16. Noah
CHAPTER 16
NOAH
She’s not home yet.
It’s one in the fucking morning and she’s not back.
I don’t want to think about where she might be, because the idea of her and Elias makes me want to vomit.
I haven’t exactly been shy about my attraction to her, but I was also clear when I rejected her, I guess. It’s my own damn fault.
Like I’ve been doing for the last hour, I continue to pace the suite. Maddie’s been out cold for hours. I tried to sleep as well, but all I did was stare up at the ceiling and fight off graphic images involving Sabrina and Elias. So I got back up and flipped on the TV. Somehow I got sucked into the Home Shopping Network, and as I’ve been pacing, I’ve come dangerously close to purchasing a leaf blower, a new set of luggage, and a panini grill.
I tug at my hair and choke back the worry that claws its way up my throat.
I have a couple of sleeping pills from the time after Annie passed away. The smart thing would be to take one and go to bed.
But I can’t.
Instead, I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and chug half of it in one go. I’m thirstier than I should be. I kept up on hydration all week. I better not be getting sick. The Miami Open is in a month. I can’t afford to miss any training time.
Today’s loss hit harder than I thought it would. It’s my own fault for getting stuck in my head. Fisher warned me to stay focused, and I tried , but once self-doubt set in, it was game over for me.
Tennis is as much a mental sport as a physical one.
Irritated with myself, I finish off the water, then chuck the empty plastic into the recycling bin.
Where is she?
Why isn’t she back yet?
With a growl, I yank my phone from my pocket and navigate to Instagram. I search for Elias and flip through the images he’s posted tonight. There are several, and it’s obvious he’s out celebrating, but Sabrina isn’t in a single one.
The door chirps and eases open, and I spin around, alert and ready.
Sabrina still looks incredible. The dress just about made my heart stop when I saw her this afternoon, and her curly hair is a beautiful wild mess I want to bury my fingers in.
Relief fills me at the sight of her, the sensation so potent I audibly exhale.
Her eyes widen at the sound, and she scans the room. “What are you still doing up?” The words are a whispered exclamation.
“Waiting for you.”
She shuts the door quietly behind her and takes a single step into the room. “Wow. Behaving like an overprotective dad, I see.”
My hackles rise at the sass in her tone. “I am an overprotective dad.”
A menacing smile curves her lips. “But you’re not my daddy.”
Eyes narrowed, I cross my arms over my chest in a move that’s defensive more than aggressive. “Sabrina.”
With a grimace, she bends down and yanks one shoe off.
“What’s wrong?”
“Blisters.” She winces. “I’m not used to heels.” With a hand on the wall for balance, she carefully removes the other one before tiptoeing her way to the couch.
“Hang tight. I have something for those.” With one finger in the air, I dash for the bathroom. I flip on the light and dig through my toiletries bag for the ointment I swear by, then search for Band-Aids.
When I have everything I need in hand, I join her on the couch. She’s lying down, elbow crooked over her eyes.
I slide onto the cushion and lift her legs gently.
As I rest them on my lap, she lowers her arm and eyes me with a tired, skeptical expression.
I apply the cool ointment to the blisters on the back of each heel, and when they’re thoroughly coated, I cover them with the bandages.
“Keep messing with my feet like that and I’m going to expect a foot massage.”
With a smirk, I dig my thumb into her arch and circle it. “Like this?”
She moans, the sound sending blood straight to my dick. “Yes. Oh yes. Don’t stop.” She bites her lip, eyes closed. “I should’ve ditched the shoes hours ago, but I’m stubborn.”
“Really?” I cajole. “I hadn’t noticed.”
She rises up from the couch only enough to swat at my arm.
“Careful,” I tease, stopping my ministrations. “I don’t have to rub your feet.”
“Fine.” She settles on her back and drapes that arm over her eyes once more. “Are you going to tell me why you were waiting up for me?”
I clench my teeth. “Do I have to?”
“Considering there’s only one child in this hotel room and you’re not it, yes, I’d prefer if you acted like an adult.”
Sighing, I fix my attention on her foot, digging into the arch. Rather than come out with it, I go with a different, more cowardly approach. “Did you have a good night with Elias?”
“No.”
A thrill shoots through me. “I’ve heard he’s a terrible lay. I’m sorry.”
She drops her arm and barks out a laugh. “Is that a joke? Are you actually joking with me?”
I shrug. “I can be funny.”
“Sure.” She draws out the word. “Is that why you’re up lurking in the dark hotel room like some weird vampire? You thought I was off having hot, sweaty sex with Elias?”
My chest seizes painfully in response to those words. “You said you were going to see if he was still up for that date.”
She winces when I dig my thumb a bit too hard into the soft part of her arch.
“Sorry,” I mumble.
“I said that because you pissed me off.”
My breath stutters. “You didn’t go out with him?”
Chin lifted, she zeroes in on me. “Nope.”
I study her, considering my next words and knowing I’m going to sound so fucking nosy. “What did you do instead?”
“Well, my boss is an asshole, but he pays me generously, so I took myself out to dinner and then I did a little exploring.”
“This late?”
“It’s possible I hung out in the lobby for an hour or two, hoping you might be up waiting for me to return and thinking I was with Elias.”
My gut clenches. “In other words, you wanted me to suffer?”
“Exactly.” She gives me a wicked smile. “Act like an asshole and I’ll treat you like one.”
“Fair enough,” I grunt.
“I’m glad you understand.” She pulls her feet up from my lap and stands. “Night.”
With a pat on my head, she shuffles away.
Why do I feel like a fucking dog that just got put in its place?