by M Brereton
Something about that was also bothering Noah. Welker knew what Antonio was like, why give his daughter to him? Noah smiled as he could finally think like his old nemesis. Antonio would’ve had an ‘accident’ soon after the vows no doubt freeing Eva to lead one of the most powerful mafia families. Welker would’ve timed it right too. He would’ve waited until she gave birth to a son who could inherit both families before getting rid of the old regime. Brilliant! He would be doting grandpa and pleased father in law until he could strike from within.
And what did you offer a man who wanted to be king? A chance to be a God. Through Eva he thought he would control the American Presidency, then the free world. He would lay pawns in his cabinet to ensure his compliance. Noah had to hand it to the man when Welker made a move, he made leaps.
Noah continued to watch his children play while Eva sat silently beside him, her face a mask as she dealt with the turmoil within. This was the face she wore when she kept secrets from him. She was bottling everything away and Noah prayed she wouldn’t implode from the pressure.
He reached across the space between them and grasped her hand giving her a squeeze of reassurance, silently letting her know that he was here if she needed him. She glanced at him briefly and smiled in thanks before donning her mask once more. It pained him to see it and he lifted their joined hands and kissed her palm. She pulled her hand away and donned her sunglasses, keeping her hands clasped on her lap.
Even though he knew she wasn’t mad at him, it hurt that she was putting a wall between them. He turned to face his kids and sighed. One day they’ll be happy, with Welker and his schemes just a memory. One day, Eva wouldn’t be haunted by the memories of her past.
33
Dinner For Two
They returned to the White House in the dead of night as per Noah’s orders. He wasn’t in the mood for the fanfare and neither was Eva. The next day, they proceeded on their duties as usual, not speaking for another two weeks. Noah gave her the space but checked in on her regularly. He never pried, but with her past suicidal tendencies, he ensured she was never left alone for long and had even enlisted Kate to help. Kate had smiled brightly at him for the first time since he’d known her as she always took Eva’s side in their disagreements, but it seemed that she was on board with his plan to protect Eva from herself.
She was packing her office up when he knocked on the open door.
“Can I come in?”
“You’re learning,” Eva stated without looking up.
“We all have to do what we have to do. Speaking of which, I’m not running for re-election. Maybe when I’m older, but not right now.” Noah declared.
“What made you change your mind?”
“You…” Noah stated as she finally looked up he added, “and the kids of course, but mainly I think we need to focus on being a normal couple and family.”
“It’s mainly because of me you’re doing this, isn’t it?” Eva whispered.
“It’s mainly because we need to focus on each other and our kids before we take on the world. Eric’s running, and Wayland wants me for the Chief of Defense. It’ll mean more free time for us.” Noah clarified as he wrapped his arms around her.
Eva relaxed in his arms and closed her eyes, sighing in contentment with his nearness. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but thank you.” She whispered.
“No, thank you,” Noah countered as he kissed her hair, “I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you. Besides, how will I get my beer gut without the little woman back at home bringing me my beer.”
Eva chuckled and turned in his arms and kissed him. “Sometimes you can be the sweetest thing and the weirdest asshole, all at the same time and, yet I foolishly love them both.”
“And you can be a murdering…”
“Quit while you’re ahead, baby.” Eva interrupted covering his mouth with her hand.
Noah nodded, and they briefly kissed then they stood there just hugging each other in silence. After some time had passed, Eva murmured to him, “Mi manchi piccolo.”
“Mi man chi anche ti amore mia.”
“Am I interrupting?” Wayland asked from the doorway, causing them to finally release each other.
“Not really, but we just needed to catch up.” Noah explained, looking at Eva before asking, “You wanted to see me?”
“Actually, I came to speak to Eva …” Wayland hedged looking at their joined hands, “but I think I just got my answer. Have a good evening.” He finished with a smile as he left.
“What was that about?” Noah asked.
“I think he wanted me to change your mind,” Eva said tiredly.
“Why didn’t he ask?”
Eva lifted an eyebrow and Noah connected the dots. “Oh!”
“So, what do you say to a little dinner, just the two of us. I’ll cook and bring the beer.”
“I can get my own beer and for dessert, you can have Naked Noah Surprise,” Noah replied, wagging his eyebrows at her.
Eva laughed and teased, “How about a normal desert, like Eva Naked Surprise.
“I’ve heard of this. It’s quite exotic and very flavorful. I hear it goes well when paired with a vintage Washington Italian.”
She laughed some more and asked as she hugged him, “I wonder where I could find a vintage Washington Italian.”
“I’m sure if you search low and hard enough, you’ll find one,” Noah growled.
Eva chuckled, “This low?” She asked as she cupped him, “Since I found my vintage, do you want to eat dinner, or can I just serve the dessert?” she purred.
“Dinner first!” Noah smirked, quickly pulling away and rushing to the door. “I can have that desert anytime!” He laughed as she threw her letter opener at him with deadly accuracy, sticking in the wall next to his face. “Oh! somebody needs their daily dose of Noah!” He chuckled as left her.
“Fucking prick!” Eva cursed then smiled then laughed like a madwoman because before he walked in she was feeling so depressed and now… he was amazing her husband! She would do as she promised and ….so much more.
Noah showed up to their private dinner in a deep blue velvet jacket, black silk shirt and pants, his hair gelled back and a cigar in his mouth.
“How do I look?” He asked Eva, opening the jacket and doing a little spin in the bedroom.
Eva smiled and asked, “What’s with the cigar?”
“I thought it was a nice touch.” Noah replied, placing a kiss on her cheek, “You don’t look too bad yourself.” He added as he appraised her champagne colored nightgown and robe.
“I feel under-dressed.” Eva pouted as she poured him a glass of red wine.
“Trust me, you’re dressed right for the occasion.” Noah grinned as he sat down at the table.
Eva uncovered the dishes and named them, “We have oysters for the appetizer, for the main course Au Poivre with grilled radicchio and squash au gratin and for dessert…you’ll just have to be surprised.”
“Everything looks delicious.” Noah declared his eyes roaming over her body.
Eva sat down and held an oyster out to him. He eyed her skeptically. She rolled her eyes saying. “Why would I poison you?”
“I recall a letter opener earlier this evening…”
“That’s not funny, Noah!” Eva pouted, “You act as though I would actually hurt you!”
“You have actually hurt me! I still feel that knee…”
“But you know I would never seriously hurt you, right?” Eva whispered worriedly.
“Yes! Of course!” Noah declared then added, “I also know you can do other stuff so…”
“Forget it!” Eva cried, tossing the oyster back in the dish. She hung her head and fought the tears.
Noah whispered, “That’s not what I meant! I don’t think that way!” He picked up the oyster “See,” he mumbled before swallowing. “I’m eating it! I know you tend to retaliate, that’s what I meant. Not seriously hurt me, but …like the tying up thing and of course the kn
ee, but I know it would be nothing more than that. I know you won’t hurt me.” He whispered, rubbing soothing circles on her back.
Eva peeked at him through her eyelashes, “I ruined our date, didn’t I?”
“No, I did.” Noah corrected, “I went too far. Still want to feed me even though I kind of ruined the mood?”
For a reply, she picked up another oyster and guided it to his mouth. He opened his mouth, but then she pulled it away at the last minute popping it in her own mouth. Throwing down the shell, Eva admitted with a smirk, “I do like to retaliate.” Then pretended to feed him once more. She ate it herself, saying, “This taste so…mmm”
“You’re gonna eat them all yourself, now aren’t you?”
Eva nodded her mouth full and Noah glanced at the dish. Then there was a mad scramble as they each grabbed up as many as they could, eating quickly then attacking the other to take what they already had.
“Seriously!” Eva griped after a few minutes, “Can we be civilized for an hour!”
“We are civilized!” Noah burped, having won their impromptu oyster eating contest.
“Let’s eat like normal people, please!” Eva demanded as she sat up like a queen to cut her steak. Noah followed suit and after five strained minutes of civility, they burst out laughing.
“Why are we even laughing?” Eva choked out.
“I don’t know!” Noah chuckled, wiping a tear. “But I think we needed it. Let’s be real Eva, we’re stuck in protocol mode all day. I think we do these things, so we don’t run screaming for the hills. Why are we even using a table anyway when there’s a perfectly good fireplace over there?” He suggested smiling, pointing behind her.
Eva turned in her seat then turned back to face him smiling as she said, “Let’s go then!”
Noah adjusted the rug, spread a fleece and pillows around, dimmed the light and lit candles as Eva moved their plates and glasses.
“Perfecto, eh madam?” Noah asked her, and she smiled in approval as they clinked glasses.
Eva fed him from her plate and Noah fed her from his. As she sipped her wine he caught her staring and gushed, “I got the look back.”
“What do you mean?” Eva asked, puzzled.
“I got the – Noah is the most amazing man ever - look back.” Noah informed her, smiling, “I’ve missed it.” He whispered, then he frowned as he took a drink, “You gave it to Roland.”
“Let’s not talk about things like that,” Eva whispered, squeezing his forearm. “We made it. Let’s not go back. Let’s leave my father, Veronica, and everybody behind us. Tonight is for us.”
“For us.” He agreed, kissing her cheek. Then asked, “How about a little dancing?” He got up before she could reply and put on his phone, turning up the volume Eva heard, “Ordinary People”. Noah returned to her and held out his hand. “This time, we take it slow.”
She smiled at his words as he pulled her up and held her close. They closed their eyes and swayed in each other’s arms until even after the end of the song.
“Noah.”
“Mmm”
“The music stopped.”
Neither of them let go. They continued holding each other, swaying to the beat of their own hearts.
“I wish we could stay like this forever,” Eva whispered.
“Me too,” Noah agreed, “I never wanna let you go.”
“Then don’t.”
They finally stopped swaying and gazed into each other’s eyes as if seeing them for the very first time. Noah moved first leaning down as Eva raised up on her toes to meet him. The kiss was like the first kiss of new love, tender and sweet. A gentle caress of lips before deepening to a meeting of long lost souls and when they finally came up for breath, he leaned his forehead against hers as they fought to control their baser desires.
“I think if we keep kissing like that, I may not survive to be an old man,” Noah gasped out and Eva chuckled. Then he gave her another brief kiss before saying, “I have a surprise for you.”
34
Love to Love You
“A Naked Noah Surprise” Eva breathed as she ran her hands up his biceps, pulling him down for a kiss.
“Well that too,” Noah corrected, smiling as he stepped away. “but an actual surprise.” He went to the walk-in and came out with roses, a velvet box, and a hockey penguin.
“A hockey penguin?” Eva asked when she saw the stuffed animal.
“Despite my feelings on the matter, I got you a stuffed penguin mascot who is autographed by …”
“Neymar!” Eva exclaimed as she read the penguin, “How? Wait, why a football player?”
“You introduced me to the game the same night you started liking the Naked Noah Surprise. Although,” Noah added as he scratched his chin, “it wasn’t called that yet.”
“And the flowers and box?”
“The roses are well…just because, and the box, take a look!” He told her as he handed her the box and roses.
She put down the penguin and the roses and opened the velvet box to find a 24-karat blue sapphire ring, surrounded by diamonds in a platinum setting.
“It’s an engagement ring worthy of you.” Noah supplied, “You lost the first one and I didn’t have the money to replace it, but now I do so I did,” He rambled, “Do you like it?”
Eva wept silent tears as she nodded.
“The color is the closest I could get to your eyes. Frankly, I think no jewel really matches them.” Noah muttered sheepishly.
Eva wordlessly handed him the box, removed her band and put out her left hand. Noah dropped to one knee and she gasped as he slid the ring into place, kissing the rings after he put on the band as well. He stood and had to brace himself as Eva threw herself at him.
“Prego! Sei cosí premuroso! Ti amo molto!” (Thank you! You’re so thoughtful! I love you so much!) She cried in his arms.
“Sei tutto per me amore mia.” (You are everything to me, my love.) Noah whispered, kissing her hair.
* * *
Eva awoke and stretched then crawled on the back of the most amazing man she’d ever met.
“Buongiorno.” She whispered as she kissed him on his cheek. Eva could still feel him moving inside her as recalled how amazing he was last night. He really did take it slow. Slow, deep and hard. He took his time and kissed her everywhere, loving every inch of her until she almost came before finally taking her. She had orgasmed four times before he did and still, he continued to kiss and caress her until she fell asleep in his arms.
“Bueno sera tesoro mia,” Noah replied as he rolled over to return her kiss. They kissed tenderly at first then Eva’s hands roamed across his scar on his side and down his stomach and the kiss intensified as they tried to devour each other greedily.
Noah pulled away first gasping for breath, “I have to be on the hill at nine.”
“I can make it quick,” Eva growled as she reached for him.
“I can’t. Once I start … I won’t want to stop,” Noah replied between kisses.
“I’m glad we’re not doing this for another four years,” Eva griped as she pulled the covers over herself.
“Buon giomo cara.” Noah apologized as he got out of bed, striding to the bathroom
As soon as he was gone, Eva stuck out her left hand and admired her new ring then frowned as she did the math. She slipped it off and read the inscription written in Italian, “With love to my soulmate.” She almost cried when reading it and realized he must have spent an entire year’s salary on the ring.
“You are amazing, you know that,” Eva told him as he reentered the room.
“I know,” He smirked as he went to the walk-in.
Eva got up and donned his velvet jacket and followed him in asking, “Don’t you want to know why I said it?”
“I know why you said it,” Noah replied with a wide grin as he pulled on his shirt.
“You had the ring engraved.”
“Of course, I did.”
“What does it say?” Eva wh
ispered, her eyes practically glowing with admiration.
“Con amore alla mia anima gemella.” Noah whispered looking into her eyes.
She smiled clutching her hands to her chest and her eyes softened as she looked at him in adoration.
“I have to finish up here,” Noah told her uneasily.
She nodded in understanding, but didn’t move and continued to stare at him with wonder in her eyes.
“Okay, then….” Noah muttered. He was used to her being a little over-affectionate after they had sex, but this felt strangely different. When he pulled out his tie she rushed towards him and helped him put it on, she lovingly smoothed it down before choosing his cuff-links like it was an honor to do so. Then she circled him and smoothed his suit as Noah put on his watch eyeing her actions.
“Perfecto,” Eva whispered in awe.
“Thank you,” Noah replied, still watching her strangely.
She followed him to the door and handed him his briefcase, “Have a wonderful day, tesoro mio.” As she stood on her toes for a kiss.
Noah leaned down intending to give her a brief kiss goodbye, but Eva grabbed him by the neck and latched on, moaning as she rubbed against him. Noah gently pried her away and she whispered, “Ti voglio bene.”
“I’ll miss you too,” Noah responded in kind as he discretely opened the door behind him to escape.
Finally, in the hallway, he made to leave, but she stopped him saying, “Ti amo molto tesoro mio.” Then closing her eyes for another kiss. He sighed then twirled his fingers and their detail turned their backs on them as he moved in to kiss her.