Chapter Twenty
KATIE
Gemma
Swing by on your lunch break. I wanna show you the gym’s progress. I’ll feed you pizza!
I smile when I read her message. Of course she’d persuade me with food.
Katie
I have my Friday conference call at 1.
After I hit send, I add an eye-rolling emoji.
Gemma
That gives you an hour if you leave in 15 minutes!
I sigh, unable to deny my best friend.
Katie
Alright fine. Ya twisted my arm. See you soon.
Gemma
YAY!
I finish the email I was writing, then log off my computer. Once I’m in the lobby, I see Loretta and wave.
“Fancy seein’ you here,” I say as she looks around nervously. “You okay?”
“Oh yeah, sweetie. I’m fine. Just someone giving Elliot and me a hard time, so it’s got me a little flustered, but it’s nothing you need to worry about.”
I tilt my head and try to read her. Loretta’s a tough cookie and is always vocal about her feelings, so this is strange.
“What is it? Anything I can do?”
“No, dear. We’re handling it, and it’ll be over with soon.” She nervously smiles just as Missy calls her forward.
“Loretta, your withdrawal is ready. Sorry it took a few extra minutes.”
My eyes widen at the hundreds stacked on the counter. Then I notice the duffel bag Loretta’s carrying.
“You and Elliot goin’ on a gambling trip?” I tease.
She brushes me off with a laugh as she places the cash in her bag, then walks toward the exit.
“Bye, sweetie. See you tomorrow,” she says, and I wave.
I go to Missy and ask to see the withdrawal slip. It’s none of my business, but something fishy is going on, and it could affect my son.
“She’s never taken out that much at once,” Missy says quietly as she hands it to me.
“Twenty grand?” I whisper-hiss.
Missy shrugs.
Something is definitely going on.
I don’t have time to think about it because I need to leave for the gym. It’s a short ten-minute walk, and when I enter, Gemma hugs me as tightly as her preggo belly allows.
“Just on time!”
“Well, I was promised pizza so…”
“Plenty of it on the table,” Tyler says.
“You eat while I show you around,” Gemma says before grabbing me a slice and putting it on a paper plate.
I look for Noah, wondering where he is but don’t ask. Although Gemma knows we’re together, we’re still keeping our relationship on the down low. Tonight we have plans to hang out with Owen, but I was hoping to get to see him here too.
“And of course, my favorite room: the studio.” Gemma does a ta-da motion, and I smile at her excitement.
“Wow…it looks so good, babe. My yoga pants that have never gone to yoga just might now.”
Next, she shows me the room where the boxing ring will go. It’s not up yet, but the area is mostly finished.
“Gemma, your phone’s ringing. It’s your OB,” Tyler calls out.
“Oh, shoot. She’s got my test results. Be right back.” Gemma rushes in the other direction.
As I finish my pizza and set the plate down, I spot the locker rooms. Instead of waiting for Gemma’s guided tour, I take it upon myself to peek inside.
From behind, an arm wraps around my waist, and before I can scream, a hand covers my mouth.
“You look beautiful,” Noah whispers in my ear, then lowers his lips to my neck.
“You scared the shit out of me. I nearly junk-punched you.” I spin around and pull him close. “That was mean.”
He flashes a shit-eating grin. “I couldn’t help myself. You know how many times I’ve wanted to slam you up against my locker and kiss the fuck outta you?”
I arch my brows, licking my lips. “Should we do a little fantasy play?”
He groans, biting his lip. “Don’t tempt me, baby.”
Lowering my hand down his jeans, I feel his erection and rub it with my palm. “Looks like you’re already tempted.”
Noah’s head falls back with a groan. “You have any idea how much I’ve missed you? Every minute away from you feels like an eternity.”
My heart gallops in my chest as my body shivers. It’s hard not seeing him every day like before, but between work and taking care of Owen, there’s not a lot of free time.
He cups my face and presses his lips to mine.
“I’ve missed you too,” I tell him. “I can’t wait to get you alone tonight.”
“We’re alone right now.” He smirks, then glances around. “C’mon, there’s a room back here that’s private.”
Noah takes my hand, and I follow.
He leads me into a fitness room that only has a table and cabinets. Once we’re fully inside, Noah shuts the door, then locks it.
“What’re you up to?”
“Getting a few minutes with my girl.” He winks. “Have I ever told you I fuckin’ love when you wear those pencil skirts?”
Noah’s eyes trail down my body and back up before he locks them with mine.
Heat rushes to my cheeks at the way he’s admiring every inch of me, making my panties ready to combust.
“Mm…do you?” I taunt.
Noah grips my waist and pulls me to his chest. “Are you wet?”
His cock presses into my stomach.
I hum out in response. “God, yes.”
It feels so wrong sneaking around, but as Noah’s fingers trail down my arm, leaving goose bumps on my skin, I don’t care.
“You know how many times I dreamed of touching you? Kissing your skin. Feeling your hands on me. Fuck, you’d drive me wild without even realizing it,” he says in a deep drawl. “I was turned on every fuckin’ day and couldn’t do a damn thing about it.”
“Show me what you wanted to do,” I demand.
“Yeah?” The corner of his lips tilts up. “You sure?”
“Yes.”
Without missing a beat, Noah spins me around and pushes me into the table. “Spread your legs,” he growls in my ear. “These fuck-me heels have been in my fantasies since I returned.”
Looking over my shoulder, I grin and watch as his eyes go dark with anticipation. I don’t know how much longer we have until Gemma or Tyler come barreling in, so I widen my legs, giving him permission.
Noah kneels behind me, palming my thighs and pushing up my skirt until it’s over my ass. His fingers loop into my panties, and he swiftly drags them down to my ankles.
I give him as much access as I can when he squeezes my ass cheeks, and his tongue dives into my pussy. My chest is nearly flat against the table as he sucks me from behind, flicking my clit and thrusting his tongue in and out.
“Oh my God,” I moan at how good it feels.
Just when I think it can’t get any better, he drives two digits inside me and goes deep and hard.
“Come on my fingers,” he demands.
We don’t have a lot of time, so I ride his hand and cover my mouth when the orgasm hits. Noah slides out of me and latches his lips, licking my release.
“Fuckin’ heaven, baby girl.”
He helps put my panties and skirt back into place, and when I spin in his arms, I notice he’s still hard as hell.
“Let me take care of that.” I fist my fingers in his shirt.
“Later.” He winks. “That way I can sink deep inside you and watch your face as I come.”
His words have my eyes nearly rolling to the back of my head.
Hell yes.
“There you two are,” Gemma scolds when we finally make our way to the front.
Tyler snorts, shaking his head. “I recognize that sex hair.”
My eyes widen as Gemma swats him. “That’s my brother. Please stop talkin’.”
Quickly, I flatten my hair as my cheeks go crimson.
“I better get back to work,” I say awkwardly. “Thanks for showing me around. Everything looks incredible.”
“Should be up and running in about six weeks,” Tyler says proudly. “Just waiting on some final pieces of equipment and the boxing ring.”
“And hiring more people,” Gemma adds.
“That juice bar is gonna be a hit.” I smile, giving her a hug goodbye.
Before I walk out, Noah pulls me aside and kisses me.
“See you tonight for movies and popcorn.” He smirks.
When he comes over to visit, Noah parks a block away, then enters through the back door.
Though I hate we have to be a secret, I’m also enjoying keeping our relationship status within our inner circle only.
The moment people find out, I’ll be bombarded by rumors, so it’s nice to enjoy this quiet time.
“How was your pizza?” Missy asks as I walk through the doors.
“It was…” I tilt the corner of my lips. “Hot.”
I go to my office and shut the door for my conference call, which is boring as hell.
The end of my shift can’t come soon enough.
Owen’s been bouncing off the walls excited to watch Star Wars tonight, and I’m eager to hang out with Noah.
Though he typically stays till one or two in the morning, it never seems like enough time.
After work, I pick up Owen from my mother’s, and he begs to stop by the bakery.
“Please, Mom? We can have cupcakes for dessert! And it’s not a school day tomorrow.”
I sigh. “Alright, just one, though.”
As we walk to the car, my phone rings and Noah’s name pops on the screen.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Just wanted to give you a heads-up that I’m gonna be a little late. Brittany called and said she’s stranded with a flat on some country road ten minutes outside Mobile and needs a ride back to town.”
Irritation claws through me.
“She can’t call a tow truck? Or someone else?”
“She said she tried but was given a two-hour window, and she doesn’t wanna sit out there in the dark. No one else answered, I guess. She’s with Anthony and doesn’t have a spare.”
I have a hard time being mad, knowing she’s with her son in the middle of nowhere on the side of the road.
This is just a ploy to get Noah’s attention, but it won’t work. There’s no harm in him helping her out either.
“Alright well, please be careful. Text me when you’re on the way back.”
“I will. Once I drop them off, I’ll go home and shower, then be right over.”
“Sounds good.” We hang up, and I drive to the bakery that’s next to the deli.
Once we park, Owen rushes in and leaves me behind.
“Owen Gabriel Reid,” I scold when I finally catch up to him. “You don’t run across parking lots like that.”
“Sorry,” he mumbles while scanning the display case.
“Hey, Alexandra,” I say as soon as she greets us.
“Hey kiddo, what’re ya in the mood for today?” she asks Owen.
“Alllll of them.” He nearly drools.
“One,” I remind him.
While he decides, I order two for Noah and me.
When he finally decides, Alexandra packs everything, and we say our goodbyes. As we exit, I spot Jerry and Belinda leaving the deli.
“Hey, you two.”
“Hey, kiddos. What’re you up to?”
“Just gettin’ some cupcakes for dessert,” I explain. “What about you?”
“Brittany had to leave early for some family emergency, so I had to stay later than usual,” Belinda says.
I furrow my brows. “In Mobile?”
“Um, I don’t think so. Her vehicle wasn’t working, so someone picked her up.” She shrugs.
“Wait, what?” My heart races.
“Yeah, she left it over there and said she’d pick it up tomorrow.” I look over and see the same color SUV as hers parked there. My mind instantly reels. Needing to double-check for myself, I walk over and notice the back window decal that I’ve seen at school drop-off.
Peeking inside, I glance around and see something on the floorboard in the back. I try my best to make out what it is and realize it’s a can of red spray paint.
The same color spray paint that MURDERER was written in on Noah’s truck.
What the fuck? Why would she be after Noah?
Without making Jerry panic, I try to keep calm, but it’s hard.
I’d like to think I’m overreacting, but my gut tells me otherwise.
The strange way she’s been acting, the odd questions she’s asked, it’s all a little too convenient.
The fact that Noah’s driving to her right now without knowing what her intentions or motives are makes me feel sick.
“Can you take Owen home with you and watch him till I get back?” I rush over to them, then hand Belinda the box of sweets. “So sorry to spur this on you, but I’ll be right back. It’s really important.”
“Everything okay?” Belinda asks.
I force a smile. “Yeah. It will be once I figure something out.”
I kiss Owen’s head and tell him to be a good boy.
Jerry nods and reassures it’s no problem.
They’re confused as hell, but I can’t say anything until I know what’s going on.
It might just be a coincidence, but I doubt it.
Brittany’s given me a weird-ass vibe since the way she acted at the retirement party.
She’s militantly tried to get Noah’s attention, which makes this even more suspicious.
As soon as I’m in my car, I gun it and drive to the interstate. I call Noah, and after five rings, it goes to voicemail.
“Ugh, c’mon. Pick up,” I beg, hitting his number again.
Voicemail again.
I text him.
Katie
Call me ASAP. It’s urgent!!!
No response.
My heart races so hard, I can barely breathe.
It’s already getting dark, and I don’t know exactly where she said she was, so he could be anywhere.
As I continue driving, I keep calling, but after a while, it goes directly to voicemail without ringing.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I take the exit ramp that leads to the country road before Mobile.
Slowing down, I do my best to scan the area in the dark.
When I come close to an intersection and see two pairs of headlights in a ditch, my heart sinks.
There aren’t any ambulances or police cars, which means it might’ve just happened.
“Noah…” I let out a strained whisper.
As soon as I park on the gravel, I pocket my phone and run over.
One truck is facing the wrong direction and has been hit on the driver’s side. From what I can make out, it’s blue like Noah’s. The closer I get, I know it’s his. I continue stumbling forward, trying to gain control as my adrenaline rushes.
“Noah!” I scream, smacking the front fender. The door’s dented and won’t open. The glass is smashed in, so I can hardly see inside.
I rush over to the passenger’s side, and after a few attempts, get the door open. The airbag’s deflated, and I notice he’s limp against the seat.
“Noah, baby…do you hear me?” I take his hand and shake him, noticing the blood trailing down his face.
He lets out a low groan, and I exhale a breath of relief that he’s still alive.
“Stay with me. I’m calling 911.”
As soon as the dispatcher answers, I explain the situation and beg them to come as soon as possible. Noah’s breaths are short and staggered, and I’m worried he has a concussion or his lung collapsed.
“They’re on their way, ma’am,” she reassures me.
“I think his legs are stuck. The whole door is bent in,” I tell her.
“Keep him talkin’ and see if he can open his eyes.”.
“I’m gonna set the phone down for a second so I can get closer,” I tell her.
“Noah, can you hear me?”
He squeezes my hand lightly. “Katie…” he mumbles.
“Yes, it’s me.”
Tears fill my eyes, and I try my best to stay strong for him and not cry.
“You’re gonna be okay, baby. The ambulance is on its way.”
“Katie…” he says my name again weakly, then squeezes my hand, this time a bit harder. “I love you.”
There’s no use fighting the tears because as soon as he says those three beautiful words, they fall down my cheeks uncontrollably.
“Noah.” I stare as he struggles to open his eyes. “I love you, too. I always have.”
Once the words leave my lips, he releases my hand.