Free A Home by the Sea by Christina Skye Page B

Noah.
    I know there’s chemistry here. I can feel the sparks.”
    He nodded slowly, then turned her palm up, kissing the tender curve of her wrist. “And?”
    â€œI don’t know. Or maybe I don’t want to know.”
    His tongue touched the center of her palm. Grace shivered.
    She closed her eyes. “Noah, I can’t think when you do that.”
    â€œNo kidding. When you touched my arm, I forgot my middle name.”
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œNever mind. Something tells me that you’ll make a little sound right before I kiss you.” A muscle worked at his jaw.
    Grace’s heart pounded. Frustration gnawed. “Noah—where is this going?”
    â€œDon’t know,” he said huskily. “But it sure feels good.”
    He pulled her slowly closer. His body was warm against hers.
    Then he kissed her, slow and deep, and Grace thought she was lifted right off the ground, floating in a haze of hunger.
    He made her remember all her sunny, young dreams of heroes, and all of her grown-up fantasies of dark seduction. She wanted to trust him completely. She wanted to feel alive, entirely free in his arms.
    It had been so long since she could trust that way.
    Noah’s thumb slid across her lips and her heart drummed in sharp answer.
    â€œWhat are you thinking about, right this moment?”
    Her head slanted back. “About things I thought I’d forgotten. About heroes.”
    About trust, she thought.
    â€œNot James?”
    â€œNot even a little.” Grace was surprised to realize it was true. Right now…that was just a name. But before she could explain that to Noah, Grace heard a child’s sudden, rising laughter. Two figures crossed the street, and the little girl pointed at the ice-cream shop. When she turned, her face was to the light and Grace heard Noah mutter sharply.
    With an excited laugh, the little girl rocketed over the sidewalk and launched her small body into Noah’s arms. “Uncle Noah! It’s snowing. My feet are wet. I love the snow. Are you cold? Where’s your hat? Do you want some ice cream? I missed you.”
    In a burst of questions, the dark-haired little beauty looked up at Noah, hugging him tight.
    Grace felt something squeeze in her chest as Noah’s big hand slid over the girl’s hair. The look on his face was a study in love and contained conflict. “You bet. I love the snow, honey. And we’re just going to get some ice cream. We were going to have our dessert first tonight. What do you think of that? ”
    â€œDessert first?” The girl’s eyes lit with excitement. “Really?” She glanced at her mother, who was striding toward her with a grim look.
    Grace noticed long blond hair and an expensive cashmere coat. High heels and supple leather gloves. There was no mistaking the woman’s anger.
    â€œSophie, I’ve told you never to run away from me like that. It is very, very bad.”
    â€œI know, Mommy. But it was just Uncle Noah. I can see him, can’t I?” The child gave Noah another hug and laid her head against his waist. “I haven’t seen him in days!”
    â€œNow Sophie, that’s hardly true. You saw him just last month,” her mother said tightly. “But if we don’t hurry, we won’t be home in time to read that new book you got.”
    â€œOh.” The girl’s eyes darkened. She was caught by indecision. “But maybe we could have dessert first, too. Just like Uncle Noah,” she said wistfully.
    â€œAbsolutely not. We’ll eat when we get home. I was going to get a cake to take back, but now there isn’t time.” Her mother glanced at Noah and then looked away, turning up her collar. “Most people eat dessert in its proper order,” she said curtly. She reached out for the girl’s hand. “Let Uncle Noah get on with his plans for the evening. You don’t want to be a bother, do