Noah didn't seem to feel the same shock, but then, I was concentrating on the castle and not looking at him. I was afraid my blush would give me away if I looked at his face.
“There,” he said softly, releasing my hand. “All done.”
The ache didn't leave my core. In fact, with the removal of his hand, it grew stronger. I wanted him to touch me again. I needed him to touch me again.
Noah leaned back, examining his work. The castle was almost finished. It wasn't elaborate or immense, but it was beautiful with clean lines and simple towers that reminded me of a princess's castle. It looked like something Sleeping Beauty would be glad to claim as her own.
“It's gorgeous,” I said. Noah grinned.
“You have some sand on your cheek,” Noah replied, reaching a hand out to wipe it away. His fingers were gentle and warm against my face as he gently brushed the tiny grains from my skin. I shivered slightly, the heat in my core growing again.
Noah didn't pull his hand away once the sand was gone. His eyes focused on mine, pulling me deep into the pools of blue that led straight to his soul. His fingers caressed the back of my neck, pulling me into him. I met him halfway, winding my arms around his neck. His mouth slanted over mine, joining us together as if we had always meant to be. The kiss stole the air from my lungs and filled my body with light. My chest tightened and burned with a need that wasn't just physical. I wanted to dive into him like an ocean.
His tongue found mine, sending a bolt of hunger through me that was so strong I wasn't sure I'd survive. He tasted better than I could have imagined. His fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me into him. He wanted me as badly as I wanted him.
The sand was coarse beneath my knees in a beautiful contrast to the silkiness of his lips. My body was afire with sensation but totally focused on his kiss. The sun was warm against my hair, the sand rough against my legs, the ocean sighing in pleasure, but all I cared about was the warmth of Noah's lips against mine. The way his hands pressed into my hair, drawing me nearer to him.
Noah's phone began to ring. It buzzed in his pocket like an angry hornet while making an annoying old-school telephone ring. One hand released my head and slipped into his pocket to silence the intruding sound. The phone was only quiet for a moment before returning to it's incessant noise.
Noah tipped his face away from mine reluctantly, releasing me so he could fumble in his pocket to make the phone stop. I struggled to breathe and regain my senses. His kiss was overwhelmingly good. He pressed the screen of his phone, grumbling under his breath before reaching for me again. I wanted to kiss him again, but as soon as his fingers touched my skin, the phone began to vibrate.
“I think someone wants your attention as much as I do,” I whispered. The spell of the kiss was broken.
“It's just work. They don't seem to understand that I'm on vacation,” he whispered back, stealing a kiss on my cheek. “If I don't answer them, they'll just keep calling. I have a feeling I need to go attend to some business. I'm sorry. It'll probably take a while.”
“How do you have cell service out here? You must be good friends with Jack Saunders to afford those roaming fees,” I said, the idea suddenly hitting me. Cell service for non-locals was ridiculously priced.
Noah waved his hand through the air. “It's not that bad.”
I raised my eyebrows at him and cocked my head to the side. I knew those rates were outrageous. “You're not fooling anyone with that. 'Fess up. You're at least a little more successful than just a bartender to the billionaires.”
Noah laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Maybe. Maybe stealing phone minutes is just one of my many talents.” He smiled. His blue eyes sparkled at me and the corners of his lips begged to be kissed again. I leaned forward, wanting to kiss him again, but the phone buzzed just a second before our lips could touch.
“I think your phone is trying to defend your honor,” I said, sitting back on my heels. Noah glanced at the screen but didn't answer it.
“Can I take you out to dinner tonight?” His question took me off guard. I was expecting a quip, not a date proposal. Besides, I had promised myself no more dating tourists.
“You already bought me breakfast...” I stalled. I wanted to see him again, but I didn't want my heart broken when he left.
“Yes. I guess I'm going about it backwards. It's usually dinner then breakfast.” He gave me a naughty wink and I couldn't help but blush slightly at the innuendo. “So, dinner?”
I didn't want to date a tourist again. I knew we were going to have a great time, that I would love to be in his company- that I craved his company- but I didn't want to get attached. He was leaving. He wasn't permanent.
I looked up at him with every intention of saying no. Even after that mind-blowing kiss, especially after that kiss, I needed to stay away from him, or I was going to fall hard. But as I looked into his sky-blue eyes, his smile forced my mouth from the “no” shape to “yes” shape.
“Yes. All right. Dinner,” I stuttered. He was just too damn cute to say no to.
Noah beamed. “Excellent! What would you like to eat?”
“You mean you didn't have that planned already?” I teased. He hit the quiet button on his phone again.
“Nope. Just knew that I wanted to see you again today. Dinner seemed like a good reason. Anything you want?” He focused those blue eyes on me again, and I felt my temperature rising. Anything I wanted? I wanted him.
“Anything I want, huh?” I thought for a moment, but my brain just wasn't on food. “I want your favorite food.”
Noah's dark brows came together in a question. He ran a hand through his dark hair as he clarified, “My favorite food?”
“Yup.” I nodded.
“What if my favorite food is anchovy pizza with mustard sauce?”
“Then I will be eating pizza crusts for dinner tonight.” I gave him an impish grin.
“You know I'm half-tempted to do that now, right?” Noah's blue eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Please don't! That actually sounds terrible, and I would like to eat tonight.” I put my hand on his and my heart jumped in my chest.
“Okay,” Noah said with a grin. “How does seven sound?”
“Works for me,” I replied, going over my schedule in my head. No other plans for tonight, and Brooke would be busy with tagging her sharks.
“Where can I pick you up?” he asked, silencing his phone again.
“How about the parking lot of Adele’s?”