Noah was right. I am exhausted. My steps are small, and it is as if he is dragging me by the hand.

The pool house is too far.

As if he could sense my inner thoughts, Noah sweeps me off of my feet. His arm hooks under my legs, giving me the perfect opportunity to nuzzle into his chest.

"Just think, in a couple of months, I'll be too big for you to carry," I mumble as I make myself comfortable.

"I can't wait."

When my head snaps up, Noah looks at me with his dazzling gaze and a smile pulling at his lips.

"Are you sure about that?" I ask.

Noah stays silent as he opens the door. He carries me to my bed, and when he lays me down, he places a tender kiss on my lips. "I have something for you."

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a blue velvet box.

I shoot up, my adrenaline pumps, pushing my tiredness to the side. "Noah. What are you doing?

Noah waves me off with a smile. "It's not what you think." The pounding in my chest slows down to a bearable tempo. My muscles begin to relax when Noah looks down as calloused hand traces along my fingers. "I'm hoping what is in this box puts your mind at ease. It's proof that my loyalty is to you, Gavin, and that little Jellybean you're growing."

"Noah."

"I'm serious, Annie. I told you from the beginning that I will be as involved in the kid's lives as you want. I will follow your lead, but I need you to know, to understand that I am ready for it all." My body begins to tremble when Noah opens the box. "This was my mom's wedding band. And I want you to have it."

Noah takes the band covered in diamonds and places it on my right hand's ring finger. "Every time you look at this, I want you to remember that you have my heart completely."

The rays of light bring the diamonds to life. They glisten in all their glory, and I am taken back by their beauty.

Tears pool in my eyes, knowing that this ring once sat on his mother's finger. "Noah, I don't know what to say."

Noah begins to play with the ring, twisting it around and around. "Say that you will be my girlfriend. Say that you will be mine."

As if my legs have springs in them, I jump on Noah. He falls backward on the bed, and I take the opportunity to pepper kisses all over his face. "Yes. Yes, I'll be your girlfriend.

Noah grabs my face, holding my cheeks in his hands. His blue eyes shine brightly, only to be rivaled by his incredible smile. "Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Electricity courses through my body when Noah captures my lips with his. He rolls me over and continues to spoil me with love.

His tongue sweeps and swirls in my mouth, sending jolts of pleasure to my core. When he works his way down my jaw and lands at my exposed skin above my breast, I nearly come undone.

"Noah," His name comes out, forced between my shallow breaths.

He pulls away, and his piercing blue eyes have turned dark. Something I have learned happens when he's turned on. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel like if you don't kiss me again, I will lose my mind."

That's all it takes for Noah to capture my lips with hungry urgency. His kiss is filled with such passion it causes my toes to curl.

I reach down and begin to inch his shirt up. When he pulls it over his head, I can't help but look at his perfectly chiseled body. I trace the hard lines of his muscles. His skin begins to prickle under my soft touch.

Noah hums, and I swear it is a sound I can't wait to hear again. He pulls my shirt over my head, instantly bringing his attention to the swells of my breasts.

"Please, Noah," I beg.

"Please what?" he asks between feathery kisses.

"I need you."

Noah nibbles down my stomach, only to stop at the waistband of my pants. My mind goes blank when he twirls his tongue along the sensitive skin of my hips.

When he helps me shimmy out of my pants, he looks at me with hooded eyes.

Noah licks his lips before moving the cotton fabric of my panties to the side. His warm tongue swipes along my most sensitive area, setting my body on fire.

My moans fill the room as he continues to drink me up, and when he pulls away, his hot breaths continue to pleasure me. "Fuck, you taste good."

Noah's fingers draw circles on my thighs, and tiny shocks cause me to quiver in anticipation. A gasp falls from my parted lips when his long finger enters me. A welcomed intrusion that has me desperate for more. My hips roll against his hand, and my back arches to meet each possessive thrust of his fingers.

When he pulls away, I feel empty, missing him immediately.

Noah unbuckles his pants, slowly pulling them down and setting his iron-hard erection free. I release a moan as I take in his naked body, sending a new wave of pleasure through my body.

Noah removes my underwear while I undo the hooks of my bra. My lingerie is flung to the side, and I impatiently wait for what comes next.

Silence fills the room. My nerves go into overdrive, my stomach knots in worry.

A lungful of air stays in my chest, holding my breath until I can't take it anymore. "What's wrong?"

"You're just so beautiful."

His words pierce my soul.

Noah climbs on top of me, kissing along my neck until he reaches my ready lips. His trace along my silky skin until his large hand cups my swollen breast. When he rolls my perked nipple between his fingers, a loud moan escapes from deep within my chest.

The ministrations suddenly stop, and Noah freezes. When my eyes snap open, I notice him staring at me with furrowed brows.

My stomach drops and his painful expression. "Are you regretting this?"

A sarcastic laugh fills my ears. "Not at all. I just don't have a condom."

"I got tested after Simon left. I'm clean."

"Are... Are you sure?" Noah's stutter makes me smile. I move closer to him and grab his hand. He laces our fingers together only to bring them to his lips. "I got tested for the season before I left. Are you sure about this?

"What can happen? I'm already pregnant."

Noah chuckles and chuckles. "I guess that's true."

"Kiss me, Noah."

He reclaims my mouth, sweeping his tongue against mine. My back hits the cotton sheets as he climbs back on top of me, positioning himself between my legs.

The tip of his erection hits my core, and I see stars. He's not even inside me yet, and my eyes are rolling back in bliss.

Bliss takes over my senses as Noah pushes into me.

"Fuck," He moans.

Inch by inch, I take him in until he is buried deep within my tight walls. His sexy groans send my hips in motion, and I begin to rock against his hardened shaft.

Noah meets my rhythm with urgent trusts, hitting my most sensitive spots.

The two of us move together in total harmony. His powerful movements bring me closer to my release.

My back arches toward him to take him in further. "Yes, Baby, right there. Don't stop."

Noah's fingers make contact with the tiny bundle of nerves between legs. His gentle circles cause me to shake violently underneath him, pleasure taking over.

Higher and higher, I climb, groaning in blissful agony.

A sudden sharp euphoric pain shoots across my chest. Noah pulls on my sensitive nipples, adding to the pleasure he is already giving me.

"Come for me, Annie."

His command sends me into uncontrollable, shuddering contractions. I cry out as a sensation so intense it takes over my body, providing me with a wild eruption of pleasure.

Agonized gasps of air are forced from my lungs as I continue to ride out my explosive climax.

Noah's thrusts become frantic as he continues to pound into me. The strong, lovely passion begins to claim me once again.

His final deep-chested moan has us climaxing together, convulsing in a chain of spasms.

Noah collapses next to me, his chest rapidly rising as he tries to catch his breath. His arms wrap around my tired body and pull me in close. My eyes become heavy and close completely when Noah begins to run his fingers through my hair. "Sleep, Sunshine."

My body completely relaxes, and exhaustion takes hold. The rapid thumping of Noah's heart sends me into a deep, blissful sleep.