Chapter Sixteen
Noah
Bobbi’s eyes snap open, anger erupting in their depths. “Don’t make me hurt you, Noah.”
“I can think of a much better way to make me shut up.”
I cradle her face and kiss her hard. I thrust my tongue in, claiming her, tasting her. Every nerve in my body tingles, my blood turning thick and hot and my heart racing hard. Just having her mouth on me makes me feel alive. She wraps her hands around my wrists and exerts enough force to bruise, trying to push me away.
I deepen the kiss, stroking her tongue and nipping gently at her delicate, soft lips. She tastes of wine and Bobbi and all the dreams that seem so impossible and beautiful when I lie hidden in the dark with my scope trained on a target. Of the gorgeous, shining vision that made me care about living on that smoking plane.
She doesn’t kiss me back at first, so I kiss her enough for both of us. Drop a hand from her cheek and run it along the smooth slope of her shoulder, then the lean line of her biceps, then cup her pretty breast in my palm.
A low groan pulls from her chest, vibrating through the soft mound in my hand. She lets go of my other wrist and her fingers curl into my hair harder than is comfortable. The minor pain grounds me in the moment, reminding me I’m alive and with the only woman I’ll ever love.
Her mouth is aggressive now, her teeth biting into me like she wants to vent her frustration and anger through the kiss. Laughing softly, I let her unleash it all on me. I want to own everything about her. Her laughter, her tears, her love, her hatred—all mine.
I move her until she’s perched on the edge of the vanity. The mirror behind Bobbi reflects the one behind me, showing an endless row of images vanishing into the distance. Her glazed eyes, her swollen lips, her cheeks now rosy with lust as well as anger. Hot blood pools in my dick, and it begins to ache so much, even the top of my head tingles. She pulls my head down for another stark kiss; I kiss her back, plundering her mouth, while letting her take all she wants. I run my hands along her body, exploring and relearning the lean strength and feminine lines that never fail to incite my lust.
My palm glides along the smooth, warm curve of thigh exposed by the side slit, then slips under the dress. She’s hot, and my blood boils. I want to drive into her over and over again until she’s branded as mine.
I push away the thin strip of her thong, her heated slickness coating my fingers. She whimpers against my mouth, her fingers flexing in my hair like she can’t decide if she should want the pleasure I’m offering.
Oh my light, you shouldn’t just want it, you should crave it, demand it, take it.
I run my fingers along the crease between her thigh and wetness, giving her a moment to decide because it’s ultimately her choice. She pinches her eyebrows as though in pain. Slowly the quivering tension in her legs eases a little, giving me better access.
Good girl.
Her eyes flutter open, glazed and beautiful. Maybe I said it out loud because she flushes. I push two fingers into her hot depths the way she likes, while my thumb toys with her amazingly sensitive clit. She tilts her head back, stifling a moan.
I bury my face in the crook of her neck, sucking and kissing the delicate skin there, as I pump my fingers. My dick is impossibly hard now, my pants unbearably tight, but I ignore it. This is for her. For my Bobbi—my light.
Her pussy tightens, a soft whimper escaping through her closed lips. Little shudders run through her, a sign that she’s climbing higher—she’s close.
I increase the tempo. Watch the pleasure building on her expressive face, her rosy mouth soft, her breathing going shallow and sweat misting over her soft skin. She lets go of my hair and clings to my shoulders, getting ready to ride out the climax breaking over her. No matter how many times I feel her come, every occasion is special. And it’s no different now.
My fingers rub the inner spot that always drives her crazy. She doesn’t hold back her moans anymore as every muscle in her body tightens.
“Noah.” The call is half-plea, and I almost come in my pants. “Noah,” she says again. But this time, it’s tinged with uncertainty and fear, as though she’s afraid I might disappear, just another ghosting act to add to many before.
My love, you know I’ve never disappointed you in bed.
“Bobbi, come for me, baby.” I thrust harder, faster, ruthlessly pushing her higher. Her breathing grows hitched, uneven, a thin sound coming from her throat.
Then her orgasm hits. She wraps her arms and legs around me as she shudders. I hold her tight with one arm, guiding her climax, then pushing another one on her.
She groans against my neck, her scent enveloping me, and I shake with unanswered need. I stroke her back, then kiss her temple, taste her salt and sweetness.
A quiet moment settles over us, like peace after a storm. I hold her, cherishing it and glad I didn’t give up when the plane dropped.
An impatient rattling shatters our delicate intimacy. “Why is this locked?” a young girlish voice complains from the other side of the door.
Bobbi stiffens, then pushes me away. Her eyes are no longer soft, but hard with self-recrimination and regret.
“Hey. Don’t be sorry about what happened,” I say.
“It wasn’t the smartest thing.”
“Feels like one of the smartest things I’ve ever done.”
Refusing to look at me, Bobbi straightens, squirming to realign her thong and running her hands down her dress to smooth it. She can fuss with her clothes all she wants, but she can’t hide the post-orgasm flush or the marks I left on her neck. “You think you’re being clever, Noah, but this…encounter doesn’t change anything between us. I’m not getting married for free dinners and a ring. I’m marrying for commitment, which you can never give me.”
That hurts…and I can’t even argue because she’s right. I wasn’t always around because I thought I could keep my distance every time my work might put her in danger. To make sure I couldn’t go back to her, I broke my word on purpose…except I couldn’t stay away.
Up to now, she forgave me because she liked me, and I shamefully took advantage of that, relieved that she still cared about me. The idea that she might actively push me away never seemed to be a possibility when I decided to see her after the crash. I had finally accepted that I couldn’t live without her, and would just have to be extra vigilant to keep her safe—or even quit the business altogether. My work is important, but nothing’s as important as Bobbi. “I’m here now.”
Bang, bang, bang!There are more impatient knocks on the door.
“There’s another bathroom right next to this one!” I shout in case she’s the type to pee when she sneezes.
“Noah! Don’t do this!” the woman yells from outside.
What the hell?
“Uh, ‘Noah, don’t do this’?” Bobbi shoots me an are-you-serious? look.
“Bobbi, trust me, I don’t even know her.” I’ve never heard that voice before. It’s so nasal the woman seems like an elephant with a cold.
“Yeah sure.” Bobbi’s lips twist into a humorless smile. “Let’s just assume she’s talking about some other Noah.” She shakes her head. “But let’s see if you can answer this question: How long are you going to stick around this time?”
“Forever. The answer is forever. I’ll make up for everything.”
She lets out a laugh. “How? By sending more flowers?” she says. “The bakery opening might’ve been some silly little event to you, compared to your amazing adventures and photography, but it was a milestone for me. A big one. And I need someone who recognizes what’s important and can share those moments.”
“And I will—”
“Until a year ago, when I thought about my future, you were in it. But now…” She shrugs. “You aren’t part of the picture anymore.”
She unlocks the door and stands to the side. A brunette in a skin-tight black dress is right in front of the door, arms crossed over a medically pumped-up chest. She pushes off the wall she was leaning against, uncrosses her arms and props her hands on her hips. Sharp eyes rake over Bobbi, noting the flush and the soft glow.
She turns to me with an almost unholy triumph. “Noah!” Before I can process her weird reaction, she launches herself forward, grabs my shirt and pulls me down as she stretches upward. I press my lips together hard just as her open mouth lands on mine. Her kiss is clammy, and smells of an eye-watering mint mouthwash. She tries to shove her slug-like tongue into my mouth, and I go cold.
I grip her arms firmly—but not so hard that they’ll end up bruised—and push her away. Her overinflated lips are pursed in a perfect circle. It reminds me of a suction cup on an octopus tentacle and sends nasty shivers down my spine.
The whole thing happens fast, and my heart is thumping—for all the wrong reasons. Bobbi snorts in disgust. This has to look like a total shitshow to her.
“Noah, honey, I’ve been looking all over for you! I’m ready to have your baby now.”
What?
“I just knew we were destined to be the moment our gazes collided.” She sounds like a third-rate actress reading a fourth-rate script. “Don’t you feel it? The galactic tidal pull?”
“Who are you?”
“Rammi.” She winks. “Get it? Ram-Me?” She bats her eyelashes while trying to give me a direct fuck me look. It doesn’t work.
Then it hits me: Joey apparently hasn’t forgotten about me after all, not after our run-in at Gion Shiyaki. His women just haven’t had a chance to get to me because I’ve been holed up, working on the report Mom wanted. Oh, shit.
Bobbi looks half-humiliated and half-revolted. “Wow.”
“This isn’t what it looks like,” I say, while Rammi is doing her best to squish her overflowing breasts against my chest. I don’t know what’s been done to her tits, but her nipples seem to be permanently erect.
Bobbi’s eyes rake us up and down, taking in the whole tableau. “Nah.” Her tone says, How stupid do you think I am? “It’s fine. Have your fun with Rim-Me.”
She starts to walk back to the dining area. I shove Rammi into the bathroom. “It’s all yours!” I close the door and rush after Bobbi. Her long strides have already taken her halfway to her table where the Asian guy is faithfully waiting.
The door to the bathroom crashes open behind me and a rapid clattering of heels against the hard floor follows. There’s no way I can have a productive conversation with Bobbi with Rammi in the picture. Because if the roles were reversed and some asshole tried to rub his dick against Bobbi…
I rush past Huxley. “Get the bill, Hux, thanks!” I say as I hurry to exit the restaurant before Rammi does anything to dig an even deeper hole for me.
Huxley gawks at me, at the woman in hot pursuit and then jumps up and stabs his finger at us. “Ah-ha! I knew it!”