by Dee Bridle
I took some deep breaths and walked back out. Ivy had quickly gotten dressed and was standing unsurely with her arms folded, waiting for me.
“I’m sorry about that.”
“What ball are you going to?” she asked softly.
“Some stupid lawyers ball. My father is getting some special award and my mother talked me into going. I forgot all about it to be honest. It was all before you came here, and I asked Ava to be my plus one.”
“But Rachel is now your plus one.”
“No fucking way,” I said angrily. “I need to go and speak to my father about this shit.”
I put on my jeans and T-shirt in anger, not believing the audacity of Rachel. I had slept with her a total of two times over the years, and she was acting like she owned the place. She needed to go back to Europe and stay there.
I looked at Ivy and stopped. She looked a little shocked, uneasy, and somewhat angry.
“Come with me tonight. Be my plus one,” I offered.
“No way,” she said shaking her head defiantly.
“Come on, Ivy, do this with me.”
“I’m not dressing up and pretending with the Rachel’s of the world, Noah. I can’t do that,” she exclaimed.
“Just come, have a drink, eat some food. We’ll leave early. You can borrow Ava’s dress,” I said.
“Noah, I’m covered in tattoos. I’m not ball gown material!”
“Neither am I! Let’s go and shock the uptight wankers,” I said angrily.
“Take Ava. She’s expecting to go.”
“She was just doing me a favor. Come with me.”
“Noah,” she groaned in despair. “I don’t belong there.”
“Neither do I, so come with me, and I’ll make it worth your while,” I said starting to smile.
Her eyes narrowed, “How?”
“We will come home afterwards and I will give you multiple orgasms.”
She threw a pillow at my head and laughed.
“Call Ava, get her to bring her dress, and I’ll go speak to my father,” I said leaning over to kiss her before I was out the door.
I walked into my parent’s kitchen and looked around for my mum, noticing her keys were gone. She was obviously out and that was why my father had probably given Rachel a key to my place. My mum would never have let that happen if she had been here.
I strode across the house with determination and knocked on my father’s study door.
“Come in,” he said.
I opened the door and saw him sitting at his desk, typing on his laptop’s keyboard. He made sure he finished what he was typing before he deemed it necessary to look up at me.
“Yes, Noah,” he said pulling down his glasses to peer over them at me.
I was sure the man had done some sort of voodoo on me as a child. Whenever I came to speak to him, I felt like a twelve-year-old again, telling him that I had broken the window from playing football, even when it had been Nick’s fault.
“I don’t appreciate Rachel having a key to my place.”
“She was looking for you and quite distressed that you were not answering the door,” he returned.
“Yeah, it was 9:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning. I was sleeping.”
“Well, most of the population have responsibilities and things to do on a Saturday morning, so excuse me if she thought the worst. Now, is that all?”
“Thought the worst?” I asked.
“She’s worried for you. She told me she went to your party the other night and you were high again.”
“What the fuck?” I exclaimed quietly.
“Language, Noah, please. You’re not with your misfit friends now.”
I released a deep breath, trying to calm myself before I said something I would regret. He always did this. Made me angry. Always so self-righteous but didn’t know shit about me.
“I was not high,” I said.
Wait? Was I? No, I had been with Ivy.
“Is there a point to this conversation? I am rather busy.”
I looked at him sitting at his desk, taming the urge to jump across the desk and show him my point with my fists.
“I’m taking my girlfriend to the ball tonight, not Rachel,” I confirmed.
“Rachel will be very disappointed.”
“Not my problem,” I said.
“Nothing ever is, right, Noah?”
I ignored that barb and continued.
“I’m not sure how Rachel seemed so sure that I was taking her tonight, knowing that we spoke five words to each other on the night of my party.”
He let out a slow sigh and said, “Again, Noah, is there a point to this?”
I opened my mouth and then shut it. I was making a point, but he had once again shoved it back at me. I was infuriated. This man had no idea what I was and what I had done over the years. I was a bad ass, but he always reduced me to a small boy.
“It surely would not hurt to take Rachel. She is a family friend and wonderful girl. It would do you a world of good to see what your future could be like, Noah. She comes from good stock. Not the riff-raff you hang around.”
I thought of Ivy. I wanted my future with her. She may not have come from good stock but neither had I. I hated this man in front of me and wanted no part of his life or future expectations.
“I’m taking my girlfriend, Ivy,” I said through gritted teeth.
“She’s no good, Noah. You need to start lifting your expectations.”
Something in me snapped.
“You don’t get to talk about Ivy, or give me your unwanted opinions. You know nothing about her,” I said angrily.
He took his glasses off and leaned back in his executive chair. He took his time to wipe the lenses with a cloth, before staring at me.
“You need to stop this rebellion, Noah. It will do you no good. This Ivy is a plaything. It shows that you are against the world. But it’s time to grow up. Did you even get her checked out, before you let her move in to my house? She’s homeless, Noah. She doesn’t exist in the world as far as records are concerned. Has she worked a day in her life? What is she hiding from?”
Blood pumped loudly in my ears.
“You got your people to check her out?”
“I didn’t get to where I am today by being foolish, Noah. I take care of what is mine and ensure no one can ever take it from me. You cannot be outraged about a simple background check on the girl who sleeps with you, in my house, I might add.”
There he went again, about his house. I wanted nothing more than to move out and have my own place. I wanted to live somewhere in a place that he didn’t own or could have control over.
“What did you find?”
“Nothing…yet,” he said.
I would never win with him. Until I broke away from him for good, he would always hold the cards of my life.
“Be ready at six. The limo will take us to the ball,” he said ending the conversation.
“I’ve changed my mind. I’m no longer coming.”
“If you want your allowance to keep being deposited in your bank account, your roof over your head, and your new car, you will come tonight,” he said hitting the desk with his fist.
“Fine, but I’m making my own way there,” I said striding out of the office with clenched fists.
Chapter Thirteen
Ivy
The door slammed shut, and I jumped in fright, almost spilling my tea. I rushed to the sink and put the mug down, turning to see Noah like I had never seen him before.
He couldn’t focus on anything as he paced like a wild animal, not able to stand still for a second. The meeting with his dad had obviously not gone very well.
“Noah?” I said, trying to get his attention.
He didn’t look up at me as he paced. He seemed so angry, that he looked like he could punch something just to get rid of his rage. I knew he would never hurt me, but I moved back anyway, instincts taking over.
He picked up an empty beer bottle and threw it again
st the wall, the glass exploding near Zac’s bedroom door. I crouched down in the kitchen, covering my ears, hoping his anger wouldn’t last long.
The coffee table was next. That made a hole in the wall.
I had to make him stop. I had to get through to him, like he had for me when I had my freak-out with the knife. I stood up and took a deep breath.
“Noah!” I screamed.
He paused, his body heaving with angry breaths, as he slowly turned and focused on me.
“Please stop,” I pleaded softly.
I could see him work hard at taking deep breaths, drinking me in, focusing his energy. I walked towards him, slowly at first, not knowing whether he would turn away or welcome me. I reached him, my eyes not moving from his as I touched his arm with my fingers, tentatively at first. Then when he didn’t flinch, I stroked his skin up to his shoulder. I felt his muscles coiled in tension as my fingers travelled up to his neck.
“I’m here,” I whispered.
I didn’t know if that would help, but I wanted him to know that I was here for him, in whatever way he needed me.
One of his fists unclenched and slowly moved up to cup my cheek. I leaned my face into his hand, showing him I was here and it was going to be okay. My fingers went to his hair and tickled their way through the ends. Our eyes kept the connection to each other, throughout, showing it was going to be okay. Whatever had happened between him and his father, we would get through it together.
I leaned into him, my other hand going around his neck and pulling him down to me. I would tame the wild beast in him. My lips met his, softly at first, before he took control and kissed me back thoroughly. His arm went around me and pulled me up against him as he devoured my mouth.
His tongue swept at mine, dominating it as I remembered what he had done to me last night with it. Lust radiated through my body and I softly moaned from the intensity. He pulled at my bottom lip with his teeth and then sucked on it. I wanted more. Couldn’t think of anything else but wanting more.
I pulled his T-shirt up and he grabbed it from the back and pulled it off, flinging it somewhere. His mouth was on mine again, as his hands went around me and down to my bottom where he squeezed hard.
I kissed him harder, both arms going around his neck, holding on to him before my knees gave out. He lifted my T-shirt up, stroking my skin as he moved the material up. I helped him pull it off and then went back to kissing him like my life depended on it.
His hand squeezed my thigh and then brought it up to his hip, making me fit tight against him. I wanted more. I wasn’t drunk or high to blank my memories, but I needed to do this. For him. It was more important than anything in the world right now.
Without waiting any longer, my arms went behind me and I undid the clasp of my bra. I pulled it away and dropped it somewhere, kissing him again so I couldn’t freak out. I trusted this amazing guy. I wanted to give him everything I had.
His hand fondled my breast gently as his lips moved from my mouth to my neck. My head fell back and I groaned again. I had no control over the noises coming from my throat, but this time I didn’t care.
His mouth moved down my neck, over my breasts and then nipples. I hung onto him, my legs shaking from the tremors he was sending through me. Gripping my bottom again, he lifted me up, my legs wrapping around him. He continued to work at my breasts and I wrapped my arms around his head, holding him in place and needing more.
He was then moving me to his bedroom, kicking the door closed behind him. He set me down near his bed and looked into my eyes. I knew there was a question in them. So I answered it by undoing his jeans.
His fingers undid mine and then we were both shoving clothes off as quickly as we could and trying to kiss at the same time. He moved me to the bed, coming over me, his strong arms holding him up.
He looked into my eyes again, and I could see a little happiness in them. My Noah was back. He had fought the demons chasing him, and he was here, right now with me. Was my happiness reflecting back in his eyes? Yes. Happiness. For the first time since forever.
He kissed me again, teasing my tongue with his own before he moved back down to my breasts. Flicking his tongue over them, I arched my back in sweet agony. His hand moved down to my thighs, his knees gently moving them apart. He moved back up to my mouth, his tongue entering my mouth at the same time his finger explored between my thighs.
I moaned with delight, feeling like my skin was on fire. Everything he did was maximized to its fullest, and I only hoped I survived the onslaught.
He moved away for a moment, grabbing a condom from his bedside drawer, before he was over me again, kissing me.
Memories niggled at me, wanting to flash in my head. I shoved them away, focusing on Noah, here and now. As if sensing my conflict, he leaned in, his eyes connecting with mine.
“It’s me,” he whispered, embracing me as he slowly entered me.
I gasped and opened my legs wider, accommodating him. His eyes didn’t move from mine, holding me in place, where I needed to be.
He caressed my face as he moved inside me, careful at first, taking his time, making me relax. He felt amazing. Different from anyone else. He was making new memories for me. Ones that I didn’t need to hide from.
He thrust into me and my head went back from the pleasure of it. He kissed my neck, thrusting into me again. The same tingling from last night returned and I closed my eyes.
‘His’ face returned. Grunting over me, holding his hand over my mouth so I couldn’t make a noise.
“Ivy,” said Noah, returning me to the here and now. “Look at me.”
My eyes set on his again and then he moved and I was suddenly on top of him. He pulled my head down and kissed me senseless, still inside me. I moved my hips against him, the delightful friction returning. He was always a step ahead, in tune with me, changing the pace so I felt safe. He was letting me have the control.
His hands went to my breasts and gently squeezed them as I leaned up and started to ride him. He groaned as his eyes travelled over my body in appreciation. I smiled with pleasure as I gyrated my hips, seeing his body clench with desire, his hands stroking me all over like he couldn’t get enough.
His thumb went between my thighs and I groaned out loud, my hips moving faster. He suddenly sat up, pulling my head to his with his other hand as he devoured my mouth. We were both breathing heavy, climbing to the top together as he held me tight and ground me into him.
I felt the release start to spread from my toes, and I didn’t know whether to squeal in pleasure or shut down.
“Noah,” I moaned.
“Go with it,” he said against my mouth, his thumb moving faster and deeper as he thrusted into me.
I let the wash of pleasure tingle through me and let out one long groan of ecstasy as my body fell apart over him. I opened my eyes to anchor myself to him and watched his face as he hit the pinnacle and groaned his release. Nothing would ever be better than this moment right now.
Noah
I trailed my fingers over her pale white skin, stopping at each tattoo, admiring her perfection. Her body was beautiful, but seeing it bare next to mine, did crazy things to my heart. I’d just had the most powerful sex I had ever had and I wanted her all over again.
She nestled into me, her eyes still closed. We had been like this for a while now, just basking in the delight of each other. There was only silence, except for the beat of our hearts and the promise of happiness.
She was all mine.
I didn’t know if she knew it yet, but I was all hers. Heart and soul.
She made me forget my hatred towards my father for a moment and for that I was thankful. He was always controlling my life, my every thought and she made me forget him. I was better than what he thought of me. It was time for me to break away and live my own life.
I needed to call Harry and schedule the fight with Cobra. With that money, I could buy a life for her and I. We could move away and live our lives.
I did
n’t need anyone but her.
I’d get Zac to set up a brand new identity for Ivy, so whoever she was running from would never find her.
“Do you want to talk about your father?” asked Ivy, her eyes now open and watching me.
“No,” I said turning and kissing her forehead.
“I can hear your mind from here,” she said softly.
“Would you run away with me and start a new life?”
She lifted her head to look at me properly.
“I already have.”
I smiled and kissed her lips softly.
“I need to get away from here, live my own life. I need to be away from him for good.”
“What about your mum? She would miss you.”
“I’d see her.”
“Where is this coming from?” she asked. “Why now?”
“He gets off on trying to control me. This place, my car, my future. It’s all a guilt trip, put in place to control me.”
“What about college?”
“We’d still go, anything is possible,” I said kissing her again.
“Are you still going tonight?”
“You and me, together,” I said cupping her cheek. “We’ll smile and pretend for the sake of my mum and no one else.”
“You and me against the world,” she said with a smile.
“Exactly,” I said moving over her and kissing her hungrily.
The front door closed and Ava’s voice floated in.
“I’m here with a ball gown and shoes. Time to get ready, Ivy girl.”
I swore under my breath as I stopped kissing her.
“I wanted you at least once more before tonight,” I said annoyed with the interruption.
“You will. Tonight. You promised me multiple orgasms, remember?” she said with a teasing smile.
“That’s right. I did,” I said kissing her again.
She moved out from under me, taking the sheet with her and wrapping her beautiful skin. She went to the door and then looked back at me on the bed.
“You’ll stay by my side tonight, right? I don’t mix well with…
“Wankers? Douches?” I answered for her.
