“I know,” he says, offhandedly, like he didn’t just admit to knowing something importantabout me.
My heart threatens to burst out of my ribcage, but I force myself not to overreact and quietly enjoy the movie.
Grabbing a glass from the table, I sip on the juice and try to lose myself in the movie, which is difficult with the apprehension of how tonight will go, fluttering in my stomach.
* * *
The longing the characters ofThe Notebookfeel is something akin to mine. The only difference is I’ve never been loved, not the wayNoah CalhounlovedAllie Hamiltonhis entire life.
I wonder what it would be like to have someone love you so entirely, completely, and selflessly. I wonder what it would be like to be kissed like her in the rain. To be worshiped inside the walls built with utter devotion.
All my fantasies come to a screeching halt when I feel a slight touch at the back of my neck. To most, it might seem insignificant, but for me, it’s the spark that ignites my body, setting it on fire.
My gaze slowly turns to Noah to find himalready looking at me with lust in his eyes. When he continues caressing my neck with the rough pads of his fingers, my skin tingles, and I let my head fall to the side to grant him more access.
Noah shifts closer, his fingers now tangled in my hair. The slight pull at them has me opening my eyes. I didn’t even realize they fell shut.
His gaze bores into mine as he searches for a sign of distress, but I want this.
“Are you sure, Andie?” he gently asks one more time, his raspy voice making me press my thighs together. He doesn’t miss that action as his eyes flicker to my lap and back, jaw shut tight.
I nod, answering him with complete honesty. “I want you, Noah,” I whisper, unable to raise my voice at the need coursing through me.
The words are barely out of my mouth when I feel myself airborne. I squeal, “Where are we going?”
“Bedroom,” Noah growls, his eyes laser-focused on the path in front of him as I wrap my arms around his corded neck—neck I want to bite into as his pulse hammers in tandem with my heart, but I’m not sure if he’ll like that, so I refrain.
As he carries me to his bedroom, I know Ishould be afraid, feel shy, and apprehensive. But none of those feelings even enter my mind. All I can feel is the desperate need for him. I don’t even care that he’s just going with what I ask. I don’t care if he has agreed to be with me out of pity.
The journey to his room seems like it’s the longest minute of my life. Noah kicks the door open with his foot and gently lays me down on his bed. Pulling back, he walks as far from the bed as possible.
My eyes glance around the room, and it’s almost the same as his guest room, just bigger and feels even more vacant. No picture frames or collectibles. Just plain walls and furniture.
I don’t ponder much on it, though. Not when his eyes are glued to me.
Noah’s emerald eyes rake over my body, his nose flaring when they reach my thighs, the dress now ridden up as it barely covers my panties. He fists his hand, keeping them pinned to his sides as if restraining himself from touching me. Even though I know it’s wishful thinking, I let myself believe that.
“Safe word, Andie?” he growls.
“We don’t needth—”
His eyes dart to me, burning hot. “Safe word, Andie?” he repeats.
Excitement shoots through me, my fingers curling around the bed sheet at what this might mean. Is he that ferocious in bed that he needs me to choose a safe word?
His eyebrow arches at me, waiting for me as his shirt barely clings to his body, threatening to rip apart his broad shoulders with every strained breath he takes.
With an audible gulp, I say the first thing that comes to mind, “Pumpkin?”
His lip twitches at my response. “Okay. Remember to say that the second you want me to stop.”
I nod, my heart in my throat, desperately waiting for him to just do something. Anything! Before I combust, preferably.
Noah takes his sweet time removing his shirt. Tortuously slow as he opens one button at a time, teasing me. How can something as mundane as undoing a shirt look so stinking hot?
“Hurry!” I whine, my hands unable to hold my weight anymore as I drop on my elbows, tilting my head to see his tall frame at the edge of the bed.
Noah doesn’t respond to my words, just smirks. He’s enjoying seeing me squirm in desperation.