Chapter 14
NOAH
What the fuck is she doing?
I stand at the edge of the woods, peering out across the night to Rue, kneeling at the edge of the dock. She’s having a full-blown mental breakdown, I think, but is it out of guilt? Shame? Or is this some sort of weird ritual she chooses to partake in every so often?
Part of it feels incredibly vindicating. Really. But the other part is just numb, thanks to the goddamn cold that’s settled into my bones.
I fucking hate it.
Still, what is she doing out there?
Surely, she’s not going to like… jump in.
“That would be really fucking stupid,” I mumble under my breath, unable to take my eyes off her. Besides, she’s parked at the festival, which is nearly a mile from here.
She’s lost her mind.
And I hate the fact I’m actually a little worried.
I don’t want her to die by falling into the lake. Not until I least talk to her, which I continue to consciously avoid, because I’m too intrigued by this fucked up woman. I thought she was thriving, but the longer I watch, the more I realize she’s… not okay.
Which she deserves, my head rationalizes.
But it still feels all wrong.
Maybe it’s time to talk to her. I take a step forward, and then hesitate, as Rue stands to her feet. I remain in the shadows, as she adjusts the hood on her coat, and then starts back down the dock. The tear stains shimmer on her porcelain cheeks, and it’s strangely moving to see her so…broken.
She sniffles as she walks, her movements stiff and cold.
I run my tongue over my lower lip as I wait for her to decide which direction she’s going. She pauses, her eyes jumping to the trail head, which is a few feet to my right, and then the treacherous path back to the festival—the one I followed her to here.
Rue breathes out, causing a little condensation puff in the night. I imagine she’s weighing her options. My jaw stays set in place until she answers.
She heads back toward the festival.
You brave, stupid girl. It’s too cold.
Now, I have to follow her back. So much for bedding down in the ravine with a nice campfire. It’s going to be a long night.
I brush the fatigue away, and carefully follow her, keeping enough distance that I can time my steps with the north wind, covering the noise of the dead leaves. Though, her sniffles and crunching footsteps are much louder than any sound I might make from behind her.
She doesn’t even care that the whole word can hear her coming.
Why are you being so reckless, Rue?
“I’m so sorry,” she mutters, barely audible in front of me. “I’m so sorry, Noah.”
I freeze. What the hell did she just say? I fight the urge to grab her fucking hood and rip her backward, forcing her to repeat what she just said.
But then it wouldn’t be organic.
“How did I not know?” she just keeps manically rambling into the night, and I have no fucking clue what it is that she’s trying to say. “Fuck me. Fuck me.”
I would not be against that.
In fact, the thought of tears streaming down Rue Iverson’s face because I’m choking her with my cock actually sounds pretty fucking appealing. That’s one way to get my vengeance and force her to see me.
And my stupid imagination causes me to step down on a branch in the silence, suddenly piercing the night.
Whoops.
Rue stops, and whips around, but not quick enough. I slip behind a tree and hold my breath as long as I possibly can. I wait for a few beats, and then finally let it out when she starts moving again.
But now, she’s moving fast, her steps uncoordinated and clumsy.
The cold will get you, Little Rabbit.
I let out a sigh, and pick up my pace, too. God forbid, she be snagged by someone less deserving than me.
That would just be tragic at this point.
Her breaths come out like a freight train as she sprints through the woods, crashing through the dead leaves and branches, letting the briars tear at her coat. For a woman of great danger, she sure as hell runs like prey.
My heart picks up its pace, but remains steady as I follow, still being careful of where I put my feet. I don’t need new holes in my coat. I actually have to survive this weather.
When she breaks from the woods and into the clearing outside of the festival, she slows. Her Pathfinder is one of the few vehicles remaining in the grassy parking lot, and I’m left sneaking behind a truck parked about ten yards away.
“Rue?” A voice cuts through the night.
I peer around the back end of the truck to see the blonde she was there with earlier, approaching her and looking worried.
“I’ve been looking all over for you. I saw you were still here…” Her voice trails off. “I let Mara go home with her friends, so I keep searching for you. Oh my god, you scared me.”
I cock a brow. She sounds fake.
“I just needed to get a little air. I’m fine.” Rue sounds breathless, and I like that sound. A lot.
“Okay, well, please drive safe.”
Rue hits her key fob, unlocking the SUV. And I see my shot.
I sprint for the car, and duck, the two women still talking on the other side. I pop the back passenger door open, and then slide inside, timing the door closing with Rue opening hers.
But she’s not looking inside.
I flip over the backseat and into the cargo space in the back, where the third row has been laid down. I adjust myself, my legs feeling stiff and sore from all the hiking.
“I’ll text you when I get home,” Rue says to whoever the fuck that chick is. “I promise.” Her tone sounds slightly brighter, but still forced. “Have a good night, Macey.”
Macey? I furrow my brow, recognizing that. Her cousin. Huh. Okay.
Rue slams her door shut, and then starts the engine, the floor vibrating beneath me. The heater blares, and Rue fucks with the radio for a minute, before turning it off completely. She puts it in gear, and then starts out of the parking lot.
I lay there quietly, letting my brain wander back to the image of those tears streaking down her pretty little face.
Fuck, why does that turn me on so much?
Because she owes me. I grit my teeth as I feel myself harden under my jeans. I adjust my cock, trying to ignore it. But I just can’t fucking stop thinking about how good it would feel to run my fingers through her pretty hair—and force this cock down her throat.
‘This is how you tell me you’re sorry, Rue,’ I can hear my own voice in my head, as those plump lips wrap around the head of my dick. ‘Suck.’
My hand finds the button of my jeans, and I let myself loose, slipping my hand beneath my boxers. I squeeze my eyes shut as I stroke myself, letting my imagination run free.
‘I’m so sorry, Noah,’ her words from earlier play on repeat, as I conjure up the image of lifting to her feet, and then bending her over. I swipe the precum from my tip as I pick up my speed.
‘Noah.’
I want her to say my name over and over. I stroke harder and faster, tasting copper as I grow closer to the edge and have to stay quiet. It’s been so goddamn long since I’ve let myself think about what I really want when it comes to Rue.
Oh fuck. Oh fuck. I’m coming for you Rue.
As I explode, she brakes hard at a turn.
And I spray my load all over the back of her Pathfinder.