by Kaci Rose
Her enthusiasm for all this is contagious, and I smile big. As I wrap my arms around her waist, I want to keep her smile there always, and I want many more years with her, as happy as she is right now.
“So, do we have plans for dinner tomorrow?” I ask her.
“No, why?”
“Well, I’d like to take you out on a date, a real date. We’ve done things completely backwards with me moving in before I have a chance to court you, or spoil you like you should be spoiled,” I tell her.
“Well, I have been craving sandwiches from this deli near my parents’ house…” She smiles, as she walks over.
I pull her into my lap, “Done.” I say, right before I kiss her.
Chapter 32
Lexi
As I’m getting ready for my date with Noah in an upstairs bedroom, I can’t wipe the smile off my face. It’s been such a long time since I got dressed up for a date. I try to keep my nerves at bay by thinking about today.
Earlier, Noah had his PT appointment with his new therapist, and he’s willing to push Noah just like he wants. He gave us some great exercises to do at home and was impressed with our home gym.
Also, we had the interview with the charity coordinator intern. Her name is Mandy, and we got along great. She loves the idea of Oakside and even had some great ideas for fundraising. I gave her the position on the spot, and if she turns out to be as good as her interview, then I hope I can bring her on full-time.
Mandy was excited she could do a lot of the work from home but asked to be here, to see the transformation. She thinks we should document it in social media to build up hype and is taking the lead on that.
She left about an hour ago, so I came up here to get ready and made Noah leave. He encouraged me to make this as much like a date as possible, and that means picking me up and everything. I’m finishing my makeup when the doorbell goes off. It takes me a minute to realize what it is because anyone who visits just comes in the side door, and I rarely get visitors who ring the doorbell.
Opening the front door, I find Noah, standing there with flowers and everything.
“You look stunning, angel.” He says, as his eyes track down my body and back up again.
“You look pretty sexy there yourself,” I tell him.
This is the first time I’ve seen Noah in jeans, and they look amazing on him. He’s wearing a long sleeve shirt that hugs his muscles in all the right places.
His brown hair is a bit longer than it was when he was in the military, and it has an unruly curl around his ears.
“You ready to go?”
“Yep.”
I take his arm, closing the door behind me. He walks me to the car, and even opens my door, even though I’m driving.
On the way there, we talk about his family, because I’ve been wanting to learn more about his sisters and him growing up.
When we arrive, I have one more question I have to ask. Placing my hand on his arm I look over at him. “You sure you’re okay without your wheelchair?”
“I am. I’m feeling really good.”
“You let me know, if you aren’t, okay?”
“Promise. Now, wait there.” He points his gaze at me, before getting out of the car.
I wait for him to come open my door, and I have to admit I really like this gentlemanly side of Noah. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into his side, as we walk into the deli. When we get in line, I notice a boy looking at Noah’s scars.
“Mom, that man has a huge scar on his face.” The boy says a little louder than I think he meant, too.
Beside me, Noah goes stiff. This boy can’t be more than ten, so I place my hand on Noah’s arm, and then I turn to the boy and tap him on his shoulder. When he turns to look at me, his eyes go wide, like he didn’t realize we heard him.
“You noticed his scar?” I ask him.
The boy just nods.
“Well, this is Noah. He was in the Marines and got that scar, fighting the bad guys who tried to attack him. He also saved my brother from the bad guys.” I say, keeping things as simple as possible.
The boy’s eyes are still wide, but they shoot over to Noah.
“He did?” He asks in wonder.
“Yep. He’s pretty badass if you ask me.” I say with a smile on my face.
“Wow.” The boy says, and I feel Noah relax next to me.
The boy’s mother leans down and whispers in his ear, and then the boy steps up to Noah and holds out his hand.
“Thank you for your service.”
Noah shakes his hand, but it gains the attention of a few others in the lobby, who also thank Noah. We get our food and sit down, and Noah just stares at me.
“Thank you for that.”
“No need to thank me, Noah. We’re a team, and I’ve got you back, always.”
He takes my hand in his and rubs his fingers over my knuckles.
“That means everything to me, angel.”
We talk about the plans for Oakside, the next steps, and bringing in Mandy. How Johnny and Becky want to help out.
“I really want to bring Easton in as one of our first. I think he needs out of that hospital, and people to push him outside that room.” Noah says.
“I agree. I want to help him, and I also want to see if we can convince Brooke to come with us. Then, there’s this girl who does volunteer work, Paisley, who brings in therapy dogs. Maybe, we could add her to the team.”
“Yes, she stopped by and said you sent her. I like that idea, and she was really nice. Where are you with the paperwork?”
“Well, I plan to finish up with the charity paperwork and submit it tonight. Then, it’s the military paperwork next. Both the VA and the military have to sign off on the plans and everything before we can begin construction.”
When we get home, Noah stops me outside the door.
“You okay?” I ask.
“I’m perfect. This is one of the best dates I can ever remember being on.”
“It was pretty good, wasn’t it?”
Ever so slowly, Noah leans in and kisses me so softly.
“Wouldn’t be a date without a goodnight kiss,” he whispers against my lips, before pulling away.
He follows me into my office and looks at the website of the rehab home in Texas, while I finish up the charity paperwork before we go to bed.
Before climbing into bed, I realize we’re both in sweatpants and t-shirts and laugh.
“I think we can both consider wearing fewer clothes to bed,” I say, changing into cotton shorts and a tank top, but when I come back out, Noah hasn’t changed.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
He hesitates just a moment, and it hits me.
“You want to keep the scars covered,” I say, and he nods and looks down at his feet.
I move to stand in front of him and take both his hands in mine.
“You know I find your scars sexy as hell, right?”
Again, he nods but doesn’t say anything.
“Please, don’t hide them from me, not here in our house. Out there with everyone else, I get it, but don’t hide with me.” I almost beg.
With a shaking breath, he takes off his shirt, and we climb into bed. He pulls the covers up over his chest, as I slowly pull the covers back. I watch his face, as I lightly trace the scars on this chest and down his arm.
He stares up at the ceiling, but he doesn’t stop me. I trace the scars down his side to the waist of his pants, and there’s no hiding that he’s getting hard. I trail my hand down further and rub his cock over his pants.
“Lexi,” he whispers.
“Want me to stop?”
“No.”
I straddle his hips and lean down to kiss him, before trailing kisses down his neck on the scarred side of his body. I kiss the scars on his shoulder and down his chest, taking my time with each line and dip.
When my lips reach the waist of his pants, I move his pants down, kissing the scars on his leg. But when I go to remove his p
ants, he’s not wearing underwear. His eyes are on me and hungry for more.
“Take your shirt off for me, angel.” I do as he asks, and my shirt lands on the floor with his pants. I kiss all the scars on his other leg until I reach his rock, hard cock. Then, I take it and stroke him, and it’s erotic, watching him watching me. When I lean in and take him in my mouth, he throws his head back on the pillow and grabs the sheets on the bed beside him.
I take him as far back in my mouth as I can, before sliding back up, and I continue to slowly work him. Each glide down his shaft, has him moaning my name louder and louder. As I taste him, I bring my hand up and cup his balls, before giving them a light tug, which makes his hips jerk.
He reaches out to grab hold of my hair, “Lexi, baby. Oh, God that feels so good… so good, angel,” he says almost breathless.
The more I increase my efforts, the more his breathing quickens, and I feed off it. It’s such a turn on seeing what I can do to this stunning man and have this kind of control over him. My clit throbs and my underwear are soaked, but I ignore it all and focus on him.
“So close…” He grits out just before I take him in as far as I can, feeling his cum coat the back of my throat. He shouts my name, as he cums.
Once he relaxes, I kiss his chest all the way up, enjoying the tremors I caused. When I lean in to kiss his mouth, he cradles the back of my head and flips me over, so I’m on my back, and he’s on top of me.
The kiss is unlike any we have shared, it’s more desperate. When I feel wetness on my cheeks, it takes me a minute to realize they are his tears. He rests his head in my neck, and I rub his back.
“You, okay?” I ask when he doesn’t speak or move.
He nods, “I was scared that would never happen. That we would never be able to…” He trails off and takes a deep breath, before leaning up and kissing me again.
His hand moves down my shoulder to my breasts, playing lightly with the nipple, before continuing down my side. He cups my pussy over my shorts, before pushing them to the side. When he runs a finger over my slit, he groans.
“Damn, baby, you’re soaked. Did sucking my cock turn you on?” I gasp, because dirty talking Noah is something I didn’t expect, and it excites me, so that I can’t speak, and I just nod.
“You’re perfect, angel. So damn perfect.” He groans, before kissing me again at the same time he thrusts a finger into me, making me moan.
When he adds a second finger, my hips jerk, and he puts his weight on me enough to hold me in place. He turns his wrist slightly while stroking my clit with his thumb. Another small twist and he’s hitting my g spot, and making me gasp. He’s in so deep, and the feeling is intense.
He presses on that spot while taking one of my nipples into his mouth. He sucks hard causing me to cum so hard that I don’t realize I’m screaming his name. When I’m finally able to open my eyes, I see him pull his fingers from my core and lick them clean.
“That was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, angel.” Then, he reaches over and removes my shorts and panties.
He lies down and pulls me to him.
“I just want to sleep skin to skin.” He murmurs into my neck.
So do I, more than I even realized.
Chapter 33
Noah
I watch Lexi run around almost in a panic, putting away all her photography stuff and getting the dining room ready for dinner with her family.
“Angel, relax they’re your family, and they have been here before.” I try to calm her down.
“But I’ve never hosted family dinner here. I haven’t hosted family dinner, since…” When she trails off, I know she means, since Tyler. Looking towards the fireplace where his photos are, it’s almost like I’m being pulled to them, and before I know it, I’m standing in front of the fireplace, staring at them.
There’s a photo of the two of them on their wedding day. Another on the beach with his arms around her, and her back to his chest. One of her standing next to him in uniform, and you can tell she had been crying.
“That was the last time I saw him.” She says when she sees what photo I’m looking at.
“You should put up more photos around the house,” I say, noticing she only has photos of him in here.
“It was easier this way. I didn’t feel like he wasn’t remembered, but if it was too hard, I could avoid this room.”
“Your parents aren’t expecting royalty to dinner, if anyone has something to be nervous about it’s me,” I tell her.
“Oh, they love you already, maybe more so than me.” She jokes.
“Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it, while you go get ready.” With my marching orders in hand, I’m setting the table, when just as I finish, the doorbell rings.
“Oh, for God sakes. Who is it?” She rushes to the front door with me right behind her.
“Mom, Dad? Why are you at the front door, when you always come in the side door?”
“I reminded them that with you now living with a guy it might be best not to catch you unexpectedly.” Johnny smiles.
“That’s you and Becky! I have enough common sense to refrain, when I know I’m having guests coming over.” She rolls her eyes and steps aside, as her parents, Moore, and his wife step in.
Both her parents greet me with a hug.
“Moore,” I say and nod towards him.
“Christ, you saved my life and are living with my sister, so I think you can call me Johnny.” He says, and then reaches out and shakes my hand.
His wife laughs and gives me a hug.
The girls head into the kitchen, and the guys follow me into the living room.
“How’s your PT going?” Johnny asks.
“Really good. I’m able to walk a lot more now. There were only a few times I had to sit down, and I haven’t used the wheelchair in a week. It’s great to be out for the hospital.”
“Do you think you’re progressing faster, since being out of the hospital?” Mr. Moore asks.
“Definitely. I have to do more for myself, so you learn to figure it out. They baby you so much in the hospital. Everything is in one room, and what isn’t they bring to you. If I want food, I have to get out of the room and go get it.”
“I agree. Walking around was difficult in the hospital, but once home, it got easier, when you have to do it.” Johnny says.
They ask about my family, and before I know it, Becky pokes her head in. “Time to eat boys.” We all settle in at the table, and it’s weird to sit at one end with Lexi’s dad at the other.
Lexi smiles, and we all start passing food fried chicken, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, cornbread, and French fries.
“This food looks delicious, angel,” I lean over and tell her.
“So, where are you on the plans for this place?” Her dad asks.
“We submitted the charity paperwork and got a charity coordinator intern, who is already lining up some fundraising ideas. As you know, the blueprints are a go, thank you for that by the way.” She smiles at her dad, who nods his head.
“You started designing some of the rooms, and we’re under contract to buy the house next door.” I finish for her.
I can’t believe it’s been a week since I’ve gotten out of the hospital. A week since we put this idea in motion, and so much has gotten done.
“Well, when you close, let me know what you want to be done in there. I want you to have a safe place to sleep, while you do all this.” Her dad says in his fatherly, ‘I mean what I say voice.’
“I promise, Dad,” Lexi says. “Now, Becky tell me what I have to do to get you to…”
“Yes,” Becky says.
“What?” Lexi laughs.
“Johnny and I were talking, and I want to work at Oakside with you. I’ve been working helping servicemen and women transfer back into civilian life, so I want to do that at Oakside, whatever the pay is. Plus, working for my sister-in-law and best friend, I know she’ll be flexible with her niece or nephew.” Becky says, rubbing her tummy.
“I’ll never know how you knew that’s what I was going to ask.” She laughs.
“Whatever you need, I’ll volunteer my time. I figure my story might help someone.” Johnny says.
Lexi looks at me and smiles. I know she’s thinking what I am. It’s all falling into place.
Later, once her family leaves and the kitchen is cleaned up, I step behind her at the sink and wrap my arms around her.
“Close your eyes,” I whisper in her ear, and she does as I ask.
“Imagine this room is the physical therapy room. The cabinets and the window seat are gone. It’s filled with exercise equipment, a desk for the therapist, and some chairs. Do you see it?”
“Yes.”
“You okay with it still?” I need to know.
“More than okay with it. I promise you, Noah, when I decided to do this, I felt at peace. This is what this house was meant for, I feel it in my bones. Plus, the cabinets aren’t original. The doors, wood floor, and molding that are all original is staying, my dad made sure of it.” Now, why don’t you go finish up the paperwork for your school, while I finish up here?”
I head back to the office to start working on the paperwork. I found a program I can do online, so I can still be here to help Lexi. I’m just finishing up when she walks in.
“How’s it going?” She asks as I pull her into my lap.
“Just finished,” I pull her in for a kiss. Lexi now has a habit of tracing my scars, when she kisses me, and it turns me on like nothing else.
When she traces the scars on my side, each touch of her hand sends an overload of sensation straight to my cock. Without breaking the kiss, she turns to straddle me, and I’m thankful this chair doesn’t have wheels.
Pulling back, she removes her shirt and mine, before her lips are pressed to mine. Then, her hand is gliding over my scars tracing them. She has them memorized and knows the perfect spots to touch that make me hot, and even harder if that’s possible.
