I lunge again, and I end up on top of him, my hands reaching over his head for the camera.

“I kind of like this game,” he comments.

I look down at my breasts in his face.

I sit up and straighten my shirt, buttoning the top button that came undone in the midst of our struggle. I inhale and exhale deep breaths through my mouth, and I compose myself.

“Hey, why did you move? I liked it.” He sits back up.

I look over at him. “Like I said, I’m not meant to be on the other side of the lens.” I stand and brush the grass off my ass. “Let’s go.”

The pie container crumples in my hands on the way to the trash can. My heart races from Todd coming so close but continuing to pull away.

His footsteps crunch on the leaves behind me, and I step away because I can’t be that close to him right now. My want continues to increase, and I need to distance myself if he doesn’t want to cross our line of friendship.

“Noodle,” he mumbles. His fingers linger on my shoulder, igniting a rush of shivers up my neck. “Was there any other reason you told Davis that you wanted a break?”

I inch back into him, and his hand grazes down my shoulder until his long fingers merge with mine.

“I’m scared.”

“Of what?” His chest protects my back from the chill of the wind at dusk.

“You,” I admit, my stomach clenching.

“You do the same to me.” His lips brush along my bare skin under my ear. “You terrify me,” he whispers.

I lean into his touch. “Why?”

I look around and find the bike paths are mostly empty. We’re alone with no one to stop us this time.

“You have the power to destroy me. You’ll be the first and last person I’ll completely trust.”

I close my eyes, relishing in his lips cascading small kisses on my skin. He can’t think I’d be his last because I’m going to teach him he can trust people—especially me.

I withdraw my hand from his and turn around to look in his eyes. The blue irises are pure and only mirror the love I feel for him. I cradle his cheeks within my palms and stare into his big, hopeful eyes for a few seconds.

“Somewhere in the middle of all of this, I fell for you. That’s the reason I ended it with Davis.” A huge weight lifts from my body, finally admitting it not only to Todd, but also to myself.

“You pull emotions out of me that I’ve never felt. I pray I won’t fuck this up.”

I shake my head. “You won’t.” My hands travel down his muscular arms and entwine our fingers.

“How can you be so sure?”

I squeeze our hands together. “Because I know you. You’ll never hurt me.” Tears fill my eyes.

“Never on purpose.” He draws his hands from mine and pulls me into a hug.

“Never,” I whisper into his sweatshirt.

He tightens his hold on me. He pulls back, and his eyes lock on mine. “I don’t deserve you, but I promise I’ll never forget that fact.”

“Todd?”

“Yeah?”

“Kiss me.”

My heart pounds out of my chest as he leans closer, breaking the minuscule distance between us.

I notice a small scar just under his chin, and my curiosity wonders where he got it. By some jerk of a foster parent or a fight? There’s so much I don’t know about him, but that small flaw on his perfect face makes me anxious to find out every detail of his life.

Todd dips further, and my pulse quickens from the anticipation of our first kiss. He meets my lips, and a current of warmth runs through my body. My arms swing around his neck as I rise to my tiptoes and lose myself in his soft, warm lips.

The taste of huckleberry pie swirls between us as our tongues slide along one another’s. His hands grip the back of my jacket, and he draws me closer. Our mouths smash harder, and I fist a handful of his hair. Moans and groans replace the noises of the park.

Todd’s hands release my jacket, and mine relax around his neck as the kiss closes.

He cradles my head in his strong hands. “Come home with me. I’m not asking you to sleep with me, but I want to be alone with you.”

I nod.

He blesses me with a gentle kiss that lingers longer than I expected, and he guides me out of the park.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Todd

Noodle and I step off the elevator, her hand warm in mine. My eyes ping to her door, and I silently pray that Tatiana stays behind it. If anyone interrupts us, I’ll lose my fucking mind.

I might have lied slightly when I asked Noodle not to sleep with me tonight. Secretly, I hope she can’t keep her hands off me, like I already know I can’t from her.

I insert the key into my lock and glance over to Noodle. Her classic sweet smile absorbs her angelic features, and she inhales a deep breath. Unable to withstand a moment without her in my arms, I press her body to the wall with mine. She gasps, and her fingers hook in my belt loop.

“You’re so damn beautiful.” My lips graze along her jaw, and then I devour her mouth.

Her minty breath tingles my mouth, and I turn my doorknob in my free hand.

“Take me, Todd.”

I don’t need to be told twice. I pull her through the door and push her against it as it clicks shut.

My hands mold to her ass, and I lift her in my arms. Our lips crash together, our heads twisting and turning right to left. I flick the bolt lock and turn us around. The pictures shake out of place as our bodies slam against the wall, pinging back and forth like a pinball down the hall.

Her fingernails dig into my shoulders, and she grinds against my stomach every time I squeeze her ass.

I throw her onto the bed, and she scoots up to make room for me. My breath catches in my throat when I see her on my bed, in my room, ready for me. The last few weeks, I’ve pictured this exact image, and I could slap myself to make sure it’s actually coming true.

Her shirt inches up, revealing a line of skin, and my mouth waters. Her tits are calling my name, but I want to cherish her. I will make sure every inch of her body is touched by me before she leaves this room.

I toe out of my shoes, and her flats drop to the floor.

“Are you sure?” I ask, double-checking, especially since we’ve been going at each other since we opened the door.

“I’m positive. Come.” She sits up on her elbows, and her eyes roam my body.

My fingers fiddle with the buttons of my shirt.

“No. Let me.” She moves up to her knees, and her fingers manipulate the buttons.

Shivers rush along my skin as her hands slide my shirt off my shoulders.

“You’re gorgeous,” she says. Her eyes eat me up, only spurring my arousal.

She inches on her knees to the edge of the bed, and my hands grab the hem of her shirt and strip it from her body. She sinks back and her shoulders jut out, like she’s trying to hide herself from my eyes.

“Hey.” I take my finger and rest it under her chin. Persuading her to look at me, I bend down and gently kiss her.

Her chest rises and falls at a quick pace, and my hand cups her cheek as my thumb brushes along it. I allow my lips to travel down her chin and neck before peppering soft kisses on her shoulder. My hands slowly move down her shoulders and around the back, finding the clasp of her purple satin and lace bra. She sucks in a breath and holds it until my fingers slide her straps down each arm.

“You’re so hot that I can barely hang on,” I whisper.

She tilts her head, allowing me to continue manipulating her neck with my lips. Her fingers graze down my abs and I suck in a breath, waiting for her to disrobe me of my jeans. She undoes the button, and her shaking fingers pull down my zipper. Her hands push my jeans down to pool at my ankles, and a growl escapes my lips.

I step out of my jeans. “My turn.” I hook my fingers on either side of her black leggings and pull them down, stopping at her knees. “Lie down, baby.”

She follows directions, and her body quivers under my touch. Her bravery shocks me. She’s nervous to be with me, because I know this isn’t her first time.