Chapter 10. THE CAVE
(Sienna)
“He’s gonna go mental when he sees you in that dress,” Maggie said while I stood in front of the full-length mirror that sat on the wall in my bedroom. I’d bought a few dresses but finally settled on a royal-blue silk midi dress with spaghetti straps. Elegant but sexy. Although I’d contemplated different pairs of shoes, Maggie persuasively insisted that the Giuseppe Zanotti flashato leather wrap sandals in argento would be the perfect choice if I wanted Noah at my feet tonight. I had styled my golden-brown hair in a messy low bun with some strands of hair loosened at the front. The only jewelry I wore were the white gold and diamond mini hoop earrings my parents bought me when I turned eighteen last February. I’d done my makeup heavier than usual: smoky eyes, long black eyelashes, and peachy nude lips with a glossy finish.
“If he doesn’t make a move tonight, probably half of the club will.”
“You look amazing, too, Maggie.”
“Don’t deflect my compliment. It’s true. You’re beautiful. Own it, grab your purse, and let’s get an Uber. I’m dying to see if The Cave lives up to the rumors I’ve heard.”
“What do you mean?” I was curious about the club because there were no pictures or info online, which I found weird. But I have to say, everything she’d talked about so far had piqued my interest.
“Nobody knows what the club looks like unless you’ve been inside. All mobile devices, including purses, are left in a locker because photos and videos aren’t allowed. Haven’t you noticed that there are no pictures of the club on Instagram? Matt from algebra told me that when you get to the front desk, they give you a bracelet with a QR code, which they link to your locker and debit or credit card so you can pay for all the drinks by just showing your bracelet. So if you drop or lose it, report it before you go from Beyoncé-rich into bankruptcy in less than an hour.”
The Cave sounded mysterious, and I was getting increasingly excited by the minute.
We called an Uber, and I texted Noah to say we were coming.
Me
Hey, birthday boy. We’re on our way, and we’ll be there in 15 minutes.
Instantly, I saw three dots dancing on my screen.
Noah
Your name and Maggie’s are on my birthday guest list, Noah Nakamura; no need to wait in line. BTW, I can’t stop thinking about you. I hope you like to dance.
Me
Are you a good dancer?
Noah
I’m good at so many things, but as I said…you’ll have to find out *wink emoji*
As we neared our destination, a surge of anxiety coursed through me, causing the inside of my thighs to grow increasingly sweaty. Uncertainty hung in the air. I had no clear expectations for what lay ahead tonight, but a part of me hoped that my underwear ended up on Noah’s bedroom floor.
Upon exiting the Uber, my heart pounding, Maggie took charge and confidently approached the bouncers stationed at the main entrance. To the left, a line of approximately thirty people patiently waited their turn. Still, it seemed there was a privilege list within the guest list because the moment she said we were on Noah Nakamura’s birthday list and gave out our full names, one of the security guys removed the red velvet rope and invited us in.
“We’re in!” Maggie screamed with excitement as we walked toward the front desk.
Standing behind it were two beautiful women dressed in sleek black dresses that exuded an air of sophistication. Their dark chestnut hair was meticulously styled into a tight, high ponytail, and their plump lips were painted with a vibrant shade of red lipstick. They looked highly polished as if they could work for Christian Grey.
We gave them our names, and immediately, they handed us out two bracelets with a QR code, just like Maggie said. However, when I showed her my credit card and asked her to link Maggie’s bracelet to my card, the one to my left declined it with a smile.
“Mr. Nakamura has linked all his guests’ bracelets to his card. My colleague Blake will walk you to the VIP table. Please enjoy the evening, and welcome to The Cave.”
Was Noah paying for everything? VIP table? I didn’t know Noah came from a wealthy background, but the truth was that I knew very little about him. Given his aspirations to pursue a major in political science, I wondered if his family had ties to politics.
Blake, the second hostess, started walking us through the club and explaining the areas where we could find various music styles, such as house, R she’ll dump you at the first opportunity. And the same goes for you, Noah. You can enjoy that little pussy of hers as much as you want, but when she gets tired of you, she’ll move on and leave you behind.”
SMACK
I slapped Ander across the face. How could someone who had been such an important part of my childhood disrespect me like that? Ander’s words hit me like a train out of control. Stabbing me in the heart would have hurt less. Fuck him.
Noah stepped in front of me, facing Ander, and slightly pushed him on the chest with one hand. “What is your fucking problem?”
Suddenly, another guy walked up between them, placing a hand on their chests. “Hey, what the fuck, guys!? I leave you alone for one hour, and you start fighting each other. Did I miss something?”
“Ander thought it was okay to disrespect my girl to my fucking face,” Noah replied.
The guy turned his face toward where I stood, just behind Noah, and when I saw him, I choked. My soul left my body, and I couldn’t move.
Zayn.
How is this possible?
When he recognized me, a line appeared between his brows. “What are you doing here?” His hands dropped to the sides of his body.
“Do you know her?” Noah questioned, utterly shocked.
“We met roughly a month ago in a bar in Tribeca,” I responded.
“Of course he knows her,” Ander huffed, rolling his eyes. “She is THE girl he fucked in the restroom.”
My face turned red with embarrassment.
“Fuck you, Ander,” Zayn snapped.
“Well, I guess you got a secondhand present for your birthday.”
Oh God.
In the blink of an eye, Noah reared back his arm and delivered a solid punch straight to Ander’s face, catching him off guard. Ander stumbled backward and ended up sprawled on the floor. Ander’s hand shot up to his nose, his fingers probing cautiously as he winced. He pulled them away, half expecting to see blood.
“What the fuck, Noah? It was a joke.”
Zayn immediately held Noah back, who didn’t want to stop the fight. But as I said, I didn’t like anyone fighting my battles. I walked over to where Ander stood, brushing his pants off.
“Listen to me, you fucking piece of shit. I don’t know what your fucking problem is, but I’m sick of your insults. Yes, we were friends long ago, but you’re a completely different person from the Ander I loved. Stay away from me and leave me the fuck alone!” I screamed, pointing a finger at him.
As soon as I said those words, I turned around and ran toward the exit. I couldn’t stay there any longer, and tears started streaming down my cheeks the moment I reached the VIP stairs. I only wanted to get home, curl in my bed, and cry my eyes out. I hated crying in public, but Ander’s words got under my skin. No one had ever made me feel so dirty.
Before I could get to the reception, Noah sprinted past me and stopped in front of me.
“Hey, are you OK?”
“I’m fine,” I replied, my gaze fixed on the floor.
Noah gently lifted my chin, urging me to meet his gaze.
“Look at me, gorgeous,” he said. “He’s not worth your tears.”
My lips trembled, tears flowing from my eyes. Noah grabbed me and pulled me close to his chest, and I just fell apart. He didn’t say anything. He just held me tight, stroking my hair gently with one hand while he wrapped the other around me.
“I’m making a mess of your shirt with my makeup and my stupid tears,” I murmured between sobs.
“I don’t care about my shirt. I care about you. Ander obviously resents you for something from your past, but that doesn’t excuse his behavior.”
“I’m sorry I ruined your birthday,” I sobbed.
He held my face with both hands and planted a sweet kiss on my lips.
“Sorry? You’re the highlight of my birthday, and Ander doesn’t have that much power over me to ruin my evening.
“Let’s grab your stuff and go to my apartment. You can text Maggie from the Uber; she’s fine. I left her shouting at Ander.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay? It’s your birthday, and people have come to see you.”
“I don’t know, Sienna…between waking up next to you in the morning and hearing you scream my name for the next twenty-four hours or going back to the party…I don’t think anyone in their right mind would choose option B.”
I cracked a smile.
Once we grabbed my purse, Noah’s wallet, and our mobile phones from the lockers, we exited the club and called an Uber. I pulled out my phone from my bag and texted Maggie as we entered the car.
Me
Hey, I’m okay. I’m leaving with Noah. I’m sorry for ditching you like this because of Ander. Again. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.
“So you’re the Tribeca girl…”
“I wondered when you would bring that up,” I replied. “How is it even possible? Sometimes I think the universe saw that I had an easy life and said, ‘Hold my beer,’” I finished with a chuckle.
“Can I be honest with you?” Noah asked.
“Always.”
“I was already a little worried about you sharing a past with Ander, but now...knowing what happened between you and Zayn…I don’t know, Sienna. I’m not good at this.”
“At what?” I asked.
“At complications,” he responded cryptically.
“Am I a complication?”
Noah shifted in his seat, turning to face me. He reached out and cupped my cheek, gently stroking it with his thumb.
“You are the most stunning, smartest, and sexiest complication I’ve ever met in my life. Maybe I should stay away from you…” he whispered. “But I can’t.”
Noah’s hard but slow kiss was something out of a romance book. It was both sweet and passionate, causing my heart to skip a beat every time he slid his tongue into my mouth and moaned.
After a ten-minute drive, during which we spent most of the time making out, we arrived at his place. He lived off campus, and the beautiful high-rise exuded money. The property had a brick facade with limestone trim and a doorman who kindly opened the door as we walked into the lobby. Noah lived on the highest floor, of course, and although the decoration was relatively modern and sexy, it still felt cozy and warm. Just like him.
Noah didn’t release my hand until we reached his bedroom. His room was dark and masculine, with gray concrete walls and a bed so large it could have quickly passed for a regulation-size basketball court. To the right was an en suite bathroom with a modern bathtub, a stunning all-glass walk-in shower, and floor-to-ceiling marble walls.
“Go ahead and take a shower while I search for some clothes for you. I’ll have the staff clean your dress and underwear, so they’ll be ready by the time you’re allowed to leave my bed.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist and tilted my head back to look into his eyes. “Is that so? Do I need your permission now?” I cracked a half smile.
Noah grazed my cheek with his thumb. I was positive I looked like shit, but the way he looked at me made me feel like I was the most beautiful girl in the world.
“By the time I’m done with you, you won’t have the strength to leave my bed.” He kissed my forehead and left in search of something comfortable for me to wear.
Before I took my clothes off, I checked myself in the mirror. My eyes and cheeks were smeared with black eye shadow, my hair fashioning a different concept of a messy bun, and my lips were swollen, probably from all the kissing and crying. I took my heels off, then my silk dress and underwear, and placed them on an olive-green velvet Carnaby footstool.
I entered the shower and let the hot water run all over my body, hair, and face. Five minutes later, every muscle in my body finally relaxed. I had become a ball of tension since we returned from the alcove and saw Ander. Fucking Ander . He wasn’t worth another moment of my time wondering what went wrong and when.
I was facing the shower wall, running my fingers through my hair, when Noah’s strong hands tightened on my hips, pulling me closer to him. He pressed his hard cock against my ass and his lips on my neck. As I tilted my head to the side, offering him better access, he kissed and nibbled my skin, covering my entire body in goose bumps. He turned me around to face him and kissed me, sweet but deep, his tongue stroking mine as he grabbed my ass with both hands and lifted me.
“I need you in my bed now.”
With one arm holding me and my legs wrapped around his waist, he picked up a towel and carried me to his bed. Noah lowered me to the floor and proceeded to dry us off with the towel, his gaze lingering on my body as I stood in front of him. I swallowed hard when I saw the size of his length. With chiseled abs, well-defined arms and chest, and smooth skin, Noah’s body looked like the gods themselves had sculpted it.
“I owe you a birthday present,” I said, breaking the silence.
“I don’t need or want any presents. You in my bed tonight is the only thing I want.”
“That’s a shame. I was going to return the favor,” I said suggestively.
His eyes widened as he took in my words.
With one gentle push from my hand, Noah dropped and sat on the mattress, and I came down on my knees between his legs. His nostrils flared as I fisted his cock with my right hand, gently stroking him as he watched me play with him.
“Fuck, Sienna, you’re so beautiful.”
I leaned in and licked the tip of his cock without breaking eye contact.
“Fuck,” he murmured on an exhale.
I ran my tongue along the side of his length, from the base to the top, before I parted my lips and swallowed him whole. I continued licking and sucking while I moved my hand up and down, making sure I applied enough pressure until his cock throbbed with pleasure. Gripping my wet hair tightly, Noah increased the pace, pushing and pulling my head up and down as I took him deeper. He pushed me farther down until he was buried to the hilt, and tears coated my eyes.
“You’re being such a good girl for me.”
I almost couldn’t breathe, but every second was worth it, especially when he praised me.
“Stop. If you keep sucking like that, I’m gonna end up coming down your throat, and I really need to feel your pussy around my cock tonight.”
I stood, and he shifted, snatching the navy trousers lying on the floor. He took a condom out of his wallet. After he finished putting it on, he seized the back of my thighs and drew me closer to him, positioning me with both knees on either side of his legs, effectively straddling him. Noah grabbed my wet hair with both hands and kissed me, his tongue clashing with mine. I moved my hand between our bodies and placed the tip of his cock at my entrance, and slowly, very slowly, I started moving my hips up and down until every inch of him was inside me, and a heavy moan erupted from Noah’s throat.
“Holy shit. You’re so tight, Sienna.”
I rolled my hips back and forth in a steady rhythm. Noah grazed one of my nipples with his teeth while his other hand played with my other breast. My clit throbbed with every flick of his tongue.
“I hope you’re ready because I’m gonna fuck this pussy until you can’t take it anymore.”
Noah stood while lifting me in his strong arms and gently placed me atop the mattress. All while still buried inside me. With both hands on either side of my head, he slammed into me forcefully, causing the headboard to hit the wall. He pulled back once more, then thrust into me again, my nails digging into his back.
“Yes. That’s it. Just like that,” I encouraged him.
“Sienna, eyes on me, princess,” Noah said, his mouth drinking each of my moans.
I was so lost in the moment that I didn’t realize my eyes were closed. I opened them and stared into his eyes.
My God. He was so beautiful.
“So the princess likes it rough. Do you like it when I fuck you like my little slut? Look at you, taking my cock so well.”
His dirty words drove me into a frenzied state. My feminism was going out the window with every word he said, but I didn’t care. I loved the way he called me “his little slut.” I’d gladly take those words and shove them down my throat alongside his cock.
“Yes. Fuck me, Noah. Keep going,” I moaned.
He thrust into me relentlessly, causing the headboard to hit the wall every single time.
“I’ve imagined fucking you in every position since I saw you at that bookstore,” Noah confessed. “Turn around. On your fours.”
I shifted my position, placing my hands in front of me and bringing my knees together on the bed.
“One day, I’m gonna claim this ass,” he promised, circling my butthole with his thumb. “But today, let me take care of your pussy.” Noah gripped my hips, and in one swift movement, he was fully inside me once more.
“Yes, yes! Just like that,” I screamed as he thrust into me with such force that I had to steady myself by placing a hand on the headboard.
“Touch yourself. I want to see how you make yourself come,” he demanded.
I started circling my clit while he continued fucking me so hard that my vision blurred. My stomach tightened, and I couldn’t control the building orgasm.
“Oh my God, Noah. I can’t…” My body exploded while the burst of pleasure kept intensifying and coming back in multiple waves. Noah followed me seconds after with a roar that sent shivers across my skin. It took me some time to realize what the fuck just happened. I’d never had multiple orgasms, but holy shit …this was good—more than good.
“I love how you scream my name,” he whispered in my ear.
Noah pulled out, and I turned over, lying on my back.
“That was incredible,” I confessed, pushing my wet hair away from my face.
Noah placed himself on top of me, between my legs, and started caressing my face with his fingers and gently kissing my cheeks, the corners of my mouth, and my jawline. He was gentle and sweet. Very different from the man who was literally fucking me like a beast a minute ago. Noah was a complex guy with different masks, and I kind of liked that about him. It was as if he had these contrasting personalities—the golden boy and the bad boy—sometimes gentle, other times untamed. With Miles, everything was so boring and dull: always had the same plans, the same conversations, and the same boring sex. The chase and the thrill were fun in the beginning, but after a few months, I stopped feeling wanted. And we were seventeen! At seventeen, all he should have wanted was to rip my clothes off, like any horny teenager. His indifference sometimes made me wonder if I was the problem, that maybe I wasn’t sexy or exciting enough. When I broke up with him, I felt liberated. The moment I started getting more comfortable in my own skin, I started sleeping around and indulging in casual sex. That was when I realized I was not the problem. Miles probably didn’t like me that much.
It was different with Noah. He took what he wanted and was very clear from the beginning that he wanted me.
Miles - 0
Noah - 1
What the hell, I’ll give Noah a 10…he just made me come multiple times.
* * *
Just like he promised, we didn’t get enough sleep last night.
Noah walked me to my apartment and kissed me goodbye. He promised to call me this week to take me on a proper date.
As soon as I entered my apartment, I went to my room to change into my favorite sweatpants and a T-shirt that said, “I don’t have a resting bitch face. I’m only a bitch that needs resting.” Sarah bought me this T-shirt in London. Her parents had invited me to spend a few days at their house in Marylebone, and we had the best time. I’d been to London before, but it was the first time I wasn’t there with my parents, so we did all the things girls at the age of fifteen would do: shopping in Bond Street, going to the cinema, eating burgers at Five Guys and wandering around Shoreditch, Camden, and other cool neighborhoods.
I texted Maggie to let her know I was home.
Me
Hey. I just got home. I’m fine :) I’ll tell you everything tomorrow. How was your night? xxx
Maggie
Morning, gorgeous. I was worried about you. Glad to hear you’re okay.
Ander is a dick, BTW. Coffee tomorrow? I need a debrief about your night *wink emoji*
Me
Instead of coffee, would you like to have lunch with me at Gino’s? I only have one class, so I’m free anytime after 1 p.m.
Maggie
I don’t know…I need to be careful with my budget. My scholarship covers my groceries and some personal expenses…Maybe another time?
Me
Don’t worry about that. I’ll pay. It’s a good deal. You listen to my bullshit for 2 hours, and I feed you good food.
Maggie
You’re the sweetest, Sienna, but I don’t want to become a burden.
Me
Look. I have money, but I like to spend it making people happy. That makes me happy. And I like you. You’re now my friend, so let me spoil you.
Maggie
You’re the best. See you at Gino’s at 1:15 p.m.
Me
Cool. I’ll reserve us a table. See you tomorrow!
Meeting Maggie had been one of the highlights of the month. She was funny, intelligent, bold, and fucking resilient. I wondered how her life during those years in foster care had been. Was she happy? She definitely broke the statistics because I was sure not many kids with that background would be able to rise and achieve what she had accomplished so far. Stanford University might not be an Ivy League college, but it is one of the most prestigious schools in the country, so receiving a scholarship was a strong achievement.
I opened my Instagram account. Noah had sent me a request to connect. His profile was open with over six hundred photos and reels—he definitely was a social butterfly and loved the attention. I scrolled down through his feed because this might not be the real Noah, but it was the Noah he wanted to portray in front of the world, which can also say a lot about a person. There were plenty of pictures of nights out, snowboarding, and surfing. None of the photographs were curated, so I guessed he liked to be seen as a fun person who was wild and carefree. My eyes stopped, and I clicked on one specific post. He was laughing with Ander, and Zayn looked intensely at the camera. The three of them were sitting on a sandy beach, Ander and Noah with their knees bent to their chest and Zayn lying back on his elbows. I couldn’t believe they were friends, a twisted coincidence.
She is THE girl he fucked in the restroom.
That was what Ander had said. I wondered how much Zayn had told them about me. It was all a fucking mess. I had kissed and or fucked the three of them. Great stuff, Sienna.
I closed the app, and there it was on my home screen: a picture of me with my parents from last Christmas staring back at me. My stomach sank, a dreadful feeling rising in my chest—shame on me. Here I was, going out, laughing, being happy, meeting guys at bars, and enjoying life. I shouldn’t feel like that, right? Was I a horrible person? After all, my parents had just died a couple of months ago.
The guilt overtook every fiber of my body, and I started crying. The guilt of being happy without them because happiness shouldn’t be part of the equation. I’d lost the two people I loved the most, my only family, and I should have felt broken. I didn’t deserve to feel like I did when I woke up in Noah’s arms. And I cried and cried, holding a pillow, sinking my face in it. I was a horrible person, a selfish bitch.
Perhaps it would be wise to take a break from seeing Noah for a while and redirect my focus toward my studies. I was sure my parents would want me happy, but it felt like I was moving on too quickly. The weight of guilt pressed heavily upon me, filling me with self-loathing. Right now, I was simply too exhausted to contemplate what lay ahead. With a heavy sigh, I closed my eyes, allowing the guilt to consume me as sleep claimed me. That night, my dreams were haunted by memories of my parents, and upon awakening the following day, the guilt still lingered, refusing to release its grip.