Thirty-One
THIRTY-ONE
Holland
A loaded plea, Noble’s words went straight to my heart. I pushed the screen door open and knew I was opening myself to more than him entering my house.
Something was wrong. I could see that in his distressed eyes, but I recognized something else. Stress and loneliness had driven me to Noble’s bed and he had effectively healed me in ways I could never have imagined. Noble needed that in return.
Noble stepped in, and I pulled him into my arms. His embrace wasn’t sensual. It was needy and hungry, stripping away all ego and exposing the core of his soul. Noble held me as if his life depended on it. If he let go, he would fall into an abyss.
I held him tighter and rubbed circles into his back, feeling his anguish. I wanted to be there for him like he had been for me. Our desire had other plans, rising and floating around us like ribbons in a soft breeze—cutting through all denial.
Noble pulled himself out of our embrace to rest his forehead against mine. I caressed his cheek with my thumbs.
“What is it?” I whispered.
“My father.”
I wrapped my arms around him again, understanding fully how he’d allowed me to use him to dull the things that hurt. I’d let him use me tonight.
I’d wanted to go to Noble after meeting with my father. I’d wanted to share that with him so badly, but I’d already told him in so many ways that I didn’t want him, even though every part of me did.
I kissed Noble and released a flood. Fire blazed between us, leaving me hot and wanting. His fingers ignited my skin.
I pressed against him, feeling the swelling between his legs. Desire throbbed between mine. I took Noble by the hand, stepped around cans of paint, and led him up to my room. I grabbed a condom from the small pack I’d stuffed in my purse, and laid it on the nightstand.
Carefully, I undressed him, watching some of the pain seep from his expression. Removing his clothes gave me the advantage of touching every part of his hot body. I took Noble’s hand and directed him onto the bed. He watched me drop my panties and pull my tank top over my head. His chest heaved.
Noble reached for me. Gently, I pushed his hand down. It was my turn to take care of him. He squirmed under my kisses, from his lips to his groin. When I lowered myself onto his sheathed erection, his back arched. His hiss was so heavy, I thought he would choke. Noble filled me so deeply it touched my soul.
I planted my hands on his chest and swirled my hips, suctioning and cushioning him. Noble squeezed his eyes shut and met me, slow, long deliberate stroke for delicious stroke. With his hands on my hips, I bounced on him, faster and harder. We collided with each other and ecstasy ripped through me. I throbbed and gushed. Noble’s groan swelled in his throat and erupted through his mouth.
“Ahh!” He looked dead into my eyes as his expression morphed from what looked like pure pain to pure bliss.
Noble threw his head back and bellowed as his orgasm thundered through him. I collapsed onto his chest. Soon after, Noble wrapped his arm around my back. He kissed the top of my head.
“Please tell me you want this as bad as I do,” he whispered.
There was no more denying or running from the truth. My heart and body craved Noble, even when I distanced myself. I lifted my head so he could see my eyes when I said, “I want this.”
I laced my fingers in his. We kissed until his erection swelled again, begging for reentry. We satisfied one another until the sun bathed us in its light.
And then, we talked—verbal intercourse that purged the fears and joys we were confronting. A clean slate as we harbored no more secrets.