“Noah? It’s rather strange for you to call me in the middle of your work. Are you okay?”
I almost laughed at how innocent she sounded. “Actually, there is something I want to talk about with you. I need you to come to my office right now.”
I was greeted with silence, which dragged on for several seconds. “Melanie? Are you there?”
“Umm, actually, I can’t come now. I have to meet someone—”
“Oh no, you won’t. You won’t avoid me this time. You better come right now, Melanie, or I swear I will show everyone your incriminating photos.”
“My… My incriminating photos?” her voice rose rapidly by the end of the sentence. “W-What do you mean?”
“You will find out when you come to my office. Now. So you better not keep me waiting.”
“No, wait! I don’t understand—”
I ended the call, determined to get this done. I was no longer going to let her play me. Today, I was putting an end to our charade.
* * *
Melanie arrived at my office an hour later, wearing a displeased expression on her face.
“What’s this all about, Noah?” she asked straight away—cutting to the chase—hovering above my desk.
I raised my eyebrow at her and pointed at the chair next to her. “Take a seat, Melanie.”
She sat down, pouting her lips. “You’re acting all weird, and I don’t like it at all. Why did you tell me to come like this?”
“There was no other way since you’ve been avoiding me so much these days.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, glancing away. “And what did you want me to do? I wanted to give us some space so you could come to your senses and stop all that nonsense about calling the engagement off.”
“It’s not the nonsense, Melanie. I will call it off. No. I am calling it off.”
She glared at me, veins budging out on her temples. “You can’t do that. I won’t let you do that.”
I let out a chuckle of disbelief. “No? Then how about now?”
I turned the computer screen so she could see the photos that were on the screen. Her face turned pale, her eyes widening as they darted all over them. It was rather comical.
“H-How did you get this? This is not me.”
I burst into laughter, amused to no end. “This is not you? Then who is this? Your twin?”
Her eyes sliced into me. “How did you get these? Did you… Did you take them?”
“That doesn’t matter. What matters is that I will expose you in front of everyone if you don’t agree to let me go. I’m done with the colossal mistake that was our engagement.”
“But, but, Noah, this”—she pointed at the screen—“was just a small mistake. It won’t—”
“No. Don’t play innocent. I don’t care what it was. You were kissing another man, Melanie. Yet you claimed you loved me.”
Her eyes filling with tears, she leaned toward me. “But I do love you! It’s just that… It just happened. And I’m so sorry. Please—”
“I don’t care why you did it. Don’t justify yourself, because it doesn’t mean a damn thing.”
She erupted in tears, glaring at me. “It was because I thought you were cheating on me! I saw how you looked at Jessica.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb! I always knew there was something between you two. You invited her to take photos of your hotel opening!”
“I never cheated on you with Jessica!”
“Oh yeah? Are you going to tell me that you aren’t attracted to her at all? Because I’m not blind. I could feel the tension between you and Jessica. Hell, the whole lobby could feel it!”
“Don’t put the blame on me now. And fine. Yes, I’m attracted to her. Are you satisfied now? But I never cheated on you. I’m not that kind of man.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“I couldn’t care less about whether you trust me or not. I know I’m not guilty.”
She wiped her tears angrily. “But it was just one mistake! Just one. I know it was wrong, and I regret it.” She reached for my hand on the desk, but I moved it away, refusing to let her touch me.
“It doesn’t matter, Melanie.”
“I won’t do this again, baby. Please, believe me.”
“I don’t care, so don’t waste your breath. There won’t be any wedding.”
“No. Please. Don’t do this. It was just one mistake. I won’t do it again. I’m so sorry.”
“Melanie. How many times do I have to repeat that I don’t care? As I told you, I’ll show these photos to everyone if you don’t stop insisting. It’s over between us.”
She sobbed, not responding anything, her face buried into her hands. I really didn’t care why she cheated on me and whether she felt something for me or not. It didn’t matter.
“This is all because of Jessica.”
I rolled my eyes at her. Here we go again.
“No. This is all because of me. Get that into that thick head of yours. I was against our engagement way before I saw Jessica at our engagement party.”
She nodded and brushed her tears away, forming a bitter smile. “I never had a chance, right? You never loved me?”
“No. I’m sorry, but our relationship was a mistake from the start.”
She sniffed again, looking at some spot on my desk. “I know. I always knew that, but I thought maybe one day you would grow to love me.” She met my gaze. “I guess I grew tired of waiting for you, so I… You know.”
“So you didn’t cheat on me because you doubted me after all?”
She blushed, not even able to look me in the face. “No. I cheated on you because I wanted to.”
Finally some honesty. “I have just one question. When did you start up with this guy?”
“A while ago.”
“I understand.” I wasn’t even surprised. “Look, this is for the best. We would never be happy together.”
“I see. I will…” She sighed, looking defeated. “I will tell my family that we’re over. Just promise me you won’t show those photos to anyone. Please. I wouldn’t be able to handle that.”
“I won’t, Melanie. You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Thank you. Well, then. I guess this is it.”
“This is it.”
“Okay. Just one thing. Here’s the ring.” She took off the diamond ring my mother helped me buy for her and put it on my desk.
“You can keep it if you want. That ring doesn’t mean anything to me,” I told her.
“No. It’s okay. It doesn’t feel right for me to have it when we’re not together. I just want you to know that I enjoyed the moments we spent together, believe it or not.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, because my relationship with her was something I just wanted to forget.
“Then, I guess I’ll see you around.”
“See you. Take good care, Melanie.”
She stood up, barely able to look me in the eyes. “You too, Noah. Have a nice life.”
She got out my office, and I felt like a huge pressure had been lifted from my chest. After almost a year and a half, I was finally able to breathe normally, the nagging feeling in the pit of my belly gone. Fucking finally.
Now, it was time to live my life.
13
Jessica
* * *
I didn’t go to the office, staying at home to do my work. I spent the whole morning editing various photos that were due at the end of the week, which was a good distraction from my erratic thoughts.
I was on pins and needles because I didn’t know how things would work out between Noah and Melanie. I checked my phone for the umpteenth time for any messages or calls from Noah, and seconds later, his text arrived.
“Can I come to your place?”
I stared at his message, unsure what to do because of Maya. But then again, Maya was at daycare, so he wouldn’t see her.
I texted him the address and went to the
living room to put away Maya’s photos that were standing on the shelf. I made sure to place all her toys in the hallway in her room right on time before he arrived.
“Hi, Noah,” I greeted him and let him inside.
“Hello, Jess,” he said, smirking at me, and I wished I could take a picture of him like this. Seriously, if he’d ever wanted to become a model, he would be more than successful.
“Judging by the expression on your face, you have some good news.”
His lips curled more widely. “Definitely.”
He followed me into my living room, looking around him in genuine curiosity. “It’s a nice place that you got here. I like it.”
“Yeah. It’s small and cozy.”
“I like the photo collection on the walls,” he pointed around him and sat down on the couch, referring to many photos in frames on the wall that depicted various places around the world I visited as a photographer. Each photo told a story of a particular place, showing the beauty of the unknown.
“Thank you. It’s something I did in my younger days when I was backpacking around Africa and Asia. They are some of my most favorite photos.”
“You’ve really got talent.
I joined him on the couch, getting more impatient by the second to hear what happened with Melanie.
“So? What is the news?”
“I talked with Melanie earlier, and it’s over. We’re finished.”
“You are?” I said in excitement, grinning like a lunatic.
He returned my smile. “Yeah. I showed her the photos and told her I would show them to everyone if she refused to let me go.”
“I bet it wasn’t easy.”
“It wasn’t. She tried to convince me it was just a mistake.” I snorted. “No one would buy that, but I had to hand it to her for being so persistent.”
“So now, you’re finally free.”
“Now, I’m finally free.”
For the first time after a long time, I felt like my chest could explode from excitement. Everything worked out. Noah and I didn’t have to stay away from each other anymore.
I covered his hand that was next to mine on the couch. “I think we should celebrate,” I said, our eyes locked on each other. His eyes turned dark and heavy on me, the mood between us changing quickly.
“Yes, we should celebrate,” he said in a deep voice, leaning slowly to me. “We should definitely celebrate. Like this.”
He placed his hand behind my head and pulled me to him, pressing his lips on mine. I moaned and wound my arms around his neck, instantly overwhelmed by the mix of old and new emotions. It was even better than four years ago, his kiss full of long-suppressed feelings.
He pushed me down on the couch and continued kissing me, his tongue clashing against mine, the passion brewing in us. His taste was a mix of mint and something that was his, and I wanted more.
“Finally,” he said into my lips, his hands tracing my waist. “I can finally feel you like this.”
“Touch me,” I pleaded, wanting him all over me.
Cupping my breasts, he moved his lips down my jaw, reaching a tender spot beneath my ear. The pleasure claimed me, my skin burning under his touches. He kissed my breasts over my shirt and bra, but it felt good nevertheless, each kiss creating a thicker haze in my mind.
“Noah.” I moaned and dug my fingers into his upper arms, marveling at the sheer strength of his now-flexed muscles. His lips found mine again, his tongue thrusting into my mouth with the utmost urgency. I arched my back and ground against him, my pussy throbbing with desire for him.
“You feel so good, Jess. You see what you do to me?” He took my hand and pressed it against his rigid cock. It was so hot, his face twisting when I wrapped my fingers around him and moved my hand up and down his big length. “Fuck. Do you know how many times I thought about you—about this exact moment?”
“I did the same thing. And now it feels unreal.”
“Oh, it’s real, baby. It’s very real.”
“I want you to make me come.”
He groaned, his dark eyes searing into me. “You’re so naughty. I can’t wait to bury myself into your hot pussy and fuck you like you deserve.” Jesus. His words were a major turn-on.
He didn’t waste time, pulling off my shirt and unclasping my bra, removing them in two quick moves. His fiery eyes took in my breasts, his breathing turning ragged.
“Oh man, your tits are so beautiful.” He cupped one and rubbed my nipple with his thumb, and I gasped a bunch of words out.
“Look at how well you respond to me. I barely even touched your nipple, and it’s already a sweet, hard bud,” he said and took my nipple into his mouth. Oh gosh. His warm tongue slid over my nipple, and I felt like I was going to lose my mind.
He pulled away only so he could lick and suck my other nipple, giving an undivided attention to my breasts. I was completely wet, writhing against him, silently pleading him to get me off.
“So responsive,” he muttered and proceeded to take my jeans off. “Look at you,” he said, looking at my body clad only in lace panties. “So sexy. So perfect.”
“Make me come,” I said, this time begging in a voice that wasn’t mine. It was thick and heavy with desire.
“I love when you beg me like this. It only makes me want to play with your sweet, little pussy more.”
He leaned in and kissed me below my ear, his lips like a touch of a feather on my skin. He went lower and even lower, showering my chest and torso with small, open-mouthed kisses, and I got wetter and wetter.
“Noah… That’s… Ah…” He kissed me over my panties, right above my clitoris, and a bolt of pleasure rocked my body. He moved my panties aside and ran his finger down my mound, creating more and more pleasure.
“Mmm, so wet.” He pushed two fingers into me and kissed my clit simultaneously, and I screamed, jerking my hips up.
“Yes… Oh God, what are you doing to me? Ah, yes…”
He fingered me slowly, his lips sliding up and down my soaking pussy, and the pressure built in my belly quickly. It felt too good, too intense, getting stronger and stronger with each stroke of his tongue over my swollen clitoris.
“How do you like this, huh?” he said into my heated flesh, plunging his fingers into me faster. “Good?”
“Yes,” I cried out, thrashing against the couch. “It feels so good!”
“And it’s going to be even better. Get ready, baby.”
He pulled his fingers out and pushed his tongue inside of me, and I shuddered with new, potent sensations. He ate me out like he was starving, rubbing his face against me, and I was so close. So, so close…
“I’m going to come. Don’t stop. Yes, yes, yes…” I screamed, pushing my hips toward him when my orgasm exploded in me. “Noah!” I fisted his hair, pressing his head against me. “Ah!”
“Damn, you look so sexy,” he said in a husky voice when he pulled away from me, looking at me like I was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. “I’m going to make you my very own.”
He undressed himself, his clothes joining mine in the heap on the floor, and he placed my legs over his shoulders. My eyes went over his tattoos, my mouth watering at the sight.
“I want to be so deep inside of you.” He led his dick to my entrance and rubbed it against my pulsating mound, teasing me.
“Ah…” I was desperate to get him inside of me, grinding against him. “Take me. Now.” With that, he probed me in one swift move, filling all of me.
“Oh my God,” I breathed out, feeling so full. He was so big and thick, yet he fit me like a glove. “It feels so good.”
He smirked and started moving, reaching for my breast with one hand as he held my ass with the other. “You feel way better than in any dreams or fantasies. Fuck, Jess, if you only knew how good you make me feel now. So good.”
His tempo grew faster, my pussy wrapping around his cock hungrily, swallowing him. I was too damn wet. My juices were pouring out of me, making the feel of his cock i
nside of me even better.
“Come here,” he said and turned me around. He positioned me to my fours on the couch and rammed into me, holding my hips in place. “You’re so tight, baby. So tight and wet.”
I moved my hips against him, which sent him deeper and harder into me, and I could feel getting closer to my second orgasm. He was pounding into me wildly, a scream tearing out of my mouth after each his thrust, and I got closer to my release.
“I’m coming.”
“Yes, that’s it. Come all over my fucking cock.” He ordered me, fucking me so roughly that there was nothing in me but never-ending pleasure.
And then I was climaxing so hard that my whole body convulsed, my screams blending with his grunts. He pulled out of me and grasped my hip, ejaculating his seed on my lower back, letting a string of curses out. My limbs were wobbly, barely keeping me up as the last aftershocks passed through my body, and a wave of euphoria crashed over me.
“Wow,” I said with a smile and chuckled. I felt so high. Now, that was being properly fucked.
“Don’t move.” He cleaned himself before he grabbed a few wipes from my coffee table and cleaned my back. “There. All done.”
I turned around and allowed him to pull me on his lap, well-spent. I kissed him, snuggling up against his solid body. Four years later, and he was even more muscled, his body a definition of perfection.
“Now that’s what I call a celebration,” I told him and planted a kiss on his lips.
He chuckled, leaning his forehead against mine. “You’re something else, you know that?”
“Just like you.”
His hands were never still, caressing my back and my ass. Even though I had come twice already, I was still aroused, more than aware of his hard cock that was pressed against my soft core.
I smiled, not resisting rubbing myself against him. “Already hard for me?”
He groaned, responding to my movements with his own. His dick slid up and down my wet slit, creating a sweet friction, and my pussy ached to have him inside of me again.
“Always.” He grabbed my hips and picked me up, standing up from the couch. “Where is your bedroom?”
I pointed in its direction, and he took me there in several quick strides. “I need to have you again.”
Picture Perfect: A Second Chance Secret Baby Romance Page 7
