Noble Love (The Nobles of Sweet Rapids #1)

by Té Russ

  "Your home is nice," he called out to her as she filled the vase she'd finally found with water.

  "Thank you," she said, placing the lilies into the water. She sat the vase in the center of the island and then returned to the living room. "Are you ready?"

  "Yes, we don't want to be late for the show," he said, palming her lower back as he led her to the front door. But as soon as he touched her, he realized they could miss the entire concert for all he cared and he wouldn't give one damn.

  "No, we don't," Tessa agreed.

  He opened the door and followed her out and then waited for her to lock the door. They walked down the stairs and he opened the passenger side of the car for her and watched as she got comfortable on the plush leather seat. He shut the door, and hurried to the other side of the car and got in.

  Once they were all set, he started the car and headed for Reno.

  Chapter 11

  "It feels like yesterday when I was strolling this campus," Tessa said as they sat down in their seats in Nightingale Concert Hall at the University of Reno where Laurel Hunter, along with the other musicians in the festival, would be performing all weekend.

  "So you went here too?" Isaiah asked, resting his arm across the back of her seat. She enjoyed the closeness and the warmth his body emanated.

  She nodded. "Yes, but obviously not the same time as you, Mr. Graduated-High-School-At-Fifteen."

  Isaiah looked away and Tessa was surprised to see his cheeks tint ever so slightly. Rubbing his bearded jaw, he modestly murmured, "Yeah, well..."

  "What was it like going to college so young, it had to be hard?"

  Isaiah shrugged. "Not really, actually. I've always loved to learn, so it wasn't hard. I just...understood everything. And it wasn't that bad since I was with my siblings and we took a lot of the classes online. So it's not like we had to be the awkward younger kids. But the few times we did have to come on campus, everyone knew us as the 'Noble Quads' and they were pretty cool about us being here. We were like everyone's younger siblings. They looked out for us."

  "That's cool," Tessa said, grinning. "I heard you all went your separate ways when you turned eighteen, went to different colleges for your master's degrees."

  Isaiah nodded. "My dad was pretty pissed. He seemed to have a plan all mapped out for the four of us, but we wanted to see what life was like as individuals. We all had our own passions and we wanted to explore them."

  "And yours was music."

  "The only saving grace with my father. 'At least he'll be putting some of his talent and his degree to good use'," Isaiah grumbled in an imitation of his father, that made her snicker.

  "You majored in music?"

  "Yeah," he said. "Ian was actually a double major, culinary science and chemistry. He loved cooking and blowing things up."

  "What about your sisters?" she asked, intrigued.

  "Izzy studied fashion, of course, and Ivy communications. We all minored in business at my father's insistence. His way of making sure we kept one foot in the door of Noble Naturals."

  "Still, he must be proud of you all," she said. "You're all doing so well. I watch all of Ivy's vlogs of her travels. I get so jealous, especially of when she was in Bora Bora. And Isabella, she's rocking the fashion world! I love that her clothes are at affordable prices that real people can purchase. And I would love to dine at Ian’s restaurant. I’ve heard a few people rave about Ian’s gourmet burgers. We would have watch parties when he was on that cooking competition show and were so excited when he won. And then there's you..."

  Isaiah turned to get a better look at her. "Me?" he asked, brushing his fingers lightly against her shoulder that peeked through the slit of the fluttery cap sleeve. "What about me?"

  "The music you're producing with some of the hottest musicians out right now is great. The videos you've directed are innovative and sexy. And your short film–"

  "You've seen my short film?"

  Tessa leaned back and gave him a strange look. "Of course, I've seen it. Your dad held a huge showing at the theater on Main. You didn't know?"

  Isaiah's face was covered in genuine shock. "No," he said quietly. "I had no clue."

  Tessa's lip tilted up. "Told you he was proud of you."

  "I guess more than I realized," he murmured.

  "Good evening, ladies and gentleman and welcome to night two of the Reno Jazz Festival!"

  Tessa had been so caught up in her conversation with Isaiah that she hadn't even noticed the announcer come on stage. She turned in her seat to get a better view of the stage.

  "I hope you're ready for tonight's guest! She's been a regular at our festival for several years now, but you've always seen her alter ego, Sapphire Woods. Well tonight it's...just Laurel, which is the name of her upcoming album that will be hitting stores in a few months. So everyone put your hands together for the one...the only...Laurel Hunter!!!"

  The applause in the concert hall was deafening as everyone clapped, cheered and whistled for Laurel. As usual, she came out on stage, looking glamorous and ready to perform.

  "How's everyone doin' tonight?" she shouted into her glittery microphone. The crowd responded with more applause and then the smooth sounds of the grand piano began, along with the beat of the drums and Laurel dove right in to her first song.

  

  Two hours later, while everyone was clamoring for the exit, Isaiah had Tessa's hand held tightly in his as they threaded their way against the current of the crowd toward the stage. At the edge of the stage was a woman standing, tapping her stiletto heel as she typed on her phone with expert speed.

  "Another great show, Michelle," Isaiah said to Laurel Hunter's manager and best friend.

  Michelle Drake looked up at Isaiah and gave him a curt nod. "Isaiah, always a pleasure," she murmured.

  Isaiah made the brief introduction of Tessa to Michelle. She paused her typing, reached out and shook Tessa's hand, before turning on her heels and heading backstage. "The Hunters are waiting for you."

  Isaiah squeezed Tessa's hand and pulled her along with him as he followed Michelle.

  Michelle stopped in front of a dressing room door, knocked and then opened it. "Lolo," she said, referring to Laurel by her nickname. "Isaiah is here."

  Michelle moved to the side to let Isaiah and Tessa enter. Laurel was sitting on the couch with her husband, Rowan.

  "Isaiah," she shouted, hopping up from the couch. She pulled him into a warm embrace. "I was so excited when you let me know you were coming! And who is this?"

  She turned eager eyes on to Tessa, who'd been standing slightly behind Isaiah. He pulled her forward for introductions. "Laurel Hunter, this is my companion for the evening, Tessa Everett. Her family runs the bakery in my hometown I told you about. Tess, this is Laurel Hunter."

  Tessa reached her hand out to Laurel. "It's an pleasure to meet you," she said, when Laurel took her hand. "I'm a huge fan, of both of you." She looked over to Rowan, who'd stood and joined Laurel by her side.

  "Oh," Laurel said, palming her cheek. "I've been incredibly rude. Tessa, this is my husband Rowan Hunter."

  Rowan extended his hand to Tessa first. "Nice to meet you," he said, shaking her hand. He then turned to Isaiah. "It's good to see you again, man."

  They shook hands briefly before moving into a brotherly hug.

  "Good to see you too, man," Isaiah said.

  "Your performance was amazing tonight," Tessa gushed to Laurel. "Especially when you took over on the piano!"

  "I love her on the piano too," Rowan said, wrapping an arm around Laurel's waist. Her cheeks flushed and she leaned into Rowan's body as he sweetly kissed her on the forehead.

  "I have every one of your Sapphire Woods’ albums," Tessa went on. "And I can't wait for your new release."

  "Me neither," Laurel said. "I had such a great time recording this album. Especially the track that has Isaiah playing the violin.."

  "Really?" Tessa said, both surprised and impressed. Her eyes landed on
Isaiah, and he tried to shrug off the attention.

  "Oh yeah," Laurel went on. "We had a great time."

  "It sounds really good," Rowan agreed.

  Rowan had sat in on a lot of his wife's recording sessions while Isaiah worked with her, usually working on his next novel.

  "The videos are going to be great too. We're scheduled to release the first one in the next few weeks."

  "That's great," Isaiah said, smiling. "We're not going to keep you guys. I know you're ready to wind down for the night. We just wanted to drop in and say hello."

  "You're always welcome," Laurel said, giving Tessa a parting hug. She turned and gave Isaiah a final hug as well and said, "You let those sibling of yours know that I'd still love to do a jam session with them as well. Especially Ivy with her bass and Izzy her harp."

  Isaiah chuckled as he stepped back. "I'll let them all know, but they'll all argue that they haven't played in ages."

  "With the raw talent you all have, that doesn't even matter," Laurel said with a wave of her hand. She turned to Tessa. "It was so nice meeting you, and we're going to have to make a trip to Sweet Rapids to visit your bakery. Isaiah's always raving about. He claims they're better than any of those overpriced places in L.A."

  Tessa looked up at Isaiah with a smile. He could tell she was surprised to learn he talked about her family's bakery with such enthusiasm.

  "We sure are better," she said, proudly poking her chest out.

  "Maybe one day you'll give those other bakeries a run for their money," Laurel inferred.

  Isaiah noticed Tessa's shoulders seemed to droop slightly after Laurel's remark. "Maybe," she said with what he gathered was a hopeless tone.

  Isaiah took Tessa's hand in his and led her out of the dressing room. She was quiet on the walk to the car, but he could feel her excitement just waiting to bubble over.

  "I hope you enjoyed yourself," he finally said, when they reached the car.

  And that was when Tessa burst. "Are you kidding?" she shouted, causing some of the parking lot stragglers to look their way. "I was in the presence of modern day jazz greatness! I got a hug from Laurel Hunter."

  "I'll take that as a yes," Isaiah said, his lip quirking upward.

  "Oh, Isaiah. Tonight was wonderful. Thank you for inviting me."

  He took a step closer to her, pressing his body against hers. Sliding one hand around her waist, he lowered his head to hers and said, "There's no one else I'd rather have attended with."

  And then he closed the distance between their lips.

  Chapter 12

  "Tonight was great," Tessa said as Isaiah walked her to her door.

  The light from the porch revealed a sexy grin on his lips. "It was," he said. "Thank you for joining me tonight."

  "Thanks for asking."

  Tessa looked down at their intertwined fingers. After he'd planted that mind boggling kiss on her in the parking lot, he'd helped her into the car, and once he was in, he'd taken her hand in his and kept it there for most of the ride back to her house.

  It felt good when he touched her. It felt...right.

  And she wasn't ready for it to end.

  "Would you like to come in?" she asked at the door, before she lost her nerve.

  "I'd like that a lot," he said with that panty melting smile.

  Tessa nodded, and then turned to unlock the door.

  They entered the house and Tessa tossed her clutch onto the foyer table.

  The second Isaiah shut the door, the energy in the room became charged. Every cell in her body felt electrified from Isaiah's desirous gaze on her. Tessa wasn't usually a take charge kind of girl. But the way Isaiah kept staring at her made her want to jump into arms. He had that strange, yet sensual effect on her.

  Slow down girl, she told herself. Clearing her throat, she asked, "Would you like something to drink?"

  "Sure."

  Tessa turned and made her way to the kitchen and she could feel Isaiah right behind her. She opened her fridge and the blast of air did very little to cool off her heated body.

  "Tess..."

  One of Isaiah's strong arms slid around her waist, while the other pushed her hair out of the way, giving him access to her neck. Her head instantly tilted to the side, and when she felt his mouth on her skin, her hand gripped the handle of the fridge tightly.

  "I–Isaiah," she whispered.

  "You are so beautiful," he murmured against her neck, before moving up to kiss her behind her ear. He pulled her even closer to his body and she could feel his hardness pressed into her lower back.

  Feeling the way she affected his body made her own body tremble with even more need. He was merely holding her and showering her neck with sweet kisses, but she was already quickly spinning out of control.

  She'd never craved a man the way she did Isaiah Noble. It was a little frightening, but even more exhilarating.

  She released the door handle, letting it slam closed, the wine now forgotten.

  His lips were on her neck again.

  "I want you..."

  She turned in his arms and looked into his hooded eyes. He leaned down, running the tip of his nose up her jaw to her ear before he whispered his request. "Let me have you."

  "Ye–"

  Before she finished her answer, his lips were on hers, drinking her in. His tongue pressed against the seam of her mouth and she readily let him in. A small gasp fell from her lips when she felt her body being lifted into the air. Isaiah wrapped her legs high around his waist before he turned.

  "Bedroom?"

  She managed to somehow get the directions out as he kept devouring her mouth. As he carried her to the bedroom, his hand reached for the zipper on the back of her outfit. By the time they reached her bedroom, he'd tugged it down and the top had fallen slightly, while she'd shoved off his suit jacket and undid several buttons on his dress shirt.

  He gently sat her on the bed, and he eased his body over hers, causing her to lean backward. His hand slid down her leg and his touch was so hot, she thought her clothes would go up in flames. He reached down, pulling one heel off at a time, before he reached up and finished taking off her outfit. She lifted her hips, helping him pull the jumpsuit down.

  When she was down to nothing but her white lace bra and thong, Isaiah stood and looked down at her, his eyes roaming her body.

  His tongue darted out, licking his lips, and his eyes stayed locked with hers as he took off his shirt. When his hands went for his pants to undo them, Tessa's eyes went there too. His erection sprang out when he shed the rest of his clothes.

  Isaiah leaned down and pressed his lips to Tessa's knee and her body jerked at the sensation. He continued kissing his way up her body until he was on top of her. Her body lifted up slightly as he reached behind her to unhook her bra, before removing it and tossing it away from them. As his mouth found hers again, she felt his hand slide into her thong.

  When his finger dipped inside of her, discovering how wet she was for him, he groaned against her mouth. He added another finger and moved them in and out, causing a warmth to build in her belly.

  He pulled away, and she whimpered, already missing his touch.

  "Isaiah," she moaned.

  "I know, sweetheart," he breathed. She realized he'd grabbed a condom and was covering himself. Once he was done, he went for her underwear, yanking them down. She could sense that he was trying to take his time with her and be gentle. But there were moments when he just couldn't seem to control himself and the roughness was turning her on just as much as the gentleness.

  He grabbed her legs, spreading them wide.

  "You ready?" he asked, chest heaving.

  She was beyond ready.

  "Yes," she moaned. "Hurry."

  He eased inside of her and her head fell back against the bed. He pulled back, then slid in again, a few more inches going in.

  She arched her back beneath him and heard the air hissing between his teeth. His hips rolled into hers, and it was heaven. His head
dipped, and his tongue swiped her hard nipple before pulling it into his mouth causing her to cry out.

  She grabbed the back of his head, keeping his mouth on her breast with one hand, the other one going on top of his hand that was palming the other breast.

  He continued feasting on one breast, massaging the other and she knew she was on the brink. His hand slid down her body, and his thumb pressed on her clit.

  Her eyes rolled back and her head thrashed from side to side.

  The sensations were overwhelming.

  "Don't tense up now, baby," he demanded. "Let it all go. Come with me."

  His pumps sped up and he continued teasing her nub.

  He gripped her hips, slammed into her and she shattered in his arms.

  "Tess!"

  She felt a growl rumble in his chest so damn erotic that it caused her walls to clamp around him again.

  Tess couldn't remember a time she'd ever felt so satisfied, she thought as she watched Isaiah roll out of the bed and amble to the bathroom. A few minutes later, he returned and slid back into the bed, pulling the covers over them.

  He pulled her into his arms, and began to kiss her again.

  "That was...extraordinary," he said.

  "Yes," she sighed. "It was. Are you staying?"

  He stopped kissing her and looked down at her.

  "Are you trying to get rid of me, Miss Everett?"

  "No!" she said quickly, and then buried her head in his chest to hide her face.

  "Don't go shy on me now," he teased, lifting her chin.

  "I know it's late. And I didn't know whether or not you have to get up early."

  "Don't you?" he asked, a curious look on his face.

  "Yes," she said. "But that doesn't change the fact that...I'd like you to stay."

  "Good, because I'm nowhere near finished with you tonight," he said, before he rolled on top of her and kissed her again.

  

  Isaiah rolled on to his stomach, burying his face into a pillow. He took a deep breath and a burst of floral scents filled his nostrils and caused his morning erection to twitch.