“Shalan, wait.”
I heard the phone hang up, and knew that was her goodbye. I’d blown it, and there wasn’t anything I could do to make things right. We lived two different lives. It wouldn’t have worked anyway, so I needed to get over it and move on.
Bells stood in the doorway. “Hey. Was that the girl?”
“It was.”
“That bad?”
I ran my hands over my face. “Yup. Another one bites the dust.”
“You’re doomed with women, Noah. Just face it.” She smiled. “So anyway, your sister just text me. She said there’s no way she’s bringin’ a guy home for dinner when you’re around, so you can chill out about that at least.”
“Good. I might have actually killed him.”
She pointed at me. “This is the reason that you can’t keep a woman. You have issues.”
“Screw you. That’s comin’ from someone that got the shit beat out of her because of what?” I waited a couple seconds.
“Fuck off.”
“Yeah, exactly. You’re lucky we’re family, or else I’d tell you how much of a bitch you can be.”
“That’s never stopped you before,” she yelled from the empty bedroom across the hall.
I refused to keep going with her. She’d fight with me all night, just to avoid talkin about her problems. I had enough of my own.
As I stood up to get dressed, I saw my phone blinking, like I’d gotten a text, but it hadn’t rang.
A number I didn’t recognize was displayed.
I need an address to send the checks to. – Shalan
I wrote back quickly.
The only reason I’d ever give you my address is if you were coming to see me. It’s only a matter of time before you miss me, Shalan. - Noah
You are the most cocky, irritating man I’ve ever met. I guess you won’t be getting the money back after all. Have a nice life. – Shalan
For someone so bitter, I bet you’ve thought about me all day. - Noah
Why would you assume that? – Shalan
Because all I can think about is how good it felt to be inside of you. I miss it already. - Noah
Sorry about your luck, cowboy. - Shalan
Fine. Play hard to get. You have my number when you come to your senses and come down off that high horse. When you show up at my door, don’t say I didn’t tell you so. - Noah
I hate you, Noah Mitchell. I regret getting in that truck with you that night. – Shalan
Yeah, right. Keep telling yourself that. Ain’t nobody ever going to make you cum like I did. Who is full of shit now? - Noah
I’m done talking to you. –Shalan
You’re probably touching yourself right now. I can see those little fingers pinching your caramel nipples. I made you so wet. Don’t deny it. - Noah
I knew I was irritating her, but I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t want to stop talking to her.
It shocked me when my phone started to ring in my hands and I saw it was her.
I walked over and closed the door to my room, locking it so my cousin couldn’t bust in.
“Are you ready to admit that you’re still hot for me?”
Shalan
I shouldn’t have been calling him, but just reading his words was making me insanely horny. No matter how hard I tried to stay mad at him, I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to feel his touch again.
“Are you ready to admit that you’re still hot for me?”
Of course he’d ask something like that. “Will it get you to stop messaging me?”
“That depends.” I could hear him adjusting, and thought about where he was, and what he was doing.
“Did you make it home?”
He laughed. “Changin’ the subject?”
“No. I just wanted to know.”
“Yeah. I had to go get my cousin first. We got home a while ago.”
“Where was your cousin?” I was stalling, and he probably knew it. My call was something I was going to regret. I’d never been one to have a sexy conversation over the phone. This was awkward.
“North Carolina. If you would have let me explain earlier you’d know.”
Since I didn’t want to talk about sex, I figured I could hear why he’d left me. “Tell me now. I’m listening.”
“Promise you’ll forgive me first.”
I closed my eyes and all I could think about was his lips traveling down my skin. My lips parted and I thought about him exploring the hot spot between my legs. “Yes. I promise.”
“She called me in the middle of the night. You need to understand that Bells is like my sister. When she said she was in trouble I knew I had to get to her. It wasn’t about leavin’ you, or walkin’ out without explainin’. She needed me, Shalan. She still does.”
I felt jealous; not because he’d picked another female over me, but because his family sounded like they were perfect. I’d longed to have that kind of family, and knew it would never happen. “Is she okay?”
“She’s beaten up pretty bad. I’m not sure I know everything, but she’s here with me, and I won’t let nothin’ happen to her.”
I closed my eyes and felt bad about being mean to him. There were plenty of times where I’d wished my brother cared about me. I could have fucked a serial killer in front of him and he wouldn’t have stopped it. I could have been running for my life and he’d still be worried about his next lay. “I’m sorry, Noah.” I started to cry. He’d helped me tremendously, and because he had other obligations I’d treated him terrible. “I didn’t mean what I said before.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s okay to be mad. I know how much today meant to you. So it went well?”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Yeah. It went great. Like I said, I signed a temporary contract. They made me sing in front of them. It was scary.”
“I bet you sounded like an angel. What did you sing?”
I couldn’t possibly tell him what I sang. I’d made up the song when I thought he’d left me. It was clearly about him, and he’d know it. “Just something I wrote. Nothing special.”
“Darlin’, if you’re singin’ it’s special.”
“You just want to have phone sex.”
The mention of the word sent a rush of heat between my legs.
“If it’s with you, then yes, I do want to have any kind of sex I can get, but I meant what I said. You’re gifted, and you know it.”
“Thank you.”
“Welcome.” He was quiet for a couple minutes. “So when can you come see me?”
Hearing him invite me to visit was exciting. Then I realized that I was obligated under a contract to be committed to the business and nothing else for the next several months. “I’m not going to be free for a long time. I didn’t realize how much work goes into all of this.”
“That sucks. I’d like to have a proper goodbye, that way you can have good thoughts when you’re alone thinkin’ about me.”
“Which you assume is all of the time?”
He chuckled. “How many times have you thought about me today, Shalan?”
I blushed, feeling embarrassed to admit it. “A few.”
“Yeah, I bet it is a little more than that.”
“What about you? Have you thought about me?” Curiosity had gotten the best of me. I needed to hear that he’d thought of me. I wanted to touch myself and pretend he was doing the same thing.
“I’ll answer that when you tell me what you’re wearin’.”
I giggled, like it was a preposterous question. “Seriously?”
“I’ll start.” I could hear him shuffling around. “I’m naked, lyin’ in my bed. I just got out of the shower.”
It was so clear in my mind, still so new that I could imagine every detail of his sculpted body. “I don’t believe you.” Another attempt to avoid answering.
“Hang on.” I heard his phone make a couple noises. “I don’t know if you can get messages while you’re talkin’, but I sent you a picture. Feel free
to look at it whenever you’re thinkin’ about me.”
“Like I would do that. You’re crazy.”
“The answer is yes, by the way.”
For a second I thought I’d missed something he said. “Yes?”
“Darlin’, I can’t get you out of my head.”
All of a sudden I got so hot. It was like my body had been set on fire. He wasn’t anywhere near me, yet I was burning up hearing him say that I’d been on his mind. He still wanted me, which told me that if he could have, he would have stayed. “Same here.”
“It sounds like you and I have unfinished business.”
I closed my eyes and imagined him being in bed next to me. I knew he’d be touching me, kissing me until I responded. “Talking to you only makes this worse.”
“What worse?”
I bit down on my lip and decided that I just didn’t care anymore. “How bad I want you, Noah.”
He moaned in my ear. “Tell me again.”
I reached my hand into my panties and touched myself as I spoke. I felt so dirty doing it, yet so heated knowing it was happening. “I want you so bad.”
“Touch yourself and say it again.” His voice, so deep, sent shivers down my skin.
“I am,” I whispered. “I wish it was you.”
He was getting into it, more than I was prepared for. “Close your eyes and tell me what you want me to touch next.”
I didn’t know how many times he’d done this with other women, and frankly I didn’t care. I followed his instructions, only stopping when I realized that I needed to make some adjustments. “Hold on. I’m going to put you on speaker so I can use both hands.”
“That sounds so fuckin’ sexy, Shalan.”
I sat the phone down next to my pillow and removed my shirt first. I then jumped out of the bed and took off my underwear and bra. I climbed back on and closed my eyes. “I can’t believe I’m doing this. It’s so embarrassing.”
“Just go with it. It’s just me and you.”
“Can you just hop on a plane and come back for a few hours?”
“If I need to.”
“I was kidding.” As much as I assumed he was kidding, something about his tone told me he was very serious. It made me wonder just how much money he had lying around for afternoon delights.
“Where were we? Oh yes, you were touching yourself. Close your eyes.”
“They are.”
“Can you feel me kissing the skin behind your ear? Can you feel my tongue sliding across the lobe? Are you getting goose-bumps over your arms?”
I kept my eyes closed and pictured him doing what he was telling me. Sure enough tiny little bumps formed on my arms and I could feel my nipples hardening. I reached up and pinched both of them, never opening my eyes and spoiling what was happening. “Keep talking.”
“Tell me what it feels like when I’m inside of you.”
Seriously, this was almost hotter than actually being in a room with him. As long as I had my eyes closed and he was talking to me, I could picture him touching me. I thought about him entering me. “It’s so tight. I feel full.” My breathing was increasing, and I couldn’t stop running my fingers over my clitoris as I spoke. “You’re kissing me to distract the pain at first.” I leaned my head back as I spoke. “Oh yeah, right there. I don’t want it to stop.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to come and I know you can make it happen.” My admission made me open my eyes for a second, realizing I was telling him things I would usually keep to myself.
“How do you want to come, Shalan? Tell me what you want me to do.”
I cried out, forcing myself to orgasm against my fingers. “I want you to fuck me,” I spat out. “Please don’t stop.”
Noah chuckled quietly against the phone. “You’re so fuckin’ sexy when you come.”
He knew. He’d heard me doing it, and I felt so ashamed. “I didn’t.”
“Yes you did. Don’t stop now, woman. I’m about to bust this load. Keep talkin’.”
Hearing him admit to doing the same thing was shocking. I’d thought he was playing around. Suddenly I was swept away again, feeling overwhelmed with sexual desire. I ran my hand up and tasted myself. I made a sucking sound I was sure he could hear. “Mmm, you should taste it.”
“Darlin’, I won’t ever forget it. What else are you doin’?”
I ran my hands over my nipples, rubbing my palms over the hardened tips. “I’m touching my breasts.”
“Sit up and spit on one of them.”
I did as ordered. “Okay.” Saliva started running down the brown area.
“Rub it slowly with your fingers, and watch yourself. Describe it to me. Tell me how it makes you feel to watch yourself.”
I moaned and bit down on my lip. “I’m so turned on. It’s slippery and I can feel my pussy throbbing. I want to touch it so bad. I want to make myself come again thinking about you.”
“Are you looking at your pussy?”
I propped myself up for a perfect view. “Yes.”
“Good girl. Touch those lips. Slide your fingers inside and get them wet.”
I was about to explode the moment I touched down there. Trying to focus, and knowing what I was doing was dirty was making it hard to concentrate. “I am.”
“Now rub that sweet juice all over your clit. Use your thumb like I do it. Pretend it’s me touching you there. Can you come again for me?”
“Yes,” I cried, feeling waves of pleasure take over my entire body.
Then I heard it. I heard him making funny sounds against the phone, and then finally letting out a sigh. “Well, that made a mess.”
I laughed. “Guess you’re going to have to get another shower.” I rolled over on my stomach and rested my head down next to the phone.
“I’ll think about you while I cleanin’ up.”
“I can’t believe we just did that.”
“You still mad at me?”
“No.” Even though I already missed his company, I admired his decision to be loyal to his family. “If I had a family, I’d have done the same thing.”
“I’m goin’ to need to see you again.”
“It’s probably going to be a while before I can go anywhere. Can you come here? I’ll be settled by next week. I don’t know the rules, but I’m sure we can have visitors. It’s not like I’m in prison. I mean, it’s not like we’re a couple or anything.”
“Yeah, I don’t know what you’d call this. I just know I need to see you. So, let me see what I can work out. I’ll call you later, if that’s alright?”
“Yes. You can text me if you don’t feel like talking.” I was trying to not sound so needy. He obviously didn’t want a girlfriend.
“I like hearin’ your voice.”
“Okay.”
I got ready to hang up and then heard him start talking. “Don’t forget about my picture.”
I had. “I won’t.”
I hung up the phone before he could keep me any longer. Once I knew the line was dead I let my arms fall above my head. I wasn’t used to being naked, but I felt totally exhausted. Dinner was going to have to wait. I needed a nap.
Just before letting my eyes close, I grabbed my phone and opened up the message.
A picture of Noah lying on a bed, in nothing at all was staring back at me, and all I could do was laugh, because he’d been telling the truth the whole time.
Noah
Dinner with my parents felt like I’d been away for months, instead of just days. At first they didn’t ask me about my trip, but after we ate, and I went outside on the porch, it was the first thing my dad wanted to know. “How was New York?”
I leaned over the railing next to him. It wasn’t uncommon for him to act like we’d never had it out. “It was fine.”
“Accordin’ to the credit card receipt, you weren’t alone, at least for part of your trip.”
I didn’t look at him when I spoke. “You know, it really bothers me that I can’t get an ounce
of privacy. Does it matter who I was with?”
“I was just curious. Did you take Perry? Your mom was disappointed that she didn’t come to the party.”
I rolled my eyes, realizing he was never going to change. No matter what I did, he’d know about. It made me want to keep Shalan a secret forever. “We broke up.”
He looked over at me. “Is there a good reason?”
“Probably not one you would want to hear.”
“Is there someone else?”
I had to be short with my dad, because the last thing I wanted to do was tell him my business. I guess, in a way, he was trying to smooth things out with me. To me, he was just trying to interfere even more in my life. “Dad, do you really want to know who I’m takin’ to bed, or are you just askin’ just to avoid what needs to be said?”
He stood up straight and crossed his arms. “Are you here for good, or do you plan on takin’ a lot more of these trips?”
I turned and leaned my back against the porch railing. Like him, I crossed my arms in front of me. “Do I have a choice?”
“You always have a choice, Noah. You just don’t like the options you’re given.” Of course I didn’t. It was his way or the highway.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” I shook my head. “You know, there’s a chance that I would have ended up workin’ this ranch my whole life anyway, but bein’ pushed into the position ain’t exactly considerate. I need space. You hoverin’ over me all the time is redundant. I can do the job without you houndin’ me. It ain’t like I don’t know what I’m doin’. You just look for things to bitch about, because I’m your son.”
“Watch your mouth, son.” He took a long breath before continuing. “You want to discuss this now?” I could tell he was irritated, but not as much as me.
If I was going to be stuck with this life, he was going to listen to me bitch about it, at least once. “I want you to know where I’m comin’ from.”
My youngest sister came into view. “That’s goin’ to have to wait. Mom said get your butts inside for dessert. Gram’s goin’ to need a ride home afterwards, Noah.” Addy held the door open, not giving us a second to hash out our concerns any more.
Noah Page 20
