tilted my head as far to the right as I could to doubly make sure my scars weren’t visible. Thankfully, they weren’t. I’d styled my hair like a 1940’s pinup and had taken extra care with my makeup.
I’d also used my emergency credit card to buy some sexy underwear. Not that I expected anything to happen, I honestly didn’t, but I wanted to feel beautiful from the inside out. And maybe… I rolled my eyes at my crazy imagination. Men like Noah didn't go for girls like me. They went for models and actresses. Nerdy game-playing coders weren’t their type. But I could still fantasize about him sweeping me off my feet and us riding off into the sunset, couldn’t I?
Since the night he’d asked me to accompany him to the ball, Noah hadn’t been in the office because he’d been traveling to places like Singapore and Australia. We’d video called, texted funny memes and gifs to each other, and spent way too many hours on the phone talking about nothing and everything.
Earlier, he’d messaged to say he would pick me up at seven. That was in less than ten minutes.
My stomach flipped and flopped, and I hadn’t eaten a bite all day. I had to keep reminding myself this wasn’t a date. He’d asked me to go to the ball as his friend to stop the female vultures picking him apart.
I’d done some Googling but hadn’t been able to find any information about what tonight was about. It was like the ball didn’t exist. Perhaps I was going to some sort of secret society, Illuminati party with whips, chains, and human sacrifices.
At seven on the dot, the doorbell to my apartment chimed. I closed my eyes and sucked in a steadying breath. This was it. This was what I’d spent the last two weeks waiting and planning for.
When I opened the door, he let out a slow whistle and took me in from head to toe. “You’re breathtaking. I always thought you were beautiful, but right now, …wow. You could break a man’s heart looking like that.”
Thrilling embarrassment incinerated my cheeks. Getting compliments from anyone, never mind someone as gorgeous as Noah, was something I wasn’t used to. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and smiled shyly.
“Thanks,” I said, my voice shaky. “You scrub up nice.”
“It’s hard to go wrong with a tux.” He grinned and pulled at the cuffs of his crisp, white shirt. “Ready?”
I pressed a hand against my stomach in an attempt to settle the hyperactive butterflies. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
****
The evening was a blur of laughter, new people, champagne, and fancy canapés. For someone as introverted as I was, I’d had a blast.
Cade had canceled at the last minute, but Josie came in his place. She barely gave me the time of day when she saw I was with Noah. I hadn’t talked to or seen Evan because each of the James boys had their own tables to schmooze. Plus, there were over a thousand people in attendance.
When Noah and I danced, I’d rested my head on his chest and listened to the strong and steady rhythm of his heartbeat. With every fiber of my being, I felt I belonged in his arms.
But, once again, I reminded myself that imagining a future with him was dumb. I could never let things get intimate between us no matter how much my body begged me to.
I couldn’t face the rejection.
On the way home, we relived the night and had laughed and talked like we’d known one another all of our lives. I’d never felt as comfortable with anyone ever, and I didn’t want the night to end, but I understood that when he dropped me home, the fairytale would be over.
When the limousine stopped in front of my apartment building, Noah got out first, and I followed. He drew me to him, the heat of his body seeping into mine. We stood like that for what seemed like eons, smiling at one another.
He reached down and moved strands of hair from my face, then ran his thumb along my jaw. Like a cat, I leaned into his touch, silently asking for more.
“Thank you for being my plus one. I dread these things but having you with me made the night more than bearable. I enjoyed spending time with you.”
He stroked his thumb up and down my cheek, and with each stroke, we ventured further into dangerous territory.
“Thank you. I’ve never enjoyed myself as much. And not a human sacrifice to be seen.”
“I guess it was a good thing I didn’t take you to the dungeons in the basement.” He chuckled softly and pressed his forehead to mine. Anticipation bubbled inside me. There was no doubt in my mind he was going to kiss me, and there was no doubt in my mind I would let him.
When our lips finally touched, I floated on air. His lips were soft, but his kiss was firm. He tapped his tongue against mine, and I swear I died and went to heaven.
Hauling me closer, he curled his strong arms around my waist and held me so close not even a wisp of air could come between us. My body molded into his, his erection evident through the layers of my dress.
A small moan escaped from my lips into his mouth, and I tunneled my hands up his back, dragging him even closer.
“Let’s go inside,” he murmured. “I want you like I’ve never wanted anyone in my life.”
Like someone had thrown a bucket of ice water over my head, I came to my senses and jerked away from him, breaking all contact.
With my eyes wide and my breaths coming in tiny pants, I pressed my fingertips against my lips. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I’m sorry.”
He dropped his arms to his sides. “Aubrey, I’m the one who’s sorry. I didn’t mean…”
“I can’t.” I scampered away like the scared little mouse I was.
Chapter Five
Noah
I sat in Cade’s garden, nursing the same beer I’d opened an hour ago. It’d been a week since I’d kissed her, and a week since I’d apologized for kissing her. In the office, she wouldn’t make eye contact, and she wouldn’t talk to me unless it was work-related.
I didn’t understand how I’d read the signals so wrong. We’d had a great night together—a fantastic night.
We’d laughed, we’d danced, and having her in my arms was more than right. But then I’d messed it all up and had scared her off by asking if we could go into her apartment.
Our kiss had been a spectacular one until she broke away, looking like she was about to throw up.
I thought we’d been on the same page. I’d been wrong. Epically wrong. Taking her to the ball and kissing her might have been a mistake, but, in all honesty, it was a mistake I didn’t regret making.
“Want a fresh one?” Cade asked, cracking open a Bud. “The one you’ve been holding onto won’t taste like anything other than warm piss.” My brother took a long, deep pull from his beer. “What’s up with you anyway? For the past week, you’ve been chewing on wasps.”
“Have a few things on my mind.”
“Or someone,” Evan suggested.
I glared at him, daring him to say more. “It’s none of your business.”
“We both told you not to get involved,” he crowed. “Told you not to go near any of our employees. That it would end in disaster, but you wouldn’t listen.”
I clenched my jaw so hard I was in danger of cracking my back teeth. I wouldn’t let them know they’d been right. If I did, they’d never let me live it down.