by Brook Wilder
Noah snarled and grabbed Mason’s shotgun. My heart stopped. Was he going to shoot Ruiz right there? But then Noah pointed the shotgun at the car and fired. The front tire exploded, disintegrating rapidly. Then he shot out the back tire, which went the same way. Ruiz’s friends started complaining loudly in Spanish, while Ruiz gave Noah a bemused look. He didn’t seem concerned that Noah was now pointing a gun at his head.
“How the fuck am I supposed to leave when you shot my tires?”
“You can walk for all I care, you son of a bitch.” I could hear Noah’s low voice. He was really angry, close to letting loose. “I’d splatter your brains all over the dirt if Liz weren’t here. Get the fuck out of here before I change my mind.”
“I, on the other hand,” Mason reached behind him, drew out a handgun from the back of his jeans, and flipped the safety off. “Will shoot you.”
I waited with baited breath. Ruiz was clearly weighing up his options. He had come here looking for a fight, I knew that much. But he was now facing down some very angry bikers. Four of them against two dozen men wasn’t going to go well for him. Ruiz had to know that.
One thing I did concede to the bastard was he knew when to pick his battles. He knew when he was beat. And he was backing off now.
He turned away and took out his cell phone as his car pulled away. Mason stood guard as Noah hurried back, passing the shotgun to one of his pals. Then he drew me into his arms, holding me tightly. It was then I realized he was trembling.
“Liz?” He stroked my hair. “Let’s get you out of here. Now.”
Chapter 22
Liz
It was a tense ride back to the safe house. Noah took a long route back, making sure we weren’t being followed. I was too scared to do anything beyond clutch onto Noah’s waist, shutting my eyes tight. But all I could see was Ruiz’s smirk, giving me that look he had often gave me before…
I had to stop this. That was the past. Ruiz wasn’t going to keep a hold of me like that. I wasn’t going to let him.
We eventually got back to the safe house shortly before three. Noah took me inside without saying a word, taking the helmets and storing them away before kicking off his shoes. Diesel appeared in the hall from the lounge, looking like he had been sleeping.
“Hunter hasn’t woken up.” He yawned and rubbed his eyes. “I checked on him just before midnight and he was sound asleep.”
“That’s good.”
I was glad about that. Hunter could get clingy with me and would freak out if he knew I wasn’t close by. Which meant having time to myself was difficult. Diesel was a familiar face, but Hunter would want to know I was near. At least he was asleep.
Noah held out his hand to his friend.
“Thanks for this, Diesel. It’s much appreciated.”
“Not a problem.” Diesel looked between us. “So, how was the party?”
I didn’t want to answer that. I didn’t want to remember the last couple of hours. Pushing past him, I headed into the lounge and huddled down on the couch, wrapping my arms around my middle. I could hear Diesel in the hall.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“Not now.” Noah said quietly. “I’ll show you out.”
I could hear their voices fading as they headed towards the door. I stayed huddled, watching the channel where several women, with barely anything on, gyrated on beds talking on phones or to the camera, touching themselves in sexually erotic ways. I made a mental note to put a parental lock on the television; I didn’t want Hunter seeing any of that.
“Liz?”
I jumped when someone touched my shoulder. Noah was standing by the couch; looking at me like he was afraid I would jump up and bite him through the neck. I sighed and tried to relax but it wasn’t easy.
“I’m sorry. Just seeing him again… it gave me the shivers.”
“You’re shaking.”
I hadn’t realized. Goosebumps were along my arms, the hairs on the back of my neck tingling. I felt like someone had just walked over my grave.
“I’m sorry, Noah.” I buried my face in her hands. “It’s not been easy.”
Noah said nothing. Then he knelt before me, gently taking my hands and lowering them down. His expression was calm, but I could see the look in his eyes: he was furious. He knew Ruiz had hurt me in some way, but he didn’t know how. It wouldn’t take much of an imagination to figure it out, but I didn’t want Noah finding out. It would tear him apart, just as much as it had me.
That was a part of my recent past that I didn’t want to look at anymore. But every time I thought I had got past it, the memories hit me hard again and put me back two big paces.
“Liz, what did Ruiz do to you?” Noah’s voice was soft, barely a growl. “Did he do something to you while I was away?”
Talking about this was really scaring me. I knew Noah would pull away and I didn’t want him to do that. I flung my arms around his neck and held on tightly.
“I don’t want to talk about him, Noah. Please.”
I could tell Noah didn’t want to let it go. But he said nothing as he hugged me close, letting out a heavy sigh.
“We’ll talk about it,” he whispered. “Just not now.”
Just not now. I could cope with that.
“Thank you.” I pulled back and kissed him. “That’s all I’m asking. There’s a lot I need to think about.”
“Am I in there?”
Did he really need to ask?
“Yes.” I brushed my hair out of my face. My hands were still shaking. “Before tonight, I… I wasn’t sure I could trust you. I didn’t think I could love the man who’d come out of prison. That place changes people and I wasn’t sure I could handle it.”
Noah was looking at me intently.
“And after tonight?”
I cupped his face in my hands and smiled.
“I know I can trust you. I’m just sorry it took this long.”
Noah’s face was flooded with relief. He drew me close and kissed me, drawing back slowly and resting his forehead against mine.
“You don’t need to apologize,” he rasped. “I was thinking the same. And I was a fool for thinking I couldn’t.”
“Then we can be fools together.”
Noah kissed my forehead, my nose and then my mouth. He was shaking as well. Or was it still all me?
“Can I stay with you?” he asked.
I tugged him close, shifting to wind my legs around his waist.
“I was going to ask if you could.”
There was no way I could keep away from Noah, not after an admission like that. After seeing Ruiz, I needed him. Badly. Just to make me feel alive again and know that I wasn’t stuck with that man. I wanted to feel.
Noah stood swiftly, cupping my backside in his hands as he adjusted my waist. Then he led me through the house and up the stairs, nudging open my bedroom door. He stopped long enough to shut the door and use the dimmer switch on the light before he took me to the bed and laid me down, kissing me as he undid my jeans, shoving them down my thighs with my panties. I lifted my hips to help, kicking my clothes off. I was so wet for him; I wouldn’t need help getting close. All I could think about was how good he had felt earlier.
Then Noah stood and undid his jeans with shaking hands, shoving them off and kicking them aside. He was staring at me with eyes that were so dark and heated that my pussy fluttered and clenched. Noah crawled onto the bed and lay on his back, urging me onto his lap. I straddled him eagerly and took his cock in my hand. Before I slid onto him, Noah was shaking his head with a smile and turning me around.
“I want to see that gorgeous ass of yours as you fuck me,” he growled.
I wasn’t going to fight him; I was too far gone. Noah thrust up at the same time I lowered myself onto his cock and that had me jolting with a moan. Putting my feet flat on the bed, I began to ride him, Noah holding my hips as he thrust up into my pussy. Heat and pleasure burned up my body, my orgasm twisting into a knot in my stomach. This
felt more primal, more intense than before.
When my orgasm hit, it hit me hard, sending me rocketing sky-high. I had to bite down on my hand to stop myself from screaming as Noah’s hands tightened on my hips, forcing me down faster on his cock. I could feel his cock getting bigger and twitching, then he let out a low roar and thrust once more, coming inside me.
If he hadn’t been holding onto my hips, I would have fallen backwards as the energy left me in a rush. I didn’t have the heart to complain.
Chapter 23
Noah
I could watch Liz sleeping all day. She looked so innocent, so beautiful. There was a lot going on in her head and I wanted to know what it was. But she wouldn’t let me in. Liz had become very guarded, and that hurt.
However, I was sure that she would tell me eventually. We were each other’s confidants and it would happen. Whatever that bastard had done had clearly scared Liz, traumatized her. I didn’t want to push her, not just yet.
And I wasn’t about to betray her with a promise I gave her a few hours before. Hunter did come into the room early, close to five-thirty. Liz was sound asleep and barely stirred as Hunter came toddling in. Despite the immense headache I had, I rolled out of bed and took Hunter to the bathroom and then to the bedroom to organize him and get him dressed. As I dressed him, I was very surprised that he was getting on well with pants instead of diapers. He was not even two and her was practically potty-trained.
That was one thing I was glad I hadn’t been around for.
Tiptoeing downstairs with Hunter, who seemed very happy to be in my arms, I began to make his breakfast. I had seen Liz do it before, so I didn’t think it could be that bad. It turned out tougher than I expected but Hunter didn’t seem to mind, eating whatever I gave him with a gurgle and a smile on his face. Then he wanted to go out into the garden and play; so, after another visit to the bathroom, he was running around the back garden quite happily, jumping around and playing with the various toys a few of my friends had brought around for him to use.
He was such a smiley, happy little boy. I couldn’t remember many times I had been like that in the past. Hunter was a blessing. Liz had done a really good job with him. He was very bright and advanced with his milestones. The kid had Liz’s smarts, certainly.
And he had endless energy. I had considered myself in shape, but I had to rethink my fitness after running around after Hunter. He just laughed and kept on going, giggling like it was his job. I got dizzy going around in circles and it was a struggle to keep up. How Liz had managed to cope, I had no idea. She had the patience of a saint with her little boy.
My little boy.
After a while, I became aware of someone in the doorway. Turning, I saw Liz stepping out into the garden, slipping on her cardigan over leggings and a strappy black vest. She wore no bra and I could see the curves of her breasts very clearly before she folded her cardigan around herself. God, she was beautiful, especially with that gorgeous hair of hers falling about her shoulders.
She looked like a goddess. My personal goddess.
“Mama!”
Hunter started running across the garden as soon as he saw his mother, flinging himself on her. Liz laughed and knelt, hugging her son tightly.
“Hey, honey.” She drew back and checked him over. “Well, you’re still alive. Have you been good?”
“Ya.”
I ruffled Hunter’s hair as I reached them. Hunter giggled and wrapped himself around my leg.
“I made him something to eat, which he was happy with. I think I’ll be out like a light later, never mind him.”
Liz laughed. That was such a sweet, clear laugh that I rarely heard anymore. She was slowly turning back into the woman I knew before.
Liz stood and kissed my cheek, giving me a smile as she hugged me.
“Thank you. I haven’t had a lie-in for a long time. I thought I was going to have to kick you out of bed.”
“I figured you would and I thought you needed it.”
“For someone who hates getting up before ten, I’m surprised.”
I laughed and led her inside, Hunter running on ahead making plane noises.
“Well, I had two years of being awoken every day at six. I had no lie-ins at all. I guess I’m just used to it.” I smiled down at her, thinking about the plan I had put together with Cassie the night before. “Would you like to have some time outside the house today?”
Liz paused. She was probably thinking that my acquiescence to her request for time outside and on her own had been just to keep her quiet. But I had meant it. I had seen the look in her eyes when I agreed, and I knew it needed to happen. I wanted Liz Fisher back.
“But I thought I got a break last night.” Liz bit her lip. “And I did enjoy myself until…”
She didn’t need to say anymore. I silenced her with a kiss.
“I know. But I thought you might want something different. I spoke to Cassie last night and she’s coming over at midday to take you to a spa just outside the city. It’s got top security and all the mod-cons. The two of you can relax in there and not worry about anyone getting in to harass you.”
Liz drew back. She stared at me like she had never seen me before. That was fair enough; I had never done this for her before.
“You did all that for me?”
“I have a cousin who works there and I put in a favor with her shortly after you asked for time away. She’s more than happy to make sure you have a good time.”
Liz stared at me. Then she gave me a big smile and jumped into my arms, flinging her arms around my neck and giving me a big kiss. She was still smiling when she pulled back.
“Thank you. For a big brute, you can be quite sweet.”
“Don’t get too used to it,” I chuckled. Then I sighed and rested my forehead against hers. “Listen, Liz, I know we’ve not had a good few weeks. But I want to try and start again. Afresh. I want to.”
“I want to as well.” Liz’s fingers ran through my hair, her fingertips massaging my scalp. “I think we can figure it out if we’re on the same page.”
That made the tension leave my body. Liz was already on the same page. And she was worth her weight in gold. There was no chance of me going anywhere, not now.
Chapter 24
Noah
Despite having made sure Hunter had plenty of exercise and could wear himself out, I had a feeling I had overtired my son. Hunter would just not go down, screaming his head off and wanting about four stories read to him before he would even contemplate having a lie-down. From my previous experiences putting him down at naptime, he had never been like this. It was probably because Liz wasn’t here. He wanted his mommy.
He was going to have to get used to it if he wanted his mommy to be sane at the end of the day.
When he was finally starting to doze, and the CD was playing the soft classical music Liz said he couldn’t sleep without, I was able to leave the room. Mason and Diesel were in the lounge. It was then I saw the time. I had tried to put Hunter down shortly after they arrived, and forty minutes had gone by. My face went red as I joined them.
“Sorry about that. I think I overdid it. He’s finally down.”
“Thank God for that, with all that screaming.” Diesel shuddered. “I never thought there would be so much fight to get a baby to sleep.”
“When he’s tired, Hunter can fight anything, and that includes sleep.” I flopped into an armchair and rubbed my eyes. “He takes a lot of energy out of the person dealing with him, I’ll give him that.”
“And yet you didn’t bat an eye,” Mason chuckled, stretching out his long legs. “I must admit, I never thought you’d fall into the role of father so quickly.”
“Me neither.”
Diesel smirked and took a swig of one of the beers he had brought over.
“Good luck to you on that. I think I’ll stick to just babysitting kids. At least I can give them back after a certain period of time.”
I had to laugh at that. Diesel was
a rover when it came to women. While he was careful with protection, he had slept with quite a few. I was expecting one time for him to have made a mistake, at the very least.
“Just you wait,” I warned. “Someone’s going to turn up on your doorstep and say you’re about to become a dad.”
Diesel snorted.
“That won’t happen. I’m very careful.”
“Okay, that’s enough, you two.” Mason held up his hands to stop the incoming banter. “I don’t want to discuss who does what and who with, thank you. That’s far too much for me to know.”