8. Beneath the Surface #2
I didn’t really know how I felt about that answer.
I could never see myself with another person sexually, if there wasn’t some sort of connection.
But then again, I didn’t know the specifics of Noah’s past with Silas, and as much as I wanted to ask him about it, I decided not to.
Instead, I pressed the button to turn off the water in the shower.
I stood for a moment, the fresh smell lingering, the water droplets falling down my now red skin from the amount I scrubbed.
The sound of Noah rising from his seat filled my ears. He paced across the room to where the towels were laid out for me, bringing it back to the side opening of the walk-in shower. He tilted his chin down as I approached, the towel extended towards me, like an offering.
I took the towel, wrapping it around my body. “Then what is it?” I asked, almost impatiently.
Noah’s eyes collided into mine without warning and locked themselves there. My breath flew from my chest. I was stunned by the intensity of his gaze.
“I don’t know. I guess I’m just...” His lips curled up into a little crooked smirk. “...addicted to that type of danger.”
Despite his fierce demeanor, he seemed to be beckoning me in. Was that pure blown lust that flooded his expression? And why did I find it so captivating?
“I don’t want you to go through with it,” I blabbed out by accident.
He raised an eyebrow. “With what?”
My mouth was dry. “Tomorrow. I don’t want you to give yourself to...that man.”
Noah sighed, leaning against the side of the shower with one arm, angling his face closer to my own.
His gaze didn’t waver.
“Delane,” he began, “I know that we’ve just met, but…” he brushed a strand of my damp hair behind my ear. “I like you.”
A steady rhythm of hard pounds beat up into my ears. I briefly wondered if he could hear the deafening clamor of my heart as well I did. The blood rushed into my cheeks and face.
Noah didn’t seem to notice my heightened panic.
“I’m glad that I could save you, and I have no problem accepting Silas’s demands. You should never have had to experience what you did this evening.” He touched my chin with his hand. “So perk up a little. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
The emotions I held in all night were slowly rising to my surface.
I wasn’t sure how much longer I was going to be able to hold my shit together.
The last thing I wanted was for someone to be hurt in my place.
Now, I owed Noah somehow, a man I barely knew.
How was it that this person was willing to risk himself for someone like me?
“I feel like...such a burden...” I whispered, mostly to myself.
“You’re not,” his answer was so swift, it caught me by surprise.
I willed myself not to cry in front of him. I would not be showing any more weakness tonight. I couldn’t save myself physically without the help of another, but I needed to spare some of my dignity, if it was the last thing I did tonight.
“How so?”
Noah shrugged. “I think it’s kind of cool, being a hero for once. To help someone else who needs it. That, and I get to have a beautiful woman sleeping in one of my guest bedrooms?”
My mouth dropped and he winked. “See? All is well.”
Noah cocked his head towards the door and extended a hand to help me out of the shower. I grabbed the clothes his mom had laid out for me from the counter.
“Come on, let me show you where you’ll sleep.”
He led me back into the bedroom. The beds were covered over with satin sheets and puffy blankets thick as clouds that I was sure would keep me warm during my rest. The room itself was large and airy, and the enormous windows were draped in a rich colored cloth that hung all the way down to the floor.
On either side of the bed were two big lamps with tiny compartments inside.
Each piece of furniture had gold finishing.
“This is wonderful, thank you.” I remarked, lost for any other words.
“I’m glad you like it.”
I stepped forward on impulse, laying myself back against the plush covers of the bed. I sighed in contentment. “It’s perfect, honestly.”
Noah laughed, and it was like a warm, golden sound filling my ears.
“Thank you, so much,” I thought out loud. I meant it.
He said nothing, but walked forward until he was standing over me on the side of the bed. He sat down next to me. I couldn’t help but be hyper aware of how his legs brushed the exposed part of my thigh. My towel had hiked up a little from how I laid on the bed, and now I felt flushed.
“It was worth it, to me,” he answered.
I had a dozen questions that suddenly bubbled up to my throat. I knew that this was the time to ask them. I’d probably never get the chance to again.
A small buzz from on the side of me caused us to jump. I looked at Noah and laughed; the sound was coming from his pocket.
Noah had a sudden burst of energy. “Hey, maybe it’s your friend giving us a call back!”
I reached for the cell and sure enough, recognized the number on the screen. I slid the little green icon like my life depended on it. “Hello? Chels?”
A satisfied sigh came from the other end. “Dude, Delane. I totally got laid. Where did you go?”
I rolled my eyes. How wonderful it was that my friend got laid at the expense of my livelihood and safety. Noah watched my annoyed expression with a hint of amusement behind his dark eyes.
“Where did I go? You have got to be kidding me. Where did you go? And where the hell are you, now?” I chastised.
“Hmm. Idk, some guy’s house.”
“You slut!”
Noah’s eyes widened and he covered his mouth to stifle a chuckle. I wanted to slap myself for cussing in front of him in that way.
Great, now he probably just thinks I’m one of those girls.
“I know, right?” Chelsea laughed, completely agreeing with me. “Did you get home safe?”
I shifted uncomfortably. “Not exactly.”
The sound of a squeaking mattress on the other end told me she was sitting up in bed. “What happened, babe?”
“Nothing. I’ll tell you later. I’m safe now.”
Noah studied me.
“Are you at home?” Chelsea questioned.
I glanced at Noah. “Ummm...”
“My house?”
“I’m in the Hansen estate.”
I pulled the phone away from my ear, preemptively preparing for what was about to occur.
“HOLY FUCKING GOD! IN THE ESTATE? ARE YOU POSITIVE? DID YOU GET TO MEET THEM? I think I might have seen their building on a show before! OMG! Damn my luck – I should’ve stayed with you! FUCKING SHIT BALLS!”
Of course, Chelsea would’ve known exactly who Noah’s family was just by the name. I was sure that whenever I spoke with her next, she’d be lecturing me about how I needed to stop “living under a rock” and get out more.
Noah gave me a strange look and mouthed the words, “Is she crazy?”
I nodded to his question and returned the phone to my ear. “Are you done?”
“I think so.”
“Okay, well—”
“AAAAH! THAT IS SOOOOO AWESOME!”
I flinched.
“Okay sorry,” she said softly. “I had to get that out of my system. You’re sure that you’re okay? Why didn’t you just go home?”
“I left my phone in my purse and my purse is locked in the stupid bar. So, I don’t have my keys to get in. And you weren’t answering when I used… someone’s phone to call.”
Noah unintentionally yawned. I glared at him, knowing that he was close enough to the phone that Chelsea heard it.
“What was that?” Chelsea questioned, almost instantly, just like I knew she would. She was the female version of Sherlock Holmes.