Chapter 77

“No,” I said defiantly, crossing my arms. “Why?”

Noah huffed, pinching my face. “Open,” he demanded. “I want to see if you’re hiding a pill.”

I frowned, knowing better than to defy that tone. Slowly, reluctantly, I parted my lips for his inspection.

He searched thoroughly, finally pulling back, seemingly satisfied. His frown remained.

“What?” I asked, stepping back. “I haven’t taken any pills. What more do you want?”

He was silent a moment, his jaw working. Then, gruffly, “Hold out your arms.”

I laughed incredulously. “My arms?”

He nodded. “You could have pills. I heard a bottle. How do I know you weren’t about to take some and hide them when you heard me?”

“Noah, this is ridiculous…”

“Do it,” he commanded.

After a moment, I obeyed, allowing him to search my arms. His touch sent tingles along my skin.

Chapter 78

He moved behind me, pressing close as he patted my back and sides. Goddess, it had been too long since I’d been touched so intimately. I felt like a mare in heat.

I shuddered, my face warming. Noah continued his search, moving to my front, patting my abdomen and legs.

By the time he’d had me turn, I felt breathless, my body thrumming with tension and, despite my denial… desire. As his hands smoothed my waist, I leaned into his touch.

Maybe he felt it too, because his hands stilled, his gaze intense. A smirk tugged at his lips, and he stepped back.

“Take off your robe.”

My cheeks reddened. “What?” I hissed.

“You heard me,” he said, his voice husky. “I want to be thorough.”

I swallowed, speechless. I was nude beneath it, save for my panties. No bra. My nipples were hard, my skin raised with goosebumps.

But I complied. My hands trembled slightly as I untied the sash and let the robe fall, exposing my breasts.

Noah stepped forward, brushing my shoulders, pushing the robe away. I shuddered as it fell, leaving me mostly nude.

His hands moved slowly down my body, over my breasts and belly. A warmth radiated from my lower stomach, no, lower; my hips moved forward, aching with a yearning so deep I thought I might go mad.

He’s still my husband, I thought. And I wanted him. Goddess, no matter how angry he made me, I wanted him. I wanted him to take me right there, bent over the sink. I wanted to feel his lips on my neck.

For a moment, I thought he might. He raised a finger, silently ordering me to turn. I didn’t hesitate, stifling a sound as his hands ran down my back, over the lace of my panties, across my behind, and down toward my thighs.

The air crackled with energy, his hands creating static shocks. All I could think about was how lonely I was. How much I craved his touch, missed his embrace, ached for his affection, affection I’d perhaps never truly had.

But then, as quickly as the tension mounted, it dissipated. Noah blinked, stepping back, putting distance between us as the moment shattered.

He cleared his throat, averting his gaze. When he looked at me again, an unreadable expression flickered in his green eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured gruffly. “That was out of line. I got carried away.”

He turned and strode from the room, leaving me alone in my panties.