by S. K. Ervin
Sitting across from the devilishly handsome Mateo, Alexis finished ordering her lunch and waited until Mateo finished ordering his, before she spoke.
"Thanks for meeting me Mateo, I know you're busy."
He smirked, "I hardly work anymore, Alexis. Especially now since Noah’s doing pretty much everything, keeping busy and pouring himself into the business like his life’s depending on it. So, it's my pleasure to meet a dear friend for lunch. Especially, if she’s finally going to admit that she’s much more attracted to ‘the dash of sin and splash of sextract."
She couldn't help but to smile at him. He was just too much sometimes.
Mateo sighed, “Go ahead. Ask me.”
Chewing the inside of her cheek, she didn’t pretend ignorance and asked, "Is he ok?"
Mateo’s eyes crinkled, "He's fine. I talked to him earlier this morning."
She nodded and sipped the freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. The tart liquid was soothing to her. But not enough for her liking. Her heart ached for Noah. She needed to find out how to help him. Something wasn't right.
Mateo looked at her, his eyes thoughtful yet, piercing like he was trying to read her mind. It was a little unnerving.
"It will be hard, Alexis."
She raised an eyebrow, "What will be?"
A small smile played on his lips, but his eyes remained serious.
"Making him see what’s in front of him. Peeling the hard shell he formed around his heart."
She let out quick breath, "Well...why is it there in the first place? What happened to him?"
Mateo shook his head and sighed heavily brushing his hand through his thick wavy hair, "I can't tell you that, Alexis. I want to but, it's not for me to tell. He was like this when I met him. And I believe it’s because of his childhood. "
What did he mean by that? "Because of his parents’ death? I remember seeing about that in a magazine article once."
Mateo nodded, "Yes. But, I’m sure it's much more to the story. And he'll have to tell you when he's ready. I don’t even know it. But he needs to open up to someone. And I think it’s you. Just give him time. He'll come around."
"Mateo, you've been friends with Noah for a very long time, right? Have you ever known him to get in a relationship? He told me he...doesn't even..."
She couldn't finish.
"Sleep with the same person more than once?" He finished for her, his disapproval clear.
She nodded.
How many people has he slept with?
"Well, Alexis. I've known Noah for 15 years now and I've never known him to even glance at a female for more than five seconds. And he stares at you constantly, when you’re around. So what does that tell you?"
"That I'm pretty?" She joked sarcastically. Alexis knew she wasn’t gorgeous by any means, but she thought she was pretty enough. But maybe she was mistaken.
"You are undeniably beautiful, Alexis Monroe. But, I think he feels more than that for you. He's never missed a night at Eden. Never. But since you left, he hasn't been there. He's been pouring his heart and soul into the business trying to stay busy. Yet, he asks about you, every day."
"He does?" She whispered, daring to believe him.
Mateo nodded, "I think that whatever’s plaguing him, you can help smooth away. He's my best friend and I want to see him happy. He deserves it. Put him out of his misery, Alexis. Go to him."
She took a deep breath. It was so much she wanted to know, so much she needed to understand about him. She needed to find out about his past before she could do anything else.
"Thank you, Mateo. I appreciate it."
She made a mental checklist of the things she needed to do.
Mateo grinned at her, "Don't thank me. I'm just as sure you’ll be banging my head against the wall before it's all over. Noah can be very stubborn."
"Yea. Well so can I." She muttered.
"Alexis, do you have any idea of what you are asking me to do?!" Ryan whispered furiously, as he sat up from his desk in his office. Piles of paperwork were strewn across his desk.
Alexis rolled her eyes at Ryan. She and Ryan had been friends since birth practically. She knew him better than anyone, including Cadence, which is why she felt guilty for not including him in her going on’s lately.
She and Ryan had always shared everything, as he was like the brother she never had and knew he felt the same way. He was very protective of her and didn't want her getting involved with the 'bad boy billionaire' in the first place.
"Nothing good could come from this, Lexi." He shook his head in disapproval.
He rarely told her no. If she needed anything, Ryan was always there. And she knew he would be there for her now.
She filled him in on everything that has happened in the last three weeks, leaving out the minor facts of Noah's kisses.
"So why do you feel the need to look through his and his parent’s files?" Ryan asked.
Alexis looked at Ryan. Like really looked.
He was handsome, not like Noah or Mateo...but still handsome. He was height and weight proportionate and his eyes were very expressive, with her. But with others, he slid on a mask of cool indifference. She guessed it was because of his job. He was a detective and at 28, that was impressive. He excelled at his job, too. And she needed him to look into Noah's background.
"Just please do this for me, Ryan. You know I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't important." She pleaded, giving him the puppy dog eyes he always fell for.
Running a hand through his hair, Ryan sighed and she knew she'd won.
She ran around his desk and gave him a heartfelt hug and kiss on the cheek. He grinned and said, "You were always a spoiled little brat, Alexis."
"And you love me anyway. Bye!" She laughed and headed for the door before he could change his mind. Get help from Ryan…check!
She smiled when she heard him mumble about 'little sisters being spoiled brats." She closed his door, a smile on her face, when she heard her name.
"Ms. Alexis Monroe."
Uh oh, she knew that voice like it was her own.
Turning around, she came face to face with the man she didn’t expect to see here. Dressed suavely in a black suit, white shirt and gray tie, he looked picture perfect.
"Mr. Noah Kane."
His hungry eyes took all of her in and she could have kicked herself for not wearing something more flattering.
"I didn't expect to see you, here." He added that last word smoothly.
But she knew he meant that he didn't mean to see her at all. Ever again.
Narrowing her eyes and pursing her lip, she told him, "I was visiting a dear friend."
"Oh? And who might that be?"
"Detective Ryan Pierce."
His eyebrows shot up, "Truly?"
Hmm, does he know Ryan? "Yes. Why?"
"Nothing. I was just wondering. Well, Ms. Monroe, it was nice seeing you." And he turned to leave.
"What were you doing here?" She blurted out before he fully turned his back on her.
Looking sideways, he looked at her with an arrogant eyebrow raised.
"Business."
"Business? With detectives?" Her voice laced with skepticism.
"Yes."
Well he didn't seem to want to expand.
"What about?" she asked boldly.
"Ever the curious one, Alexis. You should think about becoming a reporter." He quipped, turning fully toward her.
"Hm. I thought about it and nope, not for me. I'm just curious about you Mr. Kane."
The wary look came into his eyes and she knew he was about to shut her out. She couldn't let that happen. Not yet.
"Oh, I almost forgot, I have a thing tomorrow that I'd like you to attend with me." She told him before he could try to escape again.
"A thing?" His expression changing from wary to curious.
"Well...I uh…know you like running and you're the only person available…that I know…who likes to run..." she babbled.
"You want me t
o run with you?" He asked suspiciously.
"Well, it’s a 5k color run and I thought you'd enjoy it. I didn't want to go by myself and I already bought two tickets, but, Cadence can't make it and Ryan’s too busy an..."
"I'll go." He promised, stopping her tirade.
“Great!”
She gave him a blinding smile, kissed his cheek and turned to leave before he could change his mind.
Get Noah to myself…check!
Later that night, Alexis was catching up on her TV series, when a knock sounded on her door.
She rolled over and looked at the time. 11pm. Who in the hell could that be? Maybe it's Cadence, she always forgot her key, whenever she came to spend the night. Sighing Alexis paused her show, walked to the door, and opened it. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
Noah!
A soaked Noah!
She stared at him from his drenched hair, his wet nose and lips, down to his shirt clinging to his chest and stomach, defining ever single sculpted muscle, then further down to his jogging pants, hanging low on his narrow hips and clinging to the definite bulge. Whipping her head back up to his face, she was at a loss for words.
Noah. Here. At my place. At 11pm. Wet.
It was too much. She closed her eyes shutting out the beautiful, emotionally fucked man standing before her. She must be dreaming. Had to be. Noah wouldn't come to her this time of the night. In the rain. Not when he was dead set against doing anything with her.
This is one helluva dream, the little red devil on her shoulder snickered.
"May I come in?" His voice penetrated her mind.
Nope! Not a dream.
She opened her eyes and moved out the way to let him in. She couldn't trust herself to speak just yet.
He walked in like he owned the place and then turned around to face her when she shut the door.
They said nothing, just stared at each other.
She didn't know what he was thinking. His face was blank. And then he started pacing, back and forth, looking like he was trying to solve a very hard puzzle.
"Noah? Is everything alright?" She finally got the nerve to ask. Maybe something happened. Maybe someone got hurt and he didn't know how to tell her. Cadence. She was with Harper. Maybe...
"Everything’s fine." He said quickly, seeing the panic on her face.
Her shoulders sagged with relief. "Then please explain why you’re here...at my place...at 11 at night…"
He stopped pacing and took a step toward her.
She took a quick step back, her back pressed into the door. She needed to keep some distance between them. It was too much to be in the same room with this man…alone and not feel the need to touch him, kiss him, to give into her needs.
"Alexis..." He said and then stopped, shaking his head.
He looked like a lost child, suffering and she didn't know how to help him.
She took a shaky breath for strength and calmly walked to him, his eyes watching her like a caged animal would its captor. Reaching him, she grabbed one of his large hands in both of hers and pulled him to the couch and sat, patting the seat next to her.
"I’m wet." He said, declining the offer.
"It's leather. Have a seat." She ordered.
He was about to argue, but she cut him off with a glare and he sat next to her.
"Now, tell me...what has you pouting so?" She asked him and had to hold back the laugh when he scowled at her.
"I don’t pout." He growled.
"Ok then, what has you upset? Why are you here Noah?"
"I..." He swallowed forcefully.
The motion causing her eye's to flow down his throat.
When he didn’t continue, she added, "You can trust me, Noah. I won't repeat anything you've said to anyone, even Cadence."
The look in his eyes were appreciative, "I know that, Alexis. Around you I feel..."
She held her breath.
"...I feel like I can be myself. I've lived a very detached, an emotion-less life. I was strong damnit! And then you came charging in with your heart of gold and I...I tried, Alexis. I tried to fight this attraction. Yet at every turn, there you are calling to me. And I can't give you what you deserve. I can't. But I can't leave you alone either."
Inhale, Exhale. Repeat. "Exactly what do you think I deserve Noah?"
He reached up, a sad look on his face, and rubbed the back of his hand down her smooth cheek.
"Me. All of me.”
Chapter Ten
“I don't want to hurt you, Alexis. But if I stay...I will hurt you. I need you to know that." He confessed in a harsh tone.
It didn't scare her. He didn't scare her.
"You wouldn't dare." She mocked him.
He abruptly stood up and put some space in between them. "Don’t you get it? It's the only thing I know how to do, Alexis. I’m the 'love em’ and leave em’ type. It’s true, what they say about me, you know. I've seduced and slept with countless women. I've broken so many hearts, that it could line a one hundred mile trail, four times. And I just can't do that to you."
Alexis moved to stand in front of him, "Do I have a say in the matter?"
He was already shaking his head when she placed a hand on his chest, gliding it up to circle around his neck. Grabbing a handful of his ebony curls, she yanked his head down and kissed the living hell out of him.
"Alexis...” he groaned breaking their kiss.
"Don't fight me, Noah" she softly whispered against his neck. Her body aching for his touch.
"You don't know what you're asking. You're too..."
"Just one night. That's all I'm asking for Noah." She breathed, her hands pulling his head down once more.
He growled at her plea and when her lips touched his, his control snapped.
He needed her too bad to pull away.
One night. That's all he would give her. And that's all he needed to rid this affliction he held toward her. Yes, one night and he could finally stop thinking about her. She wouldn't hound his dreams any longer. He wouldn't see her every time he closed his eyes. He wouldn't have to smell her delicious honeysuckle scent. Wouldn't have to look into the depths of her big brown eyes, like he was doing now.
Yes, one night would be enough for him to fulfill his desires for her. It would have to be.
Just as he was reaching for her, someone knocked on her door.
Noah pulled back instantly and raised an eyebrow to her.
She answered his obvious question with a shrug.
Walking to the door, she looked into the peephole.
Ryan!
What the hell? It must be important.
She rushed to open the door.
"Ryan, what’s going on? Is every ok?" She asked fearing the worst.
"Alexis, I've been looking through the files about..."
"About my company's policy? Oh, thank you!" She hurriedly interrupted him, hoping he got the point.
"Well, no...about..."
"Oh, about the break-in at my dad’s. Yes, I remember."
Ryan narrowed his eyes at her, "Alexis, are you..."
She mouthed 'Noah' and her eyes hinted behind her. He looked back over her shoulder and saw Noah headed toward them.
Noah was frowning.
And so was Ryan.
"Is everything ok?" Noah questioned staring intently at Ryan.
"Is it?" Ryan asked pointedly to Alexis, but his eyes remained on Noah.
"Everything’s fine. Ryan’s just updating me on something important." She said looking between the two giants, feeling that air charge with macho-ness.
"At this hour? Must be terribly important." Noah smirked, yet there was no hint of laughter.
“If you knew anything about Alexis, you’d know that she and I, have had plenty of late nights. This is normal for us. And I always…check on her.”
Noah’s jaw flexed and his fist clenched.
Ryan remained impassive, regarding Noah through narrowed eyes.
Alexis frowned.
>
Did he find something about Noah that she should be worried about? Ryan was the type of guy who usually felt at ease with anyone, but something about Noah put him on guard. And she wanted to know why.
"Ryan, we can discuss this in the morning over breakfast?" she told him more than she asked. They usually had their breakfast together.
"It's a date." He smirked, and leaned over to kiss Alexis's forehead. "Call me if you need anything, brat. Anything at all."
Alexis smiled at him, "You'll be the first."
"Kane."
"Pierce."
Ryan stood for a second more and then left Alexis and Noah alone once more.
Alexis shut the door and turned to face a scowling Noah.
"He likes you."
"He's like a brother to me, Noah, and I know for a fact he sees me as his little sister." She said exasperated.
"Really? Is that why he came all the way over here at 11 at night? He couldn’t call or text? And not to mention that he called your breakfast a date." Noah persisted. He started pacing. Again.
Alexis wanted to smile, but, she bit the inside of her cheek instead. Her Mr. Barbaric was jealous. The big bad billionaire, Noah Kane, was jealous. Ha!
"He just said that to annoy you." Alexis conveyed to him.
He stopped his pacing and ran a hand through his hair, upsetting the dark wet curls. "He doesn't like me. It doesn't take a fucking genius to figure out why. He has the hots for you. Are you too naive to see that?"
The inside giddiness she felt vanished completely, "He does not have the 'hots' for me, Noah. I’ve known Ry, since I was in diapers. And even if he did have any feelings for me, what does it matter? You and I are only going to be together for just one night."
Damn! Didn't mean to say that.
The look that came into his eyes, made her take an instinctive step back. It was feral, dominating and frankly, it scared her.
But his voice was calm, deadly calm when he asked, "Is that so?"
Is what so? That they were going to be together for one night? Didn't they just agree to that? He was confusing her.
Nodding, she glanced at the distance between herself, her room and him. If she could just get...
