Callous Heir

by Michelle Heard

  Knowing I’m about to burst into tears any second, I shake my head and turn away from them. As the first tear falls, I slam into a wall of muscle. Instinctively I know it’s Noah, and when his arms wrap around me, it becomes near impossible to not just break down and sob my heart out against his chest.

  Who would’ve thought Noah would become the only person I have left to turn to?

  “You both need to sort out your shit,” Noah snaps at them.

  “It was all an act, Carla. One of us just forgot. Don’t worry, there’s no relationship,” Aria suddenly says.

  Seriously, now she’s going to lie to me as well?

  Pulling away from Noah, I turn to face her. “It didn’t look like that.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I lost control,” Aria explains while Forest looks like he’s taken a punch to the gut. “Call it temporary insanity. I’m sorry I hurt you. I love you and don’t want this to come between us. Can… can’t we forget this happened? I’ll do anything to fix things.”

  Before I can reply, Noah takes hold of my hand and glaring at Forest and Aria, he says, “Sort this shit out now. It’s affecting everyone.” He pulls me down the hallway, and I’m a little too stunned to react. “Let's give them some privacy,” he mutters before he drags me into my room and slams the door shut behind us.

  When Noah frames my face with his hands, and he wipes the tears from my cheeks with his thumbs, I can only stare at him.

  What the hell is going on?

  He must take my stunned silence for something else because he wraps his arms around me and pulling me tightly against this chest, he asks, “Is that why you said you felt lonely?”

  His question yanks me out of the stupor, and it makes the heartache rise back to the surface. Nodding against his chest, I feel overwhelmed by the kindness he's showing me and from the fight I just had with Aria and Forest.

  Forest didn’t even bother saying anything.

  The thought makes a sob flutter over my lips, and I’m unable to keep the tears back any longer.

  Noah tightens his hold on me, and pressing a kiss to the side of my head, he murmurs, “It’s okay. Shh… it’s okay. I might be an ass most of the time, but I’m here.”

  His words only make the tears fall faster. It brings the realization that I’m not just crying about what happened with Forest and Aria, but also because of Noah.

  All the tension of being around him and loving him but not having my feelings returned is starting to wear me thin. I want to push him away and tell him I’m going to stop loving him, but I can’t. Instead, I press closer to him, needing him more than my next breath.

  I’ll never be able to stop loving this man, and it’s the loneliest feeling ever.

  Chapter 8

  NOAH

  Carla crying against my chest is pure torture. Wanting to make her feel better, I press a kiss to the side of her head, but it only makes her cry harder.

  Feeling panicky, I hold her tighter. “Shh… it’s okay.”

  God, how do I calm her down?

  I try rubbing a hand over her back, but when that doesn’t work, the panic grows inside of me until I pull back, and framing her face, I press my mouth to hers.

  Seconds later, shock at what I’m doing makes me yank back. I stare at her equally stunned expression. But then I realize she stopped crying, and a smile splits over my face. “Hey, it worked. You stopped crying.”

  The surprised expression on her face is quickly replaced with a frown. “You kissed me because I was crying?”

  I shrug. “It worked, though.”

  She gasps for air, and then she sputters, “You freaking kissed me to make me stop crying? Seriously?”

  I shrug again. “It’s no big deal. It calmed you down…” Looking at the frown on her face, I add, “Kind of.”

  Carla stares at me, and then she shakes her head. “You can’t just lay a kiss on me like that. I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t take any of it in. That’s unfair, Noah.”

  I begin to frown. “It’s unfair?”

  “Yeah. The one time you kiss me, and I’m a hot mess.” She shakes her head again. “Hell no. I want a do-over.”

  “Do-over?” I ask like an idiot.

  Carla closes the distance between us, and wrapping her fingers around the back of my neck, she pulls me down while pushing herself up on her toes. Her mouth presses against mine, and then it feels like my IQ drops to zero, and my hormones take over.

  Carla’s lips move, and the touch is tentative as if she’s asking permission. While one of my hands go to her back, the other slips into her hair so I can hold her to me. My lips part, and the moment my tongue slips inside the warmth of her mouth, she lets out a throaty sound of pleasure, which makes me harden instantly.

  I lose total control to my dominant side, and gripping her tighter, my tongue brushes hard strokes against hers. Carla’s taste… the feel of her body… the sensuality pouring off of her – it’s all intoxicating. My heart thunders against my ribs as emotions explode through me like fireworks. My skin sizzles to life, begging for her touch. The electric current that’s been humming between us grows a thousand times stronger in voltage, threatening to electrocute us.

  I have no idea for how long I devour her mouth, and when she pulls back, I’m dead sure I wouldn’t have stopped if it was up to me.

  Carla stares at me, breathless and wide-eyed.

  I catch my breath and lifting a hand, I wipe over my face as I move back so I can sit on her bed. I feel out of my depth and don’t know where to begin or how to address the elephant in the room.

  Carla comes to sit down next to me, and for a long moment, we both just stare ahead of us.

  She clears her throat and adjusts her pink long sleeve shirt that’s dropped from her shoulder. “So… that just happened.”

  “Yeah,” I murmur. I try to search for the right words to say, but seeing as I suck at communicating with the opposite sex, I’m left speechless.

  Carla turns her body toward mine and reaches for my hand. “Do you need time to process the kiss?”

  Surprised, my eyes dart to hers. “We don’t have to talk about it right now?”

  The corner of her mouth lifts as she shakes her head. “I know you, Noah. You need time to figure out what it means. I can wait.”

  “You’re not angry?” I ask because any other girl would probably tell me to go to hell.

  “Not at all.” A beautiful smile spreads over her face. “You kissed me.” She shrugs, and it makes the shirt slip down her shoulder again.

  Pulling my hand free from hers, I tug the fabric back over her skin. “Technically, you kissed me.”

  Carla lets out a chuckle, “Yeah, but you’re the one who took it further.” Then she mimics Sid from Ice Age, “For a second there, I actually thought you were gonna eat me.”

  Chuckling, a smile forms around my lips, and for a moment, I just stare at her. I take in the happy glow on her face, and it makes warmth spread through my chest.

  I’m responsible for that look on her face.

  I wrap my hand around the back of her neck and pull her to me. Hugging her, I murmur, “You’re turning out to be quite the surprise, Carla Reyes.”

  “Yeah?” she whispers as her arms circle my neck. “In a good way?”

  I nod and squeeze her tighter to me. “I just need time. Okay?”

  Again, Carla is the first to pull back. Her gaze locks with mine and seeing the love she feels for me almost makes me kiss her again. Instead, I get up and shove a hand in my pocket. I rub over the back of my neck with my other hand.

  “It’s okay, Noah,” Carla says as she rises to her feet. “Go think. I’m fine.”

  I still hesitate, and unable to just leave, I lift my hand to her cheek. I lean down and press a kiss to her forehead. Before I pull back, I whisper, “Thank you for understanding me.”

  I let go of her and walk out of her room.

  As soon as I shut my door behind me, I stand and stare at the carpet like a stu
pefied idiot.

  It’s clear Carla isn’t a kid anymore, and seeing as that was the only reason I was keeping my distance from her, what’s stopping me now?

  Nothing.

  Absolutely nothing.

  CARLA

  I fall back on my bed, and with the broadest grin, I stare up at the ceiling.

  Holy. Shit.

  That just happened.

  Noah kissed me.

  There was tongue.

  Lots of tongue.

  “Ahhhh…” I let out a happy shriek as I wiggle and shake my body on the mattress.

  Suddenly my door opens, and I shoot up into a sitting position. Surprise ripples through me as Noah walks back into my room. He comes to take a seat again, and then he stares at the floor.

  I sit absolutely still, not sure what this means. He couldn’t possibly have thought about it already, could he?

  After a couple of minutes, he lifts his head and turns to look at me. “I like you, Carla.”

  Oh, God. This is where he rejects me again.

  My heart begins to shrivel into a tiny lump.

  Then he murmurs, “I need to take things slow.”

  Huh?

  I can only sit and blink at him.

  He takes a deep breath, and a slight frown forms between his eyes. “I’m not good with emotions.”

  I nod, unable to form words.

  “And I don’t want to hurt you again.”

  I nod again, fisting my hands on my lap.

  Noah notices and reaching for one of my hands, he wraps his strong fingers around mine.

  “I want to try.” His eyes stare into mine with the intensity of a nuclear bomb. I suck in a trembling breath as his words start to get through to me. “But we need to take it slow. I need to adjust… to everything.”

  I nod like a freaking bobblehead.

  Noah stares at me, then he says, “Now’s a good time to say something.”

  “Oh,” the word pops from me. I want to throw my arms around his neck and kiss him until we’re both seconds away from dying due to oxygen-deprivation. I want to jump up and dance around the room while yelling at the top of my lungs with joy. I want to crumble into a ball and cry with relief. Instead, I whisper, “I’m good with everything you said.”

  Noah tilts his head and narrows his eyes on me. “Let it out before you explode.”

  As if my body was waiting for permission, I shoot forward and wrap my arms tightly around his neck. I bury my face against his warm skin and suck in a shaky breath as an overwhelming feeling shudders through me.

  Finally. After all these years.

  After not giving up and endlessly hoping, after all the tears, all the longing, all the dreaming about a future that might never be mine – Noah is willing to try.

  “Thank you,” I whisper, my voice hoarse from the happiness bursting through me like a million sunrays.

  Noah wraps his arms around me, and he presses a kiss to my shoulder. “I need to say something.”

  I nod against him.

  “When you told me you loved me, I’m sorry I broke your heart. I still stand by what I did, though. You were too young.”

  I pull back as I impersonate Sid again, “Ah, you know me, I’m too lazy to hold a grudge.”

  Noah lets out a chuckle.

  Clearing my throat, I lift my eyes to his and ask, “But you’re okay with us trying, right?”

  The corner of his mouth lifts. “Yeah. You being eighteen changed things.”

  I scrunch my nose at him. “Is that the only reason?”

  He shakes his head. “Nope.”

  A grin forms around my mouth, and when he keeps quiet, I jump on the bed. “Come on, you’re killing me here.”

  He lets out a chuckle. “I’ve started developing feelings for you.”

  “Like?” the word rushes from me.

  “Like… you’ll have to wait while I try and figure out what they are,” he teases me.

  “Butterflies?” I ask.

  Noah’s grin grows, and he nods.

  I wag my eyebrows. “Tingles down south?”

  “Fuck.” He lets out a bark of laughter. “You’re not going to stop, are you?”

  I shake my head but then concede anyway, not wanting to push him too hard. “I’m just teasing you.”

  We stare at each other for a moment, and it makes another burst of happiness rush through me.

  “Can I ask you a question?” Noah asks, tilting his head.

  “Sure.”

  “Why did you say I’m worth the work? What makes me worth it?”

  I reach for his hand, and when I link my fingers with his, and I feel the familiar rush coursing through my veins, I smile up at him. “Physically, you tick all of my boxes. You have a brilliant mind, and yeah, most people might not understand you, but to me, it’s one hell of a turn-on,” I answer directly. “Also, there’s just something about you… almost edgy…” I take a deep breath. “It’s addictive.”

  Noah’s eyes are glued to mine as he asks, “You don’t think I’m weird?”

  Shaking my head, I murmur, “Everything but weird.”

  Noah nods, and when his gaze drifts to our joined hands, I know he’s processing what I just said. After a minute, he brings his eyes back to mine. “You’re good with slow, right?”

  “Yes.” I nod quickly.

  “Let’s see what happens, and then we can talk about… you know… taking things further,” he says, clearly uncomfortable when it comes to thinking that far ahead.

  I lean forward and press a kiss to his cheek. Pulling back, I murmur, “Let’s give it a couple of weeks, and if you feel like you can’t be in a relationship with me, then we can stick to being friends. I just want you to know I’m thankful that you’re trying, at least.”

  Noah looks at me like I’m an unsolved mystery, then he climbs to his feet. “I’m going to head to bed.”

  “Okay.” I smile at him as I get up. “Sweet dreams.”

  He leans forward and presses a tender kiss to my forehead. “Night.”

  I watch him leave and then do a happy dance before falling back on my bed.

  Chapter 9

  CARLA

  I wake up, and my first thought is of Noah. A wide smile stretches over my face as I get up to prepare for the day.

  Okay, Carla. You need to act all cool around him. Give him the time he needs. At least you’ve leveled up to friendship status.

  I’m so freaking happy it feels like I’m bursting at the seams. I take a cute dress from my closet and my favorite pair of boots. When I’m dressed, and I’ve done my make-up, I grab my three-quarter sleeve jacket and shrug it on.

  Walking out of my room, my eyes instantly go to Noah’s door, and seeing it’s closed, I head down the hallway.

  I find Hana in the kitchen, already sipping on her coffee. “Morning.” I grin at her as I pour myself a cup.

  “Morning.” Hana’s gaze sharpens on me. “You look happy. What happened?”

  I shrug. “I just slept like a rock.”

  “Uh-huh,” she mumbles, clearly not believing me.

  I lean back against the counter and say, “Noah and I made peace.”

  Her eyebrows pop up. “That is good news. I’m glad to hear things are better between the two of you.”

  Forest comes into the kitchen, and before I can say anything, he hugs me, murmuring, “I’m sorry you got caught in the shitstorm.”

  Pulling back, I reply, “I was just shocked last night. Sorry for the dramatics.” I lock eyes with my cousin and search for any sign that he’s not okay, then I ask, “How are you holding up?”

  He gets himself a cup of coffee. “I’ll be okay.”

  Hana gives him the same look she gave me a minute ago. “Yeah?”

  Forest nods, focusing on preparing the coffee.

  “I talked with Aria,” Hana mentions.

  “How did that go?” he asks.

  “You’re both hurting,” Hana answers him. “Why can’t you just si
t down and talk like adults?”

  He sucks in a deep breath. “I tried.” Shaking his head, he sounds tired when he murmurs, “Trust me, I tried. She won’t open up to me.”

  Placing my hand on his shoulder, I say, “Aria’s scared.”

  He nods. “I know. I don’t know how to reassure her. I’ve tried everything.”

  “You show her she has nothing to be afraid of,” Hana says. “Just be there for her. Once she sees you’re not going anywhere, I’m sure she’ll come around.”

  “That was the plan,” he replies. Finishing his coffee, he rinses the cup, then says, “I’ll catch you later.”

  The second he leaves, I look back to Hana and ask, “They’ll be okay, right?”

  Hana nods. “Yeah. If Jade and Hunter can work through their problems, Aria and Forest will be fine.” Hana grabs her bag, then says, “I’ll see you later. Have a good day.”

  “You too.” While drinking my coffee, my happiness is dimmed by what’s happening with Forest and Aria.

  I need to talk to Aria.

  Last night I hashed things out with Aria, and I feel much better now that the mess has been cleared up between myself and my friends.

  I can see things are tense between the two of them, but I know I can’t get involved. It’s up to them to decide whether they want to be in a relationship or not.

  After I’m done with my classes, I spend my entire afternoon in the library. I didn’t expect the workload to be so overwhelming, but I’ll be damned if I buckle under the pressure. If Jase could do it, so can I.

  Leaving the library, my phone begins to ring. Seeing Mom’s name flashing on the screen, I smile as I answer, “Hi, Mom.”

  “Hi, sweetie, how’s school?” I can hear pots and utensils clanking in the background.

  “School is good. Just a lot of work. Are you busy preparing dinner?”

  Damn, I miss Mom’s cooking.

  “Yeah. Your father wants chicken piccata with lemon sauce and those cheese and herb potato fans you love so much.”

  Instantly my mouth begins to water, and I change direction to where my car is parked. “Mind if I come over?”