The Cinnamon Bun Book Store (Dream Harbor, #2)(77)

‘It’s real,’ he said, his voice as broken as she felt. ‘You and me. I promise.’

She nodded, her cheek against one of his many pillows.

‘I’m gonna make you come now, okay?’

Hazel huffed a watery laugh.

‘Yeah. Okay.’

Noah pressed one more kiss into her shoulder and then gently untangled his fingers from hers. He lifted her hips up again, changing the angle and Hazel immediately felt it.

‘Good?’

‘Hell, yeah.’

Noah’s chuckle was briefly her favorite sound until it was followed by his groan as he thrust in and out. Hazel moaned, her fingers grasping at the bedsheets.

‘Touch yourself, Haze.’

And she did it. She’d do anything he said right now. She knew anything he said would bring her pleasure.

She touched herself while he dove into her, hitting a place that made her eyes roll back and her toes curl and the ache was so deep now, she didn’t know if she could survive it.

‘Keep going,’ he demanded, his fingers digging into her hips and she did. Faster and harder as he did the same, that ache building, but she was safe. Safe with Noah. Safe and wanted and loved.

She whimpered, the tears back in her eyes, the sob back in her throat.

And she let it out as she broke.

She trembled and cried and shook.

And Noah held her up.

‘Noah,’ she groaned into the pillows, the pillows he bought to keep her comfortable, and his arms were around her again, her body flush with the bed, their hands intertwined and Noah found his pleasure with his lips pressed to her shoulder.

‘Hazel,’ he murmured her name over and over even after he rolled off of her. Even after he’d cleaned up and come back to bed, wrapping himself around her. He murmured her name as he kissed her and held her. Like he couldn’t believe it, either.

But it was true.

And it was a story they’d be telling for a long time.

Well, parts of it anyway. Some parts were private.





Chapter Thirty





Two Months Later


‘Happy Friendsgiving!’ Jeanie opened the door to the old farmhouse, her arms wide. Noah was immediately hit with the smell of sage and onions, cinnamon and ginger. His stomach grumbled. Hazel hadn’t let him eat more than a bowl of cereal this morning and the half a bag of marshmallows he’d scarfed on the way over. Although to be fair, they’d been busy with other things. Several other things that started with applying for a bank loan and ended with Hazel spread out on her kitchen table in nothing but her panties. So maybe he hadn’t just eaten cereal and marshmallows...

‘Hey, Jeanie.’ Noah let himself be enveloped in a hug by Jeanie, quickly putting aside his memories of the morning.

‘Welcome back, Noah!’ She gave him a squeeze and then moved on to Hazel.

‘Thanks for having us,’ Hazel said from inside Jeanie’s arms.

‘I’m so glad we decided to do this.’ Jeanie took the bags from Noah filled with wine and the rest of the bags of marshmallows Hazel brought to add to the yams, and ushered them inside. ‘It’s such a busy time of year, I’m just happy we could all get together.’

Noah decided not to point out that they all saw each other almost every day, especially now that he was back and full time at Mac’s for the season. They were constantly in and out of each other’s shops, but he knew Jeanie was excited to host her first official Friendsgiving, so he bit his tongue and followed her inside. It was warm and welcoming with a fire crackling in the hearth in the living room right off the hall. Jeanie and Logan had strung together several tables that stretched from the dining room into the living room. Candles and gourds ran down the center, creating a tablescape he was sure his mother would love.

His six weeks at home had been long and tough at times, but mostly for his sister. He’d had a blast playing with his nieces and going out with the crew on the new lobster boat. He even spent time going over his rental-property plans with his dad.

And talking with Hazel every night certainly helped. But with Rachel cleared by her doctor to be upright again, Noah was back in Dream Harbor. At least for now. He was taking Hazel home with him in three days and he was a ball of nervous energy about her meeting the family. But excited nervous and not dreading-it nervous so he was taking that as progress.

‘Oh, look who decided to finally show up!’ Annie emerged from the kitchen, wine glass in hand.

‘We’re not late.’ Hazel glanced at her watch. ‘Well, we’re not that late.’ A blush rose up her cheeks and Noah grinned, knowing she was thinking about exactly why they were late.

‘Gross, guys. I mean, really,’ Annie said, also expertly reading Hazel’s expression.

Hazel rolled her eyes, ready with a retort when a random man followed Annie into the entryway.

‘Um ... hi,’ Noah said, taking Hazel’s attention from Annie to the man standing uncomfortably behind her.

‘Oh, this is Trent.’

‘Trent?’ Hazel’s voice rose incredulously.

‘Hey, nice to meet you...’

‘You brought a date to Friendsgiving?’ Hazel asked.

‘She sure did,’ Mac answered from where he sat glowering in the corner of the living room. Noah hadn’t even seen him over there. Trent shifted on his feet. Poor bastard.