Page 55 of Prove Me Wrong (The Sunburnt Hearts #5)

Kissing my forehead again, Noah pushes the covers off and wanders over to his drawers. I watch him in all his sweaty glory. “She missed you a lot. I’m sure she’ll cling to you and completely ignore me when we get there.”

I laugh, getting out of bed to grab my clothes from the bathroom. I go to slip them on when Noah appears behind me in the mirror, a mischievous grin pulling in his mouth. “What?”

“Here,” he murmurs, handing me some fresh briefs before wrapping his arms around my neck, his front pressing against my back.

“I wish you didn’t have to wear anything,” Noah admits quietly.

Snorting a laugh, I watch as my smile broadens into a genuinely happy one in the mirror, which I haven’t seen in years. My lips almost sparkle with delight as I watch his chin dip, lips grazing my throat. “Would you want everyone to see me then?” I ask sardonically.

“Never,” Noah snips before grinning back at me in our reflection. “I’d gouge everyone’s eyes out.”

“You’re vicious,” I laugh.

“I prefer protective,” he counters.

“Overbearing.”

His head tilts a little. “Attentive.”

The corner of my mouth twitches. “Tolerant.”

“Understanding.”

My heart flutters. “Respectful.”

Noah smiles against my jaw. “Loving. ”

I bite my lip. “And what am I?” A dark brow arches on my forehead.

“Mine.” His voice is low in my ear.

My cheeks blush as I whisper, “Yours.”

His teeth brush the shell of my ear before he murmurs, “And together, we are going to be late.” He pulls away from me, making me whimper. “As much as I am enjoying this view, we have a little girl to collect, and I hate leaving her there.”

“You’re right,” I chime, my chest blooming at the thought of seeing Jade’s face again. “Let me dress then.” I push him out of the bathroom and close the door.

I hear him laugh on the other side as I pull my clothes back on, splash my face with water, and tie the top half of my hair up to get it out of my face.

Walking into the bedroom, Noah is dressed in trackpants and a sweatshirt with his racing team on the front, his golden hair casually tousled as he runs his fingers through it.

Eyes glancing at me, a crease deepens between his brows as he moves past me to the side table, pulling out a packet of multi-coloured hair bows. “I almost forgot these.”

My mouth parts as Noah hands the packet to me. “You bought me these?”

“Yeah.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Nathan and I took Jade to the market on Sunday, and I saw them and thought of you.” His eyes don't meet mine, instead focused on the packet.

Smiling, I cup his cheek, forcing his gaze to mine before kissing him slowly. This man might actually kill me. “I love them,” I murmur when we disconnect.

“Jade chose those colours.”

“Jade has good taste.”

His mouth quirks, flashing me a dimple. “I told her that, too. ”

Hands moving to mine, Noah takes out a charcoal coloured one that matches my sweater and slides it into my hair, just the way I like it. “Much better.”

Pecking him again, we hustle out to his car before pulling out and heading over to Jump Start. The entire drive, Noah’s hand doesn’t leave my leg. I hold onto his arm, like I’m afraid to be disconnected from him, even though I know I never will now.

The moment we walk into Jump Start, the chaos of the room overwhelms me.

Toys are everywhere, sun burns through the skylights, and there’s an odd smell that I can’t put my finger on—a mix of cleaning agents and something stale.

There’s one kid crying loudly, another playing with a worker, but I look right at Jade’s blonde curls and grin.

“Come on,” Noah murmurs, his hand taking mine as he pulls me towards her.

Green eyes turn to mine, and Jade giggles, getting to her feet shakily. “Ia!” Her arms reach up for me.

I scoop her into her arms, smelling her baby scent. I might cry again. I’ve missed the feeling of holding her. “Hi, little lady.”

Kissing her forehead, her hands grip onto my sweater, eyes not leaving mine.

Noah signs her out and spends a few minutes talking with someone in the office.

I entertain Jade with some nose bopping, tickling, and funny faces until Noah returns to us with a beaming smile. I’ll never get tired of seeing it.

“Let’s get out of here.” His hand is on my back, guiding me out into the car park.

The fresh scent of Barrenridge envelopes me, making my skin tingle all over. I clip Jade into her car seat and slide in beside Noah.

“What were you talking about?” I ask curiously .

Noah starts the car and turns to look at me with his dimpled smile. “I told them Jade isn’t coming back.”

He laughs at how wide my eyes go before his palm cups my neck, making me focus only on him.

“I don’t want anyone else watching her from now on. Only you.”

Those words make my stomach flip, because I don’t want to spend another day without either of them. “You didn’t even ask me if I was available.”

Scoffing, he grabs the wheel and peels out of the car park. “I didn’t need to. I know you didn’t take your dream job in Sydney, so why would you have anything else lined up?”

My lips tighten, knowing that he got me there. I grin and put my hand on his leg, feeling the soft fabric of his trackpants. “Wrong. I just got my dream job,” I murmur.

Green eyes flick to meet mine, and the tops of my cheeks darken.

Noah chuckles. “Good, because I wasn’t going to let you say no.”

Grinning, I lean back into my seat as my stomach flutters with gloriously beautiful butterflies.

I love this man and his daughter more than anything else in this world.

He is my home now, and I’m so glad that he proved me wrong when it comes to love, showing me that falling isn’t always scary.

Sometimes it’s the best decision of your life.