Noel laughs. “Who knew we didn’t have a clue what we were doing back then. It’s a wonder you didn’t dump me for my lack of sexual skills.”
I hate when we talk about our breakup and all the time we missed together. How many other women have lain in this exact spot with Noel since then? Ten, twenty . . . a hundred? I cringe. “Like I had a lot of bragging room.” I smile at him as I try to push thoughts of the past out of my mind.
He props up on his elbow and twirls a lock of my hair. “I’ve been wondering something, but I don’t want you to get angry with me.”
I run my fingers along the stubble on his chin. “I won’t get angry with you, I promise. You can ask me anything.”
“Have you been with anyone other than me? I know four years is a long time, and I suspect you have been, but I was just curious. It doesn’t matter to me if you were.”
I wish I’d never been with Cory, the only boyfriend I’ve had since Noel. He’s the worst thing about my past. He almost made me want to never trust men again.
Noel’s thumb runs over my cheek. “What are you thinking?” He kisses my shoulder. “Tell me, please. If something is bothering you, I want you to talk to me about it.”
I stare into his blue eyes. It would kill me if things between us didn’t work out. Cory nearly ruined me. Relationships are built on trust, and Noel has to know everything about my past. Honesty is the one thing I discovered is a necessity for something to work between two people. “I’ve only been with one person since you.”
He raises his eyebrows in surprise. “One? That’s it?”
I smack his arm. “Why would you expect more? You know I’m not that way.” I look away from him. “And I regret that one to tell you the truth.”
Noel rolls onto his back and stares at the ceiling. “I knew you were too fucking good for me.”
I roll over and stare down at him. “Don’t say that. If anything, you’re too good for me.”
He shakes his head. “No, I’m really not. You’re perfect and sweet. A good girl. I’m just going to taint you.”
“You’re not.” I grab his face and stare into his eyes. “If anyone tainted me, it was my ex. You’ll never treat me the way he did. I know you wouldn’t. Don’t ever think that you’re too good for me. Ever.”
He frowns. “What did he do to you?”
I glance away. The pain from my memory still cuts deep. It’s the ultimate betrayal. “I walked in on him having sex with another girl in his dorm room.”
Noel’s eyes soften, and he sits up. His arms wrap around me. “I’m so sorry. Were you with him long?”
I nod while Noel strokes the bare skin on my back. “A little over two years. He was my first real college friend, and it turned into more. I thought I knew him. I never dreamed he was screwing every girl he could get his hands on behind my back.”
“Want me to kick his ass?”
I laugh. “I’d prefer to never talk about him again. It’s in the past.”
Noel smiles. “That’s fine with me. I’ll never do you wrong. You know that, right? No matter what you hear about me, just know that no other girl could ever compare to you. You’re all that I want. Don’t believe anything other than that.”
I think about all the pictures I’ve seen on the internet—Noel with a different woman in each one. “Are you telling me you don’t get around? I saw you with the two blonde bimbos, remember?”
He frowns. “I’m not saying there weren’t other women. There were, but in my sick, twisted mind, they were all you. I’ve never stopped loving you. I didn’t think I would have another shot with you. You left me, remember? I tried to get over you, but I couldn’t.”
My heart flops. It doesn’t matter how many women he’s slept with since we were apart. All that matters is that he’s mine now, and he only wants me. I can see it in his eyes. He means what he’s telling me.
Noel pushes back my hair and cups my face. “I love you, Lane. I always have.”
That’s all I need to hear. I melt into his touch. “I love you, too.”
His lips crush mine, and he pushes me down on the bed. Noel settles his body on top of mine, and I can feel his erection slide up against me. I smile against his lips before we make love one more time.
Chapter 15
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After finishing up the final touches on dinner, I help Mom bring out the food. I set the potato salad on the table on the back deck, and she brings out the salad. I glance over at Noel, who stands watch over the grill, and smile. He’s grinning while he stares at the steaks, and I wonder if he’s thinking about the incredible sex we just had in my room. The kissing rule didn’t last long, but I’m not one bit upset over it.
“Honey”—Mom touches my arm—“I didn’t think you two were back together.”
I shrug and bite my lip. “Things change.”
Mom nods and her eyes light up. “I thought so. That boy is still crazy over you.”
A fierce blush creeps up my neck and floods my cheeks. “Yeah, well, I know exactly how he feels.”
The doorbell rings before she can dig for any additional details, and I’m grateful. It’s hard to explain a relationship status I’m unsure about. Muffled conversation comes from inside the house, and Noel turns away from the grill. He grins when his mother steps outside. Instantly he’s in front of her, wrapping her up in a big bear hug. Warmth spreads through me, and I choke back a tear. I’m glad I made this happen.
“Noel, honey, it’s so good to see you.” His mom, Irene, pats his back while in his embrace.
His smile causes his eyes to twinkle. “You too, Mom. I’ve missed you so much. I can’t believe it’s been so long.”
Irene pulls back and touches her son’s cheek. “Let’s not wait another four years, okay?” She glances in my direction with tears streaming down her face. “Lanie, get over here and give me a hug.” She wraps her slender arms around me and whispers in my ear, “Thank you for bringing back my boy.”
When she lets go, she flips her dark hair over her shoulder and I can’t help but notice how many features Noel takes from his mom: the hair color, the ocean-clear blue eyes, and the heartwarming smile. Noel grabs the steaks off the grill while the rest of us sit. He sits between me and Irene and fills us in about life on the road.
“I’ve been curious, Noel. How did you meet your bandmates? I’ve seen pictures of all you boys, and I don’t remember any of them from around here,” my mom says.
Noel swallows the steak he is chewing and glances at Irene. “On the road. After high school, I traveled for a while.”
I frown, knowing that isn’t exactly what happened, but I know he’s trying to keep Irene from having to explain that her husband exiled his own son. No matter what I did, Mom would never cut me out of her life like that. I always kept the problems between him and his father from her, so she wouldn’t understand the underlying tension in their relationship.
Mom lifts her brow. “Really? Irene, I don’t know how you and Frank kept sane. Jim and I would’ve been out of our minds with worry if Lanie took off like that, being so young.”
Irene’s lips twist as though she’s fighting back a sob. “It wasn’t really up to me.”
Noel grabs her hand. “It’s okay, Mom. I know it wasn’t your fault.”
She can’t stop herself. Irene buries her face into a napkin and lets out a soft sob. “Yes, it is. I should’ve stopped your father from kicking you out. It wasn’t right. Just because you refused to go to college like he wanted didn’t give him the right to take you away from me.” Irene sighs. “He misses you, you know. I told him you were here, and he wants to see you.”
He pulls his lips into a tight line but doesn’t answer. Irene waits on Noel’s response, but I can tell by the look on his face he doesn’t like the turn of this conversation.
“Jesus. Mom, we’ve been through this. I don’t want—”
She pulls her cell phone from her purse. “Let me call him, tell him you’re
going to come over and talk.”
Noel’s jaw muscle works under his skin. “No! I went through hell when he threw me out. He knew what I was going through when Lane dumped me, and he told me to leave anyway. He didn’t care if I had a place to stay or food to eat. Why the hell should I care about his feelings now?”
“Noel Anthony Falcon,” his mom scolds, “you should give your father a chance. He’s sorry.”
He rolls his eyes and stands abruptly.
“Noel?” his mother asks with a little panic in her voice.
He leans down and kisses the top of her head. “It was good to see you, Mother.” He leaves without another word and without looking back. I hear the Escalade start and then tear down the road.
Mom hugs Irene as she sobs. “He just needs some time. Give him that. He’ll come around.”
My heart aches both for the pain that I know Noel is going through and for his parents. It’s apparent there is still a lot of love there, but both father and son are too damn proud to be the first to reconnect. An hour rolls past, and Noel hasn’t returned. Mom is out of comforting things to tell Irene, and she’s still a crying mess. I send Noel a quick text to check on him, and it’s almost immediately answered.
Back at the bus. Sorry I didn’t come back. Just couldn’t deal.
I sigh and stuff my phone back in my pocket. “He’s back in Dallas.”
Irene peers at me through bloodshot eyes. “You have to go to him, Lanie, and convince him to forgive his father.”
“Mrs. Falcon, I don’t think it’s my—”
“You have to. It’s tearing us apart. I can’t lose my only son.”
She looks miserable, and I hurt for her. I notice Mom’s face. Her head tilts slightly to the right and her face scrunches. I’ve seen that look countless times since Dad passed away. It’s hard to lose a loved one. I’ve learned just how difficult it can be, and I don’t want something to happen to Noel’s father while this huge rift is between them. That would kill Noel. For his own sake, I need to try to at least get him to talk to his dad.
I rub my forehead. I have no clue how I’m going to get him to agree. “Okay. I’ll do my best. No promises.”
His mother reaches across the table and grabs my hand. “Thank you.”
The bus is oddly quiet. I open the bedroom door and find Noel lying on the bed. His arm drapes over his beautiful face while he takes deep, sleeping breaths. I set my bag on the floor and crawl in bed beside him. I wrap my arms around his stomach and rest my chin on his chest.
He removes his arm from his face and smiles sheepishly. “Hi. You’re not pissed at me?”
I shake my head. “Why would I be mad at you? I understand why you left.”
He traces the bare skin on my arm. “You do?”
“Your mom shouldn’t force you to talk to Frank. I know you’ll do it when you’re ready.”
He closes his eyes. “That’s just it. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do that.”
“Why? I’m sure you two can find a way to forgive each other.”
Noel’s eyes narrow. “Forgive me? I didn’t do a damn thing to that man.”
His anger startles me. I sit up Indian-style. “I didn’t say you did. I just know that sometimes saying sorry, even if it’s not your fault, goes a long way in smoothing out a fight.”
He leans up on both elbows. “I will never tell that man sorry. You don’t know the cruel things he said to me the night he kicked me out.” Noel throws his legs over the bed and sits with his back to me. Just when I think he’s going to let me into that brain of his, he shuts me out.
I frown. “What did he say?”
Both shoulders slump, and he takes a deep breath. “He said”—he clears his throat—“he said I was one huge mistake. That all I’ve ever been is a disappointment to him.”
His shoulders shake, and I know he’s crying. I slide beside him and wrap my arms around him. “I’m sorry.”
He wipes his eyes with his palm and sniffs. “I don’t know why I’m being such a fucking baby about this.”
I kiss his cheek. “Don’t be ashamed to share your feelings with me.”
He rests his forehead against mine. His scent surrounds me, and I can’t help to think about earlier in the day when we had toe curling sex in my bedroom. I inhale deeply and close my eyes. Noel leans in and brushes his mouth against mine. He works his way down my jaw line. I can tell he’s thinking about this afternoon as well. I stifle a moan as his tongue traces the sensitive skin over my pulse point. I run my fingers into his hair as I feel arousal build between my legs.
“Lane...I need you.” His mouth is on mine, and his hands tug at my shorts. He slips his tongue in my mouth, and a low groan emits from the back of his throat.
The taste of him shoots a thrill through me, and I push his shirt up before shoving him back on the bed. I kiss every inch of his abs before he sits up and helps me out of my shirt. He unclasps my bra and tugs it down so my breasts spring free. Noel wraps his lips around my nipple, and the moan I held back earlier escapes me. Every inch of me burns with an intense fire for him. Eager hands tear at my shorts after he pulls his shirt over his broad shoulders.
We roll over, and he pins my arms above my head. His lips attack mine in a hot frenzy. He pulls back, stands up, and seizes my hips, sliding me across the bed. I lift my hips as he grips the waistband of my shorts and panties and removes them from my body. I slip my hands inside his jeans and shove them down, revealing his perfect ass.
A lazy grin spreads across his face as he steps out of his pants and climbs on top of me. “I want you to be mine.” He glides his fingers against my slick folds.
An ache fills me. I need this man. I need him in my heart and inside my body. No matter the tension or the job. I want to be his. “I’m yours.” I cry out as he dips a finger inside me. Pleasure rolls through every nerve, and my inner muscles ripple and clench around him. Every stroke of his finger fans the fire within. When his thumb circles my clit, I toss my head back in ecstasy as I explode around him.
“God, you’re so fucking hot when you come.” His tongue flicks my nipple. He kisses my lips and sinks his hips between my thighs. His pressing cock teases my moist heat and causes me to squirm.
My arms encircle his body, and my hands run down the rigid muscles in his back. One swift thrust, and he’s inside me. A shudder rips through me as he growls. The steady grinding of his hips causes the ache to build in my core again. Each penetration seems slow and deliberate, as if he’s savoring making me his. His blue eyes stare into mine, and I run my fingers along his jaw. He leans into my palm and closes his eyes as he pumps his hips faster. The mattress moves with every thrust, and I lift my bottom up to meet his hips, allowing him to fill me further.
A second orgasm rips through me. “Oh, God.”
That only excites him, and he increases the rhythm. Sweat beads across his face, and he bites his lip. “You feel so fucking good.”
He’s holding back, I can see it in his face. “Let go for me.”
He shakes his head. “I want to make this last. I don’t want it to end.”
I bring his mouth down to mine and kiss him deeply. “I’m not going anywhere. Trust me.”
As soon as the last word leaves my mouth, he cries out in pure pleasure. “Lane. Oh fuck.”
Warmth fills me as I release one last time with him. Noel erupts inside me, filling me with his hot seed after one final thrust. His entire body shivers, and he collapses on top of me. Soft kisses cover both of my cheeks and then finally my lips.
Chapter 16
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Noel’s steady breathing tells me he’s asleep. I roll over on my side and watch the beautiful man beside me. Who knew my heart was capable of holding so much love for one person? My stomach rumbles, and I remember I never ate dinner earlier thanks to Noel and his antics. Being on this bus for the rest of the tour is going to be crazy.
I push myself up, and Noel reaches for me. “Where
are you going?”
I rub his arm. “I’m just going to try to find something to eat. I’m starving.”
He frowns with his eyes closed. “We probably don’t have much out there. I’m sorry. I can send someone to pick you up something.”
He’s unbelievably sweet. “No, that’s okay. I’m sure I can find something.” I bend down and kiss his cheek. “Go back to sleep, baby.”
He smiles, pulls me into him, and kisses my lips. “Hurry back.”
Reluctantly, I pull away from Noel’s warm embrace, and he rolls onto his side. The clothes I had on earlier are flung around the room. I find my underwear on the floor and slip them on along with one of Noel’s cotton T-shirts. The cloth runs over my nose, and I breathe in. It still smells like him. I turn back to watch him. He’s already fallen asleep.
I open the door and peek out. The lights are dim, and all the curtains on the foxholes are drawn tight. The sound of the guys returning to the bus earlier had woken me, so I figure they are lingering around somewhere. A couple of snores come from the bunks as I walk past, and I chuckle. The twins are obviously out for the count after their two-day spread of groupie sex.
Once inside the kitchen, I’m surprised to see Aubrey and Riff snuggling on the loveseat. I thought she was at her parents. They examine me as I come into view. I do my best to ignore them and head straight for the little kitchen area, and I hope they’ll do the same for me.
No such luck.
Riff stands and pulls Aubrey up with him. I roll my eyes as they plop down at the bench seat at the table. I squat and look through the cabinets. The fabric from Noel’s shirt is big enough that it hangs down to my thighs, but I wish I would have put on some shorts. Riff’s eyes boring into my back have me on edge.
A cabinet door shuts behind me, and I glance in their direction. Riff sits down with a package of Oreos. The rumble in my stomach is audible. What I wouldn’t give for one of those cookies. He peels back the wrapper, and my mouth waters.
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