by Beth Mikell
I snorted. "It's a little late for that, Noah. I passed angry an embrace, rejection and car ride ago. Do us both a favor and make this painless and...leave. Don't come back. In fact," I said reaching for my bag. "Take your phone with you."
He grabbed me, spinning me around--my bag falling carelessly to the floor as he shoved me up against the wall roughly. All the air left my lungs in a rush as I stare wide eyed up into his untamed face.
He ground his hips hard against me, pinning me to the wall...God it's so hot. It's the most erotic moment of my life. His erection was still rock hard in my belly and he's panting hard with his breath hitting my face in a ragged thread.
"Fuck, Reyna! Will shutting you up with a hard kiss finally close your smart mouth?"
Chapter 7
If loving you makes a slave of me, then I'll spend my whole life in chains. ~ Sophie B. Hawkins
At his suggestion, I'm on fire, gazing up into his wild, menacing blue eyes. My lips tingled with anticipation, burning every nerve ending with a motherload of naked desire, which busted through the hollow of my stomach making me damp. Heat sizzled sweetly out through my veins, warming me. For the first time in my life, I wanted a man for utter carnal reasons. I wanted mega, super hottie--Noah Alexander. And I'm ready to fight him...for himself.
Emboldened, I flexed my hips into him. "So, why don't you?" I whispered. Dammit! I'm breathless, shaking, and achy all at once.
Noah grunted harshly. "Just because I want to fuck you with an inch of your life, doesn't mean I should," he pressed between clenched teeth. "That's why!"
My hands came up and pressed into his hard chest, his muscles flexed under my hands, and he groaned. "I…want…you…to…kiss…me." I punctuated each word, powered on by a generous shot of sensual need, uncaring where my sanity left with my lips parted and ready.
His nose flared in time with his rapid breathing, a guttural groan tore through his throat, and he lowered his head. Noah's lips brushed mine and I whimpered in my throat.
The contact so slight, so rich, and responsive, I burned. His lips were warm, firm--everything I never felt. Ever so lightly, I ran the tip of my tongue over the seam of his lips, his taste...oh God, he tasted so fresh, thread with an undercurrent of alcohol and all male...all Noah.
I shivered.
"Not this way," he moaned in almost a plea, desolate, raw and exposed with pain. "I want you, Reyna. So damn much." He suddenly pulled away, stepping back and gripped the back of the sofa, dragging in rough tuffs of air into his lungs as if he's run ten miles. "You're more than my sordid sex life and I won't treat you with so little respect. Not in anger. Not rushed." He straightened, his breathing returning to normal, his eyes burning wild into mine. "I want you shaking, baby. I want you to detonate at the sound of my voice--only then--only then will I take everything. I want you to be mine."
At his words, my stomach tightened, pushing deep down until I'm throbbing. I wrapped both arms around my middle and doubled over, crying out from the pressure. "Noah..."
He stepped closer. "Come here," he whispered, taking me into his arms and pulling me close with my head resting against his shoulder. "Feel it, baby...? Yes. Absorb it. Take it. I'm going to give you so much more, Reyna." He stroked a hand up and down my back, my skin formed goose bumps, and oddly, I felt chilled and hot all at once.
"Spend the day with me tomorrow," he murmured against my temple, and nuzzled my hair. "I have a house on Indian Island. I'll cook, you'll clean..." His chest shook with a small rumble of laughter and I knew he was trying to lighten the heavy mood, sweet man.
I chuckled softly, "You had me at tomorrow," I said, lifting my head to look at him, my lips scraped across his stubbly chin. I tried not to notice, but I did. "Just make me a small promise."
He blinked--twice. "Name it."
I swallowed hard. "Please don't withhold too much of yourself. Not if...we...are going to work...at all."
A slow smile lifted in his handsome face. "Since I've broken my cardinal rule already, I think I can break a few more," he said dryly. "Just for you."
"Oh, you're very accommodating, Mr. Alexander."
"And you, Ms. Lourde, are very charming. Enchanting."
With a deep breath, I stepped out of his arms, putting some much needed distance between us--it was either that or combust. "Says you with the no touching policy. You know you will have to fess up as to why...one day, right?"
A cloudy emotion crossed over his face altering his mood, darkening his eyes into bleak emptiness. Oh, damn, why did I even ask?
"One day," he said with an edgy emotion over two simple words.
I wanted to demand he share why, but after our emotional ride the last few minutes, I changed my mind and subject. "Besides recent events, how did you enjoy the karaoke?"
In a flash, his facial expression changed to almost...admiration. "You were amazing, Reyna. I was...stunned, enthralled. Another enchanting moment from you, Ms. Lourde."
I blushed under his praise, his approval worth more than the hundred people patting me on the back tonight did. "Would you like a drink?" I offered, sensing his reluctance to stay, but I really didn't want him to leave yet.
He smiled softly and shook his head. "I should go," he said lightly, touching my upper arms before leaning forward, his lips brushed my hairline in a chaste kiss. "You smell so good..." He sighed against my temple before moving away towards the door. "I'll pick you up at eleven tomorrow."
Noah left and I...missed him. I stared at the closed door, an uncommon sense of loss beating through me. The man was intense--hot on the verge of nuclear, yet I really, really liked him. More than I should at so early in...whatever it was between us.
Within minutes, my phone buzzed with an incoming text. I retrieved my fallen bag off the floor, fishing out my Sony Ericsson with fast movements, biting my lip as I opened his message.
*A smart mouthed woman is more precious than gold...I should know...she handed me my ass and I'm still looking for it--enchantingly so. Sweet dreams, baby. I can't wait to see you tomorrow...*
Of course, I couldn't resist replying with a giddy smile in place…
*A rigid, yet compromising man who left me breathless...I'm waiting for more discoveries...perhaps we'll find what you're looking for. Thinking of you...*
His reply came two minutes later.
*Dear exasperating, yet beautiful, Stop! I've broken enough rules for one evening. I'm already headed for cold waters to fight off heated moments. Behave!!!!!! Miss you, Ms. Lourde. More than you know.*
A grin split my face as I made my way to bed...only to dream of heated moments in the arms of Noah Alexander.
~~~
The next morning, I flipped through my clothes trying to decide what to wear. It shouldn't matter...but it did. A dress? Jeans? Floaty skirt? Finally, I opted for my favorite tan, cargo Capri's, jade green knit top and black ballerina flats. My dark, red hair hung in soft waves down my back and I added just enough makeup to my eyes--darkening the pale without over doing it. I dug out my oversized, yellow designer leather bag (another Claire gift). I've never used it much--or at all--and I threw in a bathing suit, book, iPod, small makeup bag and a change of underwear (for just in case) along with a few other toiletries.
I found Claire sitting in the kitchen downing a cup of coffee as I set my bag on the table, and I flashed a smile. "Hey, how are you?"
She grunted. "Ugh, I'm one step away from death. I drank waaaay too much last night," she said, giving me a critical assessing gaze. "Are you going out, baby doll?"
I nodded, reaching for a mug and poured some coffee. "Yes. Noah has a house on Indian Island and I'm spending the day with him." Glancing at my watch, it was almost ten-thirty and he'll be arriving soon. "Do you have any plans with Gary today?"
She shook her head. "No, he's traveling to Ocala to visit his aunt overnight and I've been summoned home for Sunday dinner." She grimaced, unable to hide her disgust. "Can't wait."
I sat down across from her
and reached out a hand of comfort. "Hey, try not to stay too long. Run your possible interview scenario. It worked once before."
Claire rolled her eyes. "That only worked on Senator Mom once. Now she investigates every possible interview I have. Talk about a glass cage of an overbearing mother. Why can't she just back off and let me...breathe?"
"She loves you, Claire...in her own autocratic way."
She snorted. "Any more love and I'll be ready for a pine box with a stamp across my ass that reads return to sender." She shrugged. "Sorry. I'm just tired of my mother's interference, but I'll live. Always do. Enough about me...how were your dates...plural?" Her blue eyes lit up with mischievousness.
It was my turn to roll my eyes, flipping my hair back over my shoulder with a sigh. "I told you about IT tech. He was ultimate vanilla...boring. But, new stalker hottie tracked me down at the restaurant and well...you know the rest."
"Uh-huh. The way he was staring at you last night, I half expected him to be here for morning coffee. What happened?"
Each moment flashed through my mind ending with his exit. The crème de la crème was his authoritarian rule that I couldn't wrap my head around. No touching? Part of me wished he would open up and spill his fear, but did I really want him too? What if his secrets were too dark? Did I want to end up caring for someone more fucked up than Chad no matter what he did for my erotic senses? I couldn't tell anyone! Mom and Dad probably wouldn't get it, and with Dad's new health issue, it wasn't a great idea. Gemma would just tell our parents, so she was out. Claire had too much to deal with between her mother and new Dom. I'm just floating the unknown all on my own.
I shrugged. "Nothing. We’re taking it slow. It's only been a couple of days after all. That's hardly a criteria for jumping someone's bones...no matter how fine he is." Honestly, what a lie…to myself. I would jump Noah anytime he asked, apparently, hussy that I'm turning out to be. I finished off my coffee...right on time as a knock sounded at the door.
I slid up, grabbing my purse. "I'll get it, it's probably him."
It wasn't Noah...its Brett. Crap.
"Hey Reyna. Sorry for not calling, but I was in the area and thought I'd stop by and apologize for last night." He's still dressed as the night before, looking a bit rough around the edges with his eyes red-rimmed.
I offered a tight smile. "Thanks Brett, I'm good. I made it home alright as you see."
He nodded. "Good, good." He eyed me through his narrowed, blood-shot gaze. "Are you headed out? Do you want to get some lunch?"
Before I could answer, Noah appeared beside Brett all tousled black hair, handsome...and pissed. Double crap. His jumpy cheek action moved twice, probably from grinding his teeth to dust in his mouth. He looked...impossibly good looking, damn him. He's dressed in dark blue jeans, converse, and a fitted dark blue, long-sleeved t-shirt pushed up his tanned forearms, which emphasized his pound of ripping muscles under the close, conformed material. He hadn't shaved, so his grunge stubble makes him appear harder, dangerous with enough oh-my god factor to make me swallow back a hammer full of desire, mouthwatering.
And his eyes...Lord...their blazing and hot-hungry. There was even a thread of anger with a touch of something dark I couldn't name.
"Are you ready, Reyna?"
It was in his voice...possession. It was the way his velvet pitch slid over my name, and claimed me. "Yes," I said, my gaze sliding over to my cheeky co-worker who showed up unannounced. "Sorry, Brett. I already have plans. Maybe another time?" I watched as the two men sized each other up, but Noah didn't back down with his cool 'I dare you' stare and its Brett that conceded to the dominate male. God, this was so eye rolling worthy like something out of animal kingdom.
"Reyna? Is everything okay out here?"
I turned to find Claire leaned up against the wall eyeing all three of us with wry amusement. I widened my eyes at her to help me, but she only grinned wider. "Everything is fine."
Noah opened the door to his gray sports car and I watched Brett shuffle into his car across the parking lot. Super hottie slid in beside me, starting his car, his eyes never left Brett's direction.
I frowned. "What is it?"
"There is something off about him."
"Besides his timing?"
He smirked. "Even that, Ms. Lourde." He seemed too thoughtful, distant. "Ready?"
Noah's house was beautiful--understatement much! It's a modern Mediterranean style two story house in pale yellow, circular drive, and beautiful landscaping down to the very last sweet flower bed to the overhang of an old tree casting a refreshing shadow. At a glance, it boasted a three-car garage, balcony--literally a dream house by all accounts and seemingly too large for a single man. Briefly, I remembered his wife and his widower status, and I gulped. He probably bought this house for her...once upon a day. However, I pushed the thought out of my mind, refusing to focus on negative thoughts.
The interior was equally stunning. Light, airy with hardwood floors, glass and chrome tables with dark, plush sofas and greenery thread throughout the room. Triple glass, rounded arched doors opened out into an amazing lanai and pool with a straight shot out to the ocean. After a stunned moment, I followed super hottie through to the kitchen and stopped. It's the hugest, modern ultra-kitchen I've ever seen in my life. Steel and red-orange in fluxed the state-of-the-art kitchen masterpiece with an island sink, buffet, and every appliance known to man--the refrigerator was so large it's probably extra parking.
"Do you like the house, Ms. Lourde?"
I shot my gaze over to Noah to find him watching me closely with a hint of a smile on his lips, his blue eyes hooded. "It's very utopian, Mr. Alexander," I said with a coy smile.
He chuckled lightly. "Utopian? Hardly. It's just a pretty house with a private beach--exactly what I consider prime real estate." Noah walked over to the mega fridge and pulled out a tray of marinated steaks and a bottle of rosé wine, setting them on the island and proceeded to open the bottle with deft movements. "Grab a couple of wine glasses, Ms. Lourde, from the side cabinet behind you, if you please."
I curtsied. "Your wish is my command," I offered and he stilled, his blue shard-like gaze meeting mine. My eyes widened as I realize what I said, and then I blushed, pushing my hair behind my ear. "I...guess that's par for the course?"
He shook his head with a wry twist to his mouth. "Oh Ms. Lourde, you are full of surprises," he said, popping the cork on the wine bottle.
I grabbed two crystal wine glasses, they're heavy indicating very expensive and I set them on the counter beside him. I ventured a glance up to his face to find him watching me and no doubt, he woke up on the upside of sexy this morning. Without shaving, he's even more scrumptious. How did he manage it?
"Are you nervous?" I only managed to nod and he leaned forward. "Me too," he whispered, pouring the wine, handing me a glass with a smile. "Relax, Ms. Lourde, I won't devour you...yet."
The thought was hideously hot with zero comfort, and I swallowed hard. "May I ask how?"
"No, you may not," he winked. "Now, bring your glass and grab the wine bottle."
He took the steaks and his glass out on the lanai intent on grilling as I wandered around the spacious area, overlooking the pool, palm trees and lush green grass. The distant view of the ocean lapped up gently into the off-white surf. It's beautiful...just like him. I wish I knew him more, but perhaps my expectation was too great after two days, jeez. I'm happy to be here--a surprising journey with no end in sight. I just hoped I would meet whatever expectation he had of me with the hope it wasn't too dark.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
I peered over my shoulder at him, flashing a smile. "Maybe they're worth a nickel or a dime, Mr. Alexander what with the rise in economic costs in the world today."
He took up his wine and moved in a sexy glide towards me, my mouth dried. "Oh, Ms. Lourde." He shook his head. "I would pay a thousand for each of your thoughts if you would only tell me what you're thinking." He stopped beside me and I forgot to breat
he, his scent filled me with need, drugging me with his freshness. It's the sexiest smell in the world--Noah.
I flushed hot, sweating despite the cool breeze wafting up from the ocean, encasing me in his bubble of musky ambiance. "I'm anxious to know what you want from me." I took a sip of wine for the liquid courage I'll need for his answer. Deep in the core of my female body, I'm sure it was something sexual...but how dark? I waited in anticipation, my nerves knotted through my stomach.
For a moment, he said nothing. "Breathe, Reyna," he whispered softly. "What I would like is...for you not to worry. And to get through lunch unscathed." He clinked my glass with his. "How do you like your steak?"
What? My mouth parted slightly, "That's it? Breathe, don't worry and how do I like my steak?"
He grinned full on. "Yes."
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry--my emotions up to this point were over the top, falling fast. "You're not going to tell me right now, are you?"
"No."
I rolled my eyes. "Medium well, kind sir."
His crystal eyes smoldered hot and his jumpy cheek movement was back. "I'm anything, but kind." Noah turned to walk back over to the grill, adjusted the heat, and closed the lid. "Let's go make a salad, red."
We worked side-by-side, cutting lettuce, tomatoes, and other vegetables for several minutes. The phone rang, and Noah answered it. "I need to take this, Reyna. I'll be five or ten minutes, baby."
I waved him off and resumed chopping cucumbers when I heard him behind me. I smiled to myself without looking up. "That was fast. I expected at least a few moments to miss you, Mr. Alexander. Your eagerness is astounding."
"So, you are either the new housekeeper or the new flavor of the month!"
Chapter 8
It's not enough to conquer; one must know how to seduce. ~ Voltaire
