Noah caressed her cheek. “There’s something I really want to do,” he murmured.
“What’s that?” asked Jessa.
“Can I kiss you?” he asked, shy and hopeful at once.
Jessa blushed lightly, nodding.
Noah needed no other invitation, capturing her lips with his. Her soft sigh as she pulled him even closer made him smile, and soon one kiss had turned into many, and they were lying back on the couch. Jessa tugged gently on his hair as he kissed her, and his hands alternatively caressed her cheek, her hair, and skimmed down her body.
The heat of their kisses had her needing more; there was an ache for him in her body that she needed to soothe. Noah didn’t appear to want to part from her lips; there were only brief moments between kisses which left her breathless. She ran her fingers through his hair, a moan escaping her as his fingers reached beneath her shirt. He gently squeezed her breast, his hand trailing down her abdomen, and suddenly...he stopped. She opened her eyes, her lips swollen from their kisses, seeing Noah had moved away, looking guilty.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I’m sorry...that got out... out of hand,” said Noah, looking torn.
Jessa sat up with a sigh. “We didn’t need to stop,” she said quietly.
“But it isn’t right...” he said, trailing off.
He looked as though he wanted to continue right where he left off, his eyes dark with desire.
“Noah,” she breathed.
He caressed her cheek, and she leaned forward to kiss him. He sighed against her lips, his tongue sweeping into her mouth and engaging in a delicious dance with hers. She pushed him down to a lying position again, settling on top of his body.
“We shouldn’t,” he whispered as they parted.
“But I need you,” said Jessa, her body filled with desire, a deep ache that needed to be soothed.
“You do?” he asked softly, his intense gaze making her need him even more.
“Yes,” she said, her voice breathless.
There was a palpable electricity between them as he looked at her, but he still looked unsure.
“Jessa...I want you so much...but...we can’t...can we?” he asked, licking his lips subconsciously as he looked at her lips, his eyes trailing down her body.
Jessa sighed, her breath gently fanning across his face.
“Noah...if not, then you need to leave so I can...” Jessa trailed off.
“Leave? So you can...” he repeated, her insinuation not lost on him.
“I need you,” said Jessa, the heat hadn’t dissipated in the slightest. She needed him, and she could tell...it was obvious that he needed her.
“I need you so much. I’m here...you don’t need to...” he murmured, kissing her again.
Jessa smiled against his lips. “You are,” she whispered.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Oh, wow,” murmured Noah as Jessa snuggled into him, a satisfied smile on her face.
“I agree,” she murmured, kissing his chest.
“Jessa, were we blind? Serious question here,” he asked, looking at her.
Jessa thought about it. “I don’t know. Maybe we were. I don’t like thinking about how much time we’ve wasted,” she said, biting her lip.
Noah kissed her tenderly. “It’s time we can make up for,” he assured her.
“So the non-alcohol fueled version...huge fan,” he said, winking, trying to get her to smile.
Jessa chuckled, her cheeks turning a lovely shade of pink. “Me too. It was already amazing the first time, and this was even better,” she said. “More amazing than I even knew was possible,” she added quietly.
“Same here, Jessa. More amazing than I thought could be possible,” murmured Noah, caressing her cheek. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get enough.”
He kissed her cheek, his lips moving across her skin, and he reached his destination as he found the crook of her neck.
She hummed her pleasure as he left a kiss there, before settling into sucking a mark into her neck which she knew she’d need to try to cover. She didn’t know how many he’d already given her and didn’t care, leaning her head back to give him better access.
“You’re so beautiful, Jessa,” he said, moving his kisses downward.
“Says Mr. Gorgeous.” She smiled. “You’re so romantic,” she sighed.
She moaned as he found his next destination, paying special attention to both her breasts.
THE WEEK PASSED IN a whirlwind of meetings, workshops, and late nights making love that often crept into the early mornings. They were a bit sleep deprived, but it was worth it. Jessa’s mornings were often plagued with morning sickness, but when she didn’t feel ill, she was in Noah’s arms, enjoying his kisses and caresses.
“I’ll see you soon,” Noah murmured, trying to keep his emotions buried so that he could be strong for Jessa.
He looked at her, her eyes brimming with tears, and he nearly lost it. He pulled her into his arms, closing his eyes against the emotion, taking those moments in her arms to get himself under control as she softly cried.
“I’ll call you every day, probably several times. I’ll be annoying, sorry,” he murmured as they parted.
Jessa nodded, unable to speak.
“How do I leave you when you’re crying? How, Jessa?” he asked her quietly.
“Why am I the only one crying?” she asked tearfully.
“Because I have to be strong for you, Jessa,” he said, a hint of emotion creeping into his voice before he masked it.
She studied him, seeing the mask he was trying to wear, to try to protect her. She saw his struggle and looked away quickly, a tear rolling down her cheek and landing on his hand as he held hers. He gently wiped it away, using the pads of his thumbs to try to wipe away the rest of her tears.
“I love you; please remember that,” he murmured, kissing her forehead.
“I will, I love you,” said Jessa, trying to get her emotions under control.
She didn’t want to make it harder for him. She knew it would be hard for him to leave if she didn’t get a handle on her emotions.
“I’m just going to go wash my face,” she murmured.
Noah nodded, kissing her cheek, and she disappeared into the bathroom.
She let herself cry a bit, running the water at the same time, and then splashed water on her face, looking at herself in the mirror, determined to be stronger.
She re-entered the room, and Noah knew immediately from the determination in her features that she was doing the same thing he was. He reached for her, and she sat down on his lap, her hands threading into his hair as she nuzzled his cheek, placing a tender kiss there.
They’d agreed that to avoid an emotional and public farewell at the airport Noah would leave from her apartment. So he was there with her, packed and ready, with the time before he needed to leave for the airport dwindling quickly.
“You’ll tell me when you’re sick,” he murmured. “Please. Just let me know how you are and take care of yourself. Try to eat small meals you can handle and rest up.”
“I know, I will. I’ll keep you right up to date,” she promised.