Natalie
Noah is driving us down the fast lane. I'm sitting in the front seat, afraid of the smile he keeps throwing my way. Things seem a little too good to be true, and Noah has a way of disarming me. A smile is all it takes for me to feel like a toothless tiger.
My heart wants Noah so severely, but I'm hit with insecurities whenever I turn his way.
Sure, we have a beautiful daughter together, but Noah is charming, gorgeous, and wealthy, and I can't stop asking myself why he would pick me when he could have anyone.
With shaking fingers, I drink from the cola placed between us. Noah doesn't even try not to smile at my nerves.
"Are you afraid of fast cars?" Noah asks curiously. "Your face has been pale since we left your apartment."
"Oh, it's not the speed."
He keeps the smile on his face. "It's not?"
"No."
"Mind enlightening me then?"
I take a deep breath, changing the subject. "Where are we going anyway?"
Hopefully, we will arrive wherever he is taking me shortly. I wish to busy myself with food to keep the butterflies in check. It's not easy to stomach the fact that I'm with Noah. Every second I have to remind myself to stay calm and not do anything stupid, like asking him to kiss me.
It's more challenging than expected. Noah's brown hair is disheveled, and his suit is hugging him in all the right places. It's not the same clothes from yesterday. The ones he is wearing were found in his car.
"I was thinking of taking you to this fantastic Japanese restaurant. You said you liked Vietnamese food, which is why I feel the need to introduce you to the Japanese kind as well."
"Are they similar?"
"No," Noah gives me a pearly white smile. "But since you seem to have a thing for Asian food, I think we should try every place on the map until you've decided on your favorite."
I'm shy and blush while looking out through the window. My heart is pounding. Noah is sweet for wanting to give me an experience, yet I can't tell him how much I appreciate him.
Luckily, Noah doesn't seem to mind the silence.
He picks up the soda can, and unwelcome heat spreads over my skin as I stare at his bulging biceps. I have a fetish for his muscles and his veiny, manly hands.
His suit rides up his arm in the perfect spot, showing off tanned skin and veins that make my mouth water. Without thinking, I reach out my hand to grip his arm. Noah blinks in surprise, and I realize my mistake—I withdraw my hand as if his skin burnt me.
"I'm s-so sorry!" I blurt out. "I wasn't thinking!"
"Do you like my arms, Natalie?" Noah asks, amused. "I could stop the car if you want to appreciate and admire them."
"No... Sorry..." My face is burning. "I was just... Spacing out..."
He breathes a laugh. "Don't apologize. Your incapability to keep your hands away from me is the best compliment you could ever give."
My embarrassment is only growing worse. "I acted without thinking about it... I just... I don't even have an explanation."
Noah's eyes briefly meet mine in the rearview mirror. "I think the answer to your actions is rather obvious."
"Oh?" Please don't tease me.
"You're attracted to me," Noah grins at me. "And you don't have to be shy or try to hide it—I like you too, Natalie. You're gorgeous, and please don't be shy about showing me how much you want me. It feeds my confidence."
I snort. "As if your ego needs polishing. You're already looking smug, and I swear your chest has swollen with pride."
Noah laughs back. "Is it wrong of me to be celebrating the fact that the woman I like craves me?"
His words give me pause. Noah sounded so sincere. His eyes are serious in the mirror, prompting me to smile.
"Not at all," my voice is soft. "I like seeing you happy."
"And I love seeing you naked."
My eyes bulge out of their sockets. "Wait, what? Could you repeat that? I don't think I heard you correctly."
"And I love seeing you happy?" Noah arches his eyebrows at me. "What did you hear?"
I blink multiple times. Was that what he said? I could have sworn I heard something much dirtier.
"No, it's nothing."
"You might need something to drink," Noah smiles. "We are soon at the restaurant. Hang on a little longer."
"Alright, I'm already excited."
"You will love the Japanese food," Noah says, sounding thrilled. "I can feel it in my bones, and if you love this restaurant, I will take you to a Taiwanese place next time."
I lift my eyes to him, blushing to the point I burn. "What makes you think there will be a next time?"
Noah counters with. "What makes you think there won't?"
His playful expression gives birth to more butterflies, and then I sit in silence while Noah parks our card outside a fancy-looking restaurant.
I stare up at the building in awe and let my eyes roam over the cherry trees growing outside. The building itself appears to have been taken from another era, and excitement bubbles up within me.
I don't even notice Noah, who is now on the other side of my door. He opens it for me and hands me a gentle smile. "Are you happy to be here? You look thrilled."
"That's because I am," I tell him earnestly. "But are you sure about paying for my food? This place looks expensive."
"It's not expensive," Noah says. "They know their architecture, but their food is very affordable. And even if it was expensive, I wouldn't mind paying for your food. I'm a billionaire—you won't ruin me."
His words earn him a beaming smile. I get out of the car and keep my eyes on him. "Well, thank you. You're being sweet."
Noah closes the car door. "Sweet?" he laughs softly. "Well, not what I was going for, but I will take it."
This man sure makes me laugh. He brings out my flirtatious side, and the entire world feels more colorful in his presence. Spending time with Noah puts my soul to rest while my heart won't stop pounding.
"Oh, and what compliment were you fishing for then?" I ask, studying his face for the answer.
"I was hoping for something like, 'Noah, you're such a sexy gentleman for bringing me here,' and then you would swoon over me."
I freeze when I hear his words, and then I burn brighter than the sun when he smiles. Beautiful bastard. He knows how to press all of my buttons and make me shy.
He is grinning now.
I push past him with burning cheeks. "Okay, Casanova. Let's just head inside and get some food in our bellies."
Noah snorts. "Aren't you going to tell me I'm sexy?"
My heart flips like a pancake, but I won't hand him more compliments. I'm embarrassed, and my pulse is through the roof. And the reason I'm this nervous is that Noah is dangerously close to the truth.
I am swooning over Noah, falling in love with him again. I want him more than ever, but for some reason, I'm getting more nervous the longer time I spend with him.
I'm such a coward.
But can anyone blame me?
The guy is out of my league, and... He makes me melt like chocolate over a furnace.