by Dee Bridle
“He’ll never go for that. He wants her dead.”
“Now is not the time for melodrama, Noah,” he replied.
“Fuck melodrama. What I’m saying is the truth. He tried to kill her once, and he’ll do it again.”
“Enough!” he said raising his voice. “As far as I am concerned, I will do this for you, and only you, Noah. I have no time for unsubstantiated claims by a homeless girl! As I said, I will help her this one time, but then that’s it.”
I tried concentrating on my breathing like Harry had taught me over the years. His mentoring had helped me to reign in the anger before I exploded and made it all worse. I waited for what was to come next.
“You, in turn, will give Emily up. You’ll then begin to date Rachel and commence your internship at this firm, in between your college classes,” he added.
I clenched my jaw and looked down at the carpet. There was always a price. He would never just do something to help me.
“Be thankful that I have started the negotiations, Noah. You nearly killed him. You would have gone to jail and done time.”
I kept silent, unable to form the right words. I knew it would help Ivy, but I couldn’t give her up.
“I need a few days before I give you my decision,” I said firmly.
“There isn’t a decision to be made, Noah. You have no choice! It’s this or a court case with possible jail time. Is that what you want? Is that what you want to put us through? You already did enough by making a spectacle of our family last night!”
I stood up from the chair and strode over to the office door. I had to get out of here.
“I’ll be back in two days.”
“Noah!”
I left him shouting as I strode towards the lift, the anger tightening my chest as my heart pumped loudly in my ears.
* * *
As I arrived back at the apartment building, I took the elevator up to the penthouse, needing to see Ivy. Ava had texted me earlier that she was awake and getting ready. I burst into the apartment, looking for her like a desperate guy.
“Balcony,” said Zac from the couch.
I strode through the apartment and saw her leaning over the railing, looking out at the city. She turned towards me as I went outside, like she was in tune with me, already knowing I was there.
“Noah,” she said emotionally.
My heart zapped and I went to her, pulling her into my arms and holding her tight.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” I said kissing her head. “Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Just bruises,” she murmured into my chest.
“I went a little crazy last night,” I said into her hair.
“Are you in trouble?” she asked.
“Not about that, about losing you,” I confirmed, stroking her back with my hand.
“Once I got free of him, I just ran. I had to get away from everything, and go somewhere I knew he wouldn’t think to look for me. Noah, he said he was going to kill me!”
“You should have run to me,” I said, still a little pissed that Sean was the one to find her.
She turned her head and looked at the others inside. Will was on his phone, Ava was curled up next to Zac while he worked on his laptop, and Nick was watching the television.
“I hate that I’ve caused so much trouble, for everyone here,” she whispered.
“It’s a friends thing, remember? We all do whatever needs to be done for each other,” I said kissing her head again.
Her arms held onto me tighter.
I wouldn’t be able to let her go. I needed her to be safe and here with me, but if my father had his way, I would lose her. Would I be able to just be friends with her in the future? Fuck no. I’d hurt any loser who got near her.
I was truly fucked.
I needed time with Zac and Will to talk things through. I needed another plan; one that included keeping her forever.
“He’s going to kill me,” she said into my chest.
“He won’t get near you. I won’t let him,” I said into her hair.
“How did you find out?” she asked.
“Zac has ways to find things, but I guess you already knew that,” I said kissing the top of her head again. “I was only tracking you with the phone to keep you safe.”
“Did you know about my secrets when we first met?”
“No. But I wanted to. I must admit, I started to get Zac to look into you straight away. I was blindsided by you and wanted to know more.”
“Some secrets are locked away forever. Not even you will find them,” she said.
“But I know enough that makes me want to kill him, Ivy. He had no right to kill your trust, your spirit, and happiness. He will suffer soon enough and will pay for hurting you the way he did.”
“He’s untouchable,” she whispered.
“No one is untouchable,” I returned. “The bigger they are, the harder they can fall. Trust me.”
“I’ve been hiding for so long, Noah, and now he knows I’m actually still alive. He won’t stop until he finds me. He’s calculating and thorough. He has tons of people working for him who will—”
“They won’t find you. I swear to you, Ivy. We’re going away for a couple of days to escape and regroup. We’ll find a way to keep you safe permanently.”
“But why? Why do you want to put yourself through this?” she asked, looking up at me with her sad green eyes.
“Because you’re mine. Everything in me belongs to you now. I’ve fallen so hard for you, Ivy,” I said leaning down and gently touching her lips with mine. “I can’t get enough of you. I want to show you a life where you can be free and happy.”
“I’m damaged and maybe forever broken,” she whispered against my lips.
“Then I’ll spend my life putting you back together, piece by piece,” I said kissing her lips again.
I brought my hand up to her face and cupped her cheek. Her eyes looked into mine, and I saw tears welling up and about ready to stream down her face. But behind the tears, I saw her unsureness and mistrust. She didn’t believe me. She couldn’t trust that she could be free. She was truly broken.
Chapter Fifteen
Ivy
Everyone was trying hard to have fun.
Or, maybe they really were having fun, and it was just me feeling the strain, knowing everyone was here trying to help me escape from my problems. I had brought a dark heavy cloud filled with troubles and it was now hovering over the group. I knew we were leaving the city for safety reasons, but I also knew that my problems were still going to be here when we got back, festering to get sorted.
The thought of Richard knowing I was alive gripped me with fear. I kept remembering the shock on his face when he had seen me, back from the dead. He would be filled with fury now and that never ended well. He would not stop until he found me again. Nowhere would be safe. He had the money and resources to do whatever he liked.
The thought of him pressing charges on Noah, filled me with dread. He deserved happiness and a good life, not a permanent record and possible jail time. However I looked at it, I was screwed. I didn’t want my friends around me to be screwed either. I didn’t want any trouble for the guy whom I was now truly in love with.
For a moment on Nick’s balcony, I had experienced a sliver of pure happiness when Noah had held me and told me that he had fallen for me. I had fought with myself, wanting to believe in him, wanting the freedom and happiness of life that he was promising. But the years of hurt hadn’t let me believe in him. I had barely survived a life full of abuse and being told I was worthless. Noah deserved so much more than what I could offer him.
I knew that he was working something out with his father, but anyone could see that it wouldn’t work to his advantage. His father did not like me and would use this whole situation to get rid of me. I knew that deep in my heart.
No one did anything from the goodness of their heart for me. There was always something they wanted in return, except for my beautiful Noah. He
had already given me so much.
I was itching to run away and clear all the problems for them. Richard would stop at nothing to kill me off now. After all, he had gone to such great lengths once already. Without me in their lives, it would all go away.
The sun was shining and my friends were ready to party. Noah drove the Jeep, with the roof off, so we all had the wind blowing through our hair. Will had already started drinking in the back seat, while Ava sang along to the music blaring from the speakers. Zac, sitting in the front seat, smiled as he leaned his head back and looked up at the sky. It was as if he was happy to be away from the city.
In the backseat, I looked up at the same sky, minus the smile. I closed my eyes as the wind blew through my hair. I envied the concept of smiling and being optimistic enough to know it was all going to be okay. Nothing was ever okay and had never been in my life. I could never escape my problems, regardless of the fresh air, beautiful surroundings, or the amazing friends I had made. I was doomed to a life of running.
I put my hand out the side of the car, feeling the pressure of the wind as we sped towards our destination. This was it. This was going to be my memory of a happy time in my life, before things became really bad again.
I opened my eyes and saw Noah watching me in the rearview mirror as he drove. I gave him a smile and then looked out at the blur of trees as we sped by.
* * *
It wasn’t long before I was looking up at a large, white, beach house, which was directly joined to the sand and ocean. As the others unpacked, Noah opened up the house, unlocking doors and pulling the large bi-fold windows back where the beach met the house.
The place was beautiful. My every fantasy.
I walked straight over to the sand, folding my arms as I went to the shoreline. Small waves were rolling in and I watched them for a while. Another girl, in another lifetime, could find peace here.
Strong and loving arms were instantly wrapped around me as Noah pulled me in to the only warm body that I would ever want again.
“This place is amazing,” I murmured, leaning my head back into him.
He kissed my neck, making my skin tingle and eyes brim with tears.
“We need to talk about what’s going to happen when we get back,” I said, closing my eyes.
He only continued to kiss my neck, nuzzling into the spot behind my ear.
“He’ll find me. I need to warn my mother.”
“She knows. She started packing before I left her,” he said into my neck.
I turned around in his arms.
“You spoke to my mother?”
“I went everywhere to try and find you.”
I closed my eyes, resting my forehead onto his chest. I had truly put him through hell and he was still here, wanting more of me. Any other guy would have been running as fast as he could in the opposite direction.
Fate had brought this amazing guy to me, only to be cruel, knowing I would have to let him go. I had seen how things could be in the parallel universe, where I was a well-adjusted, normal girl. This is what I could have had.
“I don’t want to talk about what’s going to happen when we get back. I want to be here, right now with you. He won’t find you here. The next time he tries to get near you, I’ll put him in the ground instead of in the hospital.”
“Don’t say that, Noah. You can’t ruin your life over me. I would let him find me and kill me first.”
He pulled my chin up, anger alight in his eyes.
“No one is ruining my life or yours. You’re not going to let him do anything to you ever again. You hear me?”
I pulled away from him. My own sudden anger burned a blaze inside me.
“It’s not that simple, Noah! Things aren’t just going to work out. I will never be free! You are ruining your life by being with me. You could lose everything, and for what? Me? What a pathetic fucked up prize! He is inside my head, every day, in every thought. He made me what I am today! How can you jeopardize everything good in your life for that?”
“I am not ruining my life by being with you, Ivy. When are you going to understand that? Get the fucker out of your head! He doesn’t deserve a single thought in there!” he shouted. “And it will work out, because I’ll make damn sure it does!”
“But, Noah!”
He silenced me with a searing kiss as his hand cupped my head and held me to him. I forgot everything as he ravaged my mouth while days of pent-up emotions and craziness were being released. I meshed my tongue with his, needing his taste and wanting him on a pure basic level.
His other hand came up and he used both hands to cup my face, pulling back an inch to set his heated gaze on me.
“Let it all go,” he demanded softly. “Be free right here with me, Ivy.”
I suddenly didn’t want to think about anything else as I became lost in his eyes. Maybe I could let it go while I was here, and be a better version of myself for him and only him. I stretched up on my toes and kissed him. My arms encircled his neck as he returned my kiss.
I savored his lips and his strength as held me to him. I angled my head for a deeper kiss, taking everything I could from him. He was the only one who could make me let go, and I felt my dark cloud move slightly away.
“I want you,” he said into my mouth, his hand moving to grip the back of my neck, pulling me deeper into him.
“I want you, too,” I breathed as my fingers stroked the ends of his hair before moving down to his firm shoulders.
Our tongues danced together as our bodies pushed and pulled against each other.
His hands went down to my bottom and squeezed before they suddenly lifted me up against him. I held onto his shoulders as my legs wrapped around him tightly, my mouth still kissing him hungrily.
“I need to be inside you,” he said gruffly as his lips travelled past my mouth and to my neck.
I closed my eyes, the tingling sensation on my neck driving me wild. I didn’t think I wanted anything more than for him to be inside me right now. My body was singing, and I didn’t want it to stop.
I moved my mouth to his neck, feeling a ravenous desire that was new and wonderful. I was no longer going through the motions, pretending a desire to make a guy happy and hating it as I went through it. Noah had changed me. I was only like this right now, because of the spell he had put on me.
I licked my way down his neck, giving him little nips with my teeth as I went. We were suddenly moving and heading inside the house, and I buried my face into his corded neck. I had no idea where everyone was, but it was obvious what we were about to do.
We went up the stairs and I admired his strength of carrying me, like I was made of air. We were suddenly in a large bedroom and then the door was being shut. He dumped me on the bed with a sudden smile and I bounced from the impact. The smile held promise and everything that was Noah. As I laughed, he came over the top of me, kissing me with abandon.
He lifted my top, pulling it over me, but leaving my arms and face caught up in it. I laughed again as he went back to kissing my body, while I struggled to get the top off myself. He nipped at my ribs and then at my side and I giggled from the tickling. I pulled it off the rest of the way and looked up at him.
He was still smiling at me, like I was his everything. I let the familiar warmth in my chest spread throughout my body.
“Giggle like that again,” he demanded.
I shook my head with a teasing smile.
He leaned down and gently bit my side, below my ribs and I giggled, trying to shove him off. As I giggled uncontrollably, he pulled my jeans off and then his own. Before I knew it, we were both naked.
“Where else are you ticklish?” he asked, trailing his tongue down my thighs.
I couldn’t tell him that my entire body was now ticklish from the fun we were having. My skin was alive and I felt lightheaded with joy.
“What about here?” he asked pulling my leg up and biting me behind my knee.
I laughed and tried to stop him, wriggling
my way out of his grasp.
“Stop it!” I laughed, hitting him in his stomach.
“You hit like a girl,” he chided, grinning as he held himself up over me.
“I was holding back,” I said, my face feeling tight from the unexpected laughter.
“Don’t hold back with me,” he said, his eyes roaming over my body below him, before meeting my eyes again. “I’m going to take you to my gym when we get back and teach you how to hit properly.”
“I know how to hit. Want me to show you?” I asked teasingly.
“In the ring, yes. There will be nothing hotter,” he said leaning down to kiss my lips. “Then after everyone goes home, I’m going to take this beautiful body hard up against the ring,” he said, swiftly moving his lips and tongue down my body.
I laughed while his tongue moved down over my stomach.
“Is that some sort of fighter fantasy?”
“Who the fuck knows, but it’s definitely one of mine,” he said.
Then he pulled my thighs wide apart and wildly licked at me without warning.
My laughter changed to a gasp and then a long drawn-out, soft moan as he teased me with his tongue. I moved my hips with intensity and his strong hands held me in place as I arched my back in pleasure.
“Oh, god,” I groaned, as I quickly closed my eyes.
He trailed his tongue over and inside me and then was moving back up my body, licking at my breasts.
“I can go by both names, Noah or God, I don’t mind.”
I suddenly laughed again and watched him stretch his arm over to the bedside drawer to get a condom. I admired the stretch of his muscles. Still smiling, I realized that I had never laughed during sex. He was giving me another first. I leaned up and kissed his chest, stroking my hands over his ripples, and knowing that I wanted it all from him.
He pulled back slightly to put the condom on and I stopped him, wanting to do it for him. I slowly rolled it over him, thinking how perfect it was, just like him. Large, strong, and equipped to drive me wild. He kissed my lips, pushing me back down onto the bed, as his hand travelled over my breasts and further. As his tongue danced with mine, his hand reached my thighs. His fingers gently moved inside me to see if I was ready for him, mimicking the motion of his tongue. I groaned against his mouth, my hands clamping onto his shoulders as his fingers disappeared.