Hush - Fighting Fate #2

by Maree Green

  It made me feel better knowing he was being protected too.

  Even though Mom was exceedingly coy throughout the entire lunch experience, by the time we were done and had said our goodbyes to Sam, I knew without a doubt I’d be seeing him quite a bit in the near future.

  When we got home, I rushed up the stairs to start getting ready for the party. I knew I still had a couple of hours, but I wanted to look the best I possibly could for Noah. It was the first time I’d actually had the chance to dress up for him after all.

  Noah arrived right on seven, and when I opened the door and saw him standing there in a pair of dark denim jeans and a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, I suddenly realized I hadn’t had the chance to see him dressed up either. And damn if it wasn’t a sight to be seen.

  I shook my head in wonder. I suddenly couldn’t understand why someone like him would be interested in someone like me. He could seriously go anywhere and pick up any girl he wanted to. And that was just with his looks. It was worse once he opened his mouth, because he was just…sweet.

  But I sure as hell wasn’t going to argue. If he was willing to give it, I was sure willing to take it.

  Looking me up and down, he slowly shook his head. “Damn. You look amazing.”

  The sound of his voice woke me from the little dream I’d fallen into. Damn right I looked amazing. I’d put a lot of effort into making sure I did.

  I had on a cute, black party dress that was gathered at the waist and flared out with layers of tulle that fell a little shorter than mid-thigh. Even though the top was sleeveless and sheer black with a round neckline, the bodice was covered with sequins from the waist up that curved to make it look like it had a sweetheart neckline. I also had on a pair of four inch black pumps that made the top of my head come to somewhere around his eye level.

  Stepping closer, I gauged it by testing what my mouth would come into contact with, finding myself very happy when I discovered it somewhere in the vicinity of his neck.

  Placing my hands on his hips, I brought our bodies as close as I could without touching, and breathed him in. A shiver went through me when I heard him draw in a sharp breath, and I swore I felt his body tremble a little under my fingertips.

  Making sure I didn’t touch any other part of him, I softly pressed my lips to the side of his neck, slowly dragging my lower lip over his skin before exhaling, nice and long.

  Noah groaned, his hands finding my waist and tightening. Goosebumps spread over his skin, making me sigh with satisfaction.

  “If you don’t stop that now, we won’t be making it to your party,” he said gruffly.

  I actually didn’t think I would mind that option at all.

  Noah growled. “The fact that you’re thinking about it isn’t helping. I mean it, Kaeli. I’ll take you right here on your doorstep if you keep that up.”

  I pulled back from him and grinned, making him narrow his eyes and shake his head.

  “I don’t think you realize what you do to me,” he said, still clinging to my waist. “You’re dangerous.”

  Now that made me laugh. “I’m dangerous? I think we both know who’s more dangerous between the two of us, and it isn’t me.”

  He pulled me hard against him so I could feel the hardness at his crotch. “It most certainly is you. You’ve got the surprise element. People expect me to be dangerous just from how I look. You on the other hand, you’re all sweet and sexy looking with this air of innocence that brings bad men like me to their knees. Believe me, that is way more dangerous.”

  Cocking my head to the side, I gave him a contemplative look, wondering if he truly meant it. It looked like he did, but I didn’t see how.

  Noah rolled his eyes and grabbed my hand. “Come on, danger-woman. Let me get you to your damned party. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can leave, and the sooner I can fuck you.”

  My breath caught. Holy shit. Did he really just say that?

  Heat flared between my legs as he towed me to the car and urged me inside. Even my damned breath was coming faster as I watched him move around the front of the car.

  I tried to really concentrate on calming myself as we drove towards Mia’s house, but his words just kept sounding inside my head like it was on replay. I don’t know why it affected me so much. It just sounded…hot.

  Taking a few slow, deep breaths, I squeezed my legs together, hoping to alleviate the ache I was feeling.

  “Damn it, Kaeli. I swear to god if you don’t stop doing that I’m going to pull the car over right now and fuck you on the side of the road.”

  Shit. I swear I almost orgasmed right then and there. It was his tone that did it. Even though his words were harsh, his voice only sounded desperate and achy. A bit like how I was feeling right now.

  Gasping, I turned to meet his gaze. “Stop it, Noah. You’re making it worse!”

  Noah blew out a breath, and I thought I heard him curse.

  The heat inside me grew. I was suddenly beginning to see there were many layers to Noah’s personality. After the night before at his parent’s house, I’d started to think the intense Noah I’d seen at TJ’s had just been the result of a stressful situation, but watching him now, I realized that wasn’t the case. That intensity was definitely a part of him.

  And damn if it didn’t turn me on.

  Shit.

  I needed to get my mind onto something else. Searching my brain, I tried to think of a safe topic.

  “So…what did you do this afternoon?”

  He glanced at me and I saw his features relax a little. A tiny amused smile even appeared on his lips. “I went to see Mom and Dad.”

  Oh, that was right. He’d already told me that. “How are they?”

  He smirked a little more. “About the same as they were last night.”

  Smart ass. Was he trying to make this harder for me? “Of course. What did you do?”

  He was full on smiling now, the shit. He had to know that smile made me stupid.

  “I actually went there to run something by them.”

  I really didn’t want to take the bait this time, but he had me curious. “And what was that?”

  His gaze intensified. “Well, considering I’m being forced to lie low for an uncertain amount of time, I thought I might go to college to get a degree in criminal justice.”

  I gaped at him. Seriously. My mouth actually hung open as I stared at him. When my brain caught up, I swallowed. “Are you serious?”

  He gave me cautious glance. “I am. What do you think?”

  “Is that something you want to do?”

  I watched him inhale deeply as he thought. “I want to be able to work my way higher in the department, so yeah, it’s something I want to do.”

  “Then I think it’s a great idea.”

  He exhaled then, his shoulders relaxing a bit more. Scrunching my eyebrows together, I tried to figure out why that was. Surely he couldn’t be worried about what I’d think? Studying him, I suddenly realized I might just be right.

  “Were you worried about what I’d think?” I asked cautiously.

  His gaze was open and honest when he finally turned it on me. “What you think will always be more important to me than anything else.”

  I blinked at him, lost for words. Holy…

  Chapter 62

  Noah

  I could feel Kaeli watching me as I drove into her friend’s street, and it was making me feel a little uneasy. I felt like an open book, exposed and raw.

  My damned emotions had been all over the place since I left the graduation ceremony that afternoon. It was like they had their own agenda, leaving me completely in the dark about what they were going to do next. It made me anxious.

  After I’d left Mom and Dad’s place, I’d gone back to my apartment to kill time, but it’d only left me alone with my own thoughts. My own insecurities.

  The psychologist had told me I could still be up and down for a while yet, so reason told me it was norm
al, but I still felt vulnerable.

  “Which house is it?” I asked, trying to break the tension I felt inside of me.

  Kaeli glanced out the windscreen. “Uh, that one,” she said, pointing. “Just park under the tree there.”

  Stopping where she’d directed me to, I switched off the ignition and turned to face her, struck again by how fucking amazing she looked. I’d been thrown when she’d answered the door back at her place. Not because I hadn’t thought she was hot before, but because I didn’t think it was possible for her to have gotten any hotter than she’d already been.

  Obviously I’d been wrong, because damn…

  The surprise of it, combined with my fucked up emotions and the enormous boner she’d given me, had flicked a switch inside my head. I could’ve kicked myself when I’d straight out told her I wanted to take her home to fuck her.

  But then she’d gone all fucking breathy and squirmish, making my head spin and I went and did it again, threatening to fuck her on the side of the road. I was pissed off at myself that I couldn’t seem to rein myself in. I was acting like fucking Mitch.

  “So, how many people are going to be here tonight?” I asked, needing to know what I was going to have to deal with.

  “Oh, not many. Just our group.”

  I nodded. That I could deal with. “Okay. Wait there.”

  Climbing out, I strode around to her side and opened her door. The second those slim legs of hers slid out, I wanted to push her back in. Or just take her right there. In those sexy as fuck shoes.

  Fuck.

  Grabbing her hand, I gently helped her to her feet and locked the car. I just knew this night was going to be torturous.

  It wasn’t until we turned to head inside that I noticed a couple of beefy guys standing by the door. I tensed. How the hell hadn’t I notice them before? Fuck. I seriously needed to sort my shit out. Aaron was still out there somewhere. Kaeli was still in danger, and I was thinking with my god damned dick.

  Pulling Kaeli so she was behind me, I stopped and assessed the guys.

  “It’s okay,” Kaeli said softly. “They’re just security.”

  What? I looked back at her. “The guys need security? Really?”

  It was then that I noticed a couple of other guys down near the road, slinking in the shadows, watching.

  Kaeli shrugged. “Let’s get inside.” She tugged on my hand and we walked up to the beefy guys. Kaeli smiled. “Kaeli Williams and Noah Murphy.”

  The guy looked down at a sheet of paper and nodded before stepping aside. I was seriously confused. I knew the guys were getting pretty big, but were the jacked up guards really necessary?

  As soon as we got through the door, a cheer went up. Mia rushed over and pulled Kaeli into a hug. “Yay! You’re here. Everyone came early. I’ve been waiting for you to get here. Hi, Noah.”

  I smiled at Kaeli’s friend. She seemed like a nice chick. That guitarist was a lucky guy.

  “I love your dress by the way,” Mia continued. “You look hot.”

  I definitely agreed with that.

  Kaeli laughed, her gaze on Mia’s animated face. “Slow down, Mi. How much coffee have you had today?”

  Mia giggled. “If by coffee you mean Jace, then a lot.”

  I laughed then. I definitely liked her.

  “Wait here. I’ve got something for you.”

  We watched her run off before turning to look at each other. “Is she always so excited?” I asked.

  Kaeli scrunched her eyebrows together. “Actually, since she’s been with Jace, I’d have to say yes.”

  Chuckling, I looked back the way Mia had gone, but a figure walking in from the other room caught my eye. No way. It couldn’t be…

  “Shit. Is that Joshua Emerson?”

  Kaeli glanced across the room and smiled. “Uh huh.”

  What the..?

  I was just about to ask why the fuck an A-list movie star was hanging with her and her friends when the movie star in question looked up and narrowed his eyes at Kaeli. Then he was walking straight for her.

  I watched in confusion as he pulled her into a fierce embrace before pulling back and clasping her upper arms in his hands.

  “I am so pissed at you right now,” he said. “Why the hell were you living like that? You know I would’ve done anything to help you.”

  What the fuck?!

  Kaeli gave him a sheepish smile. “I know. There were lots of things I had to consider. I did what I felt was right at the time.”

  I stared, still stupid with confusion. How the hell did she know Joshua Emerson? And why the hell did he have his hands on her? I wanted to punch him.

  “Still not happy,” he said. “I hate that you went through that alone.”

  “I wasn’t alone,” she said, reaching for my hand. “I had Noah.” She smiled at me and my anger melted. “Josh, this is Noah. He was there, working undercover. He kept me safe.”

  Damned right I did.

  “Noah, this is Josh.”

  Josh eyed me suspiciously before offering me a hand. “You’re a cop?”

  I tried to rein in my need to dislike the guy, reminding myself that he was Kaeli’s friend and that he obviously had her best interest at heart. Taking his hand, I gave it a firm pump. “Yeah, man.”

  His gaze turned thoughtful. “You were working undercover?”

  I nodded, wondering what he was getting at.

  “Hmm…I’ve been offered a role as an undercover cop. If I take it, I might have to come talk to you.”

  Okaaay…I hadn’t been expecting that.

  Mia rushed up beside us and thrust a framed picture in her face. “Here.”

  It was a picture of their whole group in their graduation robes. It was pretty cool.

  Josh snatched it out of Kaeli’s hands before any of us really had a chance to look at it. “Nope. You can’t have this. I’m destroying all of them. You know it’s not fair that I’m not in it.”

  Mia put her hand on her hips and narrowed her eyes at him. “Well, if you hadn’t gone off to be all famous and shit, you could’ve been.”

  Josh smirked at her and held the frame up, out of reach. “Still not getting it.”

  “You know I’m not starry eyed enough that it’ll stop me from kneeing you in your junk,” she retorted.

  Josh laughed. “What do you mean ‘starry eyed enough’? You’re not starry eyed at all!”

  He passed Kaeli the picture before draping an arm over Mia’s shoulders and pulling her into his chest. Jace appeared from behind me and punched Josh in the arm. It wasn’t soft either.

  “Get your hands off my girlfriend, man. You can get any other girl you want in the entirety of the world. Just not this one,” he said, grabbing Mia and holding her away from him.

  Kaeli punched Jace in the arm before huddling closer to me. “What are you implying ass wipe?”

  Jace rubbed his arm. “Jesus, sorry. Fine. Any girl except the ones in this room. Better?”

  I couldn’t argue with that. “Much,” I said gruffly.

  A dark head appeared from around the corner. “What the fuck are you all doing hanging around the door for? Get the fuck in here.”

  The guys laughed, and we all moved into the other room, sinking down on a big modular lounge that almost took up the whole space. Kaeli stayed standing and squeezed my hand.

  “I’ll just go grab some drinks. Be right back.”

  I watched her go before turning back to see a couple of the guys eyeing me. One of them with light brown hair thrust his hand out to shake.

  “Hey, I’m Dean.”

  I recognized him as the lead singer from the band. “Noah,” I said, taking his hand. “I’ve heard you guys play. You’re good.”

  Dean nodded like he was happy to hear it. I noted he didn’t seem cocky like I thought he’d be. Most front men were. “Thanks, man. We appreciate that. This is Matt, our drummer.”

  I looked to his side to see the dark head that had called out around the corner
before. As soon as I saw the grin on his face, I knew where all the cocky went, ‘cause it was written all over the dude’s face.

  He reached out to pump my hand and quirked his eyebrows. “Nice tatts, man. Did Dan do those?”

  I frowned in surprise. “Yeah, man. You know him?”

  Matt grinned. “Fuck yeah. I grew up with him. He’s friends with my older brother, Paul.”

  I was impressed. “He does awesome work.”

  “He’s a fucking legend.”

  Matt ripped the shirt over his head and turned so I could see a piece of work that spread over the whole top of his back. It was a swirl of flames, music notes and script, with the name of their band woven through it. It was pretty bad ass.

  “Nice.”

  “Oh for god’s sake, Matt. Put your freaking shirt back on. No one wants to see your stupid tatt.”

  I looked up to see a gorgeous brunette walking in with a couple of beers in her hand. Well, she would’ve been gorgeous if she wasn’t wearing a scowl.

  “Shut up, Lila. No one asked for your opinion,” Matt snapped. There was clearly no love between these two.

  Dean smacked Matt on the back of the head. “Watch it.”

  The girl, Lila, smirked at Matt before sinking down beside Dean. Matt threw Dean a feral look before sliding right away from the two of them.

  “Yeah, well at least I have the balls to do what I want, unlike someone else I know.”

  Lila glared at him. “Just because Dean’s not following your stupid little band ritual doesn’t mean he doesn’t have any balls. It means he’s smart.” She flicked her gaze my way, looking over my arms like they were diseased.

  Fucking really?

  Matt scoffed and Dean sighed. “Lila…” he warned.

  “Whatever. You know I’m right,” she said snootily. “I don’t know why you don’t just stand up for yourself already.”

  I gawked at the girl, then I gawked at Dean. She was a massive bitch. And he was just taking it. What the hell? I was with Matt on this one. Dean really needed to grow some balls.