Chapter 40
NOAH
Red can make me cum in minutes, and now, her hot mouth is all I think about as I trek through mounds of snow from behind the cabins.
As I reach my cabin, kicking off my boots at the front door, I throw most of my clothes off while heading towards the bathroom.
I almost trip face-first into the shower with how hard I’m pulling to remove my goddamn sweater.
But it’s worth it. All worth it. If I can have more time with her, which I will, then I’ll hide in snowbanks forever just to taste those soft lips, to run my fingers through her thick hair.
To hear her whimpers whenever I get her close, or touch a spot she desperately craves.
My dick is already twitching again while I hang my head under the water, sighing in relief from its warmth.
I go over every moment between us as I massage my muscles, relieving tender spots. Red has no idea what beast she’s unleashed in her room, no idea what I can really do with her once I take all her clothes off.
She’s hesitant; regardless of how she came at me with that kiss, she’s holding back.
I can’t wait to unwind all her frustrations and watch her let go, like a wind-up toy finally set free.
Dissipating her anxiety, in return, helps me focus better…for now.
Her quick, witty comments and sharp tongue are perks added to our agreement. It’s nice to verbally spar with someone who isn’t afraid and won’t back down.
My phone won’t stop chiming by the time I make it to my bed, nearly naked. I'm already regretting opening the message thread with the guys.
Taylor: Drinks tonight, there is a local bar, and they have $1 margaritas.
Cody: We all have practice in the morning, and Mark has his wife coming early.
Taylor: So? I wanna get sloshed.
I start to type out my response when Mark swoops in.
Mark: Did your “one-night stand” turn you down?
Taylor sends a GIF of the middle finger.
Mark: That’s what I thought.
I feel bad for Taylor that no one wants to join in on his festivities, so I agree to attend. Probably going to regret this later, but I’m going to enjoy the time we have together before we all head back to our separate homes.
Me: What’s the attire?
Taylor: Noah, my man, is back! Dress like you’re going to the VIP lounge at Sip & Slide in downtown Manhattan.
I give him a thumbs up and start rummaging through my suitcase, which I’ve failed to unpack since arrival. My favorite black slacks are folded, surprisingly, neatly at the bottom, and a light blue sweater.
My phone chimes another six times.
Mark: If I go, you’re buying me a drink, and we leave no later than eleven.
Taylor: Since you didn’t specify which drink you want, I’m going to choose. Cody? You coming?
Mark: Fuck you.
Cody: I guess.
What a bunch of sourpusses.
Me: Cheer up, fuckers.
Mark: Bite me, Hart. I have a pregnant wife coming in the morning, and I don’t want to tend to her with a hangover.
I sent a GIF with surrendering hands.
Me: Fair point
Cody: What time are we leaving?”
Taylor: 8, and bring your A game. It’s time we show the people of Burlington how we party.
Lights blind us as we enter the only club Burlington has to offer.
Needle & Pine is nothing short of strobe lights and cheap drinks, but they know how to bump their music loud until the room rattles.
Bodies collide on the dance floor, hips swaying, grinding against their partners as heavy thumps from the bass make my body vibrate.
My shoes already stick to the floor, and they're going to be a goddamn bitch to clean after.
We find a small booth to fit all five of us, then we down our drinks. Taylor orders another round, waving a few hundred bills around. The waitress comes back with shot glasses of green liquor.
“Drink up!” Taylor shouts, throwing back his shot like it’s nothing but water.
It hits my tongue, and sour green apple coats my throat, burning right down to my stomach. Pushing my empty glass aside, I take notice of some pretty women here, but search among the crowd for that familiar, fiery hair, coming up disappointed because I know she’s not here.
It’s not intentional, yet I can’t help myself. Even now, I check my phone, knowing damn well we don’t have each other's numbers.
But I wish, and I have no goddamn idea why.
“All right! Phones away!” shouts Taylor over the music.
I tuck it back in my pocket, tapping my fingers on the wooden table. “Yes, Mom.”
Cody is ruthless and texts right in front of Taylor’s face. “You too, man.” He snags Cody’s phone, locks it, and slips it into his front pocket. “No texting tonight. We party and let loose. Remind ourselves to have fun and get the town rooting for Snowy Peak!”
Mark shakes his head. “Did you take your own shots before we left?”
He kisses Mark's cheek and jumps out of the booth. “Fuck yeah, I did!”
Mark wipes his face in disgust. “Why are you such a sloppy kisser!?”
Taylor is already heading toward the crowded dance floor, and people start cheering when he slithers his way through.
“That fucker has my phone,” mutters Cody.
“I think you can go one night without talking to Kara,” says Mark. He calls over a waitress and orders water for the whole table.
“I’m done talking to her,” he states.
I’m about to ask why when his eyes follow someone behind me. Peeking over my shoulder, Henry comes closer, clutching a water bottle for dear life. “A club? Really?”
I roll my eyes, groaning. “My babysitter has arrived.”
He kicks my legs, forcing me to slide further into the booth, taking my seat. “Your fault for inviting me on this trip.”
“And you’re here right now because…?” God forbid the bastard takes a night off or picks up a hobby. Yes, I hired him for his expertise in keeping my shit together, but I can’t remember the last time he’s taken time to relax for himself.
“You’re here now. Let’s just get through this night so I can go home and sleep.” Our waitress returns with glasses of iced water. Mark takes them off the tray for her and hands us each a cold glass. “Otherwise, my wife is going to murder me if I’m late meeting her at the airport.”
“Adelaide is coming?” asks Henry, smiling. “Please tell me she’s bringing—”
“Her famous chocolate chip cookies? Yeah, she made sure it was a part of her carry-on.”
“Fuck yeah!”
One minute we’re chilling in our own booth, the next, Taylor comes barreling through the crowd, out of breath, leaning against Henry for support. “We gotta go. Now.”
“Why? Whose boyfriend did you sleep with now?” Mark comments, sipping his water.
Suddenly, Maya shows up, waving at Cody.
He smiles and waves back. No way…he can’t be…Red’s best friend?
Henry stiffens beside me, staring between them. Cody forces Mark to move and joins her by the dance floor, greeting her with a hug.
“Huh, never would’ve guessed,” I say.
“What is she doing here?” Henry crosses his arms. “Isn’t she too young to be here?”
I smack his back, making him jump. “She’s probably the same age as Red.”
Speaking of Red, I wish she came—
“We need to leave. We should’ve left two seconds ago!” Taylor is white as a ghost, shaking the shit out of Henry to move.
“Are you all right? Why are we trying to flee like criminals?” I never get my answer, because I never hear past the roaring in my ears. No, all I see is familiar dark hair, a woman, and a man…a man I once called my best friend at the edge of the dance floor, hands intertwined.
How, out of all goddamn fucking places…
Because they’re on vacation and Olivia never tagged the place. It’s my shitty luck she’s here with him now.
I’m pushing Henry, knocking Taylor on his ass, when his hands grip my pant leg. “Let go!”
Mark has his arms around my waist, pulling me back, shouting in my ear. “You’re gonna cause a huge scene and ruin everything for Maya and her family if you go over there right now.”
I can’t do that…not to Maya…especially not to Red. Her face comes to mind, taming my wild beast, simmering my anger to almost nothing.
They don’t see me, but I catch every move, every touch, between them. Holding onto Red’s face is the only thing keeping me in control of my emotions. “Why the fuck are they here?”
“They probably don’t know about the event,” mentions Henry, helping Taylor to his feet. “I mean, if they did, they wouldn’t be stupid enough to come here of all places for a vacation, let alone this fucking club.”
But they’re here now, unaware of how close I am to landing a good hit to Sean’s face. But my anchor, for some strange reason, is a woman so feisty, she has no idea she’s keeping me grounded, and she’s not even here.
Fuck, I can’t wait to see Red tomorrow.