Through the Flames (The Lost Letters #1)

22. Noah

Chapter 22

Noah

“ L illy?”

Her faraway look clears, and her gaze darts to mine. “Huh? Sorry. What did you say?”

“I was asking you about your aunt’s store. Are you okay?”

She leans forward and lowers her voice. “I was eavesdropping. That poor guy over there is getting ganged up on by his family. They’re trying to convince him to go on vacation with them, but it sounds like they only want him there as a babysitter.”

I look over her shoulder to see a group of four people at a table behind ours. Based on how much they look alike, I’m guessing it’s two parents and two grown children. Lilly and I turn silent as their conversation reaches our table.

“No. Every time you guys rope me into a vacation, I have to be the one to stay with the kids while you go out and have fun,” the son says.

“You have fun, too. And don’t act like you have all these interests you suddenly want to explore. You stay at home all the time,” his sister snarks in reply. “I have three kids, Isaiah. I deserve a break.”

“I’m not saying you don’t, Chelsea. I’m merely explaining to you that I do not want to be a babysitter on what should be my vacation.”

“It’s not like you have a partner or anyone to spend time with,” Chelsea argues.

“That was a low blow, Chels. Look, regardless of how you feel. I’m not going with you.”

“Not even if we paid for your trip?”

“Not even then, Mom.”

“Yikes. That’s so horrible for him,” Lilly says when it becomes obvious their conversation is over.

“I hope they don’t get mad at him for that. I wouldn’t want to babysit my sister’s kids on my vacation either.” I feel bad for the guy. Being the only single one in the group is tough. When I was a teenager, I defaulted to being the babysitter of our family since I was the oldest of the kids. Luckily, my aunts and uncles never took that for granted and always made sure I had time for myself.

“Me either. I can understand where she is coming from, but to force your brother to babysit your kids to get some alone time? Not cool.” Lilly shakes her head. “Anyway, sorry, I derailed our conversation. Juicy drama when I’m not involved is my kryptonite.”

I laugh. “It’s all good. I’m usually oblivious to that kind of stuff.”

“You were asking about Christine’s store?”

“Yeah, I was wondering how she got into that business.”

“She’s always been a little bit of a hippie. She married my mom’s brother when I was little and was always a black sheep. Mom was never a fan of her and had no qualms about sharing her distaste. Christine just let it roll off her back. I always admired her for that.

“She started selling her homemade soaps from their house and made a decent living doing it. Mom always said she was using my uncle for his money, but I later learned Christine had more money than my uncle when they got married. She just never showed it, or talked about it, for that matter. After my uncle died, she decided to open a store to give her something to distract her from her grief. It became super successful, and Mom had to eat crow for all her disparaging comments.”

“Wow. Christine must be a badass to not only build a business on her own but to put up with your mom’s rhetoric, as well.”

“I’ve always admired her, but after she built her business, it became even more apparent how truly amazing she is.”

Lilly downs the last gulp of her wine as the waiter brings the check to the table. I quickly hand over my card to pay, and the waiter returns with my receipt. “Are you ready to head out?”

Lilly gives me a small smile. “Yeah. Thank you for dinner. Your uncles have outdone themselves with this place.”

“Of course. They’ll be happy to hear you enjoyed their food.” I press my hand against the small of her back while we walk toward the front door. Lilly leans into my touch, making pride swell in my chest. When we get out to my truck, I open her door for her before getting in on the other side.

Lilly’s hands are twisted in her lap, giving away her nerves about what comes next. It’s only just now registering that she might feel pressured to spend the night with me, given how I went about setting it up. “Do you want me to take you home? I had a surprise planned, but I don’t want you to think you have to stay overnight with me. I’m only now realizing I took that decision away from you. I should’ve asked first. I’m sorry.”

“No.” She reaches out to place her hand on my forearm. “I’m grateful you did. I would’ve battled with myself if I had to choose. I want to spend this time with you. I’m just nervous. The last time we spent the night together, alcohol helped me get over my self-doubt. Then, it ended in spectacular fashion. I just don’t want to ruin this night, too.”

“Come here,” I say softly. Lilly leans toward me, and I palm her cheek. “That night brought me everything I’ve always dreamed of having.” I take a breath, readying myself to pour my heart out to the only woman I’ve ever loved. “I’ve wanted you since I was sixteen years old, Bumblebee. I knew the day I met you that you would come to mean more to me than anyone in the world. You’ve given me the family I’ve always dreamed of having. Because of your bravery and strength, my dreams are coming true. Will you let me show you how much I want you?”

“Yes,” she whispers. All the same emotions pouring out of me are being reciprocated, and I lean in to capture every ounce of Lilly’s desire with my lips. Her mouth is pliant under mine, allowing me to take what I want and giving her everything in return.

Reluctantly, I pull back. When she moans in protest, I grin. “Save that for later. I want to show you something.”

She adorably huffs, sitting back in her seat. I put the truck in drive and head toward our next destination. We’re both quiet, the hum of the truck’s tires the only sound in the cab. Lilly has kept her hand in mine the entire time, and I refuse to loosen my grasp. I love the feel of her soft hand against my rough one.

About fifteen minutes later, I pull off the road and park in one of my favorite spots. The empty field is surrounded by green trees that provide a sense of privacy. There’s one section where the trees open to a clearing. You can see the entire town from the higher vantage point, and the night sky is littered with stars.

I back my truck up to the edge of the clearing and ask Lilly to stay in the car while I get everything set up. Working as quickly as possible, I put the projector screen together and then blow up the air mattress in the bed of my truck. I add the final details to the scene before opening Lilly’s door.

“I’m going to carry you around the truck so you don’t have to wade through the field in your pretty dress,” I tell her. She starts to protest, but I just scoop her into my arms before she can say anything more.

“Noah!” She squeals. Her arms tighten around my neck as I whirl her around in a circle. Her head drops back in the most carefree laugh I’ve heard from her, and all I can do is smile back at her. She’s always gorgeous, but that look hits me straight in the gut.

I carry her over to the tailgate and sit her down. With gentle hands, I help her out of her shoes and then climb up onto the air mattress beside her. “Hopefully, my movie choice is okay. It’s the only one I downloaded. I don’t get great service out here, so streaming isn’t an option.”

“I don’t even care what we watch. This is amazing, Noah. You didn’t have to do all of this for me.”

“I wanted to. I almost took you to the drive-in theatre, but I wanted to spend time alone with you. This was the best of both worlds.”

“It’s beyond words.”

I cue the movie from my phone and double-check that the battery pack is keeping my phone charged. Then I pull out Lilly’s favorite movie snacks as the intro scene begins.

Lilly gasps, her eyes glued to the screen. “How did you remember this is my favorite movie?”

“I remember everything about you.” I shrug.

When she sees the food I brought, tears pool in her eyes. “This is too much. I can’t even…”

“It’s not enough. I have so much to make up for, Bumblebee. There isn’t enough time to even scratch the surface, but I’m determined to try.”

Lilly leans in to kiss me, her hand cupping my cheek. It starts innocently enough. Her sweet mouth presses gentle kiss after gentle kiss to my lips. But then her tongue swipes across my lower lip, sending a bolt of heat straight through me. I open my mouth without thought, too caught up in the addictive taste of her to decide if this is a good idea. We’re out in the open, although completely alone.

Her tongue explores my mouth, and with each delicious sweep, I fall further into her. I wrap my arm around her waist to pull her closer. Lilly takes it a step further and straddles my lap. The heat of her body pressing into mine is almost too much to handle. The very loose hold I have on my control threatens to explode at any moment.

The movie continues to play. The characters’ voices blur in the haze of lust that descends over us.

Lilly’s hands begin to roam. Around my neck, over my shoulders, and down until her fingers rub tantalizing lines back and forth along my waistband. The sensation sends goose bumps across my skin.

She starts working the buttons of my shirt, her mouth following the path of her hands. She finds the sensitive spot where my shoulder meets my neck and sucks. I’ll have a mark there tomorrow, and I’ll wear it with pride. My shirt is pushed off my shoulders until it’s pooled behind my back.

When her hands start to unbutton my pants, I grab them. “Oh, no, you don’t. It’s tit for tat around here.”

The heated look she gives me makes my blood sing. I’m fucking light-headed with how fast my cock has hardened. And that’s before she reaches behind her for the zipper on her dress. The material loosens around her shoulders, sliding seductively down her arms until it pools around her waist.

“Fuck.” The black mesh encasing her tits is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Her nipples are already peaked, and every detail is on display for me. I lean in and wrap my mouth around one breast through the material, cupping the other one with my hand. Lilly’s breathy moan goes straight to my balls. All I want to do is pound into her body until she’s screaming my name.

If worshipping her wasn’t as equal of a want, I might’ve done it, too.

Instead, I flip us over so she’s lying under me. I pull her dress down over her hips to find matching black panties showing off just as much as her bra. She cries out when I press my face into her pussy. I drag my tongue over the mesh, her taste exploding in my mouth. I waste no time, yanking her underwear down her legs and diving right back in.

Lilly’s fingers spear through my hair as her hips start to roll.

“That’s it, Bumblebee. Ride my face.” I use my thumbs to spread her open to my assault. My focus stays on her clit, sucking the tight bud into my mouth and flicking it until her body begins to quiver in my hands.

“More,” Lilly moans. “I need more.”

“More of what? My fingers? My cock. Tell me what you want, baby.”

“Your cock. I want your cock. Please, Noah.” The wild look in her eyes is my undoing. I rip my pants off, not giving a fuck if I break the button in the process.

I start to pull a condom from my pocket when Lilly sits up. “I’m on birth control. And I haven’t been with anyone except you since Nellie was born.”

I stare at her dumbfounded. “What are you saying? You’re okay with me going bare?”

She nods.

“Fuck, Bumblebee.” I press a kiss to her lips. “I’m clean. I swear. I got tested a couple of months ago at my physical. You’re the only one I’ve been with in a long time.” Two years, but who’s counting?

“Then I need you to fuck me. Right now.”

“Jesus Christ.” I grab the base of my cock and squeeze. I’m entirely too close to coming, and we haven’t even done anything.

Lilly pulls me down on top of her, my chest pressing into her soft curves. I kiss her hard, trying to convey every overwhelming feeling. She wraps her legs around my waist. Her heels dig into my ass to pull me closer so my cock drags through her dripping center. I tease her with a few thrusts until I can’t hold back anymore. She seems to have the same thought because her small hand wraps around me and directs me to her opening.

I slide inside her with steady pressure. We both gasp when my hips press against her ass. It’s too much. Going bare with Lilly is better than I ever imagined it would be. “I’ll never get enough of you,” I whisper in her ear. “No matter how many lifetimes we have together, it’ll never be enough.

I start slow, my hips rolling in waves to grind against her clit. Our lips press together in an open-mouth kiss, swallowing every gasp and moan. Lilly’s fingers dig into my back, her nails scoring into my skin as my thrusts begin to speed up.

“Noah,” she breathes. Her eyes are wide, pleading with me.

“I’ve got you. I will always have you. Let go, Bumblebee.”

Her lashes flutter as her body tightens around me. I keep pounding into her, riding every wave of her orgasm with her. There’s no way I could hold back my own with the way her pussy pulls me in deeper with every stroke.

I shudder through each spurt, overwhelmed with the intensity. I’ve never felt anything like this before, and I know, without a single doubt, nothing will ever compare. I could search the world three times over and I’d never find a woman like Lilly Gallagher.

I nuzzle my nose against hers as we both come down from the high. Gentle kisses and sliding hands keep us connected by more than just our bodies.

Lilly’s brown eyes pin me with a heavy stare. This moment isn’t just us reconnecting physically. We’re committing to each other. I’ve promised to be by her side in every way I can while she’s accepted me back into her life for good.

“You mean more to me than the world, Lilly. Thank you for giving me another chance.”

“Thank you for not giving up on me, even though you had every reason to move on.”

“Never.”