Velvet Exhale

by Beth Mikell

  Noah exhaled slowly, something in his eyes changed into pain. "Then why do I feel gutted?"

  My lips curved up into a smile, "We do have the rest of the weekend, Mr. Alexander. I know from experience we have plenty of time."

  He returned my smile, but it didn't extend to his eyes and he reached up to smooth the back of his hand down my cheek. "Not for the interruption, baby. I feel something..." he trailed off.

  "I'm strong enough to weather the storm. You have to trust me."

  A flicker lit his eyes, but I didn't know of what. "You're the only person I do trust."

  I could tell from his expression and bold-truthful stare that he really did. I wanted to do or say something to help him, soothe him. "Let me tell you a short story." I leaned closer and rambled on. "My father built my sister and me a tree house when we were kids. During the summer months, my mother would let us sleep overnight in the drafty thing to appease my father and us, though she feared we get sick, but we never did. My mother strung two tin cans together for the homemade version of a telephone so Gemma and I could speak to her or Dad whenever we liked. It was fun, really. But, when I was ten, the telephone system rebounded in a High Def disaster."

  Noah settled back against the seat and took my hand in his, watching me carefully. "What happened?"

  "It was late and my mother and I were chatting…we saw my father step from the shadows and lip-lock the neighbor's wife."

  "Oh God..."

  I nodded. "Yeah, it was shocking, painful and my mother told me go right to sleep," I said with a shrug. "Of course, I couldn't sleep and heard my parents argue, but the next day it was as if nothing ever happened. To this day, they've been the happiest couple on the planet. I tried to ask my mother about that, but she always passed it off with an elegant flip of her hair and sweetest smile. I think that night changed their dynamic and strengthened their approach to their relationship. Maybe I'll never understand the ins and outs of what went down, but I know relationships aren't perfect, Noah. We'll have to work at this, darkness and all."

  He squeezed my hand, his lips smiling. "Thank you for sharing your memory, Reyna, though I feel so sorry you saw that. You were just a kid," he said through a hard exhale. "Honestly, I'll never deserve you, but you're exactly what I want in my life."

  I wanted to expand on his words, but we pulled up in front of the Black and White party resort and the car door immediately opened with Maddie jumping in with Tom at her side.

  Her face was flushed with worry, her previous self-control shattered. "Sorry to ruin your evening, but Garner has a low grade temp and I'm worried about him. If Brendon catches it too, all hell will break loose on the baby front. God..." Her husband squeezed her hand in reassurance; it was obvious he was her strength in any crisis.

  Noah gave a nod to his sister, flashing a soft smile. "Shem will take you home. Call if you need anything, Maddie, Tom." With that, he and I left the confines of the limo into the fresh, warm air of the Tampa evening, his hand slipping around my waist, holding me tight up against his side.

  He leaned close to my ear, the warmth of his mouth soaking deep through my flesh. "Tell me," he whispered.

  I inhaled sharply, a twist of fear slicing up my back at his command. "I...I love you."

  "Again."

  I turned to look up at him, the shuddered expression of his face showed absolutely nothing to my concerned stare. "I love you, Noah."

  "Never stop. I need that."

  Within his stark, distant gaze, discontentment rattled a dark, unknown cage hard against me.

  ~~~

  The air buzzed with excitement for the best-known annual event dedicated to breast cancer research by the Sarah West Alexander Foundation, overseen by Noah, but co-chaired by Jacob and Tom. Currently, the program's sole devotion provided financial support and exploratory measures towards ending the vicious suffering of women. Last year, the Black and White Party raised one million dollars, benefiting all support services and affiliated programs, but expansion was on the night's agenda with the hope of establishing a research wing next to the hospital in New York all in the name of Sarah West Alexander.

  Everyone shouldering a bitching load of money was invited, politicians, most of Hollywood, models and any well-off philanthropists in need of a charitable cause or tax write off.

  In addition, it was an ideal event to see and be seen in. I had enough time earlier in the week to Google the event and the list of entertainers were high on the list such as Maroon 5, Flo Rida, Adele and Lady Gaga along with many others were anticipated for a song or two, sacrificing their voices and time for the haunt of humanity.

  Noah and I walked up a small red carpet up to the entrance, a sea of photographers snapping shots of us as we strode hand in hand through the main doors. While I enjoyed being next to my super-hottie, the press would eat us alive--the cat was out of the bag kind of thing. Had he done this on purpose? Maybe, maybe not.

  I trembled. A quick glance up to his face revealed unconcern and relaxation in the midst of the photographic wet dream blazing a trail of digital flash, he smiled.

  He picked my hand up, brushing a kiss across my knuckles, his eyes smoldering. "Now, the whole world will know you're mine, Ms. Lourde."

  An uncertain feeling bled over me, I was now entering Noah's public world, but what would be the outcome?

  "Reyna!"

  I looked around through the sea of faces to find Liz Fielding, my high school friend whom was supposedly in the South of France barreling towards me in a skimpy black dress with a smile ten miles wide. Her green eyes flashed with happiness and her long, dark hair hung in soft curls over her glowing skin, sun-kissed by her recent travel abroad.

  I felt Noah tense beside me, but I flashed him a smile and I squeezed his hand reassuringly. "It's okay. Liz is my friend," I whispered and he immediately relaxed. God, what was with him? Sure his mood ran a bit hydraulic edgy (most of the time), but he acted as if a lion in wait for the Apocalypse, borderline hypersensitive without a net. Where was his usual controlled self-confidence? To the outsider, he appeared the same, but I could tell he suffered, ready to fall apart at any scent of foul.

  Liz threw herself around my neck, hugging tight. "Rey, oh my God, it's great to see you," she gushed, pulling back to eye me with a sweeping nod of approval. "You look fabulous, sweetie. I've missed you so much."

  I heard Noah chuckle under his breath and of course I blushed, amping the harlot red clash between my cheeks and hair. Liz was the most outgoing of all my friends and didn't have a mouth filter, so I was lucky fabulous was her only comment. I made quick introductions, but I wasn't surprised as Liz belted me away to the other side of the party and wasted no time with questions.

  I could see Noah across the room, even his jumpy cheek action appeared as he spoke to different people with his gaze returning to me every few seconds, but he looked gorgeous. The white of his clothing emphasized the rich, dark hue of his skin and the darkness of his hair. Even his eyes burned a flagrant, stunning blue that held me captive without an early release.

  My friend grabbed two champagne glasses off a waiter as he walked by, thrusting one into my hand, "Oh my God, Noah-freaking-Alexander? What the heck, Rey? Jenna emailed me and of course, I jumped on the first flight here."

  I met her green earnest gaze. "No, you did not."

  She shrugged, taking a sip of her champagne. "Okay, you're right, I was already on my way with my little cabana boy in tow, but Jen's news certainly shocked the hell out of me after I arrived. I managed to finagle an invite through my publishing house just so I could see you," she admitted whistling through her teeth. "You look hot, sweetie. Is he good to you?"

  "Yes," I managed, my gaze flipping back across the room to Noah.

  I saw a tall blonde step closer to him, trailing her finger over his bicep and my lips firmed up with displeasure, my hand tightening on the stem of my glass. My stomach unloaded a whopping load of jealousy through my veins and I ached to kill, maim, and destroy
the woman's single digit skimming over my man. So this is what he meant by women's attention? Granted the man superseded eye-candy and I, for sure, was caught under his dark spell, but five minutes after arriving he had his first offer? This was going to be harder than I realized, especially since I'm clear across the other side of the room with a hundred plus people between us with thumping music to up the fear factor thrumming through my veins.

  His only redeeming quality was...he sidestepped her, coming directly towards me. The predatory gleam in his eyes reaffirmed his commitment for me, settling my new onset of lost nerves. In all my life, I've never felt more protective of a single human being until Noah, while his eyes sank deep into my psyche, enclosing me in his finely woven web, I shivered. We really were made for each other, addiction, and all.

  "Hey, what's wrong?"

  Liz's question brought my attention back and I tore my eyes away from my super-hottie's approach. "Nothing."

  Unconvinced, she peered over her shoulder before shooting me a wry stare. "Wow! He missed you in less than five minutes. Must be serious."

  I frowned. "We're taking things slow."

  She snorted a laugh. "Please! I know men all too well. He's a possessive lip magnet, the rich, handsome bastard. Just be careful, Rey. He's got a dark reputation with the ladies."

  I blanched, but couldn't ask anything more as Noah drew close, and slid his arm around my waist. The heat of his body bled through my skin in a spiraling, inward sensation, misting my skin with a soaked sheen within seconds, but it felt more like buckets of sweat. Crap, really smooth.

  "Sorry, I need to borrow Reyna," Noah said smoothly, his hand flexing into my hip shooting pleasure straight to my center.

  Liz smiled, raising her glass. "By all means, Mr. Alexander, but take care of my friend, please. Reyna's heart is an original," she warned subtly, but I cringed inside.

  Was everyone privy to his secrets but me?

  He never blinked an eye. "I know." Noah spun me away into the crowd, leaning close. "I missed you, red," he whispered against my ear. "Don't stray too far from me again."

  "Yes, I could see what you meant earlier--the blonde wasted no time. I was sure I'd have to kick her ass."

  His teeth bit lightly down on my lobe, sending lightning heat through my body as his small chuckle filled my ear. "I thought I'd save you the trouble. You look too exquisite for bloodshed, baby."

  I froze, throwing him a wary glance. "Does that mean she really did make an offer?" Unbelievable, I whispered under my breath.

  Noah's hot mouth curved up into a smirk, a brow raised. "Jealous? I like."

  He evaded my question, but I knew she had. "Thanks, I'm so comforted," I retorted nastily, looking away into the stark crowd of faceless people beyond irritated.

  "Reyna," he said, waiting until I met his eyes. "You're the only woman I see in this whole room. You're the only woman I've touched in years. You're the only woman I want beside me. Never doubt me in this."

  Oh my, he deflated my warpath within a millisecond and I wasn't sure how to answer him. Was this commitment speaking after such a short acquaintance? "What I doubt is, my ability to stay calm in the minefield of lipstick bimbos running their manicured fingertips over your body, Mr. Alexander. I don't do possessive female very well--in fact--I suck at it."

  Noah spun me out into the dance floor, settling me into every firm muscle of his body with his mouth caressing over the shell of my ear as Adele sang about setting fire to the rain.

  Though we swayed in time with the beat, his obvious erection fit snug against my stomach amping the heat factor towards blistering and I groaned from the instant pleasure shouldering me through illegal flaming fire. My body pulsed with the music and I closed my eyes, knowing full well what he could do to me within seconds of his velvet exhale...I ached for him.

  More than that, I remained afraid deep down. I was afraid of final release to him, of allowing him an all access pass to the strength of my heart where fierce loyalty awaited with an endless well of love, overlooking anything with invisible blinders. The battle wasn't outside forces, but for me to truly trust him...completely. Physical attraction was one thing...and yes, our sex was off the scale of spicy-freaking-awesome, but what else did we have as a couple? What other cohesion? Were we compatible beyond the bedroom, I wondered.

  "Reyna...the only thing I doubt is that you have no idea how magnificent you are and you'll run before discovery."

  I leaned back, putting some much needed space between us so I could see his handsome face and his shard-like blue eyes glittered with possession and desire. "But, what else? Can we survive outside the delights of sinful attraction? I mean it's only been a week, we hardly know each other. Maybe we have nothing in common."

  His jumpy cheek action appeared. "Are you trying to cross me off the list before we've even started?" I missed a step in our dance and Noah pulled me tighter to him. "I can tell you right now, you can end the pros and cons crusade right now, Ms. Lourde. I know we are perfect for each other," he said confidently.

  "Are we?"

  Chapter 19

  Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac. ~ Henry Kissinger

  Desire fled out Noah's eyes replaced with anger and he grabbed my hand in a steel grip. "Come with me."

  God there was no mistaking the hard edge to his voice or the tensed dominant power darkening his face with raw emotion. He was pissed...though part of me battled a measure of fear, while the other part...the darker side newly revealed by his hand found him utterly sexy, utterly male. I was ready for my sensual Dom to take over and that surprised me more than feeling inadequate.

  We weaved in and out of people straight into a long corridor. Several steps later, Noah opened a door, semi-dragging me into a conference room, securing the door behind him. He walked me to the center of the room, turning to face me and released my hand. The loss of his touch caused me to whimper in my throat as dark power emanated from his body through his eyes, tilting the room in a heavy, uncomfortable shift. I’d never felt more turned on as his scent battered my peeled senses, thrusting me through a myriad of desire, chafing my center with wetness. My spine sank, my eyes drifted downward, and I wanted him to take control...of me...of my out-of-controlled emotions as only Noah could. The thought was, paralyzing, hot, and stimulating!

  Still he didn't speak.

  He cupped my chin, raising my face to lock eyes with mine and his wild-hungry gaze penetrated deep into my soul. I felt so alive, so desired...so wanted, yet the silence deafened the room by aching degrees.

  "Give me the list."

  I frowned. "What?"

  Noah's lips pressed together. "Give me the list so I can meet each of your demands and breathe a sigh of relief. Tell me, Reyna--ask me anything, but don't push me out before we've barely begun. I will fight fucking death to keep you."

  God, he never looked more wonderful--angry, exciting, and dangerous, which was a heady alluring combination to my out-of-control libido. I closed my eyes against the stunning beauty of his face. "This isn't how I envisioned seeing you after three days," I whispered.

  He cupped my face fully, dragging me close until every curve of my body buried in his firm muscles. "Look at me," he said huskily tilting my chin up. "I'm still the same man."

  I shook my head. "No, you're not just any man, Noah."

  "What am I?"

  I sighed. "Every woman's fantasy," I offered with a shrug.

  He inhaled sharply, his warm hand traveling back to cup my neck. "I don't give a fuck about other women. I'm only interested in one very beautiful, stubborn redhead who's twisted my guts to dust. I only want you," he seethed harshly. "I'm tortured by the fact you could walk away and leave me broken."

  "I wouldn't--"

  Noah leaned forward, his hot lips grazing mine, ending my protest, and warmed me with his delicious body heat and savory taste. A powerful surge of erotic energy bloomed in my chest, flooding out every nerve ending, setting me on fire.

  He pulled back,
eyeing me. “Torture takes many forms…and you are mine."

  "Noah--"

  "Strip."

  In the dim light of the room, his eyes appeared darker, harder. Caught off guard, his whispered command broke the sexy spell woven over me and I'm driven into a strange spinning vortex of absolute need. I can't question him. I can't debate him...I only responded, reflexive, and sure. I never expected this day to come, but I wanted him to stone my shaky world and stow the demons, fight my fears and drown my insecurities far, far away. I needed him to do whatever he wanted...draw me out of my self-imposed shell. I needed him to be my solid ground--and that's what I loved most about him, my dear, dark lover. He accepted me for who I was.

  I would do anything he asked of me--I lived for it.

  I reached a hand behind my back, tugging at the zipper and my dress fell to my feet in an eerie swoosh. In this unschooled moment, I shed all the caparisons of my vanilla existence, my body hot-wired into his voice and next movement. My heart pounded through my chest, testing my ability to withstand his feral gaze and next touch. I begged him with my eyes to end the torture so cleverly designed by my no bounds man.

  "You're not finished," he said thickly, the rhythm of his breathing increasing with his evident desire. "Bra."

  With unsteady hands under his dark gaze, I unclasp my bra and slid it down my arms, casting it to the floor. My nipples are erect and fully aroused as if Noah had stroked them into perfect points between his hands. They responded to the cool air, hypersensitive and achy, traveling a heated electric current directly to my center, pulsing with a quivered yearning. I've never felt more exposed emotionally and it wouldn't take much to send me over the edge, as I know myself in his potter-typed hands and velvet breath.

  "You are my end and my beginning, Reyna. From the moment I saw you walk across the parking deck, you lifted me out of darkness, and I will prove I am worthy to be yours."

  Tears stung my eyes, and I shook my head. "But, you are! Why this way, Noah?" I can't stop the single tear that slipped down my cheek, but he smoothed it away with his thumb.