Natalie
I just gave Noah a confession of love.
And now I wonder if it was a mistake.
Noah watches me with curiosity in his gaze and something resembling an evil smile on his lips. It's mischievous and definitely up to no good. I shudder in my seat, wondering what he is thinking.
"Do you have anyone who can watch Emma today?" Noah asks without breaking eye contact. "Emma doesn't need more bonding with me, but I want to know more about Natalie."
My lips curl into a shy smile. "Well, I could ask the neighbors if you're interested in taking me out for a date."
"Would you like that?" His eyes are intense.
A sudden wave of shyness crashes over me. "Uhh..." I look at Noah, this beautiful man, and even though I love him... I get nervous.
"You've told me exactly how you feel, but you haven't revealed what you want from me yet, Natalie," Noah takes our plates to the sink and continues talking. "I want to know your intentions."
Even though I know what I want, I can't say it. It would be too embarrassing to tell Noah that I want us to become a couple. I lack the courage for that.
"I-I don't know..." Liar, liar, pants on fire.
I get up from my seat and shove in the chair as Noah turns around. He is smirking down at me, head bent as he approaches me and corners me. The sheer size of him makes me anxious.
My back kisses the cabinet, and Noah's eyes silently laugh at my reaction to him. He approaches, and I back away like he is fire sent to burn my skin. I love him, but I'm also uneasy around him. Afraid of rejection.
"What do you want from me, Natalie?" he demands, smiling down at me with those blue-blue eyes.
I try to push past him, but he presses me against the door with his body and puts both hands on either side of my head. He then leans down until we are nose to nose, as his gaze roams over my reddening face.
"What. Do. You. Want. From. Me?" Noah asks. He is staring at me like I'm a puzzle he is trying to figure out.
I squirm, but there is nowhere to turn. I place both my palms over Noah's muscular chest. His eyes soften at the touch, yet it does nothing to calm down the butterflies and the chaos within me.
What if I tell Noah I want us to become a couple, and he turns me down on the spot?
That terrifies me.
Why is Noah trying to milk this out from me anyway? Doesn't he understand it makes me uncomfortable being put on the spot like this?
My heart is racing, and so are my thoughts.
I meet his eyes, whispering. "Do I have to tell you?"
"I wish to know."
"But you're up in my face," I tell him. "It's unnerving..."
He capitulates a few inches, and I use the opportunity to dip under his arm and escape.
Noah chuckles. "Was I making you that uncomfortable?"
I don't need time to think of my answer. "Yes."
He breathes a laugh behind me. It makes my stomach churn with anxiety because he sounds disappointed. He doesn't even try to follow me into the living room, so I turn around.
Noah smiles at me, this beautiful oaf of a man. My heart squeezes with yearning. What do I have to lose? I might as well tell him everything. I square my shoulders and prepare for the unavoidable battle.
I stare at Noah while trying to find the right words, and then I cross my arms over my chest.
"What do I want from you?" I repeat his question while proudly standing my ground. "You and I were dating before the accident happened..." I take a deep breath. Tears are prickling behind my eyelids because I can't turn back time. "And you and I were... Happy... And I would like to..."
The words won't come, and it takes Noah three seconds to reach me. I hear myself suck in a deep breath as he picks me up into his arms. My legs wrap around him, and he is inches from my face.
"Stop," Noah sighs. "Just stop."
I look at his eyes and avert my gaze. Why is Noah making everything so hard? I just wanted to get the words out through my system because he demanded to hear the truth...
"I didn't mean to make you cry," Noah whispers. "A simple answer would have been enough, Natalie."
I can't look at him. "You push me, and it frightens me because you're asking for things without giving anything in return."
"And you're playing mind games with me," he says.
"No—"
"You are," Noah interrupts me, smiling briefly. He leans closer to peer into my eyes. "I don't remember anything, Natalie, and you're speaking of Noah in the past. I'm not him."
I shrink back, or I want to, but I'm in Noah's arms, and there is no retreating from his gentle eyes.
"Is this when you tell me you don't have any feelings for me?" I ask in an insecure voice. "Because you can spare me the heartbreak."
Noah's lips curl. "You're funny, but no... I wish to know if you want me, even if my memories might not return."
My eyes widen in realization. "Oh..." I let my gaze roam over his face while I process his words. "You think I only like Noah from the past."
Noah's lips curl further, and his arms tighten around me. "You talk a lot about the past, and then you mix it with the future. I'm somewhat confused here."
"Go on."
He continues. "You said I'm exactly like the man you fell in love with, yet you used stories of him to describe me. And while it made me happy, I have to know if you like me for the person I am right now."
I stare at Noah. Would I love him even if his memories never returned? Yes, I think so, but the idea of him never remembering anything hurts me. I want him to remember.
Then again, maybe we could create new memories?
"I'm confused too."
Noah doesn't look surprised. "Then maybe we shouldn't rush into things. How about going out for dinner with me and enjoying each other's company today?"
His smile is killing me. The slight curl to his lips is so full and kissable. My breath is coming embarrassingly fast.
I blush. "I think I would like that."
His grin returns. "Great."
Before Noah places me down, he leans forward to brush his soft lips against my skin. The contact prompts flutters in my chest, and I melt into his arms. I want more, but he slips me down onto the floor.
I peer up at Noah. He looks like a daydream materialized.
"Kissing you is dangerous..." Noah says. His eyes are intense and wild. I can feel the heat of his chest through his shirt. His heartbeat is erratic like mine; lust got a chokehold of us both.
My voice comes out breathy. "Because you want more?"
His lips quirk up higher. "Exactly, and we should get to know each other—not fuck each other dry."
"I like the sound of the last."
He laughs. "I'm sure you do, you're a seductive little vixen, but I want to take you somewhere. Is that okay?"
My eyes fall to the bulge in his pants. "Are you sure you can handle not fucking me right now?"
"Ah, this is nothing new. I'm always hard around you, but you notice it now because I'm wearing sweatpants," Noah winks at me. "But the truth is that I always want you."
I experience flutters. I'm happy, which makes me suspicious.
Things are going a little too well. Therefore, I'm on my toes, waiting for something catastrophic. Noah smiles at me, and we are going out on a date; I pinch my cheek.
Noah snorts. "What are you doing?"
My smile is shy. "Just checking that this isn't a dream."