The Cinnamon Bun Book Store (Dream Harbor, #2)(49)

‘Jesus Haze, I can’t shh when you’re doing that.’

She flashed him a grin. ‘Well, you have to.’ She caught his mouth with hers and kissed all the moans from his lips as she stroked him. She knew how he liked it now, after this week of experimenting, fast and a little rough. His hands wandered while she touched him, squeezing her breasts, her ass, tugging her hair. He pumped his hips into her fist the closer he got, his movements becoming more erratic.

‘Hazel, I’m close...’

She dropped to her knees and took him in her mouth, surprising them both.

‘Are you sure?’ Noah asked, holding still, his voice choked and raw.

Hazel nodded, swirling her tongue around him and Noah broke. The jagged sound from his mouth was nothing more than a wounded gasp. His hands came to her face, a thumb caressed her cheek. In a week of firsts, Hazel added one more and swallowed.

Noah tugged her up off her knees. ‘Hazel, you didn’t have to ... that was... I mean...’ He tipped his forehead against hers and she couldn’t help her smile.

For once in her life she felt sexy and powerful and she was claiming it right here, right now, in this bizarre little supply closet. Maybe she hadn’t needed to change her life, maybe she’d just needed to change how she saw her life. How she saw herself.

And right now, in the twinkling lights of the old trees, with Noah panting against her, she saw herself as pretty damn hot.

‘You liked it?’

‘Hazel.’ He wrapped his arms around her. ‘I really, really liked it.’

She kissed the tip of his nose. ‘Good. Me too.’

Noah shook his head a little. ‘This has been the most surprising summer of my life.’

Hazel laughed. ‘Mine, too.’

‘You’re a very fun girl, Hazel Kelly.’

‘Yeah, maybe I am.’





Chapter Twenty





The brewery was more charming than she thought it would be. It was small and rustic with a cozy interior for ordering and plenty of outdoor seating at several rows of wooden picnic tables. Lights were strung up in the trees above them and music that sounded like a mash up of country, folk, and rock came through the speakers. The air smelled like hops and over-ripe apples and the sun had just dipped below the horizon, bathing the space in a violet glow.

‘So, how did you find this place?’ The spot was new, Marlow & Maeve’s, but it was already drawing a crowd.

‘Mac got some of their new beer to serve at the bar and I’m always happy to taste test.’ Noah smiled at her over his beer. ‘When I found out they were opening up a spot like this, I thought it would be the perfect date spot. Good thing your clues led us here.’ He winked.

Good thing.

But had it been her clues? Or Noah’s? Hazel had lost the thread of what was going on here. Could he actually be the one leaving the clues like Annie said? And what did it mean if he was? It was September third which meant she had exactly twenty-five days until her birthday, and what exactly had she accomplished?

Some fun outings.

A new appreciation of summer.

Plenty of orgasms.

Discovered her own sexuality.

Caught feelings for the sexy fisherman.

Damn it. It was that last one that was the problem.

‘What’s the matter, Haze? Cider’s no good?’

Noah’s hair had grown out a bit over the past few weeks and it stood up a little on one side today; Hazel wanted to pat it down, but despite all the things they’d done together that gesture seemed way too intimate and she was lost again. What the hell was she doing?

‘What?’ Hazel glanced at her glass. ‘No, it’s perfectly good. Quite good, actually.’

‘Then why are you making that face?’

‘What face?’

‘Like the cider has personally insulted you.’

She huffed a laugh and grabbed one of the bags of chips they’d laid out between them. The brewery had beer, cider, and snacks. She opted for salt and vinegar, letting the salty sourness coat her tongue.

‘Nothing’s the matter.’

‘Liar.’ He smirked.

‘I just...’ Like you far too much for my own good and I am already dreading the end of this little arrangement. ‘I just think I liked the first one better.’

They still had a few weeks to go and she was not going to ruin it by making Noah feel uncomfortable with her new, inconvenient feelings. Feelings would fade. Right? It was just all the amazing orgasms clouding her judgment.

Right.

‘Do you want me to get you another one?’

Hazel shook her head, not wanting another cider and also to rid herself of the ridiculous thoughts that wouldn’t leave her to have her reckless summer in peace.

‘No, I’m good.’

Noah quirked a brow and stole back the salt and vinegar chips, but didn’t argue.

The tables had filled up around them as the evening darkened. Groups of people talked and laughed over their drinks. Kids ran between the trees and groups of adults. Couples sat in Adirondack chairs around little private fires. Under the table, Noah’s legs tangled with hers.

Even though the day had been warm, the air cooled off quickly with the sinking sun. Hazel ran her hands over her bare arms and rubbed them to warm up, wishing they’d snagged a seat with a fire pit.