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“At least someone is getting laid,” Ray texted back.
She climbed into Noah’s truck at just after ten that night. They talked once more along the dark roads like they were those two young shifters again, madly in love, the drudgery of real life not yet theirs.
NINE
NOAH
The lake house was a majestic sight that looked like it was carved out of a dream.
Noah had known about it, of course, having grown up in the clan town for the majority of his life, but he had never personally had the pleasure of seeing it up close. On the drive up, they talked about the past and unearthing magical memories that they had both believed were going to remain buried for eternity. The two of them audibly gasped when Noah pulled into the driveway after moving through a dense trail of sleeping pine trees.
“That’s the lake house?”
Becca nearly chuckled, but it was a laugh of disbelief, of utter wonder. Pot lights and fairy lanterns flooded the pathway with a soft, ambient glow and led them up to the front door. They both gazed with bated breath at the modern-styled cabin before them with two floors and plated with tall glass windows that hinted at the pristine and luscious interior.
It was a classical lake house, but it still maintained an idyllic essence of a romantic getaway. When they climbed out of the car, the two remained in quiet awe, cicadas singing as the lights bloomed a shade brighter as they walked up the trail to the front door.
Noah felt like he was in a trance as he used the code Lev had given him to open the door. Becca was standing behind him, ready to embark on the next chapter of their relationship. That part had been unsolicited, though, making his hands shake not only with elation but unease.
“Ready to explore your palace, my good queen?”
The night was layered in a silence that was only encountered far outside the reaches of humanity. It was quiet in their hometown. They lived in a fairly remote space outside the bustle of the city, but there were still people around, which meant the rumble of cars, the disruption of parties, and overall a sense of intrusion.
But at the lake house, they were concealed in a tranquility that made Noah think of the session in which the universe was first designed. An overwhelming sense of soundlessness as stars floated across a velvet sky like diamonds, and sunsets were painted in mute brushstrokes.
That was what it was like when Becca laughed at his quip. It was like a celestial being had struck the first chord of what would eventually evolve into music. It seemed to echo into his heart first, then into his soul. It made him feel floaty.
“The queen is ready,” she murmured.
When Noah finally pushed the door open, and they stepped inside, they were both ready for what greeted them, a wash of light softly coming to life from the foyer and into a charming living room setting, then down the hall and into the kitchen. They both stood holding their bags, impressed by the sweeping beauty of technology, then the lock behind them chimed to indicate it was locked.
A robotic voice then came to life near the security feature, making Becca jump nearly two feet.
“LOCK SECURED.”
“Damn,” she exclaimed.
Their tension was cut with a fit of nourishing laughter. Noah didn’t realize how nervous he actually was to bring the woman he was trying to woo to such a romantic setting until he let all of his rigid muscles relax. Becca’s laugh was a serenade, her eyes crinkling up as joyful tears began to stream down the sides of her eyelids.
“Good Lord,” she said, breathing in deeply. “I didn’t know HAL would be greeting us.”
After they finished laughing, they decided to leave the exploration of the grounds and cabin until the morning light. It was just after one in the morning, and they were both drained from the anticipation of their weekend getaway.
But, of course, there was only a king-sized bed in the main bedroom intended for lovers and couples who had been committed for some time. Noah told Becca to take the bed, not wanting her to feel obligated to share … especially since they were still working things out.
“I mean, I really don’t mind,” Becca said as they stood in the bedroom. “It might be nice to share a bed with someone again.”
Her voice had descended into that gravelly, husky purr that made Noah’s bear growl in response. Of course, he wanted to sleep in the same bed. Her aroma was enchanting and sent natural relaxing endorphins through his brain stem. And there was also a high likelihood of sex. Noah had envisioned Becca many times since they’d parted, wearing her usual T-shirt and underwear ensemble as she settled next to him, her ass plump and breasts free. That was all it would really take, especially after years of their shared dry spell.
Noah knew better. He shook his head adamantly, knowing that he needed to act while he was still in control of his desires.
“It’s fine. The couch looks really comfortable. I don’t want to complicate anything before we … get a chance to talk.”
He started to walk out of the bedroom, then made the mistake of looking back.
Becca was sitting on the bed, starting to undress. Her hair was that natural beach wavy, her big full-moon eyes beckoned him without trying, and more and more succulent skin was being exposed with every button she undid …
“Well, I hope you can sleep well then,” she said, smirking.
