Chapter 5 Noelle
Torque falls asleep almost instantly. I listen to his even, deep breathing as my ear rests over his heart. There’s a steady thrum that makes me relax. With his arm around me, it’s impossible not to snuggle against him as I stifle a yawn. It’s been a long day. I could use a nap myself.
I’m startled awake when my alarm goes off, jerking me out of a dreamless sleep. I stretch my hand across the sofa and lift my head, reaching for my phone. I turn it off as Torque’s hands wrap around my hips, and he tugs me over his lap.
I’m facing the sexy biker as he stares at my mouth, his eyes focused on my lips.
“This mouth.” He brushes a thumb over my bottom lip. “I can’t stop thinking about these soft lips.”
It’s all the warning I get before he jumps up, lays me back against the sofa cushions, and settles between my thighs.
I blink as he lowers his head. A soft growl tumbles free before he takes what he wants, crushing his mouth to mine.
It’s a frenzied, messy kiss. The type of kiss that can’t be held back because the need behind it is so strong.
It’s a clashing, lust-fueled collision. The type of kiss I’ve always read about in romance novels but never experienced for myself.
The way he pulls me in and holds me there, making me available as he ravages my mouth, sends shooting tingles of want down to my core.
I can feel the arousal as it blossoms, likely dampening my underwear.
I’ve never felt so consumed and desired.
My thoughts are scattered. I just feel. Emotion fuels my every breath.
When I rock my hips against him, he grabs my hip and holds me still. His mouth leaves mine, and the hunger in his eyes is nearly my undoing. I’ve never been so wanton. Torque makes me forget the whole world when his lips are on mine. It’s nearly catastrophic. Yet, I love it.
“Darlin’, I’ve got to stop. Trust me. I don’t want to, but I also don’t want to move too fast and for you to think this is all I want from you because it’s not.”
His confession both pleases and surprises me. “That’s good to know.”
Torque sits back and hauls me with him. I straddle his lap, facing him a second time. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Noelle.”
The way he says it, I know he’s not lying. “Thanks.”
His lips twitch with an almost smile. “It’s true. You’re a fucking knockout, baby. These curves.” He grips my hips tighter. “And this ass. Damn.” He slides his palms over my bottom and squeezes.
The action pushes my core up against his crotch, and I can feel his erection. It’s not tiny either. He’s huge if this is any indicator. And the man is definitely turned on.
An involuntary moan escapes me in response.
“Fuck, darlin’. You keep making noises like this, and I’ll need to taste you.”
Does he mean my mouth or my. . . pussy? Oh, I want to find out.
“Yeah, I mean that sweet little cunt of yours. I can’t wait to dive between your thighs.”
Wow. Is this what dating a biker is like? Hearing dirty words and being devoured by his lips and tongue? Because sign me up. Hell yeah!
“I take it you’re okay with that.” He laughs. “Fuck. I’ve got to go. I don’t want to leave, but that’s how it is, babe. You gotta decide if you’re okay with that.”
I blink as I think it over. “For now. I think so.”
“Then we take it one step, one day at a time. Yeah?”
“Okay, Torque.”
He looks torn. Like, leaving is torturing him a bit, and I love that he’s so into me that he’s unable to hide it. “I’ll be back. Maybe tonight. Not sure.”
“Alright.”
He stands and takes me with him, wrapping an arm around my waist as he lifts me, walking toward my front door. When we reach it, he lets my feet drop to the floor. “One more kiss, beautiful.”
It’s my turn. I kiss him this time. It’s soft, sweet, and undeniably affectionate.
“Fuck, baby. I’m gonna have a raging hard-on all night.”
I snicker. “No one touches your cock but me,” I say boldly.
He grins. “Already agreed on that, sweetheart. You’re the last woman I’ll ever fuck.”
I blink in surprise. It’s a bold statement. He’s a biker—a man who lives by his own code. Torque doesn’t owe me anything. “I’m speechless.”
He brushes the hair out of my face as his expression softens. “I mean it. You should learn something about me. Once I set my mind to something, that’s it. Claiming you is a promise. But I’ll do this at your pace.”
“I appreciate the warning.” I’m teasing him.
“You ever been spoiled by a man before? Had your guy taking care of all your needs? Fucking you, cooking for you, and seeing that shit is done around the house? Because that’s what I plan to do. Ease your burden so you can live a better, happier life.”
I’m not sure Torque hasn’t been plucked from a mixture of my dreams and some of my favorite heroes from the books I read, because that was the most perfect thing any man has ever said to me.
“No. That sounds amazing,” I admit.
“Then get ready, baby. I’m gonna rock your fucking world.”
With that promise, Torque releases me, slips on his boots, kisses my forehead, and heads outside.
I hear his truck as it pulls away and lock my front door. To be honest, I’m in a bit of a daze because this all sounds too wonderful to be true or long-lasting. Lots of people make promises when they’re focused on getting what they want.
What happens a few months or years down the line when I’m not what he wants?
I’ll have fun. But letting my heart get involved? I can’t risk it.
TORQUE DOESN’T COME back during the night, and I head to bed after writing a few chapters on my upcoming novel.
In the morning, I’m up early. I decide to call my sister after a quick shower, dialing Amy’s number as I finish getting ready.
She’s on speaker as I pull on a pair of long boots over my leggings.
“Hey, sis,” I greet her.
“Hi, everything okay?”
Of course. Why wouldn’t it be? “Sure. I just wanted to call and see if you and Ainsley want to see Santa since I never got a chance to take her yesterday.”
“Oh! I bet she’d love that. Hold on, and I’ll ask her.” I hear her talking to Ainsley, and her excited squeal is all the confirmation I need. “Ainsley wants to go, but I need to check the weather. I heard something about an ice storm headed our way.”
Ice storm? Really? We just had all that snow yesterday.
I head downstairs and flip on the news, catching the forecast before it ends.
Sure enough, there’s a big front moving in, and the weatherman is predicting several inches of ice accumulation.
It’s been years since we’ve gotten a storm like that, but I remember one once when Amy and I were little.
Our whole neighborhood lost power. We had to stay with our grandparents for a week.
“Well, crap.” I sigh. “I guess we’re not going.”
“Yeah. It’s supposed to be bad, Noelle. Do you want to come to stay with us? You might get stuck in that house alone since I’m sure the snow emergency level is going to be a 3.”
It would be fun, but honestly, I had deadlines and plenty of food, water, and other supplies if the power goes out. “I think I’ll use this time to get some work done. Thanks for the offer, though.”
Ainsley is whining in the background until my sister turns on Frozen and promises hot cocoa.
“Let me know if you change your mind.”
“I will,” I promise.
After we end the call, I tug off my boots and change into warmer, comfier clothes.
If the power goes out, I want to be sure I won’t freeze.
I have my fireplace and plenty of fresh wood stacked outside in my sunroom.
The three-season room was one of the features that prompted me to put an offer in on this house a few years ago.
I love the natural light and airy feel it gives, and if I get cold, I’ve got a space heater out there.
The décor is beautiful with wicker furniture, several artificial plants, and a gaming table where I like to entertain friends or family.
I’m halfway through an intense chapter when I hear my doorbell. My sister won’t be coming, so I can’t think of anyone else other than Torque. I click Save and then close my laptop, since I’m betting I won’t be writing now that he’s here.
I should have peeked to see who it was before I opened my door. Standing there, looking pissed, is my neighbor Phillip Warner. If he’s paying me a visit, he’s about to go off about some stupid rule for the HOA. “What can I do for you, Mr. Warner?”
“You had a man here yesterday on private property shoveling snow. It’s a violation of the Code of Conduct.”
I stare at him, blinking, because this sounds stupid.
“Well? Don’t you have anything to say?”
I do. He’s not going to like it. “I’ll be contacting the board and filing an official complaint for harassment.”
He huffs. “I saw him. He isn’t the type of person we want hanging around our neighborhood.”
“Oh? Do you speak for the entire board, and everyone included in the HOA?” I’m getting pissed, which thankfully is helping ward off the chill from talking to this man while it’s freezing outside.
He stammers for a response when I take a step in his direction. “That’s my boyfriend, and he’s allowed to come over, ride his motorcycle, and shovel my driveway whenever he wants. If you have a problem, take it up with the HOA. Get off my property. You’re not welcome here.”
He’s so shocked his mouth pops open. After trying to come up with a response and failing, he stomps his foot and rushes back to his yard, finally leaving me in peace.
I shake my head as I shut the door, reaching for a long cardigan to wrap around me now that I’m cold. It’s the perfect reason to make a pot of hot cocoa, and I have it ready within minutes. I fill my mug and sit in the living room, adding a few extra logs to the fire.
That’s when I hear a truck’s engine.
Torque is here. I jump up and set my mug on the coffee table, opening the door just as he walks up to the steps. I breathe as I take him in, admiring the way his muscles bulge in his arms as he carries several paper bags full of groceries.
“Hey, darlin’. Thought I should stock you up with the storm comin’.”
“That’s very thoughtful. Thanks.” I let him in and shut the door behind him. The temperature has already dropped a few degrees, and I follow him into my kitchen as Torque sets the bags on my counter.
Torque begins taking out items and placing them on the countertop. There are canned goods and condiments. Like, a lot of them.
“Um, why did you bring over mustard, mayo, and ketchup?” I’m so confused.
He smirks. “I noticed all the baby condiments in your fridge when you made hot cocoa.”
Baby condiments? “Hey, I don’t use a lot of that stuff. Why buy big bottles and waste them?”
He grasps my chin and lowers his head, brushing his lips over mine. “Well, I plan to stop over more, and I use a lot. Thought I’d save you the trouble and expense.”
“Interesting.”
His lips twitch. “Maybe I can’t stand the thought of you having to use store packets and baby condiments when you eat.”
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Chick-fil-A mayo packets and honey mustard.”
“No, there’s not. If you want to keep them in your fridge in little baggies, go ahead. I won’t stop ya, babe. Just don’t want to squish packets of sauce all over my food.” His eyes crinkle in the corners as he talks, and it’s too cute.
“Very funny, big guy.”
“Show me where you want everything. I won’t presume to take over.”
“Uh-huh.” Like, he hasn’t already been a little aggressive and pushy.
Mostly, it’s just been kissing me and barging into my life, but I don’t mind.
He’s thoughtful and kind in ways I’ve never experienced with a guy before.
It makes me realize that not all men are the same.
Some are pretty amazing despite the jerks I’ve dated in the past.
We put the condiments away, and he removes a bag from my favorite restaurant.
“Got you some chicken tortilla soup, nuggets, and a club sandwich. I wasn’t sure which you’d prefer. There’s a sweet tea, too.”
I flash him a bright smile and press a kiss to his cheek. “You just might make me fall in love with you, Torque.”
“That’s the goal, beautiful.” He’s not kidding the way I am. I can see it in the smoldering look in his eyes. “I’m wondering if I can convince you to come to the clubhouse. To be honest, I think this ice storm is gonna be worse than they predicted.”
I’ve been wondering the same thing.
“Kroger was packed. People were buying all the shit off the shelves. Gave me Covid flashbacks,” he jokes. “Even the damn toilet paper.”
I can’t help laughing because I’m sure it’s true. “Well, it’s probably not a bad idea. I don’t want to get stuck here alone without help if the power goes out.”
“I can stay, or we can go to my clubhouse. It’s the better option, but I’ll let you decide.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“Then pack a bag, babe. We’re leaving as soon as you’re ready.”
“What if my sister and Ainsley get stuck?” Maybe I should go to them instead.
“Sweetheart, if they need help, we’ll go. That’s a promise.”
With that settled, I nod and head upstairs to pack a bag.
This man is breaking down all my defenses, slipping through the cracks, and already finding a way to take up residence in my heart. It’s getting harder to keep this light and fun.
A part of me is already falling for him.