Page 33 of Prove Me Wrong (The Sunburnt Hearts #5)

Chapter Twenty-Five

MIA

J ade runs at me, giggling loudly. I try to jump out of the way, but she catches me.

Falling to the grass, she laughs delightfully, her hands smothering my hair and face in mud.

Gasping from both laughter and shock, she moves back, running to the little mud puddle she discovered and dunking her hands back in.

“No, Jade,” I squeal, but she’s already on her way back over with muddy fingers.

Sitting up, she falls on me, slush dirtying my long band tee that’s a dress on my smaller figure, and the long sleeve it’s sitting over. Muddy handprints are pressed on my thighs, arms and cheeks. Jade keeps coming at me, giggling so loudly.

She jumps off my legs, ready to run away for more when I grab her quickly, lifting her upside down. Jade screams with excitement. Chuckling, I put her back on the ground, her shiny gumboots now caked in muck, as the other mum’s watch me, clearly unimpressed with how much fun Jade and I are having.

Jade prefers playing with mud and sand than on the playground, and I don’t mind getting dirty. If she’s having fun and being safe, then why should I care ?

“You two look like you’re having a lot of fun.” A sweet voice sounds behind me.

Turning, there’s a shorter girl with curly dyed blonde hair and large green eyes winged with black liner.

In her hands she’s holding a girl wrapped in a jumper and pants, with matching eyes and dark hair.

She can’t be more than half a year old, but she’s gorgeous.

The woman has a sweet smile, unlike some of the other mum’s glaring my way as their kids entertain themselves. She's kinder and more approachable.

“Yeah, we are. Aren’t we, Jade?” I hold onto her hand tightly as Jade moves behind my muddied leg.

The lady just smiles down at her before raising her chin to me. “I’m Paige Stone, and this is my daughter, Sawyer. It’s lovely to meet you.”

“You, too. I’m Mia Baxter, babysitter of Jade Sterling,” I chime and genuinely mean it. I go to hold out my hand but hesitate and nervously giggle. “Sorry, I don’t want you to get dirty like us.”

She laughs, bouncing her baby on her hip. “That’s fine. I agree with you that kids need to be more outside these days, playing in nature. And ignore those mums over there, they are more judgmental than an attorney.”

“I bet they are. Their stares feel like laser beams on me, trying to burn me,” I mumble. Paige nods quickly in agreement. “Do you want to join Jade and I? Although, we are a bit messy right now.”

“Nothing better than playing with nature. And we would join, but Sawyer is only six months, so we usually play in the sandbox out of the way of the older kids. But the next time I see you out here we’ll come by. Our place is right across the road.”

She points to a quaint little house not too far away—white, decorative and full of plants. It’s beautiful.

“How convenient,” I say with a grin. “I’d be here all the time, then. ”

“Do you watch Jade often?”

My head shakes. “Only twice a week, and when her dad is out of town.”

“Ah, yes. Noah Sterling the famous Supercars driver. We catch some of his races when we can, but with this little one, Levi and I have our hands full.”

I frown a little as Jade pats my leg, pulling my attention down to see her arms raised. “Ia up.” Hoisting her to my hip, she smiles and wraps her dirty arms around my neck. I kiss her flushed cheek, not caring that I’m covered in grime and probably have mattered hair now, too.

“Maybe you should come by one day. These two could play together to give you a break?” I offer to Paige as little fingers dig into my neck.

“That would be great! I’ll have to let you know when. I can add your number.”

Pulling out my phone, we exchange numbers before saying goodbye.

Carrying Jade home, her little legs swing around my waist as she mumbles incoherently at things, pointing them out with her stubby fingers.

I try telling her everything she’s noticing, from the types of cars passing by, to the orange and brown butterfly that flies past, to the clouds making animal shapes.

Jade seems to notice everything, as only a toddler’s adventurous brain would.

I find myself giggling over her when she wriggles her way out of my arms to the pavement just to watch a snail moving along the footpath.

Stopping to watch it for a moment, I take her tiny hand in mine and walk her towards Noah’s house, knowing that he should be back home soon.

As soon as we turn the corner, I see Noah’s distinct red ute in the driveway, and my heart picks up instantly. My pulse beating faster and harder, I never thought I would begin to miss having him around, but I have been waiting all day to see him again.

Jade points a grubby finger at his car, realising her dad is home. “Car,” she squeaks out excitedly.

“Your dad’s home. I bet he missed you heaps,” I match her excitement, because honestly, I am not sure I can contain it myself right now. Letting go of my hand, she waddle-runs in her bright pink gumboots towards the house.

Following closely behind her, I help her up the stairs and take off her muddy shoes before opening up the door. “Noah!”

His head pokes out from behind the fridge, a wide grin etched into his stubbled face. He closes it and walks into the hallway, laughing at how dirty we are. Despite our current state, he comes up, cuddling his daughter. Jade giggles and messes up his hair.

“You have no idea how much I wanted you with me this weekend,” he admits, and my chest stings at how happy he is to hold Jade again. “I hate being away from you, princess.”

“No,” Jade squeaks, and we both laugh at her.

“Yes,” Noah chuckles before kissing her cheeks until she’s squirming so much he might drop her. “Why are you so muddy, baby girl?”

Jade’s green eyes move to mine, and I slip off my shoes, smiling at her. “Ia play,” her light voice bubbles out, pointing at me.

Walking up, I tickle her stomach, knowing how much she doesn’t like her neck being touched. Noah’s heavy eyes are on me. “Are you ratting me out, little lady? The mud was your idea, not mine.”

“She does love being in nature,” Noah quips before planting another kiss on Jade’s pink cheek.

“We should get you clean then before you have your dinner.”

Smiling, he walks her towards the bottom of the stairs. I watch, waiting to grab my things.

“Are you coming?” Noah asks over his shoulder.

“Oh,” I breathe out, shifting my balance between my legs. “I can go home and wash up.”

“I have a spare shower here. Just use the guest room.”

My throat works as I glance between Noah and my body caked in dried dirt. “I only live next door,” I murmur.

Noah chuckles with amusement. “You don’t think I know that by now?” He raises a golden brow at me. “I’ll get you something to change into. Go into the guest bathroom and shower, I’ll take care of Jade.”

Nodding, I do as he says, walking into the guest bedroom that’s extremely tidy and dust-free. There’s a queen bed, one table and a lamp sitting on top. There’s no other furniture, décor or artworks hanging on the walls. It’s so bare, like it’s never been used.

Afraid that I might leave a sprinkling of dirt on the carpet, I can’t help but stop. If Noah has this room, why did he offer me to stay in his bed while he was away? There’s a perfectly good one sitting here that looks to have never been touched.

Shaking my head, trying my best not to read more into the situation, I walk into the polished bathroom, strip off my dirty clothes before slipping my body under the steady stream of warm water.

There’s unopened bottles of body wash, shampoo and conditioner, so I lather myself up and wash my body thoroughly before rinsing and drying off.

Patting my hair dry, I then wrap a towel around my body when I hear a knock on the door. Panic shoots through me like a violent spark of energy. I don’t want him to see me this bare, wrapped in only a towel. I spin to hold the door closed when I hear his honeyed voice coming through the timber .

“Grey, I’ve left clothes here on the bed for when you’re ready.”

My pounding heart rate slows itself when I realise he’s not going to barge right in. He must know how uncomfortable that’ll be for me. I wait until he’s left the bedroom to open the door and grab the small pile he has folded up for me.

There’s an oversized grey tee that probably fits him normally with his team’s racing logo displayed on the front.

When I have it on, it’s like a dress on me, falling almost to my knees.

I then pull out the navy briefs that I know are Noah’s underwear.

They’re like shorts, and I slip them on.

Surprisingly, they’re soft and comfortable, but the tiniest bit too large for my narrower hips.

I slip on the top before tying my hair up into a bun.

Spinning to make sure I grabbed everything, I see a number on the back of the top. His number.

Thirty-four is printed across the back, and I don’t know why, but something flares inside of me. Wearing his clothes is already personal, but wearing his number feels even more intimate.

When I get downstairs, Noah is in the kitchen with Jade sitting in her chair, already digging into her dinner. I walk in and clear my throat to get his attention. “What should I do with these?” I hold up my dirty clothes and the towel I used.

“I’ll wash them with Jade’s things now.”

Taking them from me, Noah disappears into the laundry. I make my way towards the cabinet for a glass of water. Opening the door, I groan when the glasses are pushed to the back, too high for me to reach.

Standing on my toes, I try grabbing one when I feel Noah behind me like a shadow. The heat from his body warms mine, tingling all over from his proximity. Reaching over me, Noah easily grabs the glass and brings it down to put it on the bench .

He makes no effort to move, and for the first time, I don’t want him to. My skin is dancing with flames and my insides swarm with butterflies at how close he is. “Noah…” I breathe, voice thick and hoarse.

His arm drops, leaning against the bench as his front gently pushes against my back. “I like seeing you wearing my number.” His lips are so close to my ear that it sends electricity through my blood.

My chin dips, throat moving. My tongue runs across my lips, butterflies swarming my insides. “I like wearing your number, thirty-four.”

Gulping, I feel his rough hand on my waist, his intoxicating scent filling my lungs.

My eyes slowly shut from the feeling. I haven’t been touched in so long that I’ve forgotten what it feels like when it’s done kindly.

My pulse skitters from his fingers gripping my skin through the fabric of his top, but it’s not an uncomfortable fear. It’s intriguing and exciting.

“I’m glad you like your new top,” Noah murmurs into my ear. A smile creeps onto my face. “Are you giving it to me?”

He chuckles into my neck. “I bought it for you this weekend to wear when I'm racing.”

Turning to face his enlarged eyes, his grin is big enough to consume all of him. Golden hair tousled, eyes shimmering in the dull sunlight and hands holding me securely. Noah sniffs a laugh.

“You bought me a shirt?”

His eyebrows pump once. “Well, yeah. I’m not letting you wear someone else’s number, Grey. That might actually kill me.”

My tongue pokes the side of my cheek as my fingers run down the sides of the soft fabric. “I love it, Noah.”

“Good, because I don’t want anyone else wearing it. ”

Hands tightening on my narrow waist, his face moves closer to mine to where there’s barely an inch separating our lips. His intoxicating scent fills my lungs as I breathe him in, wanting his mouth on mine.

“If you don’t push me away, Grey, then I’m going to kiss you,” he whispers, his lips brushing against mine with each word like a feather touching my skin.

I don’t move. I hardly breathe because I want this. I want to kiss him, and when his lips press against mine, I think I melt into him.