“I’ve wanted to do that since I first saw you.”
Destiny laughed a little but she could feel her heart hammering loudly. She only hoped Noah didn’t hear it. He probably didn’t hear it because he was kissing her again and Destiny felt lightheaded from the excitement.
“Noah, did you get her to tell you anything? You don’t have all day; we open in twenty.”
Noah rested his head on her forehead. “I truly hate Kimberly.”
Destiny laughed.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
NOAH
The only thought that ran through Noah’s head was the kiss he shared with Destiny. It was all he could think about and the feel of her lips on his. But Destiny wouldn’t say why she left home. He had asked, urged her to talk but she hadn’t, wouldn’t. He had seen her run out of her building that night; he had been hiding in the corner, trying to talk himself out of climbing up the wall to her room. Then she had run out and he wasn’t sure why, but she turned back occasionally to ensure that whomever wasn’t chasing after her. He had waited in case anyone chased after, but no one exited the building in pursuit of her. Then he followed her scent and there she was, shaking on the doors of café.
Noah wasn’t thinking because if he was, he’d have considered changing back to his human form before stepping out of the shadows. Destiny’s scream filled the air and Noah almost recoiled. Maybe he was curious about how she’d react to seeing a wolf. Her reaction had scared him and made Natalie’s word seem true. Destiny wouldn’t like him if she found out he was a wolf. Then she fainted and Noah wasn’t sure if it was from fear or from dehydration. Or maybe cold. He had convinced himself that Destiny didn’t know it was him and as such, it was only logical that she fainted.
When he got close to her, her scent filled his nose and Noah marveled at his own self-control. Her heartbeat was slow and when he leant closer and her breath touched his whiskers, Noah’s heartbeat sped up. Destiny was his mate and he’d rather be caught dead than let something bad happen to her.
If he was being honest, he didn’t think of the implications of his action when he let himself change back to human form right in front of the café. Thankfully, there had been none. Rather, after putting on some clothes, he had been rewarded with carrying Destiny all the way back to her apartment, the trickiest part had been taking her up the apartment building, but he had done it. Walked into the apartment, right into her house and there, he had found her mother and father surrounded by bottles of beer and what had to be cocaine. He was almost not going to let her stay there, but he had no choice. How was he going to explain her waking up in his room to her? It was better that way.
Noah looked at himself in the mirror before smiling at his reflection. He was wearing navy-blue polo and black denim trousers. He nodded in approval of his appearance before heading downstairs. There was a spring to his step as he hurried down the stairs. He was going to see Destiny at the café, but instead of spending time watching her work and admiring her patience and all, he was going to charm Cathy into letting Destiny go out on date with him. Cathy wouldn’t say no to that. He’d get on his knees and beg if it ever came to that.
“Noah, a word,” his mother said before he was out the door.
“Hey mom,” he greeted with a smile.
“Where are you off to?”
“I’m going out, why?”
“No particular reason. Natalie’s been telling us about this girl Destiny and I was just curious about her. When are we meeting her?”
“You won’t be meeting her if I don’t go.”
Before his mother could reply, he was already out the door. He didn’t need to turn back to know his mother was standing by the door watching him. Noah got into his car and sped off, praying in his heart that Cathy let him take Destiny out. They had both agreed that Destiny needed to relax and above all, she needed someone to be in her corner, to not only be her friend but to defend her. And Cathy had warned him that if he did anything to hurt her, he’d have her to contend with. Noah had to reassure her that his intentions with Destiny were truly pure. Most of the time.
When Noah pulled into the parking lot of the café, he couldn’t help the smile that crept onto his face. The smell of coffee and baked goods reached his nose and he smiled. If he was lucky, he’d be able to convince Kimberly to give him a bite of the chocolate goodness he was perceiving.
The bell atop the door announced his presence and Kimberly turned to look at him.
“Hi,” he greeted as his eyes searched around for Destiny.
“Hey Noah. Destiny’s in the kitchen, she’s helping the chef mix some ingredients for baking.”
“Oh! What about Cathy?”
“She’s in her office.”
“Alright, I’ll go see her first.”
Noah couldn’t ignore the look Kimberly shot him but he didn’t mind it. If he was going to convince Cathy about his plans, he didn’t need to tell Kimberly. She might run off to tell Destiny and the surprised would be ruined. He knocked on Cathy’s door and pushed it open. Cathy looked up from her laptop and smiled at him.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
“I came to see how you are. You look gorgeous by the way.”
Cathy laughed at the comment, but Noah was saying the truth. Cathy’s hair was pulled into a ponytail and it was held together by a white headband. She barely had any makeup on and the lighting of the room gave her skin a glow.
“Really Noah, what can I do for you?”
“I need permission.”
“Permission? What for?”
“To take Destiny out. I know it’s a weird request, but I’d like it if Destiny just relaxed for just one day.”
“Noah, it’s a difficult request to grant. I need Destiny here.”
“Just today and I’ll throw in some hours of my time after we get back.”
Cathy gave Noah a long look and Noah flashed her a smile. He hoped it was charming and the look on Cathy’s face gave him the impression that she was going to give in soon. After what felt like forever to Noah, Cathy sighed.
“Fine, you can take her and make sure she has fun. And by God, Noah, if you hurt Destiny-”
“I won’t. I promise. But on a totally different but Destiny related issue, what’s up with Destiny’s parents?”
“Parents? I was under the impression that she stayed with her mom and her mom’s husband.”
“Stepfather?”
“That’s what she said.”
“Did she tell you anything else? Living situation and sorts?”
“No, she talks about everything, but how she’s being treated at home. I don’t think she likes to talk about her personal life. Maybe you should ask her.”
Noah nodded slowly and stood up. “Thank you Cathy.”
“You’re welcome and bear in mind that you owe me hours of your time on any day I demand it.”
“I know you like having me around.”
“I like to think you’re good for Destiny. You’re her friend and that reminds me, Kimberly was telling me of this incident were you and Destiny stepped out of my kitchen with puffy lips.”
“Goodbye Cathy.”
“Are you together now?” Cathy called right before Noah shut the door.
Noah felt a smile spread on his lips. Cathy thought he was good for Destiny and it was a known fact that Destiny thought highly of Cathy. He smiled at Kimberly who still shot him a questioning look before heading to the kitchen where Destiny was. When he opened the door, he found the chef standing close to Destiny and throwing in ingredients into the bowl Destiny was stirring with a serious look on her face. Unable to help himself, Noah stood watching them. Not them per se, his eyes stayed with Destiny. He watched as her teeth bit into her lower lips as she concentrated on the task at hand. The chef said something and Destiny laughed. That was when she saw him. She looked confused for a while.
“Noah?”
“Hi.”
“What are you doing back here? How
long have you been standing there? When did you get here?”
Noah chuckled lightly before saying hello to the chef. He turned his attention back to Destiny. “I came to get you, for a while and I got here some minutes ago. Satisfied?”
“Came to get me for what?”
“I’m taking you out for the day.”
Destiny said nothing, she just stared at him and Noah cracked an unsure smile. Destiny started laughing out loud, and Noah felt silly. He didn’t know why Destiny was laughing, didn’t see any reason why she should be, but she was having the time of her life. The chef was sporting a smile but her eyes were on the ingredients on the table.
“What’s funny?”
“I appreciate the thought but I can’t leave. I’m working and I can’t leave before work.”
“But Cathy said you could.”
“She didn’t.”
“She did and you could go right ahead and ask her.”
Destiny wore skepticism on her face before excusing herself and walking out of the kitchen. Noah followed after her. Kimberly shot them a look as Destiny came to a stop.
“Where’s Cathy?”
“In her office, why?”
“Noah’s trying to be funny,” was all she said and walked towards Cathy’s office.
“She’s very disbelieving this one,” Noah offered to Kimberly and hurried after Destiny. He didn’t understand why she wouldn’t believe him. As far as he was concerned, he had never lied to her. Noah passed it off as work related anxiety.
“Hey Cathy,” Destiny greeted once she got into the office, Noah was right behind her.
“I see you found her Noah. Have you decided on where you’d want to see first?”
Destiny turned to face Noah and he was wearing a smile. Noah was pleased with himself, she looked surprised and he felt proud. She looked back at Cathy.
“He’s not joking. You’re letting him take me out?”
Cathy smiled. “I am. Noah’s right, you need to relax.”
“But I have work to do.”
“We can manage without you, believe me. If we couldn’t, I wouldn’t be letting Noah whisk you away.”
“But-”
“Which reminds me-”
“Come on Destiny, we need to go,” Noah said and grabbed her hand, pulling her out.
“Did you and Noah really kiss?”
Destiny’s eyes widened and when they got to Kimberly, she was grinning widely.
“You did.”
“Shut up,” Noah said and pulled Destiny out of the café.
Destiny was uncharacteristically quiet which caused Noah to stop in his tracks. He turned around and Destiny’s eyes was filled with tears. His heart squeezed at the sight. He wasn’t sure what was causing the tears, but he knew it had nothing to do with happiness.
“What’s wrong?”
“Everyone knows we kissed,” Destiny said and a tear rolled down her cheeks.
Truly confused Noah frowned. “I’m sorry, I don’t see the issue.”
“They think lowly of me now. They probably think I’m a low life who goes about kissing men in kitchens.”
“What?” Noah asked but Destiny had more tears rolling down her eyes.
“They probably think I’m a slut. Cathy would be so disappointed.”
Angrier than concerned, Noah grabbed Destiny’s hand and dragged her back into the café ignoring her protest. Why would she think that they’d think that about her? They didn’t have sex; all they did was kiss. Kimberly lifted her head to see who was coming in and she frowned when she saw them. There was confusion on her face, which turned to anger and then, Noah knew she had seen Destiny’s tearstained face.
“What did you do to her?”
How Destiny thought Kimberly would accuse her of being a slut was beyond him.
“Tell me something Kimberly, does knowing I kissed Destiny make you think Destiny’s a slut?”
“What?”
“Does it?”
“No, it doesn’t. Destiny’s not a slut. Would never be and I think way highly of her. Kissing doesn’t make her slut.”
“That would be all, thank you,” Noah said and pulled Destiny along. He pulled her to Cathy’s office. Destiny tried to free herself from his grip but Noah wasn’t having it. He pushed open Cathy’s door.
“Forgot something? Why are you crying? Noah, why is Destiny crying?”
“Well Cathy, Destiny’s under the impression that you knowing we kissed makes her a slut,” Noah reported, not bothering to hide the annoyance in his voice. He was struggling to calm down but Destiny had managed to get him worked up.
“What?” Cathy said the same time Destiny said, “stop.”
Noah directed his anger towards Destiny. “Why should I? I finally kiss the girl I like and all she thinks about is how other people label her. I’m sorry, I don’t care if the whole world knows I kissed you. I like you, so much and that’s all that should matter. But it doesn’t because you think me and you together only make you look bad.”
“That’s not true,” Destiny said in a small voice.
Noah scoffed and walked towards the door.
“Where are you going to?”
“I’m going home so people won’t call you a slut because I held you.”
“Noah.”
“See you at school.”
Without waiting for a reply, Noah turned and walked out of the office. A sob broke out of Destiny and he froze at the door. What was he expected to do now? He couldn’t storm off now. He exhaled slowly and turned around. Cathy was standing beside Destiny now and hugging her. Noah walked over to them and Cathy moved away from Destiny. She gave them privacy and the second the door closed behind her, Destiny hugged Noah. Noah unable to help himself, hugged her back.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t me-”
“I like you Destiny, I really like you. Cathy and Kimberly don’t think you’re a slut, no one does.”
Destiny sniffed.
“We’ll rain check this outing, okay?”
Destiny nodded and Noah pressed a kiss to her forehead.
***
DESTINY
When Destiny got home that evening, the house was empty. She used the needed quiet to take her bath and catch up with studying. Regardless of the quiet, Destiny couldn’t seem to get the image of the darkness that hovered in Noah’s eyes after she had uttered that Kimberly and Cathy thought of her as slut. She had never seen anyone look so mad at her for thinking low of herself.
Noah didn’t look too pleased at her and when Noah had reached for the door, the prospects of being without him had scared her more than what anyone had called her. Destiny wasn’t sure if she should be feeling this attached to Noah, but the more she thought of it, the saner she made it seem.
Miss Cathy and Kimberly had scolded her for saying they thought she was a slut. Kimberly had made her realize that kissing a boy she liked wasn’t a crime in any part of the world and Miss Cathy had nodded the entire time Kimberly spoke. When Miss Cathy spoke, it was an advice to not let the thought of others overshadow who she was or what she wanted.
The front door opened and pulled Destiny out of her thoughts. She listened carefully for any idea on who it’d be but part of her prayed it was her mom and not Ronnie. Her eyes looked at the lock on her door and Destiny froze when she realized it wasn’t locked, and it was Ronnie moving around the house. Before she could get to the door, it flew open and revealed Ronnie standing stark naked and with a smile on his face.
Destiny froze, unsure of what to do. The longer she stared at Ronnie, the more she realized she was stroking his ego without meaning to. Ronnie stalked towards her with promises of making it worth both their time, and her utmost satisfaction. According to Ronnie, no boy in that preppy school of hers could ever make her feel the way he would, and he was determined to let her know exactly how she’d feel, and no games would be tolerated.
Destiny didn’t care about the promises, she cared about getting out of there. She stared
at the door with relief.
“Mom, thank God.”
Ronnie spun so fast but Destiny was faster. She ran out leaving him in the room, standing naked. She knew he wouldn’t step out and chase after her because people would see and people would talk. But Ronnie was more concerned about the points he’d lose if he chased after her, Destiny was sure of that.
Once outside, she sat before the building and waited for her to return. She knew it’d take a while, but she’d rather get in trouble outside, than return home. She watched the kids jumping rope in front of the building. Occasionally, her eyes would flit to the salon before their house and she’d catch her reflection in their glass door. She couldn’t see what it was Noah saw.
Ronnie stepped out of the building and glared at her before walking down the street. Destiny didn’t trust him not to return if she returned into the house, so she stayed put and waited for her mother before she got home from whatever job she was holding down now. Destiny saw her mother before she got to her, as she came from the opposite direction Ronnie took. Destiny stood and waited for her to get close. Her mother didn’t spare her a glance as she trudged into the building and up the stairs. Destiny sighed and followed after her.
Once they got in, her mother made it a point of duty to ignore her and Destiny unable to help herself blurted out, “Ronnie tried to rape me.”
Her mother didn’t show any sign to show she heard her, so Destiny repeated herself more loudly. Her mother turned at a speed that surprised her, and her eyes held annoyance and Destiny felt it wasn’t directed at Ronnie.
Destiny: BWWM High School Romance Page 11