Chapter 16
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Zara
“Why do you keep rolling your shoulders like that?” Hannah asked.
Hannah had flown in for the animal shelter auction and tagged along to the Emperor”s game with Zara. She rarely got to see her brother play since their schedules didn’t line up often.
As a bonus, Zara didn’t have to worry about being seen alone at Noah’s game. Not that they were hiding their relationship because that wasn’t the case.
Not really.
Or, maybe it was. She honestly had no clue.
“What are you talking about?” She gave Hannah a strange look.
“You keep doing this,” Hannah rolled her shoulders, and it immediately hit Zara why she was doing that.
Her shoulders were sore from the handcuffs. She wasn’t shy about sex, but telling her friend about being handcuffed to the bed while Noah fucked her might be going too far.
“I think I slept wrong or something.” She hoped that was the end of the conversation.
Hannah lowered her sunglasses. “Don”t you lie to me, Zara Dewan. I have known you long enough to recognize when you’re fibbing.”
Zara sighed and gave in, knowing that Hannah would find a way to drag it out of her anyway. “Noah might have handcuffed me to the bed last night.” She leaned in and whispered, hoping not to be overheard by anyone near them.
“Oh. My. God.” Her mouth was hanging open. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“What day?”
“The day that you let your guard down.”
“What in the world are you talking about?”
“Yes, you like sex, and you like all kinds of sex, but never in all the years we’ve known each other have you ever told me about any kind of sex where you weren’t in control.”
“That’s not true.” Was it?
“Think back and tell me it’s not.”
As she thought back through her sex life, she realized Hannah was right. She’d done a lot of things, but she’d never, not once, let the guy bind her in any way. What was even weirder was that she couldn”t remember a guy ever even asking. Did she put off some vibe that told them she wouldn”t like it?
Except she had liked it. With Noah.
“I’m right, aren’t I?”
She glared at her. “Do you want a prize? Maybe a trophy?”
“Yes, but that’s not important right now. What is important is that you”re different with Noah. You keep looking for answers about what you should do, and it’s staring you right in the face.”
“I’ve sort of figured that out already.”
Hannah tilted her head to the side, studying her before slipping her sunglasses back on. “Good.”
“That’s all you have to say?” She’d expected much more.
“That’s it.”
Zara doubted that was true but didn”t have time to think about it anymore because Noah was up to bat.
“He’s played well today. Actually, he’s played well the last few games.” Hannah was telling her something she already knew.
She sat forward in her seat, watching him closely as he took a few practice swings and then stepped into the batter”s box. “He’s going to be a big draw tonight.” Her phone had been buzzing all day since the news of him being auctioned off went out.
Noah was well-loved both in and out of baseball, something she was just realizing.
She wasn”t sure how much she liked the thought of everybody wanting to bid on him, but she made the decision, and she had to stick by it. If they were a couple out in the world and everybody knew about them, he wouldn”t even be in this situation.
He was doing her a favor, and she would have to accept that someone would win a date with him.
The sound of the ball cracking off a bat had her standing up as the ball that Noah hit flew out of the ballpark and into the stands in right field.
He’d hit another home run.
It was his fourth in four games.
Hannah was right beside her, cheering loudly as he rounded the bases. When he got to home plate, his teammates swarmed him in congratulations. As he left the field, he looked up into the stands, catching her eye. She knew she was grinning from ear to ear.
She”d been around all sports, and especially baseball, her entire life, and yet this moment, where he hit a home run and then looked up into the stands to her, was more exciting than any of the other ones.
Noah was the reason.
He was the reason for a lot of things.
Because she freaking loved him.
When the game ended, they didn’t stick around to talk to Heath or Noah because they were in a time crunch if they wanted to be at the event earlier to help out. Hannah was staying with Heath and had borrowed his car, so she dropped Zara off at Noah’s on the way.
She”d already showered and was blow-drying her hair when Noah stepped into the bathroom, finally home from his game.
She clicked off the blow dryer, dropped it onto the counter, and ran towards him. It was just a few steps, but he caught her in his arms, twirling her around.
Nothing felt better than when his arms were around her. “You played amazingly today.” It was freeing to say those words out loud to him.
“I loved having you there.” He pulled back, smacking a loud kiss on her lips.
They grinned stupidly at each other before he finally slid her back to her feet. “I”m a little sad that I already missed you naked.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “Although I’m loving this.” He toyed with the t-shirt she was wearing. One that just so happened to belong to him.
She slapped his chest, stepped away, and picked the hair dryer back up. “You saw me naked most of last night and this morning, and you”ll see me naked again later tonight.”
He groaned. “That”s such a long time from now.”
“I think you can make it. A big, strong guy like yourself should have no problem holding out for a few more hours.”
“You say that, but what if the person who bids on me and wins is a lunatic or a stalker or, I don”t know, something else equally as bad?”
“Since you know all about stalking, you two will have something in common. It’ll give you something to talk about.” While she was joking on the outside, she was seething inside at the thought of this imaginary person actually getting along with him.
He was more than just his good looks, although he was absolutely that. He was a good person, and she wanted people to know that. She wanted them to see the real Noah, even if she wanted to keep him all for herself, hidden away in his house.
They got ready side by side, and it felt super relationshipy. She had never done anything like that before. No guy stayed long enough to share her bathroom with her. This was intimate in a way she’d never known. She was just finishing the last of her makeup when he came strolling out of his closet. She saw him reflected in the mirror, and her breath hitched at how sexy he was in his tux. She turned slowly, taking in every single inch of him.
“How do I look?” He raised his arms, doing a little spin.
“You”ll do,” she said, trying to play it cool.
He raised an eyebrow. “That”s all I get? Looking like this,” he gestured up and down his body, “and doing you a favor?”
“I mean, I prefer you naked, but I can work with this.” In reality, her pussy was wet just looking at him.
Not a great start to the night.
“Can you help me with this?” she asked, grabbing her dress and wiggling it up her body until it was in place. She turned, giving him her back and moving her hair out of the way so he could zip it up. Her dress was a deep shade of pink with only one strap over her left shoulder and a slit that went high up her leg. She’d bought it weeks ago before they were even a thing, but now all she cared about was what he thought of it.
His fingers grazed her back softly as he slowly worked the zipper upwards. He leaned in, his breath tickling her ear, sending a shiver through her body. She stepped away, afraid if she didn’t, they’d never make it to the auction.
Plus, it was her turn to show off.
She spun slowly, ending in a sultry pose with one hand on her hip and her bare leg sticking out from the slit in the dress.
“Holy fucking shit,” he swore, his eyes wide and mouth hanging open.
She smiled brightly, feeling every bit as gorgeous as he just made her feel with his words and expression. “Why, thank you.”
“Seriously, Zara, I don”t have words for how amazing you look.” He grabbed her hand, pulling her against him.
“Do not mess up my makeup or hair,” she said instantly.
“I”m not going to touch you. Well, that”s a lie. I”m going to touch you,” his hand ran down her side, moving over her ass, “but I”m not going to touch your face, or your hair.”
“You”re not going to touch anything,” She might have said the words, but she didn’t believe them. She always wanted him to touch her.
“I just saw you put on this sexy as fuck dress without underwear. There”s no way I”m not going to touch you before we make it to this event.”
She tried to push away from him, but he held on tightly, grinding his already hard cock against her. She moaned, he groaned, and she knew it was futile to resist.
“Spread your legs,” he said, moving his free hand between her legs. He pushed the material of her dress aside, trailing his fingers up the inside of her thigh.
Those damn fingers had her panting and wanting what he was about to give her, and when he ran them over her already wet pussy she could only moan in response.
“Eyes on me,” he said huskily, his fingers parting her folds and tracing over her clit. As if not watching him while he touched her was even an option.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on for dear life as he slid two fingers deep inside her. She bucked at the sensation, trying hard to grind herself against him for more pressure.
“Uh uh.” He shook his head, his gaze firmly on hers. “Stay still. I”m doing all the work here.”
It was impossible not to move, not to try and fuck his fingers, but somehow she held still, even though she was falling apart in his arms in more ways than one.
Her climax shot through her, and she clung to him, her fingers gripping the back of his tux, her body going limp in his arms.
“Like I said, gorgeous,” he murmured.
She dropped her head back, completely spent and exhausted. “Oh my God, how am I expected to move now or, you know, think.”
He slipped his fingers out of her body, sliding them along her leg before removing them and bringing them to his lips. He gave them a lick, moaning at the taste. “I think the bigger question is how am I supposed to get through the night with just that small taste.”
She straightened her dress, stepping back, aroused again by the sight of him licking her juices off his fingers, and angry there wasn’t more time so she could take care of him the same way. “That”s your own fault.” She tapped his chest. “You brought this on yourself, buddy.”
“And I’d gladly do it again.” He grabbed her hand, bringing it to his mouth and kissing her knuckles.
Did women swoon nowadays, or was that just something they did in the eighteen hundreds when there were kings and queens? She was pretty sure she’d swooned.
She was afraid she was going to say something that she wasn”t quite ready for, so she quickly pulled her hand back. Thankfully, his phone dinged, and he didn’t have a chance to notice her moment of fear.
“The car is here,” he said. He’d insisted on ordering a car so that he didn”t have to drive and that they could get home safely if they both wanted to have a few drinks. She was definitely going to need a drink if she had to watch women drool all over him most of the night.
When they arrived at the hotel where the event was taking place, Noah whistled. “You know, I”ve lived in Los Angeles a long time, but I”ve never been here.”
It was a swanky place where the ritz and glitz of Hollywood stayed. Zara had snagged it thanks to Shane Bradley, who just so happened to know the owner.
“That surprises me. Seems like your sort of place.”
He laughed. “Because what, I”m so high-brow and fancy? You”ve seen my place. I might make a shit ton of money, but I”m just a regular guy who plays baseball for a living.”
She let him help her from the car, and they walked inside together. The lobby was already hustling and bustling with athletes from every sport who were told to be there earlier than the guests to ensure everyone understood the rules.
“Zara,” she heard her name and turned around to see Jase Grimes walking her way. Jase was a Hollywood movie star who she”d somehow snagged to be the MC of the event.
Next to her, Noah stiffened just a little. “You know Jase Grimes?” he whispered.
“He”s the MC tonight.” She stepped forward, away from the closeness of Noah and already missing it, giving Jase a handshake. “It’s great to see you. Thank you again for doing this.”
“I”m excited,” he said. “I never get to do anything like this anymore, and I love animals. You know I have three dogs, two cats, and a gerbil. All rescues. Well, if you count rescuing the gerbil from my nephew, who liked to squeeze him a little too hard.”
She threw her head back, laughing. “Probably smart that you took over care duties from your nephew.”
Jase”s eyes shifted to Noah next to her. “Noah Ashe,” Jay said a little in awe, “you”re my favorite ball player. That home run you hit yesterday was amazing. It’s so nice to meet you, man.” They shook hands, and she visibly saw Noah relax a little. Jase was a nice guy even though his reputation with women preceded him.
“Thanks. It”s great to meet you too. I loved your last movie.”
“God, that was a bitch to film. You do not want to know how much I would have preferred to be at the ballpark watching you.”
Zara rolled her eyes. She would never understand how guys could go from not even knowing each other to being completely at ease with each other within seconds. “If you guys will excuse me, I”ve got a bunch of things to check on.”
“Yeah, go,” Jase said, shooing her away.
“Go do what you need to,” Noah said quietly, giving her a grin and a small wink just for her.
They’d talked about how to handle being together tonight, and while they weren”t planning to hide it, neither were they going to flaunt it. During the auction, they needed bidders to think that he was single.
So, instead of a relationship, it was more like a friendship.
A naked friendship, but they were keeping that part to themselves.
She made her way through the hotel lobby, heading toward the ballroom. That’s where she found Grace. Grace Dyer was the director of animal welfare for the city of Los Angeles, and she was the mastermind behind this whole event.
They’d met a few years ago at another function, and when Grace contacted Zara about doing an athlete bachelor auction, Zara had jumped in with both feet. She loved animals, despite not having one of her own. She was too busy with work to give a pet the appropriate amount of love and care.
“Grace,” she said, giving her a quick hug. “You look fantastic.” Other than the first time they met at a professional event, she’d only ever seen Grace in jeans and t-shirts. Given her job, the attire made perfect sense.
“You too,” Grace said, checking out her dress. “That color is amazing on you.”
Zara gave a little shimmy. “When I saw it, I knew I had to have it.”
Grace jumped right into business. “I checked off everyone’s names as they came in, and it looks like everyone”s here except Heath.” She rolled her eyes, obviously annoyed.
“He”ll be here,” Zara said. “He”s coming with Hannah, so I know she’ll ensure he gets here.” Heath wasn’t happy about doing this auction and had been bitching since she”d asked him to do it. She wasn’t sure what his problem was, and she really didn”t care. Tonight she just needed him to show up.
Grace sighed. “Oh, good. I was starting to worry that he was going to back out, and he”s a pretty big draw. Everyone I talked to was excited to have the opportunity to bid on him. That is, until you snagged Noah Ashe to replace Lamar Whitaker. I will never know how you pulled that off. Someday you”re going to have to give me your secrets.”
Zara laughed. “Those go to the grave with me.”
They gathered all the guys in the ballroom to go over a few things before the event officially started. Grace and Zara used the stage to address the group.
“I”d like to start by saying thank you to every single one of you for being here and agreeing to do this,” Zara said. “I know this is time out of your lives, from your families, and from your training, and we really appreciate everything you”re doing. I know most of you talked to her already over the phone or Zoom, but this is Grace.” She motioned for Grace to step forward. “Grace is in charge of the animal shelters in the LA area, and without her vision, none of this would have come together. That being said, there are a few rules you all need to follow. Number one. Yes, this is a bachelor auction. Yes, people—women, men, everybody—will be bidding on you. But these are dates or outings. There is no implied sexual favor. If you choose to do that, it’s up to you and at your discretion, but that is not what this auction is about. I cannot stop you if that’s the route you choose, although if you’re my client, you know how I feel. Second, if you”ve changed your mind about what your planned activity is for the date that you originally sent me, please let us know now, and we will make sure that Jase, our MC, has it all taken care of when he calls out your name. Are there any questions before we start?” All the guys shook their heads. Zara gave a glance over to Noah, who was standing next to a couple of other baseball players. He was smiling and also shaking his head.
“Then you’re free to go. Grab yourself a drink, try to stay mostly sober, and have a great night. Remember, this is for charity, so you know, be funny, be sexy, be sweet. Anything to drive up the bidding.”
“You’re so good at that,” Grace said when the guys at all dispersed, and the two of them walked backstage. “I do not like talking in front of big groups.”
“It gets easier the more you do it, and as if you couldn”t tell, I”m not shy, nor have I ever been.”
Hannah came hustling toward them. “I”m so sorry I”m late,” she said breathlessly. “I had a wardrobe malfunction and had to stop on the way here and pick something else up.”
Zara eyed her speculatively, looking at her stomach and knowing exactly why she had a wardrobe malfunction. There was no bump there yet, but she imagined that the dress Hannah had wanted to wear was pretty tight, so it was very possible it no longer fit. “No worries,” she said. “We”ve taken care of everything, and also, you were only ever coming here to take my place. Now that I”m back in charge, you can enjoy yourself.”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “You know damn well that”s not going to be possible. Although, have you seen some of those guys? I might want to bid on them myself.”
“Aren’t you married?” Grace asked.
“Yes, but I”m not blind, and it”s for a good cause. Edwin wouldn”t care. A few of those guys are people he knows. I can call him and ask if I could bid on them, and I”m sure he”d say yes.”
“Don”t be so sure about that,” Zara said. Edwin may come off easy and relaxed, but there was no way he would let his wife bid on another man, even if it was for charity.
Zara looked down at her watch. “Well, it looks like it”s time. I”ll instruct the staff to open the doors, and we can get this party started.”
She walked away, going in search of a staff member. She wasn’t actively looking for Noah, but it was hard not to search him out when she knew he was in the room. She found him easily on one side of the room, where his eyes found hers. He was alone, standing against a wall, and he crooked his finger for her to come towards him.
There was a grin on his face.
She was a sucker for his grin.