Chapter 236

“What?” Noah asked, her voice coming out more forceful than she intended. She didn’t miss the way Kyle flinched at the tone of her voice, and cleared her throat so she could ask again, lowering her voice and asking in a polite manner.

“I was just… No, it doesn’t matter. It can wait.” Kyle seemed to sink into the table, chewing on his sandwich like all the fight had left him.

“What’s wrong, Kyle?” Noah asked, leaping to her feet. Her half-eaten sandwich, along with her apple, rolled onto the floor. “First you say you’re never going to leave me alone, then you insist that you give me food, and now you are staring holes directly into me and act like nothing is wrong. Clearly something is wrong.” She marched over to him, her hands on her hips. “So? Will you tell me?”

Noah was expecting Kyle to snap back at her, for them to get into a row that would result in one, or both, of them having to take time out to calm down. Or that Kyle would just storm off in a huff.

She was not expecting what happened next.

Kyle shoved his food to one side and planted his hands on her face. Before she could react, he kissed her deeply, with more intensity than the kiss they shared outside. Noah hesitated for a brief moment, unsure of what to do. Her hands, moving on their accord, grabbed onto Kyle’s shirt as she found herself returning the kiss.

Her thoughts were racing as she tried to determine how she felt about all of this. The kiss did, admittedly, feel good, and she couldn’t deny the warm feeling that was spreading from her heart. But, on the other hand…

Noah pushed Kyle away with such force that he landed back on the table, and stepped away from him. Her breathing was heavy, and her heart was pounding against her chest with a mixture of emotions. Euphoria, confusion… She felt them all.

“No, this isn’t right.” She said, holding her hands up to her lips. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

“Doing what? Noah, what are you so afraid of?” Kyle pushed himself off the table and carefully reached out to hold Noah’s hands. “We have nothing to be afraid of.”

“I, well… I thought we agreed that we should stick to having a platonic relationship.” Noah said, sighing as Kyle brushed a hand over her cheek. “Didn’t we?” They had both agreed that there was nothing between them, and to keep their feelings to themselves, and yet there they were. There was no denying that she did enjoy Kyle’s company, and they had made the choice to stick to each other from here on out, but that didn’t mean they had to take things to the next level. Right?

“Things are not set in stone, Noah.” Kyle lightly kissed her hand, the sensation of which gave her butterflies in her stomach. “Feelings can change, and evolve over time. Just like mine have for you. But I suppose I did move pretty quickly. Perhaps a little too quickly for you.”

“Yes, just a tad…” Noah said, tilting her head away. What was she so afraid of? This man was throwing himself at her, and she was hesitating. She needed fresh air to clear her thoughts. “I was thinking we should go investigate the hotel before the Bureau arrives.” She said, rubbing her arm with her spare hand. “And we should get some more food, seeing as our lunch is now on the floor.”

“Yes, we should. Come on, we should hurry so we don’t stay outside too long.” Kyle let go of Noah and walked over Adrian. He took some more rope out of his bag and secured him to the table, ensuring that there was no way he could escape. He then took Noah by the hand and led her back outside. Together, they sprinted towards the hotel.

All the workers that were gathered outside had vanished, presumably seeking shelter, and so they were able to approach it easily. Noah looked up at Kyle as they were running, and then down at her hand still clasped in his. There was a little flutter in her heart, something that was growing from deep within.

She couldn’t deny her feelings any longer. This man, who was so often cold and ruthless to everyone he came across, had opened himself up to her. True, he had kissed her without warning, but he acknowledged that he had moved too fast for her to keep up. And now they were investigating something big together.

Maybe, just this once, she could open her heart to him.