The Girl Across the Hall

by Thayer King

  “I don’t know,” Zoe hedged. She was in an even less of a mood than usual to socialize.

  “You won’t have to avoid you know who,” Felicia enticed. “I’d really like it if you came.”

  A week ago she couldn’t have imagined getting along with well with her cousin. She really appreciated everything Felicia had done for her of late. “Of course, I’ll come.”

  “Good. You won’t regret it.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Zoe regretted agreeing to the girls’ weekend as soon as it commenced. Felicia swung by on Friday to pick her up in a limo with her two besties, twins Staci and Traci. The twins were identical in looks and personality. They were tall and pretty, having taken after their mother, a former model. Their father was a retired sports star. Zoe could never remember what sport he’d played. The twins had never wanted for anything. Everything they owned came with a designer label. Though the twins were never openly nasty towards her, Zoe quickly tired of their smirks, snide comments, and rude whispers.

  Much to Zoe’s surprise, Felicia and Henry decided to get married at the end of fall. She’d felt certain that in order to have the perfect wedding, they would have waited until next spring or summer. But it seemed the two were so happy and in love that they didn’t want to wait. Plus, Felicia informed her, this way, their wedding would stand out from all the other spring and summer weddings.

  Their first stop of the girl’s weekend was to a cake tasting. Felicia wasn’t going to make a final decision without Henry, but she thought it would be a fun way to kick off their festivities. Also, she’d like to narrow the choices down to two favors.

  The twins agreed, of course, both choosing red velvet. Felicia liked caramel and Zoe liked chocolate. “That’s a surprise,” Staci said with a snicker. “From what Felicia tells us, you’re into vanilla lately.”

  “Or more like vanilla has been into her,” Traci said and the twins giggled.

  Zoe whipped her head around to glare at her cousin. “Felicia! Why would you tell them?”

  “Because the two of you were so sweet together.”

  “You saw us together exactly once.”

  Felicia shrugged. She licked her fork clean and placed it back on the plate with the slice of caramel cake. “That was all it took.”

  Zoe shook her head. She couldn’t believe she was letting herself be drawn into this conversation when she’d made it a rule to not think about or discuss Noah. Doing so made her depressed and angry. Much as she’d predicted, he’d gone back to life as usual. He’d stopped calling and sending flowers. She hadn’t heard a peep from him since the previous Friday.

  Carefully, she placed the plate with chocolate cake on the table in front of her. “What are you going to tell Henry?”

  “I really liked the caramel, but I think a blend of caramel and chocolate layers could be interesting.”

  Traci clapped her hands. “Now that that is decided, can we move on to girls’ weekend part two?”

  “What’s part two?” Zoe asked almost warily.

  “The spa!” Staci replied enthusiastically. “We’ll get massages, manicures, pedicures, facials—the works!”

  Zoe almost groaned. She wasn’t good at meeting new people and she damn sure wasn’t good at letting strangers touch her while she was naked.

  Felicia laughed at her expression. “It’ll be fun.”

  Though Zoe couldn’t argue that the results of the facial, manicure, and the pedicure were spectacular, it wasn’t fun. She really never did relax during the massage. Her masseuse was a handsome guy with impressive muscles on display under his tight white t-shirt, but his flirtatious manner had kept Zoe on edge. He’d tried giving her his number, but she’d refused to take it.

  In the limo again, Staci said, as she practically bounced with excitement, “Time for part three.”

  Zoe felt like she was going to need a nap as they pulled up in front of a hotel. She didn’t even question it as they checked into a room. “Shouldn’t we get our bags?” Zoe asked as they headed for the elevators. She’d packed a bag anticipating that they would stay at Felicia’s place. However, now she had no idea what was happening. She definitely should have gotten more details before she agreed to come along. Everyone but her seemed to know what was going on.

  “Don’t worry,” Felicia said. “I’ve got you.”

  Somehow her cousin’s assurance only made her worry more. “Felicia, what are you up to?”

  “There’s a club on the first floor,” she informed her. “We’re going to get dressed and go down. After every man in the place falls on the floor, drooling at your feet, you’ll feel much better.”

  “Sounds disgusting,” she replied quickly. “I don’t want that. I’m perfectly happy being a wallflower.”

  “Uh, uh,” Felicia said, shaking her head. “You need to do this to prove to yourself that you can. Zoe, you told me what Noah said to you. I think you took what he said to you way too hard because it’s not that you think that he thinks you’re weak. You’re the one who thinks you’re weak. And, okay, so he made some other mistakes, but nothing he did was unforgivable. It certainly wasn’t enough to make you walk away from love like that. Couples have arguments, but then you make up and you’re stronger for having learned from your mistakes. You’re scared. And that’s okay. I was scared, too. It took Henry a long time to convince me that he’s not going anywhere.”

  “I’m not doing this,” Zoe said stubbornly. “I’m not scared. What I am is pissed.”

  “Then why not talk to him so you can curse at him. Or make him buy you expensive gifts. What you’re doing is running.”

  “I thought you wanted to help me forget him this weekend. This isn’t helping.”

  Felicia nodded. “I know. But I needed to push your catharsis along. Now that I’ve got that speech out of the way, we’ll get dressed, go down and get something to eat, and dance a little. That includes you, Zoe.”

  Zoe stared at herself in the mirror and momentarily considered locking herself in the bathroom. However, Felicia could be persistent. It would probably be a waste of time trying to escape her plans. She tugged on the hemline of the very short dress Felicia had demanded that she don. It was black and tiny with a plunging neckline that showed off a considerable about of cleavage. Instead of her usual sensible shoes, her feet were ensnared in dainty sandals with straps that crisscrossed almost all the way to her knee and heels that were at least four inches tall. Fortunately, while at the spa, she’d been completely denuded of all the hair south growing of her eyelashes.

  Felicia did her hair and makeup for her. Since Noah liked her hair down, she’d stopped wearing it in a bun. Felicia curled it and fluffed it until Zoe almost didn’t recognize herself. The makeup was subtle so Zoe couldn’t complain about that. Still…she felt exposed. The dress was so tiny.

  She tugged at the hemline again trying to force it to meet her knees.

  “Keep tugging and your boobs are going to pop out,” Felicia said dryly.

  Staci eyed her wistfully. “I wish I had boobs like that. I could never fill out that dress.”

  Zoe was shocked. Staci had never said anything remotely complimentary to her before. Still… “I don’t think-”

  “You don’t need to think,” Felicia interrupted. “We’ll be there for you. You have nothing to worry about.”

  “And yet I can’t stop worrying,” she mumbled.

  “Everyone ready to go?” Traci asked. She picked up her clutch and Staci picked up hers.

  “Yes,” Felicia said. She got her own bag and handed Zoe a clutch she’d never seen before. “It matches the dress,” her cousin explained. “Come along.”

  Zoe wasn’t sure which she felt more like—a recalcitrant child being led to her punishment or an animal being led to slaughter. This was not going to be good.

  Her opinion had not changed an hour later as she turned down yet another man who asked her to dance. She had a line of untouched alcoholic beverages in front of her on their
small table, all purchased by hopeful suitors. It was slightly flattering, but it was mostly plain embarrassing.

  “Ready to dance, girls?” Felicia asked.

  “No,” Zoe replied.

  “You need to drink one of these to loosen up.” Traci nudged one of more brightly colored drinks at her.

  It was a lovely shade of blue. Almost like Noah’s eyes, Zoe thought sadly. She wondered where he was tonight. Was he in a bar like this one? Was he buying drinks for some woman? Dancing with her? Inviting her home?

  “Come on,” Staci encouraged. “Take a sip.”

  “No, I’d better not.” Since she wasn’t used to drinking, she was a lightweight. A sip would have her unconscious in a half an hour. “Let’s just get this over with.” She let them lead her onto the crowded dance floor.

  She actually enjoyed the dancing. A few men took this opportunity to approach their little group. Only occasionally did she have to swat away straying hands. She made sure those guys knew that she didn’t want to dance with them anymore.

  It was as she was ready to walk off the dance floor because she was thirsty that she felt a large pair of hands encase her waist and pull her back to a broad chest. She immediately started to shove his hands off. “You’re not getting away from me this time, baby.”

  Zoe went still with shock. “Noah?” She tried to turn to see him, but he wouldn’t allow it. “What are you doing here?”

  “You know what I do with my weekends. Troll bars for pussy. At least, that’s what you think, isn’t it?”

  “That’s what you used to do,” she replied, frustrated because she was unable to break his hold. He leaned over so that he could press his lips against her ear. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for her to hear him over the music. The feel of his soft lips on her, combined with the waft of his breath over her skin, and the warm smell of his skin that she’d learned to associate with sex, was playing havoc with her calm. Quivers of awareness stirred to life in her lower belly. And that was bad, very bad. She needed to get away from him immediately. “And I guess it’s what you’re doing now. Don’t let me interrupt you.” She pushed at his hands.

  “There’s only one problem with that. I haven’t enjoyed hunting for pussy since I first laid eyes on you, Zoe. You’re the only one I want.”

  “That’s too bad because we’ve broken up.” She wiggled to no avail. “Let me go.”

  “No. Dance with me. I saw you dancing with other guys. I deserve a reward for not killing any of them.”

  “What I do and with whom I do it, is no concern of yours.”

  “Are you wearing the panties I bought you?”

  The question was so off topic and personal that it threw her. “Y-yes.”

  “You know why you’re wearing them? It’s because you know that that is my pussy, Zoe. And it always will be.”

  She didn’t like the road this was going down. She couldn’t fight him on this level. “I-I thought you wanted to talk.”

  “I did, but you didn’t.” His hands drifted from her waist to her stomach. He spread his fingers and the tip of his pinky grazed her mound. “The time for talking is over.”

  Zoe trembled. She searched the dance floor for her cousin and the twins. None of them were in sight. How was that possible? They’d been there only a moment ago. Thinking to stall for a bit, she said, “All right. Let’s dance.”

  Noah kissed her neck and Zoe’s eyes fluttered closed. He turned her in his arms and even though the song was fast, he was barely swaying. It was more of a hug than a dance. His large hands moved up and down her back in a sensual caress. As soon as the song was over, she tried to break from his embrace. “So we danced. I should go. I have-”

  “The thing about having a girlfriend so close is that a man gets accustomed to certain comforts. And when those comfort—say sex—are taken away, he finds that he can’t do without them. So you were right about me tonight. I was out trolling for pussy—only this time it was specific pussy—yours.”

  “N-n-no.”

  Noah grinned down at her. “Do we have to have this conversation again? You want me, Zoe.”

  “I’m not your girlfriend anymore.”

  “Zoe, I fucked up. I didn’t realize how Avery felt and I thought I was defending a friend.”

  “You took her side over mine,” she said sadly.

  Noah sighed. “We need to get off this dance floor. Come with me.” He took her hand and led her out of the club. She was surprised when he led her to the elevators.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “Upstairs.”

  They stepped onto the elevator. A couple of other scantily clad women from the club joined them. One was white and the other was black. They wore matching dresses—only one was red and the other was white. Each had long tresses styled in spiral curls. And they were both eyeing Noah as though they were starving lionesses and he was an injured calf.

  Noah dropped a kiss on Zoe’s forehead and curled his arm around her waist. He tugged her close until their bodies were flush from shoulder to waist. Zoe looked up at him and his eyes were locked on hers. He seemed oblivious of the other women’s attention.

  The other women exited before them, little pouts of disappointment marring their pretty faces. The moment they were alone, Noah leaned over and kissed her again, brushing his full lips across hers so slowly and softly that she almost forgot to object. But she did finally remember. “No, Noah. You’re not my boyfriend anymore. You don’t get to do that.”

  “Zoe, I know you still love me. So don’t piss me off by pretending you’re not mine anymore.”

  She inhaled a sharp breath. She did not like where this was going. It would be so easy for him to convince her to take him back. He seemed fierce and determined tonight. And she did still love this man, but it would be stupid to willingly expose her heart to that type of pain again. “W-where are you taking me?”

  “We’re almost there.”

  They got off on the floor she’d been on with the girls earlier that night. She frowned as he led her to the same room. When he pulled out the card key and let them into the room, she knew that she’d been set up. Earlier the girls had swept into the room and scattered clothes and makeup everywhere in their preparations for hitting the club. Now the room was curiously clean. The lighting was low. The curtains were pulled back to reveal the lights of the city below. A bottle of champagne was chilling in a bucket by the bed. The bedding had been pulled back and pink rose petals decorated the sheets.

  Zoe’s eyes widened. “Oh, no.” She’d walked straight into a seduction.

  “Oh, yes,” Noah said, shrugging out of his jacket to reveal broad shoulders.

  Zoe backed away from him. If she fell into bed with him, she was as good as putty in his hands. There would be no more telling herself or him that it was over. Because she didn’t do casual sex.

  Desperately, she sought to distract him. “We were going to talk about you taking Avery’s side over mine.”

  “We’ll talk about it after.”

  He’d removed his shirt and was unfastening his pants. Zoe stopped moving. If she let him continue, he’d be naked soon and then she could make her escape. He couldn’t very well follow her into the hallway sans clothing. She dared a glance at the door. She didn’t want to get too far away.

  “Don’t even think about it, baby. You’re not getting away from me.”

  “I don’t understand what’s going on here.” The heat in his gaze was seriously affecting her. A glance down at his tight briefs straining to contain his erection confirmed her suspicions. The man was seriously aroused. Zoe wet her lips.

  Noah smiled at her as he dropped his pants. He cupped himself, his hand stroking up the thick stalk of flesh. Zoe began to tremble. She was in serious trouble here. She tried to stiffen her legs as they seemed to be turning into jelly. When Noah, ran his tongue over his own sensual lips, she emitted a cry and ran for the door.

  He caught her there, his hands slamming into th
e framing. He held the door closed so that she couldn’t escape. He pressed his big body into hers, grinding his erection into her ass. She had to bite her lip to hold in a whimper. “Take your panties off, Zoe, before I rip them off.”

  “T-this is not happening,” she said breathlessly. She should be terrified not turned on. He was bigger, and stronger than her. Her chances of escaping him were low. And she definitely needed to escape. It was the smart thing to do. He was bound to hurt her again.

  Yet, despite all the reasons why she should be afraid and fighting him tooth and nail, a larger part of her wanted him desperately. Had they only spent two weeks apart? It felt like it had been an eternity.

  “Zoe, do you know how badly I want you back?”

  “No.”

  “Bad enough to play dirty. We both know how significant the next few hours will be.”

  “H-hours?”

  He laughed and nuzzled her neck. He bit and kissed his way up to her earlobe before whispering, “You don’t think that after two weeks of abstinence I’ll be satisfied with a quick romp?” He sucked her earlobe into the hot cavern of his mouth.

  His hands ran up her outer curves before closing over her breasts. He squeezed until her breasts plumped over the low bodice. He growled. “Who the fuck picked out this dress?”

  “F-Felicia.”

  “It’s a crime to let you out looking like this. I thought I was going to have to punch a few guys back at the club.”

  The next thing she knew, he was gripping the bodice and tearing it open so that her breasts spilled out. “Noah!”

  “I’m doing a public service here. You’re lucky you didn’t cause a riot.” He filled his palms with her breasts again, teasing her nipples through the lace of her bra.

  Zoe moaned as he began to move his hips as well, humping her against the door. Her chances of escaping were dwindling fast. “Noah, please….”

  He yanked her dress up to her waist, an unfortunately short distance. He grabbed the tiny, lace triangle of her panties and tore them from her body. Zoe gasped in shock. Behind her, she could feel him lowering his briefs. “Oh, God, Noah-”