Pure Seduction by Frank, Ella (first ebook reader .txt) 📕

“Ah, well, if you want to see more, just let me know.”

I shifted slightly on my seat, that feeling of awareness from earlier returning and moving a little lower.

Knowing I needed to change the subject or risk saying something completely inappropriate, I went with the first thing that came to mind: “So, tell me about Italy. What’s it like? It must be exciting to live somewhere so glamorous.”

Noah took a sip of his coffee before he relaxed and rested his arm on the back of the chair holding my books. “It’s amazing. At first it was…hard not knowing anyone. But by the time I graduated, I’d secured a job on one of the vineyards—Sergio’s—as a ‘cellar rat.’ I worked hard and learned not only the steps of being a winemaker, but the artistry behind producing a great bottle of wine. My background helped too, I hate to admit. But Harry taught me a lot over all those summers he forced me to work. The real learning began when I got over there, and eventually I worked my way up to be Sergio’s business partner. I’ve been there ever since.”

I placed my cup down and schooled my features the best I could, trying not to show how much it hurt to hear that he’d had such a wonderful life-changing experience after he left.

It wasn’t that I hoped he’d been miserable, or that I’d wished him ill will. But after not hearing from him—not even an email—it was difficult to sit there and listen to how he’d replaced his original life with something completely new. I could only imagine how quickly he’d replaced me.

“I heard about that part. Sergio’s? It kind of became Harry’s archnemesis.”

“One of the side perks of being sent away. I made it my mission to be better than Harry, and make damn sure that he knew about it.”

“I know. It must’ve all been very exciting.” I lowered my eyes, unable to help the tears that had formed, and suddenly remembered all of the reasons why revisiting the past was such a bad idea.

I was trying to think up an excuse as to why I had to go, when Noah placed his hand over mine on the table.

“Laurel, I never wanted to leave. That was—”

“Years ago,” I interrupted, and drew my hands free. This little stroll down memory lane was bringing back all of the heartbreak I’d buried for so long.

I quickly got to my feet and smoothed my hands down the front of my dress. “I, umm, have to get back to work. We’re starting a little late today, since we’re not opening to the public. I’m sure you know—you probably spoke to Emily. But I need to get going now.”

I reached for my books, knowing I was rambling, and once I had them in front of me like a shield, I suddenly felt a whole lot better.

“I hope you have a good day. You know, better than the one you were having earlier.” Before he could get a word in, I gave a quick wave and then hurried out of the coffeehouse.

9

Noah

“ARE YOU DONE yet?”

“No.”

“What about now?” I threw a daisy over the top of Laurel’s book, and when it landed on her page, she picked it up and twirled it between her fingers.

“Still no.”

“But you’ve been reading for—”

“Ten minutes?”

That was about nine minutes more than I ever liked to read, but Laurel? That was her thing, and since I was the one who’d suggested doing our homework together, I was stuck, whether I liked it or not.

“That’s enough time, right? I mean, how much more could you possibly need to read today?” I plucked the book from her hands and rolled to my back. We’d picked a sunny spot under one of the large oaks at the end of Willow Lane.

It was Laurel’s favorite place to come, because there was only one house at the end of the road—that was currently empty—and other than that, the place was secluded. Perfect for reading and relaxing, according to her.

Me, however? I was getting restless. I hated sitting still, even for ten minutes.

“Noah, give it back. I want to be finished before next class, and—”

“We only have to read to chapter twenty. You’re already up to”—I flicked through the pages of her book—“chapter twenty-five.”

She leaned over to take the book, and I dropped it to the grass to grab her arm, pulling her down over me. She landed with a cute little oomph, and her long blonde hair fell forward to curtain our faces.

“Now this is better.”

“How is it better? We have an exam tomorrow, and I need to study. You need to study.”

“I am studying.” I kissed her gently, her soft lips always so tempting. “I’m studying the shape of your mouth. The color of your hair in the sun. The way you feel squirming around on me the way you are.”

“I’m not squirming.” She planted her hands on either side of my head and pushed up from me. “I’m trying to get away from you so I can study. I need this grade if I’m going to have a chance at that scholarship.”

She was right, and suddenly I felt like a total asshole for interfering with that.

“Sorry,” I said, and reluctantly let her go. “I wasn’t thinking.” I picked up the book and handed it back to her, before settling in against the trunk of the tree.

“Don’t be sorry for wanting to kiss me.” She laughed. “That’s why I’m working so hard. I want you to be able to kiss me for the rest of my life, and you won’t be able to do that if I’m stuck here and you’re—”

I placed a finger to her lips and grinned. “What did you just say?”

She frowned, and I swear I could see the wheels in her head rewinding. Then a rosy flush hit her cheeks. Yep, there it is.

“I didn’t mean that like it sounded.”

“You didn’t? ’Cause I kind of like the idea of you