“For future reference, that’s the great thing about kissing,” he told me. “Both of us get to feel the same thing at the same time.”

“Uh-huh.” This was no time for talking. I tugged at his shoulders, getting him to lean down slightly. I ran my lips over his stubble along his jawline, liking the contrast between his five-o’clock shadow and the skin of his cheek. He put his hands on my waist, and I felt his fingers dig into my hips when I moved to his neck. I ghosted my lips along the surface, barely touching him. He smelled so amazing, that unique scent that was just Noah.

I pushed my mouth against the skin where his neck and collarbone met and felt a surge of delight when he groaned at the contact. One of his hands moved up into my hair, lightly holding me in place and stroking my scalp, and I sighed with the pleasure of it.

This was thrilling in a way I hadn’t imagined possible. Knowing that I could have that sort of effect on him. I wondered where else I could kiss him that he’d enjoy. While pondering my next move, my brain demanded to know what Noah tasted like, and I thought it was an excellent question. So I flicked the edge of my tongue against his skin, and he let out this throaty sound that was exhilarating, but then he put both of his hands on my shoulders, pushing me back slightly.

“You have an early appointment tomorrow, remember?”

Did I? Oh yeah. Well, forget Mrs. Rabinowitz and Fifi. I was much happier here. There were many, many things to explore. “That’s a whole six hours away. Plenty of time.”

He let out a sound that was a mixture of laughter and regret. “Please don’t tempt me, Juliet. I’m not as strong as you seem to think I am, and I have promises I intend to keep.”

Great. He had to go and be honorable. But to be fair, that was probably the only reason I’d been enjoying myself. I knew, as much as I’d ever known anything, that he wasn’t going to push me or try to kiss me, and it made me feel safe and unworried.

I tried to come down from the surge of adrenaline that was raging through me. I’d had rushes of adrenaline before, but they’d always been negative. This one was mixed with want and desire and made my blood feel too thick for my veins.

It was a heady sensation, and I liked it.

“So I’m going to go.” He said the words, but he wasn’t moving. He lifted a hand up, running his fingers over my lower lip. That didn’t bother me, either. Then he was moving to hug me, holding me tight against him.