chapter twenty-four
kira
I recognize the all-black F150 that speeds to a stop in front of me, and before I can even stand, he’s shutting his door and striding toward me.
What is he doing here?
Maddie .
She’s going to get an earful about this later. I should have known something was going on when she told me to wait out here for her.
“Go home, Noah,” I order, my hand extending in front of me in a warning.
“Kira, please listen to me,” he begs, his dark hair falling into his face as he looks down at me. His eyes roam over my body, and it takes me a second before I remember what I’m wearing. It’s that same wrap dress from the night I kissed him.
His jaw ticks, his posture stiffening.
I have to remind myself why I’m here. He shut me out. Again. My arms cross over my chest as I look up at him.
“Why should I do that? You’ll do the same thing you always do.”
He towers over me, his eyes desperate. “I had no right to make that decision for you. I know that now. I’m sorry.”
He pauses, stepping closer to me.
“All I’ve ever wanted is for you and Jared to be happy, and I’m honestly fucking terrified that I’ll never be good enough for you, but the idea of not having you in my life doesn’t feel like an option anymore.”
Not good enough? He’s more than enough. He’s everything.
“Kira, I love you,” he admits, “And I’m tired of fighting it.”
My self-preservation instincts gnaw at me, trying to stop me from letting him in. What if he’s saying this now but takes it back tomorrow? I’m not sure I can survive another rejection from this man.
Closing the space between us, I rest my hand on his chest. His heart is racing, his breathing ragged. Trailing my hand down his body, I look up into his eyes.
“One more chance. You have one chance to prove to me that you aren’t going to run again,” I warn, but my voice softens a bit when I add, “You are worthy of love, Noah, and I want to be the person who gives that to you, but I can only do it if you let me.”
His fingers tangle into my hair, and I think he’s going to kiss me, but instead, he presses his forehead into mine.
“You’re mine. Forever if I have any say in it,” he whispers, possessiveness seeping into his tone. His other hand slides down my body, stopping only when he reaches the hem of my skirt. I suck in a breath at his light touch against my skin. The feel of his powerful body pressed against mine makes me want to do things we definitely shouldn’t. I should make him wait and brood a little longer, but I can’t.
I need him.
Now.
“Prove it,” I taunt against my better judgment.
He doesn’t waste any time, his lips crashing into mine. His kiss is hungry, feral. I slide my hand up to the back of his neck, pulling him harder into me. He knocks my legs apart, pressing his thigh between them, the rough denim of his jeans rubbing against my bare skin. I let out a small moan as he brings his hand up to my already soaking panties.
“Fuck, princess, it’s going to take all of my willpower not to fuck you right here,” he says, tugging them to the side as his fingers slide over my pussy. I suck in a breath, my eyes fixed on his.
“Do it then.”
The words leave my mouth without regard for the dozens of people right down the drive. Anyone could walk or drive over here and see us. I gasp as his fingers push into me, curving up at the perfect angle. He slides in and out of me teasingly as he looks down at me, his eyes dark with lust.
“Are you sure, princess? You’ll have to be quiet.”
Is there even any question?
“Yes, please,” I practically beg as I unbutton his jeans.
He’s already hard as I take him in my hand, and his lips meet mine again with a bruising kiss. Fuck, this feels so dirty, but I can’t get enough of it. His hands reach beneath my skirt, sliding my panties down to my feet. I step out of them, and he takes them, tucking them into the back pocket of his jeans. Why is that the hottest thing I’ve ever seen?
In one fluid motion, I’m lifted into the air, Noah pinning me to the truck. His cock poised right at my entrance, he leans in, kissing and nipping at my neck. The feeling of him there, so close but not inside me, is torture.
“Please, Noah,” I whine, needing to feel him.
“I love it when you beg for it,” he growls. “Tell me what you need,” he orders, sliding his cock over my pussy, purposely neglecting where I want it so badly.
“I need you to fuck me until your come is dripping out of me,” I say, surprising myself.
His eyes flare, the desire in them all-consuming.
“Good girl,” he praises as he pushes into me, the fullness making me cry out and dig my nails into his shoulders. Noah’s hand grips my face, pulling me into a rough kiss as he drives into me.
I try to stay quiet, but my effort is fruitless. The feel of his hard length filling me is unmatched. He makes me feel so fucking good. If I could spend forever like this with him, I would.
It doesn’t take long before I’m close, each thrust pushing me closer and closer to the edge. His thumb brushes over my clit, and I cry out. His other hand covers my mouth as he does it again, with more pressure this time. I’m so fucking close to coming when a car door slams, stopping us in our tracks.
My head shoots to the side to look down at the car. Thankfully, we’re on the other side of the truck, so they shouldn’t be able to see us, but Noah still sets me down, and I whimper in protest as he reaches for the driver’s door behind me.
“Get in.”
His tone is serious, so now is not the time to argue. I climb into the truck, sliding over to the passenger seat as Noah gets in after me, staring over at me with hooded eyes, his breathing ragged. I look down, his pants are still undone, and his cock is out.
Fuck, I want that back inside me now.
As if noticing my line of sight, he nods.
“ Ride it. ”
I don’t hesitate, climbing over the center console and straddling his lap. Reaching down, I guide him into me, sitting down until he’s all the way in. Thankfully, the windows are tinted. No one can see us.
“Noah,” I moan, rocking my hips into him.
“There you go, princess, that’s it.”
I pick up my pace, needing more, as he pushes my dress down and pulls one of my nipples into his mouth. Ah, the benefits of not wearing a bra. I keep riding him, the feeling of him so deep in me fucking delicious and unexpectedly intimate. Before I know it, his fingers are back on my clit, and it doesn’t take long before I’m tightening around him.
“Fuck, There it is, baby, come for me.”
It’s too much, it’s all too much. I let out a loud moan as my orgasm barrels through me. Noah isn’t far behind, pumping into me a couple more times before I feel him filling me with a low groan.
We take a minute to catch our breaths, his hand rising to caress my face. It’s so soft it almost makes me want to cry. The safety I feel in his arms is so complete. I know I shouldn’t have feelings for this man, but it’s too late. He’s already burrowed so far under my skin that I’m convinced I wouldn’t survive without him.
“Noah…I love you too,” I admit, still panting.
He doesn’t say anything, kissing my forehead before helping me off him and into the passenger seat.
There aren’t words to explain how my heart plummets when we pull into the driveway and Jared’s car is there. I look over at Noah, silently questioning if he knows anything. As if he can sense my suspicion, he shakes his head.
“I promise you I didn’t know he’d be here. Fuck, this is the worst timing possible. Are you going to be okay?” There’s genuine concern in his voice, and that fact makes me feel like I will.
“I’ll be fine. Let’s go before I lose my nerve,” I say, my hand poised on the door handle. Noah’s brows knit together, but he follows my lead anyway. Stepping out of the truck, I let him lead us into the house. My pulse is racing, and nausea swirls low in my stomach.
Jared is settled on the couch, scrolling on his phone. His head shoots up as the door opens, and his eyes immediately snap to mine. He doesn’t look angry, which surprises me.
“ Kira, ” he mutters.
“Jared,” I say back, not knowing how to react.
He’s going to know. He has to. I can only imagine how we look right now.
“Can I talk to you?” he asks, standing up and gesturing for me to follow him. I nod, pushing down the anxiety. He leads me onto the porch and sits on the porch swing, patting the space next to him exactly where I sat that night with Noah.
I don’t sit there, instead opting for the chair across from the swing. The rough feeling of the wood against my skin reminds me that I’m not wearing underwear. A small frown crosses Jared’s lips before he quickly recovers, green eyes meeting mine again.
“I’m sorry it’s taken so long for me to say this, but I’m sorry for how I acted the night of the party.”
“Jared,” I interrupt. He was hurt, and while I don’t appreciate how he treated me, I’m not mad at him. Not to mention the guilt coursing through me right now about the fact that his dad’s come is dropping out of me as we speak. My cheeks heat at the sensation, and I attempt to refocus my attention on Jared.
“No, don’t do that. I was an asshole, and I’m sorry. I understand if you hate me, but if there is any way you can forgive me, I would still love to be your friend. I miss you, Kira.”
I glance up at the slider. Noah is watching us, far away enough not to hear our conversation but close enough to intervene if needed.
“Of course, I still want to be your friend, Jared. You will always be my best friend.”
His posture softens, and his usual grin reappears on his face. It warms my heart. I missed him like this.
“I’m so glad that’s over. I’ve been stressing out about this conversation for the past couple of days. I was sure you’d tell me to fuck off.”
I squirm a little in my seat, uncomfortable as hell with the situation under my dress. I don’t want to seem like I’m trying to run away, but I desperately need a shower and a change of clothes.
“I would never do that. I love you, Jared—as a friend—and I will always want you in my life,” I tell him. “But I’m really tired.”
“Oh, go ahead. Sorry for keeping you,” he says sheepishly.
I’m officially a terrible friend.