It Started with a Crack by Piper James
Chapter Nineteen
Dakota
Istood just inside my bedroom door, listening as Noah brought in the groceries. I listened as he put them away, whistling to himself the whole time. I darted toward my bed as his footsteps entered the hall, paused for a moment by my door, then moved on to his bedroom, all without him saying a word.
Shortly after, I heard the shower running, and thinking about him naked, running soapy hands over his body only served to exacerbate my excitement. And my nerves.
“I can’t believe I’m fucking doing this,” I muttered, moving to stand in front of the full length mirror inside my closet door.
I was wearing my nicest lingerie, a little black number made of the sheerest material. The top sported spaghetti straps with lace around the deep-V at the front. Paired with a tiny, simple thong, the outfit left nothing to the imagination.
After the whole text conversation we had earlier, I decided I was going to be confident and brazen. I was going to strut in front of him in this skimpy ensemble and tell him I had a taco for him. But now that he was here, the whole idea seemed ridiculous and juvenile. He’d probably laugh me out of the room.
Yes, I was on the verge of chickening out.
I pulled my short silk robe off the hanger and pulled it on, belting it in the front. I turned side to side, studying my reflection before blowing out a breath and taking it back off. Covering myself up defeats the purpose. If I was going to do this, I was going to do it right.
The water turned off, and I panicked. I needed to make a decision. Now.
My heart thundered in my chest as I looked from left to right, tempted to hide under my covers for the rest of the day and forget I’d ever even had this asinine idea. Then Ember’s voice echoed in my head, steeling my resolve.
All I heard was that you’re being a pussy and not going after what you want because you’re scared.
I grabbed my phone and pulled up Ember’s number.
Me: I’m freaking out.
Ember: Over what?
Me: I decided to follow your advice. Noah just got home, and I’m hiding in my room wearing nothing but skimpy, see-through lingerie.
Ember: Get it, girl!
Me: I told you, I’m freaking out. I don’t know if I can do this.
Ember: Of course, you can. You are a strong, brilliant, sexy-as-fuck woman. He’d be lucky as hell to have you.
Me: What if he turns me down?
Ember: Stick your hand down his pants before he can say a word.
Me: Come on, Ember. Be serious.
Ember: I am being serious. Now get your ass out there and get that D. Call me tomorrow.
I tossed my phone to the bed with a grunt, then froze as I heard footsteps padding down the hallway toward the living room. My chest heaved with each breath, and I felt a little dizzy.
Steeling my spine, I turned to look back in the mirror again. My hair fell in shiny loose waves over my shoulders. I had on subtle makeup, just a little loose powder and some waterproof mascara. My skin was soft from the lotion I’d slathered all over, and my legs and pits were smooth and hairless.
I looked good. And if I wanted to end the torture, to know how Noah really felt about me, this was a good way to find out.
I took a deep, fortifying breath, went to the door, opened it, and walked out.
It was now or never.
I saw Noah in my peripheral vision as I bypassed the living room and turned to head into the kitchen. I heard his sharp intake of breath before I moved away from him. His footsteps following as I grabbed a glass from the dish rack and filled it with water from the sink.
“Dakota.”
I spun around, a hand flying to my chest. “Noah. I didn’t know you were home yet.”
His eyes blazed as they travelled over me, pausing on my breasts for a brief moment before moving down to the juncture between my thighs. His bare chest was rising and falling quickly, and—fuck—I could see his cock rising under the material of his sweatpants.
His eyes darted back up to meet mine, his jaw tight as he moved closer. “Oh, I think you knew.”
