Chapter 19 NORA
NORA
ZAYDEN’S MUM WON’T STOP staring at me.
She introduces herself as Louise and has a wide, almost creepy grin on her face that has not changed since we walked into the restaurant.
She seemed surprised to see me, as if I was nothing like the kind of girl she imagined Zayden would date, but I think that’s valid – I’m not.
In fact, I’m quite possibly the opposite, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all. Just different.
‘You are gorgeous!’ she gushes, already having said that to me when we first arrived at the restaurant.
‘Thank you,’ I smile, feeling myself blush.
There is a noticeable awkwardness between the two of them and Zayden quickly escapes to the bar, ordering us a round of drinks.
I am seated opposite Louise, and fiddle with the menu as she stares at me.
The server came and went so quickly, but the wait for our food has climbed up to almost thirty minutes.
‘I appreciate you two meeting me tonight. I’m guessing it was your idea,’ she says.
That’s true. It was my idea, but I don’t confirm or deny it.
‘It’s beautiful here,’ I say instead. ‘I’ve never visited Bliss Bay. What a stunning place to live.’
‘We are very fortunate to call this place home,’ she replies in agreement. ‘Well, me, anyway. The kids have since moved on. They both seem to be happy and doing a lot, which is lovely.’
Zayden rejoins us, falling into the seat beside me.
They look alike. Similar skin colour, although Zayden’s hair is far more sun-streaked.
She has lines around her eyes and the corners of her mouth.
Her long brunette hair has light tips that fall down her shoulders in a natural wave, so similar to how Anya wears her hair.
Chatter fills the restaurant, and most tables are filled. There aren’t a huge array of options in a small town like this and with such good weather this weekend, everyone appears to be out and about, soaking it up while they can.
My stomach grumbles as the server appears. He places the plates down and then hurries away. I glance around, not seeing many others out on the floor. They must be short-staffed tonight.
Louise and I talk the most. Zayden sits back, eyes flicking back and forth between us.
He doesn’t look stressed or uncomfortable, but he is certainly more quiet than usual.
In fact, this is the least he’s talked around me ever.
Louise is easy to talk to and I’m enjoying getting to know her.
I particularly love the stories she shares of Zayden growing up.
He warms up at the mention of these and joins in on the conversation.
The more they talk, the more I spot the similarities between the two of them.
‘You’re still adding too much salt to everything, I see,’ she muses, voice soft, sounding similar to Anya.
‘Guess I inherited your bad habits,’ Zayden replies, still spreading the salt around his food, a bit too generously.
‘Maybe. You did inherit my stubbornness.’
Zayden nods, his cheek twitching. ‘Yeah.’ He stabs his fork into his steak, having almost finished his dinner already, while the two of us have barely made a dent in ours.
‘I’m proud of you, sweetheart,’ she says. ‘I’ve missed you. I hate to think about the time we’ve lost.’
Swallowing, I look down at my plate, feeling like this is a moment they should share alone.
Zayden is quiet. ‘Well, we are here now. That’s what matters, right?’
‘Yeah. I suppose you’re right.’
I finally dare to look up and she smiles at me, looking warm but also apologetic for having brought it up during dinner.
‘Well,’ Zayden says, still chewing his last mouthful. ‘Who wants dessert?’
The moment we’re through the door, Zayden’s mouth is on mine.
The kiss is deep, hard and fuelled with desperate longing. His fingers are in my hair, his body flush against mine, and my back is slammed against the wall. He pulls back, resting his forehead on mine.
‘Are you sure you’re ready for this?’ he asks me, voice breathy.
‘Yes,’ I reply. ‘I need you. I need more.’
The small gap between us closes and I loop my arms around his neck. He presses harder into me, and I know this time, there is nothing stopping us. I’ve been wanting to do this with him since the moment I laid eyes on him.
His tongue is dominant and teasing as he plays it against mine, making the fluttering sensation that only he has ever made me feel wash through me. Tingles erupt throughout my body and I kiss him harder, almost impatiently.
We are moving and then I’m falling. My back lands on the bed and there’s a brief moment of nothing, before his hands are everywhere, all over my body, his mouth dragging across my throat. I arch into him, needing to be closer, even though there is no space left between us.
He pulls back, fumbling for the bottom of my dress. He peels it off my body and discards it to the side. His eyes are dark as he assesses me, lust and adoration swirling in his gaze.
‘I’m so fucking obsessed with you, you have no idea,’ Zayden says breathlessly.
I reach behind me to undo my bra at the same time he throws his shirt off. His mouth encloses my nipple and I moan. This is the second time his tongue has touched me there and I’m becoming addicted to the feel of it.
Reaching up, I place my hands against his chest. His heart hammers beneath his skin, mirroring the rhythm of mine.
His hands skim down the sides of my body and he hooks his fingers in my waistband, pulling my underwear down my thighs. I can barely breathe as the air nips at my exposed skin. I used to be so self-conscious, but with Zayden, I don’t need to be. He makes me feel bold, sexy and powerful.
‘You are so beautiful. Inside and out.’
I wish I could reply, but my brain is not connecting to my mouth. I can only focus on his hands on my body and all the sensations exploding through me. My eyes meet his and I fall a little bit more in love with him.
Rolling my hips – something I learnt Zayden very much enjoys – I grind myself against him, the friction feeling delightful.
‘The moment I first saw you, I felt something for you,’ he admits.
‘I did, too,’ I reply, breathlessly. ‘I never thought it would happen between us. You’re so far out of my league.’
Zayden scoffs, looking completely baffled by my words. ‘Absolutely not. You’re perfect.’ He lowers himself and ghosts his lips against mine. ‘Perfect for me.’
He rears back then, pulling down his pants, and I admire the hard tightness of his body. The tanned skin, the dark tattoos, the dishevelled hair. All for me. All mine. His hardness presses against my thigh, and the skin on skin feels incredible.
‘Are you sure?’ he asks, eyes flashing to mine.
‘Very sure.’
He nods, reaching for his wallet, and pulls out a condom, tearing it open with his teeth. He glides it across his length, and I squirm on the mattress, anticipation running through me. He slides a finger inside me and groans when he feels me.
‘You’re dripping for me, Vixen.’
‘Always dripping for you,’ I confess.
‘Fuck.’
His fingers move in and out a few times before he positions himself between my thighs. His breathing is heavy and I press my hands to his cheeks, his forehead bumping into mine. Our lips touch a few times before he pushes slowly into me.
A gasp leaves me and I screw my eyes shut at the sensation. It feels like it is too big, hardly able to fit, but when I blow out a breath and relax, I feel myself stretching around him, getting used to his size. This is nothing like a vibrator. He is warm, and full, and real, and so damn perfect.
‘Okay?’ he whispers.
‘Okay.’
‘Tell me when I can move,’ he says. ‘You feel so fucking amazing.’
‘You can move. Please, please start moving.’
His lip twitches as I ask. Another gasp escapes me at the feel of him moving deeper inside me. I widen my legs, wrapping them around his waist, my hands slipping down his back.
He pumps slowly, our mouths never leaving each other. This is exactly what I was hoping for and more. I’ve never felt so close to another person.
‘Faster,’ I beg.
He bucks his hips into me and I cry out. His hand moves, gripping the top of the bed frame, and it knocks into the wall as he thrusts harder into me. I see stars as my eyes roll back, the world going fuzzy as I lose myself to the feeling of him.
I tilt my hips back, my clit pressing against him. Warmth floods me as I recognise the feeling of an orgasm rising. I rock my hips, moving with him, and he curses under his breath, his thrusts becoming deeper and harder.
I cry out something incoherent – his name possibly – as the orgasm crashes through me. He releases a guttural groan in my ear and the way he pumps long and slow, I know he’s finishing, too.
Our foreheads press together as he holds me to him, both of us struggling to catch our breath. We climaxed at the exact same time, and it felt wonderful.
‘I’m so happy I found you,’ he whispers. ‘I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life for someone like you.’
A tear slides down his cheek and I kiss it, tasting the salt on my tongue. He presses his face into mine and I run my fingers through his hair.
‘Me too,’ I agree. ‘I feel so lucky to be with you.’
He pulls back slightly, eyes watery as he smiles, kissing me softly.
‘I never want to let you go.’
The car trip home is spent working through emails and organising upcoming events.
The release of my next book is not far away and I have quite a few podcasts and articles lined up in which to feature.
There’s radio talks and a few requested me in person, but I declined those, as I’m still not ready for the world to know the books I’ve written belong to me.
I’m placing all the dates and times of my interviews into my calendar so I don’t forget.