It's a Date

by Jess Epps

  He puts his hands up in the air, acting like I’m the crazy bitch when everyone in the studio turns to watch us. I already feel raw from Noah working me over: I’m emotional and I need to get out of here.

  “Whatever you say, small tits.”

  I'm completely frozen in place. Embarrassed. Humiliated. I can't even form a retort. I'm startled and jump when my phone vibrates in my hand. On the verge of tears, I hastily turn around to grab my bag. I can hear whispers and murmurs behind me. I swear, I am this close to quitting.

  I quickly take my pointe shoes off and slip on my snow boots before walking briskly across the studio and out into the subzero weather. There’s only one place I want to be right now, and that’s in his arms, holding me. I get into my Buick and pull out of the parking deck and into traffic, wanting to get home. My eyes tear up and I can’t help but feel so down on myself. I hate that I dated that jerk. I detest him.

  I wipe under my eyes with the back of my hand as the tears fall. How can I go from being on cloud nine to feeling like crap? And I still haven't heard from him. Maybe this was just sex to him? Figures.

  I officially hate today, and I’m grumpin’ hard. I’m done with it. I pull into my building and I’m whisked up to my floor in the car elevator. I don’t bother taking my things out of the car. I want a shower, my bed, ice cream, and Channing Tatum.

  I unlock my door and walk inside, dropping my purse on my foyer table. I don't have the heart to text my sister back, not with the way I feel. The place is dark and quiet and...lonely.

  I walk through the darkness, and head up to my room, flipping on the lights. I freeze when I see a broad-shouldered Greek god in my bed. He’s here? He’s lying on his stomach without a shirt on, my pink blanket lying at his feet.

  My heart flutters and there's a pinch of excitement in my stomach. Should I wake him? He shifts slightly, and I can see all of his muscles move as he raises his arm above his head, elongating his torso. He’s gorgeous and so...scratched all to hell. I cover my mouth with my hand. Oh crap! I did that?

  He sleeps so silently. I quickly walk on my toes to my closet, getting changed into something a little sexier than what I would usually wear. After brushing my teeth and running a brush through my hair, I crawl into bed after turning the lights off. I know I just met this man only two weeks ago, but I feel so safe with him.

  I lie down next to him and he takes a deep breath before opening his eyes, and blinking a few times. I’ve moved his phone and earphones to the nightstand, and silenced them.

  “What time is it?” he asks in the sexiest sleepy voice.

  I answer him quietly. "It's after ten. Go back to sleep."

  He groans and nuzzles my pillow before turning onto his back, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sleep this long. I can go,” he offers and I shake my head.

  “I don’t want you to go. Did you sleep all day?”

  He’s still half asleep and his responses are slow and groggy. “Mmm, yeah. I think. I haven’t slept all week.”

  I frown even though he can't see me in the dark. "Is everything okay?"

  “No,” he says quietly. A few seconds later his breath shallows out as he reaches for me, moving me on top of himself, just as we slept last night. His arms surround me and hold me as I rest my cheek against his chest. This is where he wants me.

  I feel him kiss the top of my head then he says, “I missed you…even in my sleep.”

  I’m blushing in the dark, replying softly, “I think I missed you too." Suddenly my good mood evaporates when Nik seeps into my thoughts.

  “You’re my girl, right? Do you remember saying that?” he queries nonchalantly.

  I’m unsure of what to say. For the second time tonight, I'm speechless. Does he really mean that? I...what are we? This was supposed to be a New Year’s Eve fling. Do I want it to be more? Yes. I can’t help it, with this man, "Yes…”

  “Yes, you remember, or yes, you’re my girl?” He tilts my chin up and presses his lips to mine gently. My entire body comes alive as electricity surges through my veins. As I exhale in a rush…I brush my lips softly against his.

  "Yes, I'm yours." He’s kissing me so tenderly. I can’t help but feel the way I do about him.

  He growls against my lips playfully. “My little ballerina.”

  I STIR AWAKE when there’s a loud banging. Noah kisses me softly before he moves me off of his warm chest and I’m instantly cold. He groans and sleepily drags his legs off of the bed to pull on a pair of jeans. In my heavy-eyed state I watch his muscular rear walk out of my room and I yawn. I hear him mess with the latches and deadbolt on my door before I drift off for a few seconds, the warmth of the spot he was just lying in lulls me to sleep.

  My eyes shoot open when I hear Noah raise his voice. “What in the ever-loving fuck are you doing here?”

  I sit up quickly and pull on my white satin robe, and I tie the sash hastily before rushing out of the room. I question to myself as I hurry down the stairs, who in the world could be here that would make him so angry? I freeze when I hear that unmistakable accent and my heart drops into my stomach. Oh no.

  I don't hear Nik's reply, but I know it can't be good because Noah lets the door shut behind him as he steps into the hallway.

  "Who the fuck do you think you are coming around here at three in the morning?"

  I cringe because he sounds irate. I'm actually frightened for Nik at the moment.

  Nik ignores his question and asks, “Where is Heather?”

  “She’s not here, asshole. Get lost before I fucking do something about it.”

  My hand is on the doorknob and I'm about to open the door when Nik speaks. "I know she's here."

  “Fuck off.” Noah’s voice is deep and curt.

  “How about you fuck off while I fuck Lanie, huh?”

  I gasp and cover my mouth with my hand. I can't believe how bold Nik is. He clearly has a death wish. Suddenly without warning, the door vibrates and the unmistakable sound of a body being thrown into it startles me. "I'll fucking ruin you if you go near her. Understand?"

  I stagger back and Nik's eerie laugh penetrates through the door. "Try me, pretty boy."

  The door rattles again before I hear a crashing bang on what sounds like the opposite wall before the door handle turns.

  I step away quickly to avoid getting hit by it. I’m unsure of who's coming in.

  Noah steps back into my apartment and I get a glimpse of Nik rubbing his throat as he sits on the floor, leaning against the opposite wall before the door shuts.

  I look up at him, taking in his furious expression and flushed chest. I don't even know what to say. He looks down at me and we stay silent for the longest moment. Is he mad at me?

  "Does he usually stop by at this hour?" he's speaking in a hushed tone. He wants to know if I'm into Nik?

  I shake my head adamantly and my eyes are wide with fear. I'm afraid of losing him just when I finally got him. "No. No, he's never been here this late," I whisper.

  “How did he get past the doorman, I wonder?”

  I shrug slightly. “I guess the doorman knew him from… previous visits.”

  His body doesn't relax, but he walks up to me and lifts me into his arms to carry me to my room.

  I find his protective side incredibly sexy. He’s still as tense as ever so I nuzzle into him to try and get him to relax.

  He gets me back into bed before he takes his jeans off then gets under the comforter with me. I pull my robe off before he lifts me onto his chest.

  "What did he want?" I ask timidly, knowing exactly what he wanted but I want to see if he'll tell me the truth.

  "You…but you belong to me now."

  I peek up at him and see his rigid expression. His arm is propped behind his head and he's staring up at the ceiling.

  "I know," I say with a smile. I can't argue with him because he's right. He visibly relaxes with my words and I lean up and kiss him softly. "Now go back to sleep." I hum before lying back down in my spot.<
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  His arms automatically move around me. I feel safe and oh so wanted by this man. I close my eyes and allow myself to once again fall asleep with this Greek god.

  Heather

  I DESPERATELY NEED to talk to Dani. I’m lying awake on Noah’s chest, listening to him breathe, contemplating what’s going on between us. He’s been asleep since the brief interruption of Nik’s visit last night. I think our light rainstorm just turned into a dust storm of impressive proportions.

  I feel elated, yet so terrified. I’m so hooked on him already. I’ve slept with him for the past two nights, and I can tell he’s so tense. The only time he was utterly relaxed was when I was on top of him, willingly taking his virtue.

  He moves and I look up at his face as his hands come alive on my body, moving down my back to my ass…naturally. He’s such an ass man, but I don’t mind it. I actually find it adorable.

  “Good morning,” I say sweetly. His body automatically relaxes at the sound of my voice, and it surprises me.

  “Good morning, beautiful.”

  Oh I so could get used to this. I slowly move off of him and sit up cross-legged on the bed.

  “Can we talk?”

  He pushes himself up with those sexy, muscular, tanned arms and rubs his hands over his face. He’s way past a five o’clock shadow today.

  “We can talk. If you think I’m intruding, don’t worry about it. I’ll be looking for an apartment today.”

  “Oh no. That’s not it at all. I really like having you here.” I’m blushing: I know I’m as pink as my blanket right now.

  “What did you want to talk about? The asshole who visited last night?”

  “No, I don’t care about him, and you shouldn’t either. I actually want to talk about you,” I say nervously.

  “Ah. Well, I’ve been through some shit these last few days. Do you remember I told you I was denied to take the bar exam in Arizona?”

  “Yes, I remember.”

  “I found out the reason why I was denied. It had to do with my birth certificate. Apparently I submitted a fake one with my application. One of my buddies has a friend who’s an FBI agent, so I called him and told him what was going on. He put in a favor for me and started digging around.”

  I’m so invested in what he’s saying I don’t even realize that he’s taken my hand into his. He easily laces our fingers together and I squeeze his hand softly in an attempt to reassure him. I think he likes touching me whenever I’m around, as if it grounds him in some way.

  “I got a phone call from him a week later, and to put this easily, Mae is not my mother. She told me she found me in a New York City dumpster and took me in as her own when the adoption went through. Well, the FBI agent, Joel, found out there are no records on my adoption, anywhere. After that revelation, he proceeded to tell me that Mae Ryan is a wanted criminal—a serial kidnapper. I was the only infant she held onto.”

  “WHAT?” I blurt out. “I mean…she kidnapped you when you were younger?”

  “Yeah.”

  Holy crap! “Noah...I’m so sorry. How many other children were there?”

  “A total of five others that they know of. All of the kidnappings happened hours after the child’s birth, as did mine.”

  I move closer to him and he pulls me onto his lap, wrapping his strong arms around me. I want to be there for him.

  “Do they know where you came from? Or who your parents are?” I inquire as I run my fingers over his pectoral muscles.

  “No. They’re currently looking into all the kidnappings from 1985 in New York State.” He moves my hair to one side of my shoulder and nuzzles my neck, breathing me in.

  He looks completely exhausted and now I know why. “Do you have any other family members back in Arizona?”

  He shakes his head from side to side. “No, Mae has always been my only family. For twenty-nine years this woman essentially held me against my will. It’s been difficult to comprehend.”

  Twenty-nine? That’s how old he is? An older man by five years—I love it.

  Heather! Snap out of it! This man is confiding in you...

  “I’m sorry,” I say as I cradle his strong jaw with both of my hands before kissing him passionately.

  He sucks gently on my bottom lip before moving back.

  “It’s your turn now: tell me something about yourself.” He doesn’t want to talk about Mae or his situation anymore. I think it’s too painful for him.

  I inevitably squirm on his lap. “What do you want to know?”

  “Let’s start with siblings: do you have any?” He’s running the pad of his thumb along my collarbone and I’m having a hard time concentrating.

  “Hmm? Oh. Yes. Her name is Dani and she’s thirty. She recently moved to LA with her boyfriend, Brannon. We used to live together in Tribeca.”

  “Are you enjoying living on your own then?”

  “I am, probably a bit too much though.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with that, ballerina.”

  I love that nickname he uses for me. It’s so unique and special, and just for me. “I know. Can I ask why you’ve decided to move to New York?”

  “I think the honest answer might frighten you away, but the one person I wanted to be with when my life came crashing down around me was you.” His hand moves across the back of my satin nightie, sending a hot shiver through me.

  “Me? Why me? What about that guy you were with on New Year’s Eve?”

  “Coen? He’s a good friend, but for once in my life I decided to do something for myself rather than putting everyone else first.”

  I nod because I completely understand. I get him. “I’ve done that with my ballet career for years now. It’s only brought good things into my life.” Good things like him, I want to tell him.

  “What else would you like to know about me?” he asks.

  “What about your apartment?”

  “I’ve arranged for my apartment to be packed and moved up here. I just have to find a new place soon.”

  “Oh wow. You seriously know what you’re doing.”

  His smile almost makes me pass out. “I know what I want.”

  Does he mean me? Surely not.

  He chooses right now to press his lips against my neck. I moan in appreciation and move a strand of hair out of the way so he can do it again. He ducks his head down again and this time bites me hard, his teeth sinking into my skin, and I yelp. Not because it hurts, but because I’m taken by surprise. His lips are still against my skin when he chuckles and I can feel the tremor from deep down inside of him.

  He moves me easily so I’m straddling him and takes my hand again. I love the way he holds my hand, as if he truly cares about me. He kisses me, but it’s not just a kiss. It’s a blissful moment of trust, heaven, and adoration. Kissing him is different.

  Storms brew beneath my skin with every solitary kiss he places on my lips.

  “I crave you,” he murmurs against my lips.

  “Kiss the hell out of me,” I insist.

  He eagerly obliges.

  HE TAKES ME again.

  And again.

  And again.

  My body aches in places that it’s never ached before. I consider myself to be in great shape and I’m normally able to keep up with anyone, but him? He can’t get enough, and honestly, neither can I.

  We’re both lying on my bed naked and quiet as we watch a snowstorm hit the heart of New York City.

  “So much for looking at apartments today,” I tease him. It’s already midafternoon.

  “I’ve enjoyed far better things today,” he says as he kisses the back of my shoulder, gently dragging his lips over my skin.

  I look over my shoulder at him and he touches his smile to mine.

  “Tell me more about yourself. If I’m yours, I want to know you,” I say innocently.

  He traces his finger along the line of my bottom lip. “I never thought I’d chase after a girl, especially to the other side of the country.”

&n
bsp; My tongue darts out and I lick him playfully. "I'm not just any girl, Noah."

  “No, you’re not. You’re my girl. There’s a huge fucking difference, and you better hold onto that tongue, baby.”

  A smile lights up my face, "Okay then...first things first. I need to know...Chinese or Mexican food?

  “Chinese. Hands down, every time. Pork dumplings are the best damn things ever made. What about you?” He runs his hand down my naked curves as he speaks.

  "Gross, Noah! Dumplings? Aren't they mushy?” I cringe.

  “Mushy? No. Don’t bash it before you try it, ballerina” He pats my ass as if he forgives me.

  Shoving him playfully, I say, "Uh-uh, I will never eat that. I'll only eat shrimp dishes. And lo mein. Oh, and crab rangoon."

  “Not even if I beg?” he says in a horrible attempt at a pout.

  Laughing and shaking my head, I respond, "No. I'll puke."

  “At least we agree on the Chinese part. Right?” He pulls me closer and I can feel him getting hard again. This man can go on for hours. “Next question, who is your favorite actor or actress?”

  "Hmmm, that's a difficult one." My finger starts outlining his pecs while I think it over. I can feel his eyes on me. I feel like he’s undressing me all over again, but I’m already naked. Plus, I’d rather he undressed me with his teeth.

  “Well?” he asks.

  Blinking up at him, I smile. "Well...I think Johnny Depp is my favorite actor. But...I think Channing Tatum is sexy!"

  “How the hell am I supposed to compete with Tatum?”

  I start laughing because he sounds completely serious, "You are so much sexier than him."

  He growls and pulls me closer to him yet again; my breasts are heavy and my nipples ache.

  “Good. I’ll fight for my girl’s attention,” he says, as I lie against him. He’s always so warm, and I’m always so cold. I giggle to myself because we’re polar opposites, but fit perfectly together.

  Lying there, my body leaning against his chest, we're quiet for what seems like forever. I've got a million and one questions for him but I don't know where to start. I hardly know him. Well...biblically I know him. Really, well. I know he likes for me to lick the vein that runs along his inner bicep. He likes it when I bite his rock-hard shoulder. I can't help myself: I usually bite him there when I'm horny, which is all the freaking time now. I know for a fact he loves it when I hold one of my legs over my head. He goes so deep when I do that. And the way his teeth graze my inner thigh right before he’s about to sink his teeth into me does something wild to me.