Chapter 21
“Where’s this place?”
Noah looked up from examining her newly re-bandaged wrist to the building the driver had parked in front of. He took his time to answer, kissing the inside of her wrist before laying it back on her lap. He nodded at the driver to open the door and turned to her.
“One Destiny Plaza is a new development. Twelve condos, two penthouse duplexes, each with a private gym, pool and a concierge service that means you don’t have to leave the building unless you really, really want to.”
“You sound like a realtor,” she said, laughing.
“That’s because I’m parroting mine. There’s also a helipad at the top and I’m sure if you ask nicely, they’ll build you a capsule to the moon or a stairway to heaven.”
Grinning, she took the hand he held out to her. Her body brushed his when she stepped out of the car, and she heard his sharp intake of breath. Hiding her own flustered nerves, she returned the driver’s smile and followed Noah, the man who made her heart race with very little effort .
Noah was dressed in a navy-blue shirt, tailored slacks and a grey jacket, and his commanding presence attracted attention the moment they walked into the building.
Female eyes checked her out, assessed the competition, calculated their chances and swung quickly back to him.
Not today, bitches , she felt like shouting out to them.
After fucking her twice more on his desk, he’d carried her into the bathroom and bathed her from head to toe.
Then he’d set her down in front of the bathroom mirror and dried her hair.
They’d shared a leisurely breakfast in his minimalist kitchen before he’d set her up with a spare laptop in his study.
He’d kept the conversation general and flowing and her throat had locked when she realized he was trying keep to her mind off the impending auction deadline.
He conferenced Tim and Harry every half hour, hammering them with questions about the strength of their trojan software until Leia had felt sorry for them.
Ten minutes before the deadline, he’d pulled her up from the sofa and onto his lap, his fingers playing over the area above her ear while his foot bounced with nervous energy.
His breath had punched out of his lungs when she’d circled her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his jaw. “Noah?”
“Yeah?”
“Whatever happens, we’ll deal with it together.”
His foot had stopped for a moment, then resumed bouncing. “Too right we fucking will.”
Her laptop had pinged with an email from her lawyers and the board, informing her they were on standby to deal with any media fallout should the auction go live.
She’d tensed at the one-line enquiry from one board member as to Warren’s whereabouts .
Noah’s jaw had tightened at Warren’s response about taking a personal day, but he’d said nothing.
Midday had come and gone with no word from her stepfather. The boys’ trojan had held, and Paddy called to say there was no suspicious activity at her office or any other place they were watching.
After another two hours, she’d begun to relax, allowing herself to believe they’d won this round.
Thinking they’d be staying put for the day, Noah had surprised her by walking into the living room just before three, brandishing a box.
It’d contained a gorgeous cobalt-blue sundress with a visible leather-bordered zipper and underwear in fire-engine red.
When she’d lifted her brows at the minuscule thong, he’d shrugged unapologetically.
He’d produced her shoes from the ball and lounged back to watch her dress in the living room. Next stop had been the private doctor waiting in Noah’s office. The short, bald physician had declared her sprain healing, re-bandaged her wrists and given her painkillers to take when necessary.
Now, as she walked beside Noah through the stunning atrium designed to harness the best of Miami’s year-round sunlight, the warmth of the day filled her heart.
A futuristic-looking fountain gurgled quietly next to a pair of glass elevators, creating a sparkling reflection on the crushed glass and marble floor, as Noah walked her to the front desk and collected two keycards.
He inserted the first one into a slot in the sleek elevator and they shot up to the twenty-second floor. Trailing behind Noah, Leia glanced around the wide private hallway with interest. Everything looked beautifully designed and modern.
Noah opened the single heavy black door and stood back .
Crossing the threshold, she gasped. “Ohmigod, this place is stunning. Who lives here?”
Shutting the door behind him, he came forward and held out the keycard to her. “It’s one of the places I picked out for you to look at, but judging by your reaction, I’m thinking this place is yours?”
Her mouth sagged open. “Are you serious?” She turned around and stared at the amazing living room.
White leather sofas stood diagonal to black ones with a white scalloped rug completing the space.
Above the seating area, a silver and crystal chandelier glinted, catching the sun’s rays through wide rectangular windows.
She twirled and rushed to the opposite side of the room then screeched with delight at the less formal sitting area, complete with an Eames recliner, a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf and entertainment area.
She’d never given much thought to cooking her own meals or making her own coffee in the morning because Warren’s housekeeper, Rita, had taken care of that.
But now, the idea of total independence thrilled her into smiling broadly as she trailed her hand over the West African teak, which covered the center island.
She imagined taking a gourmet cooking class and making a meal half as decent as the one Noah had cooked for her last week.
Checking out the rest of the Christopher Peacock designed kitchen, she walked through a short archway into a dining area. Beyond the chill-out space, sliding doors led outside to a huge balcony complete with a small pool and a set of white-cushioned lounge furniture.
Grinning, she turned to find Noah watching her, a smile on his face.
Walking over, she battered her eyelashes at him. “Oh, Mr. Realtor, show me a bedroom with a skylight and I’ll be yours forever.”
His smile faded. One hand slid over her nape and tugged her close. “Careful who you pledge yourself to, Miss Michaels. I understand you belong to a possessive motherfucker who doesn’t like to even joke about imaginary assholes poaching what’s his.”
The atmosphere altered. Electricity and angst arched between them as Noah’s hooded eyes pinned her.
His head began to descend and she held her breath.
Her mouth tingled, silently screaming for the kiss he’d denied her so far.
He loomed closer until he filled her vision.
At the last moment, he twisted his head to one side and kissed the space below her ear.
Robbed of what she craved, Leia didn’t hear his command to go until he tugged on her arm.
The rest of the two-bedroom condo was equally stunning, but her enthusiasm had waned. She made the right noises and even agreed to meet with the realtor, but inside, her heart had turned to stone.
“You ready to go?” Noah asked after one final inspection.
She nodded and headed out of the kitchen.
He trapped her by the door and lifted her chin. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“You know what’s wrong. I’m beginning to wonder what I need to do to get you to kiss me again.”
His eyes dimmed. “You don’t think I want to more than any goddamn thing in my existence?”
“Then do it. God, it’s so easy. I’m right here…”
He laughed. “It’s the most difficult thing in the world to kiss a woman who doesn’t trust you… Who doesn’t think you’re worth a call when she’s in trouble. ”
His thick voice broke, and ice drenched her. “Oh God, Noah. I didn’t mean?—”
He shut her up with a finger on her mouth.
“I don’t care what you meant. I only know that it ripped my guts out to know you chose to be alone in a goddamn hotel room rather than pick up the phone and call me after that asshole attacked you.
You want me to kiss you? Show me that I’m worth something to you. ”
Dropping his hand from her lips, he stepped back and opened the door.
She stood frozen for a full minute after he walked away, blinking back stunned tears and the knowledge of how much she’d hurt him.
The sound of the elevator arriving galvanized her into movement.
He waited with one hand on the door. When she reached him, they stared at one another for a long moment before he pulled her into his arms. They travelled in silence up another floor.
She watched, puzzled, as Noah went to a similar door and slotted in the keycard.
“Are we viewing another condo? I thought… the one downstairs is fine for me.”
He threw the door open before answering her. “This one isn’t for you.”
“Then who… Oh, you?” she blurted.
“If it suits my needs.”
A bolt of happiness shot through her, followed immediately by a well of despair. Aware that Noah was watching her, gauging her reaction like a hawk tracking its prey, she tried to neutralize her features. He shut the door and faced her and she knew she’d failed to fool him.
Long fingers traced her cheek. “You looked happy for a moment. But I’m guessing you let the monsters win yet again?” There was a heavy vein of sadness in his voice. “Does the thought of having me close distress you so much?”
She slid her arms around his waist and propped her chin on his chest. Preparing to bare herself to him made her heart hammer wildly. But she needed to take the step, or risk losing him sooner rather than later. “You want the truth?”
His nostrils flared. “Always.”
“It scared me a little, I won’t deny it.
What we do to each other… it’s powerful and untamable and reckless.
I feel like I’m plugged into a live electric current every time I’m around you.
It’s exhilarating but I can’t help wondering every now and then if it won’t…
destroy us…” He started to respond but she shook her head.
“That said, I’d rather have this, have a little of you for as long as you want this…
” She attempted to smile around the painful throb in her chest. “I’m taking the condo downstairs, Noah.
So you need to decide if you want this one. ”
His forefinger traced her mouth and he swallowed before he spoke. “It’s already decided. I’ve had a duplicate keycard made for you for this place.”
Her heart caught and happiness burst through her chest. “I’ll have one made of mine for you, after I sign the lease.”
“No need, it’s already taken care of.”
One corner of his mouth quirked at her affronted gasp.
“The lease or the keycard?”
“Both.”
“Do I need to waste my breath arguing with you on either issue?”
“Ah, baby, I wasn’t really offering you a choice in the matter.”
He grabbed her hand and guided her through the sprawling condo. It was easily twice the size of hers, with a larger pool, terrace and a hot tub. He groaned when they opened another door to a gaming room complete with roulette, pool, and poker tables.
“The guys will never leave me in peace if they see this room.”
She was wondering about his friends when he dragged her into the empty master bedroom and pulled down her zipper.
“I don’t think I can call this place home until it’s christened properly,” he whispered in her ear. Her dress pooled at her feet and he lifted her out of it. Clad in just her panties and heels, she shivered at the fiery blaze in his eyes. “Will you help me christen it?”
“Yes, Noah.”
Her throat dried as she watched him fumble to release his fly. His thick cock sprang free and she juddered in delight. Unable to wait, she pushed down her thong and kicked it away.
“Be a good girl and get on your knees.”