39. Zoey #2
A range of emotions played across Noah’s face—surprise, confusion, and finally a tentative sort of understanding. This information had caught him off-guard, and I made a mental note to ask him about it later.
Angie gave me a warm hug. “You’re doing a wonderful job with Ro, Zoey,” she whispered. “And I’m so glad Noah has you in his life. He needs someone like you. Someone who can love him for who he is.”
I hugged her back fiercely. “Thank you, Angie. That means more to me than you know.”
After she left, I helped Noah clean up the kitchen. I glanced over at him, taking in the pensive look on his face.
“Hey,” I said softly, bumping his hip with mine. “You okay?”
He blinked, coming back to the present, and offered me a small smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just processing, I guess.”
I understood. “It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it? Finding out about your dad and the boxing?”
Sighing, Noah ran a hand through his hair. “It is. I always thought he was against it. That he didn’t approve of me fighting. But now? I don’t know. It’s like everything I thought l knew about him is wrong.”
I took his hand, squeezing it tightly. “Maybe this is an opportunity. A chance to see your father in a different light and understand him better.”
He looked down at our joined hands, his thumb stroking over my knuckles. “Maybe you’re right. God, I wish I had known sooner.”
My heart ached for him, and I stepped closer, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I know, but you can’t change the past. All you can do is move forward, and try to be the best man and the best alpha you can be.
And I know you will be, because you are amazing.
You’re kind and strong and brave, and I’m so lucky to have you in my life. ”
Noah buried his face in my hair, inhaling deeply. “I’m the lucky one. You and Ro... you’re everything to me. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m so grateful that you’re mine.”
After the dishes, I put Roland to bed, which wasn’t difficult. The pending shift had left him exhausted. I smiled as Roland’s eyelids fluttered closed, his dark lashes fanning out against his pale cheeks. He looked so young, so innocent in sleep, and my heart swelled with love for my little boy.
Noah knocked lightly, then came in. His hand settled on my shoulder, a warm, reassuring weight. “He’s out like a light. Poor kid’s had a long day.”
I reached up to cover his hand with my own. “I’m worried about him and his first shift. I know it’s normal, but…”
“But you’re his mom, and you want to protect him from everything.” Noah squeezed my shoulder gently. “I get it, Zo. But he’s going to be okay. We’ll be there for him, every step of the way.”
I leaned back against him, his solid presence behind me soothing my frayed nerves. “I wish I could keep him like this forever, you know? Safe and happy and innocent.”
Noah chuckled and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Me too, babe. But we can’t stop him from growing up. All we can do is love him and support him, no matter what.”
I turned in his arms and smiled up at him. “When did you get so wise?”
He grinned. “Must be all that time I spend with you. You’re rubbing off on me.”
I laughed quietly, mindful of Roland sleeping nearby. “I think you’ve got that backward, mister. You’re the one who’s always keeping me grounded.”
Noah’s expression softened, and he brushed his knuckles over my cheek. “We keep each other grounded, Zo. That’s what partners do.”
I melted into him, my arms winding around his waist as I rested my head on his chest.
After a while, Noah took my hand, our fingers intertwining as he led me out of Roland’s room and down the hallway. My heart raced in anticipation, my skin tingling where it touched his. When we reached the bedroom, Noah turned to face me, his gaze intense and hungry.
“Zoey,” he said, his hands coming up to frame my face. “Seeing you with my mom tonight, the way you two connected... it meant the world to me.”
“She’s wonderful. I can see where you get your kindness from.”
“She adores you, you know. Told me that fate chose well for me.”
My breath caught in my throat at his words, and I wondered if I should ask about fated mates.
In the past, I might have questioned it, might have doubted that I could ever be enough for someone like Noah.
But standing there with him, seeing the love and sincerity shining on his face, I let myself believe it.
“I feel the same way,” I whispered, my hands sliding up his chest to curl around his neck. “I never thought I could have this. Never thought I deserved it. But you make me feel like anything is possible.”
Noah pulled me flush against him. “Anything is possible, Zo. As long as we’re together.”
And then his lips were on mine, and I surrendered to the heat of his kiss. My fingers tangled in his hair, tugging him closer as his tongue swept into my mouth. He tasted like home, like forever, and I never wanted to let him go.
We stumbled toward the bed, our hands roaming and exploring, desperate to touch and be touched. Noah lowered me onto the mattress, his body covering mine, and I arched up into him, craving his weight and his warmth.
“I need you,” I gasped, my nails digging into his shoulders. “Please...”
He groaned, his hips rocking against mine, and I could feel how much he wanted me, how much he needed me, too.
Noah kissed down my neck, his stubble scratching my skin as he trailed hot, open-mouthed kisses along my collarbone and the neckline of my shirt.
His hands slid under my shirt, gently tracing the curves of my back and sides, exploring my skin.
The warmth from his palms seeped into me as his sharp teeth grazed my neck in a playful nip that made me gasp.
His kisses followed the path of his fingertips as they glided downwards, leaving trails of desire burning in their wake.
As he worked his way down to the waistline of my jeans, I could feel the heat emanating from him.
It seemed to fill the room with an almost palpable energy.
I arched up into him with abandon, and he chuckled against my skin before popping open the button of my jeans.
My breath caught when he looked up at me with those intense blue eyes that held so much promise.
Slowly, he helped me out of my clothes, shedding his as well until there was nothing between us, just skin on deliciously hot skin.
The world around us became a haze of passion and need as our bodies twined together. His warmth enveloped me like a shield against any uncertainty or doubt that might have lingered before.
Noah nibbled at my earlobe playfully, whispering sweet nothings as his hand found my breast. His thumb brushed over the hardened peak as he lowered his head to take my nipple into his mouth.
A loud gasp escaped me as he suckled hard, rolling the sensitive nub between his teeth before flicking it with his tongue.
My hips bucked off the bed as waves of pleasure coursed through me.
Moaning, I wound my fingers tightly in his hair, holding him close as he worked his magic on my other breast, then shifted to tease and bite the skin of my neck.
“Noah,” I moaned, my fingers threading through his hair as he continued to tease and nip at my neck. I craved more of him. All of him.
His mouth found mine again, his tongue dancing against mine as he slid between my legs, exploring every inch of me with gentle fingers.
His touch made my body sing with anticipation, every sense heightening.
His warm breath sent goosebumps across my skin as he trailed hot kisses along my belly button and lower, making me squirm beneath him in pleasure.
My body thrummed with desire. Each stroke of his tongue against my folds sent waves of heat throughout my entire being. He licked and sucked until I cried out in pleasure so loud that it seemed to echo in the room.
I dug my nails into his shoulders, urging him on as I rocked against him.
His eyes flashed with need as he sucked my clit harder.
I could feel myself getting closer and closer.
My body tingled from his ministrations, electrified by his touch.
I cried out as he thrust two fingers inside me and nipped at my inner thighs, my mind going hazy with lust.
Noah’s fingers plunged deeper, finding my sweet spot with practiced ease.
I arched up, unable to contain the moans escaping my lips as he continued to tease and touch me in all the right places.
Each flick of his tongue against my clit sent shivers through my body, drawing me closer to the peak of desire.
His other hand found mine, intertwining our fingers as he devoured me with needy kisses.
I was lost in the haze of pleasure, drowning in the sensation of his touch.
I met each motion of his fingers with a groan. My body bucked under him, yearning for more as he slid another finger inside me.
Noah raised his head to gaze up at me with those intense blue eyes that held so much promise.
He smiled wickedly before positioning himself over me.
With one smooth thrust, he sank into my wet heat, filling me completely.
I cried out his name as he began to move slowly.
Our hips met in a rhythm that echoed our hunger and need for each other.
His teeth grazed my collarbone as he kissed his way up my shoulder, sucking gently on the tender skin there. It sent shockwaves through me as he began to thrust harder and faster.
The sound of our heavy breaths and the slap of our skin filled the air like the sweetest melody I’d ever heard.
Each thrust sent a wave of pleasure crashing over me, each kiss a brand on my skin.
His lips trailed up the side of my neck, his tongue darting out to taste the mark he left, then moving to nip at my earlobe.
Our soft groans filled the space between us as he moved inside me. I clenched around him, needing him deeper. We moved together, our bodies becoming one in the raw, primal heat of passion.
His thrusts grew harder and deeper. With a loud cry, I reached the peak of ecstasy with Noah’s name on my lips. His body tensed against mine as he followed suit, trembling with release.
We collapsed in a tangle of sweat-drenched limbs, intertwined like vines in a garden.
His chest rose and fell rapidly against mine as we caught our breaths between soft gasps and whispers of endearment.
I traced circles on his back as my eyes fluttered closed.
Being here, in Noah’s arms, felt right. It felt like I was meant to be here, like our souls were entwined in passion and love.