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the apartment complex seemed to love her.  He would be a bastard – a selfish bastard at that – to get involved with her.
    One kiss.
    It was all he’d allow.
    Sitting down on the sofa, he scrubbed his hands over his face and threw his head back.  Who was he kidding?  The fantasies were only going to get more vivid because he knew how she felt, knew the taste of her lips and how her tongue felt dueling with his.  For a man who prided himself on his self-control, he’d pretty much kicked that to the curb down on the porch. 
    So now what? 
    It wasn’t the greatest boost to his ego that Maddie had essentially turned and ran from him, but he had no idea what tomorrow would bring.  He hoped nothing would change – that everything she’d said earlier would still hold true.  Noah knew he wasn’t relationship material and everything about Maddie was.  With any luck she’d be pissed off at him for kissing her and that would help her stick to her resolve to stay away from him.
    It was for the best.
    For her.  For him.  For the both of them.
    He just needed to tell his hardened body to believe it.

Chapter Three
     
    For almost three days Maddie made sure she was too busy to take note of Noah’s comings and goings.  She spent extra time volunteering so she wouldn’t be home when she knew he tended to leave and come back – less chance of running into him that way. 
    Not that she didn’t want to.  That kiss – that hot, steamy kiss – had been running on a constant loop in her mind.  She had a feeling if she ran into him, there was a very good chance she’d jump him and demand a repeat.
    Yes, avoidance was definitely the smart way to go.
    Looking at her watch, she saw it was after six and the community center would be closing soon.  The kids had loved the Thanksgiving crafts she’d worked on with them today and that made her happy.  Her original plan had been to grab some takeout on the way home and spend the evening working on her report for a local electronics company.  She did a monthly gig with them that went out in their newsletter.  It wasn’t a challenging report to do, but it would fill her time at home.
    Unfortunately, Kiera had texted her about an hour ago and begged Maddie to meet her for dinner.  She loved her friend, she truly did, but it was a Wednesday night and it was Kiera’s usual night to go out with her co-workers for drinks.  Maddie had a feeling if she was being invited, it was because Kiera was going to try and fix her up with someone.
    So. Not. Interested.
    But, in a moment of weakness, Maddie had agreed.  Now, scooping up her art supplies, she knew she was stuck going.  “Dinner and a drink,” she muttered, zipping up her satchel.  “That’s all.  I can be home by eight – nine the latest.”
    Twenty minutes later, she walked into a downtown pub and immediately spotted Kiera.
    “Maddie!  I’m so glad you’re here!”  Kiera walked over and hugged her.  “I snagged us a booth.”
    Within minutes they were seated and had their drinks ordered.  “So what’s up?” Maddie asked.  “I thought this was your teacher’s night out.”
    Kiera rolled her eyes.  “Normally it is.  But today was brutal and I was in no mood to talk shop.”
    Maddie sagged with relief. 
    “Why?  What’s the matter?”
    “I thought you invited me out to fix me up with someone,” Maddie admitted. “I was kind of dreading coming here so I am very happy no one else is joining us.”
    Kiera’s eyes darted away as a small blush crept up her cheeks.
    “You didn’t,” Maddie murmured.
    “It’s not what you’re thinking,” Kiera quickly said.  “You know Tommy and Chris from the gym?”
    Maddie nodded.
    “Well, I sort of mentioned we’d be here.  So…”
    With a groan, Maddie threw her head back.  “So there’s a good chance they’re going to stop by.”  She cursed under her breath.  “Why?  Why would you ambush me like this?”
    “Oh, please.  It’s not an