Noah starts to climb the fence.
“Where are you going?” I ask.
“To the other side.” He jumps down. “Your turn.”
I’m about to protest but then change my mind. Charlotte would have hightailed over the fence, no questions asked.
But I’m not Charlotte.
I stare at the fence as though it might turn into a fire-breathing dragon when I touch it.
“Is it because of your leg?” Noah asks.
“Is what because of my leg?”
“Your reluctance to climb the fence. Don’t worry, I’ll help you down.”
“No, it’s not because of my leg. But hey, if I can clean out a stable, I can do this. Right?”
“Right.”
I place my foot onto the lower beam. “Okay, I’m coming over.”
Climbing a wooden fence isn’t all that difficult. It’s getting to the other side and jumping down that’s tougher—especially when you’re wearing a Louis Vuitton dress.
I swing my leg over the top beam.
But I misjudge where my foot is in relation to the wood, and the next thing I know, I’m falling.…
14
Noah
One minute Kateis climbing over the fence; the next she trips over the top beam and releases a startled shriek.
I attempt to catch her. All I succeed in doing is slowing her descent when she crashes into me.
We land in a tangled heap on the ground, with Kate straddling me, the air knocked from my lungs.
Neither of us moves, our gazes locked. Kate’s breath is coming in fast, and mine has done a complete turnaround. Each inhalation is perfectly synchronized with hers.
There’s a loud pounding in my chest like my heart has taken up the drums and is using my ribs as an instrument. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kate can hear it in the near-quiet of twilight.
She moves her hips slightly but makes no attempt to climb off me. Her core brushes against my hardening length. There’s no missing the impact she’s having on my body.
She leans down, placing her hands on the ground on either side of my head. “I want to kiss you, Noah.” Her voice is a breathy whisper.
“I want that, too.”
“I know that I shouldn’t because I’m only here for another week. And I’m not the kind of woman who goes ’round kissing men—”
“Princess.”
“Yes?”
“Just shut up and kiss me already.”
I don’t need to tell her twice. She lowers her mouth to mine.
