Noah had to be the first — and only — person to keep me talking for hours without it being Alize. He was so oddly intrigued by every little thing that came spewing from my lips that he wouldn't waste a tinsy second after i've finished to bombard me with more questions. And what was surprising about this was that i obliged by answering each and everyone one of them as truthfully as possible. The topics had changed so much and so fast that i couldn't keep up with them even if i tried. There was just something about that little glint shining in his natural blue eyes that had me complying to everything he said, at the early beginning i felt this need to appease him in any way that i could, and in this case, me rambling on for hours and hours about my dreams and aspirations in life was what he was most interested in.
By this time i've already had three cups of coffee. Noah's had four refills of soda. The plate that once held the coconut cream pie was long gone, as was the slice of dessert itself.
I felt guilty about eating the little piece of creamy goodness and spent the first ten minutes continuously offering him some, but he'd always respond with a small shake of his head or a polite, "No, thank you."
I had to try and control my heart rate every time the slow drawl of his husky voice made its way up to my ears. It would always make my chest tighten in the most lovely way possible, and the same with his eyes. Both were ravishing in their own way — in Noah's way. I trusted there was no other being alive that contained the identical aura as him; it made me feel special for having to witness it with my own eyes.
"Do you ever think about college?" asked Noah in that sexy drawl.
Butterflies erupted all around the inside of my body as i looked elsewhere to prevent him from seeing my blushed cheeks. This had to be the most embarrassing bodily reaction that took charge every time he opened his mouth.
"Sometimes... " I squeaked. I cleared my throat to get rid of the scratchiness in my voice, "I think about colleges that are away from here, then i feel bad because i realize how badly i want to get out of here and how far away i want to be from my family as possible. There's nothing keeping me here after graduation, so i think it's okay to want to leave... but my family is... "
"Your family... ?" He quietly guessed.
I looked at him slowly and nodded. He seemed to understand the feeling. "... Yeah."
Noah nodded once and looked down at his almost empty cup of soda. My coffee was already done, and by the looks of the clock that hung on the opposite wall, it was about to be three-thirty in the afternoon. "Have you applied to any?" He asked again.
"Only one... it was a while ago and i haven't heard back from them yet so i don't think i got in." I shrugged at the last part and tried to seem not so bummed out about it even though i was. "Have you?" I asked.
Noah looked up from the soda. "What?"
"Have you applied to any colleges?"
He looked shocked and amused at the same time. He smiled a little and chuckled before he shook his head. "No. And even if i had, there isn't any way i would get accepted with the way my record looks."
I saw it in his eyes then, behind his facade there was this deep longing look that sent goosebumps down my spine. He had more reason then anyone to want to get out of this town. "What do you mean?"
It was a stupid question that didn't deserve the obvious answer, still, it hadn't stopped him from subtly changing the subject — which i was grateful for. "What college did you apply to?" He had asked, his eyes regaining that earlier interested glimmer as he now looked directly at me.
I blinked, suddenly feeling odd telling him before i shook the feeling off. "Berkeley University," I licked my lips, "It was the only one my mother had suggested that had a major i was interested in, and she was fine with that."
Noah seemed a little lost with my words. He tilted his head just barely resembling a confused puppy with his curious eyes making my chest swell.
"She had originally wanted all her kids to go to some highly overpriced college and become something of themselves to show off to her employers or something. My oldest brother, James, didn't mind doing that for my mother, but my older brother and sister did and are just living off of my father's and my mother's money for now just to bother her."
Noah smiled scarcely. "So are you going to college because of her, or because you want to?"
It took me a moment to respond only because no one had asked me that question before. No one cared enough to ask and, i had no idea how to answer that. Though i have thought about whether or not college was really a course i wanted to take in my life, and yet i've never came to a confident enough answer.
"I don't know... " I lightly murmured, "I'd like to believe that that's what i would want, but, it's pretty hard to think like that when your whole life has basically been controlled by someone other then you."
Noah didn't say a word which made me think i'd said to much. I leaned my arms on the table and hugged my arms feeling embarrassed and avoiding his gaze at all costs, but when i felt his warm hand wrap hesitantly around my wrist, i couldn't help but look at him. The look in his eye made me tense up.
"Then control this new chapter and see how it goes." He whispered only to me.
His eyes held a strong emotion in them kept me from looking away, like a hypnotist with a snake. Immediately my mind raced with the dream from last night, my head swarming with all those touches and feelings that caused my body to go into a frenzy, but i never looked away from him, which might've been a bad thing if he had pointed the obvious blush in my cheeks like he always seemed to do. But this time he didn't. He was serious, and i was grateful.
Too soon he blinked slicing the silent tension and slowly pulled his hand away from my arm. He cleared his throat which i took as a sign to dismiss the previous actions and look down at my lap. "Erm... are you ready?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
Noah slide out the booth and waited the couple seconds for me to mirror his actions before he guided me toward the counter to pay. I hadn't noticed the place had gained a few more customers making it a little harder to get to the cash register without accidentally touching someone, i tried to squeeze closer to Noah to avoid the people seated while remembering to keep my distance so i wouldn't make Noah uncomfortable either. It hadn't worked. Unable to see the foot of an old man peeking from under the table, i tripped on it lightly and stumbled forward toward Noah; i was able to stop myself from crashing into his sturdy back by fisting his shirt around his sides — yet it had taken me a second to realize what i was holding on to and try to focus on anything other then the feel of his hips just in fingers reach.
A quick rush of heat flushed to my face as Noah's eyes caught hold of mine. "I'm sor — " Without thought, he reached his arm back and took ahold of my hand that was still gripping onto his shirt tightly, his heated fingers quickly curling tightly around my wrist as he gently tugged me closer to his body.
His skin on mine made butterflies swarm a chaotic mess inside my stomach and made all the blood rushing through my body flow straight up to my head. I was so shocked i couldn't find the right words to think — my mind was mobbed with the feeling of his fingers burning his warm touch into my skin to think much of anything.
It didn't help that my hands were still holding onto his shirt with that death grip that was starting to make my knuckles turn white. I relaxed my hand, and soon let the fabric go, and as my hold on it slipped, Noah loosened his fingers around my wrist until his massive hand was covering my smaller one in a warm protective clasp. A small gasp passed my lips at this. My eyes averted down at our limbs before looking at Noah, but he didn't look at me.
I tried to not think to much of our holding hands when we got to the counter, and i tried desperately hard not to feel anything when he withdrew his hand gently from mine to reach his wallet in the back pocket of his jeans. I stayed close to his side, not once stepping an inch from him as a family of six came bustling through the small double doors to find a table. It was only when the family filed in a uncoordinated line and began squeezing through the busy dining area that one got caught in a jam and silently asked me to move from my spot that i was drawn away from Noah's side.
Politely i tried to make my way back to him, but it was no use. My path was blocked my waitresses suddenly spewing from the back room and customers trying to find tables that i couldn't find a proper opening to go back to the counter.
A loud gasp passed my lips when an arm suddenly wrapped around my waist and pulled me flush against them. "I think i'm gonna need a leash for you, little lamb. You keep getting lost."
My pulsing heartbeat was the only sound i heard as his warm breath fanned against the shell of my ear sending shocks running down my spine at the nickname.
"C'mon. Let's get you home."
His low voice sent massive waves of goosebumps throughout my body as his hand rested on my waist lightly squeezed me and held me closely to his lean body. I noticed how much taller he was then me, how his muscular form felt against my back, how comfortably warm he was and how much i appreciated him being here with me.
Noah held me close as we walked out the restaurant, and he didn't let me go until we were safely in the car. Yet even without his arm wrapped around me of his hand intermingled with mine, the warmth of him was still burning scars into my skin — it was a beautiful feeling.
****
"Can i ask you something?"
I lightly shifted in my seat as my eyes devoured the sight of Noah's side profile; i couldn't believe how someone could still look so attractive from every angle and not have a single flaw to pick at. Not that i would criticize him about it, or anything. We were almost near the rented car, and the more we got closer to having to say goodbye, i couldn't help but try and get an answer from the question that's been bothering me all day.
Noah merely glanced at me before putting his eyes back on the road. "Sure." He simply replied.
"Why weren't you at school today?" I swallowed the lump in my throat when Noah turned his neck to look at me fully. I couldn't tell whether this question was somehow overstepping some invisible boundary that i mentally created, or if it actually was something i didn't need to know about, but the way that Noah was looking at me made me believe it was the second theory.
I took notice of how his bruised hand tensed then relaxed around the steering wheel of the car as he made a left turn; it wouldn't be long now before we made it to the car. I saw his jaw flex as he clenched his teeth, he looked like he was contemplating telling me something and it spiked my curiosity bell.
"I had to deal with some things... for my dad." He cleared his throat at the last part and tensed again.
Worry jumbled quickly in my stomach at the knowledge. "Is it anything serious?" I was quick to ask, and apparently to quick from the look i was answered with. I didn't want to think to much of it, considering i met the man and took am odd, respectful liking to him.
Noah's eyes peered into mine curiously; he was shocked. "... No," He answered, dumbfounded. "No, he's... he's fine. It was just some financial stuff." He added in a grumble.
I relaxed then. Knowing that his dad was alright physically let me release the silent breath of air i wasn't aware to be holding. Realization to the whole thing didn't hit me until of late: Noah wasn't aquatinted with the knowledge that his father and i knew each other. Ruminating with this thought i hadn't noticed the car coming to a slow stop right beside Alize's rental one allowing me to stay inside my head a few seconds longer then needed, Noah was looking at me already when i turned to him after it had come to my attention which, this time hadn't shocked me.
"Are you coming tomorrow?" I wondered aloud.
Noah blinked once, then barely nodded. He paused for a moment as he thought, and me being in no rush to leave, i waited.
"Would it be okay, if, i picked you up tomorrow morning?" The hesitant tremble in his voice and the way his eyes looked away from mine for a fraction of a second were clues to a puzzle i didn't need help piecing together; it was evident in his glimmering hues that he was nervous, and in that moment it made me slightly confident in the essence of my collected character.
It hadn't stayed permanent, though.
Not with Noah's eyes piercing into my soul within seconds of catching my eyes and peeling away the courage like it was the most easiest thing in the world to do. It didn't help knowing that it possibly was. He was close, close enough that i could count the freckles on his cheeks again and contemplated recounting them, but his eyes caught my attention and brought me back to the situation at hand.
I was speechless for a long moment, not doing anything but wondering why it was taking me so long to answer before i finally nodded. "Okay." I whispered.
He looked ecstatic but was private in the fact and hid it well behind a wall seen within his eyes. A tiny curl around his lips as he gazed easily down at me had me fidgeting in my seat. "I'll pick you up at 7?" He asked evenly.
It was amazing how i was able to hear my hammering heart so clearly as if my ears were pressed against my chest. I was only able to nod again due to the shock overriding my ability to speak.
Maybe he didn't care about hiding his emotions this time, or maybe he couldn't contain it anymore, but seeing my speechless figure for what seemed to be the hundredth time made him grin happily from the drivers seat. I was stunned to see his dimples, to see his straight white teeth and his face suddenly brighten with happiness that i couldn't stop my own smile from stretching across my face. Flustered with the swelling of joy filling my chest, i hid my face in my shoulder and chanted mentally to myself to relax, but it didn't work. Butterflies took control over every feeling in my body, and i didn't make a move to stop it from spreading.
Minutes passed as the silent giddy-party between us dimmed slowly, and Noah's low tone had me bringing my head back up to look at him.
"Thank you for spending the afternoon with me, Jamie." He said.
I nodded. "Thank you for wanting me too." I whispered. Noah's softly glazed over eyes had the previous episode of my giddiness racing to attack my face with a much harsher blow, i couldn't contain this level of attention a second longer and looked away, my cheeks brightening with so much color that i could feel it spreading all over my face.
My fingers reached for the door handle and once found, curled around it. I looked at him one more time and felt fire racing through my veins seeing his ocean eyes intensely on me in the position he was in: leaned back against the chair, his head tilted back exposing his pale neck. I could just imagine how heavenly he must've smelt. There was so much desire swirling in me just to reach over and nuzzle into the dip in his neck and just... be there — picturing it i could almost feel his warmth seeping into me, anticipate his smell entering my senses. My fingertips buzzed with temptation.
"So... i'll — i'll see you tomorrow." I blinked away those thoughts.
Noah, lost on his own, nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow." He drawled.
Quickly i opened the door and got out the car, slinging my bag over my shoulder as i made my way to the rental with the keys gripped tightly in my hands. Once the driver seat was unlocked i climbed in, tossing my bag over to the passenger side and putting the key in the ignition. I didn't need to look in the review mirror to know that he was still there in his car watching me leave, the burning sensation rolling through my body told me he was.
It didn't take long after that before i was pulling into the driveway of my home feeling a strong surge of discontent as the car engine shut off. The feeling was overwhelming. So much so that i didn't even want to step out the car, there was a headache forming in the back of my head just knowing what awaited for me inside those four dramatically wide walls, and no desire to meet with it.
Nevertheless, i opened the car door and climbed out with a huff.
With my bag slung over my shoulder, the coffee cup from this morning gripped in my hand and the car keys dangling from my other, i walked up to the front door with no surprise to find it open before i walked right in.
Before the door was closed and before i could even register what was happening, arms were immediately taking me into their chest, the smell of expensive perfume engulfing into my senses and making me grow stiffer with each passing second. "Jamie! It's so good to see you again! Oh, it's been so long!"
That squeaky voice had to belong to someone i knew.
I craned my neck backwards to see a head full of bright ginger hair and immediately knew who it was. I forced a smile on my face and slightly leaned into the hug received by my older brother's fiancée, Willa, who was too happy for my taste about now. Yet, she's always been like that.
"Hello, Willa." I forced the smile to widen just a bit as i moved in her hold to wrap my arms quickly around her petite body before retracting my limbs. "It's nice to see you, too."
Willa squeezed me tightly one last time before she let go, her bare arms swinging to wrap behind her as she took a step back to admire me. "You smell and look so good! Are you on a diet? You look healthier then the last time i saw you, you're hairs darker and more bouncy — did you change your perfume? Or maybe your shampoo? Because, seriously, i cannot get over your smell!"
Without warning she stepped toward me on her tippy toes uncomfortably close and took a whiff of my neck making me tense and back away slightly. She sighed in relief and stepped back down to her heels. "It smells like sunshine!" She laughed at my stunned expression.
Low chuckles were heard entering the room catching our attention. I turned my head in the direction it was coming from and with relief slumped my shoulders at the sight of my brother, James, leant up against the corner wall of the hallway leading toward the living room. He looked younger wearing a regular baseball tee and jeans, certainly not how he looked in his work clothes. It was nice to see him again.
"Babe! Come here, smell your sister and tell me if she smells like sunshine or not!" Willa exclaimed happily.
"Hi, James." I waved once, ignoring his fiancée's words.
James shook his head and pushed himself off the wall and walked toward us. He opened his arms when coming toward me and engulfed me in a tight embrace, in the process shoving my face into his shoulder as he squeezed the air from my lungs. "It's nice to see you, little sister." He chastely kissed my temple before letting me go. "And, yes, you do smell like sunshine."
I shook my head and averted my gaze as the two lovebirds cuddled each other, their snickering laughter to the joke making me restless. "Erm... " I cleared my throat, "When'd you guys get here?"
"Just an hour ago," James replied with his arm slinging over his fiancées shoulder, i never noticed how tiny Willa was compared to my brother. "We have some news that we wanna share with you guys... we were just waiting until you got here so we could announce it."
I blinked, utterly shocked.
They were waiting on me?
"Oh! Um... i'm — i'm sorry. I didn't know — "
James's barking laughter cut me off. "No worries, Jamie. C'mon, everyone's in the living room waiting for us."
Willa helped me put my belongings down and wrapped her arm into mine before walking with me toward the living room, all the while talking about a nail polish color she bought but never used that would look 'great' on me. James followed us with a smile on his face, liking the expressions on my face as i tried to keep up with Willa's fast chatter.
It always amazed me how someone so tiny and sweet could talk so much within a minute and not get lost for breath.
Once in the living room i was able to make my escape from Willa and drift toward my father who was seated on an arm chair with my mother standing behind him. I smiled gently seeing my father's soft eyes squint as he smiled up at me and bent down just slightly to greet him with a hug. Never having the time to see him anymore really did take a toll on me, and by the looks of it, him too. Unlike my mother, my father and i had a close relationship when i was a child that only progressed once i got older. One thing i've always been able to remember about my childhood was always following him around the house whenever he was home like a lost puppy, just taking him in with whatever little thing he did.
He was an injury lawyer and stayed at his office most of the time, only coming home when he needed a shower and fresh change of clothes before leaving again.
It was only when i got older that i never saw him as much as i used too, which really was a letdown considering how much fun everything was when he's around. He possess that light, buoyant personality that naturally draws people in. Sadly the only one who mirrored this characteristic gene was James, and maybe Carter if he would just lower down his hyperactive tone just a smidge.
"Hi, dad." I whispered, chastely kissing his blonde head.
His hand rubbed my knuckles, a smile appearing on his wrinkled face as he looked up at me. "Hey, Jam." He mumbled. I smiled upon the nickname and delicately let his hand go to round my mother.
"Good afternoon, mom." I said lightly.
My mother turned her head just the slightest bit and smiled for a split second. "Afternoon, honey."
I carefully moved past Hannah who was seated beside Carter on the large decorative couch, making sure not to touch Hannah's squeaky clean converse with my much more worn out ones. Carter looked annoyed with Hannah and upon my arrival seemed more comfortable. With a single motion he gripped my forearm and quickly tugged me down beside him on the couch leaving me with no choice but to go along with it.
Carter let out a sigh and leaned into me. "It sucks that Alize had to leave, otherwise i would've been having fun teasing you for being so late today." He whispered softly beside my ear.
Seeing a grin on Carter's face from my shocked facial expression made me smile a little and gently bump his shoulder with mine — though they weren't exactly the same height considering how much taller he was then me, but it was still fun. Especially when Carter pointed out Hannah's disapproving glower.
A squeaky voice captured everyone's attention then. "Okay, family, we have some exciting news for you... " Willa squealed, you could see the excitement in her eyes, it flowed everywhere on her skin as she looked up at my brother who had the same wide smile on his face.
They paused for a moment, letting the suspension linger in the air before they simultaneously announced, "We're having a baby!"
Not a single word rang through the house after that.
hopefully this chapter wasn't too lame. again, i apologize for it being late — there's no excuse! thank you, anyway if you are continuing to read this book, and thank you for anyone who is newly reading it and has made it this far — that's freaking amazing and i thank you for that.
please continue to stick around, i promise it'll get better with the real problems and angst that'll be coming very, very, VERY soon! :)))
- Jay. ❤️. 🌙.